The evening began with a social gettogether, outside in a tented courtyard with fruit, cheeses, and sweets catered by Cathy Meyer, along with wine, beer and bottled water. Vagle launched the concert by leading the SJA Choir with what has become their staple Gospel spiritual "Total Praise" and they rose to the heated occasion with a splendidly strong performance. Local R&B Jazz singer Debbie Duncan joined the choir on a boisterous version of "Love Train," beginning emotively throaty and building into a fury. Duncan slowed things down with a hypnotic cover of the 1948 Nat King Cole recording "Nature Boy." The song's prophetic lyrics "The Greatest Thing You'll Ever Learn Is Just To Love and Be Loved In Return" are fitting words of wisdom that have rung true in many of Wertin's homilies. Dan Chouinard on piano and Dick Hedlund on bass lent a smooth jazzy accompaniment.

Distinguished violin player Peter Ostroushko, one of George's favorite performers, came onto the stage looking right at Wertin and chided, "Gosh, It's not a service. I can talk all I want." With his wonderful fiddle, he gamely joined Chouinard on accordion for a polka hoe-down that got a reluctant George off from his seat for a few rounds with an enthusiastic audience member. Ostroushko remained on stage to accompany the SJA Choir for the 1986 Kim Oler composition "Blue Green Hills of Earth," a poetic tribute to nature with a sparkling intro soprano solo by Nancy Stockhaus. Ostroushko switched to his mandolin for one of George's special requests, "Heart of the Heartland." A truly treasured composition, Ostroushko gorgeously delivered a masterpiece.

Resident SJA folk singer Steve Kremer took to the stage with the SJA Choir for an Appalachian style treatment of the Sally Rogers' tune "Love Will Guide Us." Chouinard played accordion while Kremer nicely sang a verse solo then joined with the choir's harmony blend of men droning and women gliding along. Duncan returned for a fiery interpretation of Sam Cooke's 1965 classic "A Change is Gonna Come," a protest song to support the civil rights movement. Duncan loves to build the dynamics of her phrasing and soulfully mastered them here. She and the SJA Choir had a ball with the Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Lebo M. Lion King theme "He Lives In You." Lending a child-like voice to her verses, Debbie built majestically with the choir for fully a nuanced performance. Duncan sheepishly admitted forgetting her reading glasses before singing. With mostly middle aged members of the choir, there wasn't a problem for Debbie to borrow a pair. Thoughtful choir members handed off somewhat like six pairs of magnifiers for her to choose from.

SJA musician/singer/songwriter Fred Vagle presented Wertin a gift from the Cabaret Committee, a Power G5 Macintosh laptop and Ipod. Vagle suggested he'll always be in touch with George because Wertin, a little computer challenged, will now request a life time of tech support from Vagle.

Our retiring Pastor humbly thanked everyone, responding, "This is the right time for me to retire...I'm counting on you being St. Joan of Arc. . .I want you to keep this funky spirit and carry the momentum forward. It's about St. Joan of Arc, not George!" Duncan, Ostroushko, and the SJA Choir concluded the evening with encores of "Let There Be Peace on Earth" and "Put a Little Love In Your Heart," indeed carrying momentum forward.

Father George Wertin has accomplished considerably everlasting achievements during his 13 year tenure at St. Joan's. His vision of collaborative ministry and low Christology have forever changed the way I live my faith under the Catholic Church. He has enriched us all, retiring at the top of his game. We cherish and deeply thank you, Father George. Having learned how to become collaborative ministers, we will carry forward into the future a church that is called to act with justice and love tenderly; serving one another, and walking humbly with God.

Michael Reinbold, a continuing web reporter, freelances as a writer and banquet caterer. A passionate believer in SJA's mission of social justice and collaborative ministry, Michael is an SJA Choir member, mass reader, Team Oz AIDS rider and Grace House volunteer cook. With an extensive background in theater, photography and fundraising, he relishes all aspects of the arts, staying fit and inspiring and working with people.

Avis Von Eschen has been a member at St. Joan's since 1978. She has been involved in many projects. Although she is presently traveling and frequently out-of-town, she continues to write occasional articles for the web and to send pictures. She also helps out in the office on occasion and has stayed involved with the St. Joan Bridge Club.