Jim Athas Day a celebration of 40 years of music at local church
By Tom Ganser
Correspondent
As is true for any organization with an extensive history, highly regarded and long-serving leaders in a church serve as an essential and dependable bridge over time. For Whitewater’s First United Methodist Church, few can argue that Jim Athas is a prime example of that.
The congregation gathered together during services Nov. 22 to celebrate “Jim Athas Day” in recognition of his 40 years of service as FUMC’s Director of Music and Organist, beginning when he was a college student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1975.
To put Athas’ length of service into context, he has been a mainstay in the church’s music ministry for nearly a quarter of its history since it was founded in 1843 as Whitewater Methodist Episcopal Church. Not to mention that Athas’ four decades at FUMC far exceed Johann Sebastian Bach’s 27-year appointment as a cantor in Leipzig, Germany.
“The center of creating music is the affect, the emotional expression, that comes through the music, along with the cognitive, or mental understanding of how to properly play the music, coupled with the technical ability,” Christine Hayes, FUMC Chancel Choir Director since 1996, said in her tribute to Athas.
“There are many musicians out there who can successfully execute two of these components but few who artistically bring together all three for a truly aesthetic experience,” Hayes said. “Bring to that mixture, a deep faith and desire to heighten the worship experience and you have the musical brilliance of Jim Athas.”
Focusing on the FUMC Chancel Choir, Hayes said the choir rehearsals “are a joy to experience with his creative musical introductions to a piece, re-creating poorly written accompaniments and his ability to totally change a piece based on the requests or whim of the choir director.
“His musicianship inspires an amateur group of singers to be as expressive as any top choir.”
Hayes said there are times “we complete a work with Jim finishing the final lines and there is total silence and a glow in the faces of the singers as they look over at the piano and just soak in the final, oh so musical tones, that linger in the sanctuary. He can leave us breathless and exhilarated.”
Many professional musicians, Hayes said, even in a church setting, “feel it is all about them and their performance.”
But this is never the case with Athas, she said.
“Jim comes to the role of church musician with a heart that understands it is all about God, bringing to the congregation the most meaningful worship experience possible,” using then power of music “to heighten that worship experience (and) to provide the expressions of faith that cannot be put into words.”
“Jim’s music directly touches the soul – no words needed,” Hayes said.
Pastor Susan Bresser described Athas as the best organist she has ever worked with.
“He helps us to be engaged. His presence, his gifts help us to be participants in worship, and I think we’re better because of that,” Bresser said.
“Jim has touched thousands of hearts and mindsets through his profound musical affect. Our emotional, spiritual being can be transformed through a quiet time with just Jim’s playing in the background,” Hayes said.
“Thank you, Jim Athas, for your gift of music to this congregation, this choir and our community,” Hayes added. “Your music on piano, organ, hammer dulcimer and at times singing, helps carry us through our faith journey in this church and as we move on through the week and through our lives.”
The service featured his selection of favorite hymns and organ music, beginning with “Prelude, Fugue and Ciacona” by Dietrich Buxtehude and ending with “In Thee is Gladness by J. S. Bach played without stops. Athas emerged from the organ bench behind the sanctuary to accompany the Chancel Choir on piano, lead the Children’s Time and share his thoughts during Contemporary Witness.
Athas explained to the children how an organ works and led them on a short field trip behind the altar to see his hands and feet in action, while Joe Sherman used a video camera to project the action for the rest of the congregation to enjoy.
“If I were to paraphrase some words from a famous American president, I would say: ‘Two score, and 21 pastors ago’ I was hired to serve this church,” Athas said and named all of them, each “with his or her own style and expectations. It’s satisfying, and humbling to have served for such a long… long… long time.”
Athas said it was difficult to express “how important this church has been to my family and me. I started as a college student who wanted to use my skills while studying at UW-Whitewater. The income was nice, too.”
While serving at FUMC, he married Barb (a soprano in the FUMC Chancel Choir) and raised four children in the church’s Sunday school program: Aaron, Katie, Joe and Ana.
Aaron and Katie took to the pulpit during the service and joined Ana and Joe in a surprise musical performance that included Aaron playing his dad’s dulcimer, which he had carefully snuck out of the house.
Athas said he has served “with one of the finest choral directors a church could have, Christine Hayes. There are a great many churches that would love to have this accomplished choir and choral program. I am also thankful for Pastor Susan’s leadership, and the fine staff here at First Church.”
Admitting with a little laugh that he is “no biblical scholar,” Athas concluded his talk with the reading of a recently discovered ancient addendum to the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 29, entitled “Stoning the Organist.”
Before sharing the text – authored by Garrison Keillor and depicting the woes of an organist who “hath played too loud (and) maketh our heads to ring as if they were beaten with hammers,” Athas readily admitted that every church organist is probably guilty of this transgression. The justification, he unapologetically offered is simple and straightforward: “It’s hard to resist, considering you have the largest and most powerful instrument at your fingertips. It’s like having a fast sports car. You want to open it up and ‘see what this baby can do!’”
During the service the congregation joined hands in a prayer of blessing for the ministry of Athas: “Loving and gracious God, bless our ministry of music and shower your blessings upon Jim, who diligently offers his gifts to your service. We give thanks for the gift of music and for Jim, who always presents a heart full of praise to your greater glory, though Christ our Lord. Amen.”
In recognition of Athas always playing the organ in stocking feet, socks were collected for donation to the Whitewater Clothes Closet. Bresser also presented Athas with a tie bolding that stated: “Keep calm and play louder.”
Following the service the celebration continued with cake and ice cream in Fellowship Hall.
Athas retired from his position as a first grade teacher at Luther Elementary School in Fort Atkinson in 2014. He is currently working with the Fort Atkinson High School choirs and theater productions as an accompanist and rehearsal pianist. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member in UW-Whitewater’s Music Department.
The fact that Athas has never been one to look for the spotlight or to seek accolades was evident on his big day.
“My philosophy has always been to just be quiet and do your job, and hopefully do it well,” he said.
