Jeff Brummel, associate minister of music and organist, is departing the Wilshire staff and moving to his native Oregon to be near family and aging parents. Wilshire will celebrate Jeff on Oct. 18, his last Sunday to lead in worship. Jeff made the announcement in an email to the church on Sept. 17.
Jeff came to Wilshire as part-time organist in 2006 and became associate minister of music in 2018. He is Wilshire’s longest-serving organist and among the longest-serving music staffers in the church’s history.
“I have pinched myself every single day on my drive into work to make sure that I wasn’t dreaming to be working at such a church as Wilshire,” Jeff wrote. “To find a church that loves and champions hymns, choirs, pipe organs, children’s and youth music, instrumental music — and you are so nice to boot!”
Jeff directed Youth Choir and Shekinah for many years and served as accompanist or substitute conductor for many Wilshire ensembles. He taught piano and organ lessons to children and youth, and in recent years he served as the ministerial point person for funerals.
Jeff said he plans to pursue a teaching job and is certified to teach K–12 music in Oregon.
Senior Pastor Timothy Peoples said, “[Jeff’s] music has been a gift, but so has his presence. We will truly miss his spirit and the unique joy he has brought to this place.”
A search committee will be formed to fill Jeff’s role. Minister of Music Ariel Merivil is close to securing an interim organist, and plans are in the works to cover Carillon Ringers in the wake of Ralph Manuel’s resignation from the music staff.