[LPM Texas-Louisiana-Gulfcoast, March 2006, Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, Texas]
Update January 2010: The LPM National Board approved changes to our bylaws. The new board structure will be more lean and help us keep costs low. For now, the board leaderships consists of Ellen Johnson, Chair, Sue Mitchell-Wallace, Vice-Chair & Secretary, John Weit, Treasurer, and John... Marsh, Past Chair & Communications. I want to thank everyone who were supportive of my tenure as LPM Chair. Please continue to give your support to Ellen Johnston who will do an outstanding job leading LPM into the future. In my new role as communications person, I will maintain LPM's relationship with coordinators, local programs, prospects, graduates, former board members and help forge new relationships. Your comments and suggestions are welcomed! Let's continue to make LPM a strong force within our churches. More information on these changes will be forthcoming. Many of you know that the LPM National Board's support of local LPM programs throughout the country has been funded in large part by our partner denominations. All partner denominations have participated, but, in particular, the Episcopal Church and Evangelical Lutheran Church in America have provided the bulk of LPM's financial support. We have been grateful to our partner denominations for making the ministry of LPM possible for churches throughout the country.
Due to budget cutbacks, Presbyterian Association of Musicians support ended in 2008, ELCA support ended this past spring, and ECUSA support ceases at year's end. As one might imagine, these changes have immense impact upon how LPM operates.
The LPM National Board is in the process of evaluating how best to respond to these changes and will report back to you as changes develop. The curriculum has been the heart of our local programs. The board will continue to encourage local programs and explore means of strengthening the curriculum as we move ahead.
Due to the budget cuts mentioned above, the office of LPM Consultant-Coordinator will close October 31, 2009. Anna Leppert-Largent has been in this position for the past 5 years and has done so much to promote LPM. We are all very grateful to Anna for her LPM ministry and wish her Godspeed as she moves into a new phase of her life. Thanks, Anna.
The LPM National Board will be picking up Anna's duties. For now, please call John Marsh, Chair (marek2go@gmail.com, or 713-206-8896), or Ellen Johnston, Vice-Chair (ellenjohnston95@hotmail.com, or 804-433-0848), if you have questions or needs that Anna has previously handled.
The LPM National Board met in Atlanta in mid-November 2009 to consider changes in how LPM operates. Some of these changes involve changes in LPM bylaws. As soon as the full board approves these changes, they will be shared with everyone.
LPM is as vital and important to our churches as ever. So it's important that we meet the need and discern how best to move forward. Your continued prayers, feedback and ideas are solicited. Please share your thoughts with any board member, or through our Facebook page. For the past fifteen years, LPM has been a vital presence in our churches. We know that God will continue to bless this important ministry for his church.