The Richmond County Community Choir was formed nearly six years ago under the direction and organization of Kay Lynch. The choir from all over the county presented two musical presentations over a three-year period, and one was hosted at Richmond Community College’s Cole Auditorium.
Lynch had battled leukemia for seven years and ultimately lost the fight and passed away on April 11, 2009. Her loss was tough on the members of her church, as well as the members of the Community Choir, according to Jimmy Herring, music director for the Cameronian Presbyterian Church in Rockingham.
Herring said Lynch’s wishes stated the choir re-organize under the direction of Jennipher Love, director of recruiting at Richmond Community College and minister of music at Roberdel Baptist Church.
“I’ve been praying about it, and kind of jumped at it. It’s a golden opportunity to use my skills to worship and sing about God, which I enjoy doing,” Love said.
She said she had known Lynch since they were children, and that Lynch as a teenager was dedicated to getting up for the sunrise services on Easter Sunday to play the organ.
“This is all fresh to me. We have met once but actually start on Monday evening,” Love explained.
The Community Choir is scheduled to practice Mondays at 7 p.m. at the Cameronian Presbyterian Church.
Lynch’s brother Mike Snead said his sister was very active in music and played the organ. According to him, Lynch felt called to organize a bigger musical assembly after her initial diagnosis of leukemia in 2001. She assembled a Community Choir made up of members of area churches. Many of them were music directors at their churches, which helped the singers blend their talents. Snead said it makes for interesting performances.
“It’s not your typical choir. We hit six or seven different notes during a performance,” said Snead, who is a member of the choir himself.
After Lynch assembled the choir, Snead said she felt moved to direct the choir’s first musical. She chose “Experiencing God” based on the writings of John and Henry Blackaby, which was presented at several area churches.
After fighting her way through several relapses, Lynch put together the choir’s second musical performance and presented “My Utmost for His Highest,” based on the book by the same name written by Oswald Chambers. It was also presented at different churches, as well as the Cole Auditorium.
Snead said his sister felt lead to do a third musical. He said she began to pray and research music she could use, and her search lead her to find lots of new music that she felt God had given her for a musical.
“She had a strong desire to present the new package of music,” said Snead. He said she wanted personal narration from her life and struggle included, as well as personal testimonies from choir members.
Although Lynch would never see her musical performed, the choir will begin practicing it on Monday to present the musical in Lynch’s honor.
“She was a very sweet lady; a lady of great faith. She never blamed anyone for her illness, nor questioned it,” said Snead. “She was a witness, even until death.”
Performance dates have yet to be announced.
Love invites anyone interested in singing with the community choir to contact her at 910-206-1903.
Staff writer Dawn Kurry can be reached at dkurry@yourdailyjournal.com or by calling 997-3111 ext. 15.
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