Remember to have a life. I have a friend who’s a functional workaholic; he works like crazy, but on vacations or days off, he does what he enjoys and feeds his soul. Don’t neglect your family and your non-musician friends; this may be difficult during the run-up to Christmas and Easter, but these people are in your life for balance. Cherish them. Try not to come in on your day off. That can become a habit that makes you a sitting duck for exploitation.

Eventually it will be time to leave the music ministry. If you are remaining as a parishioner, find a completely different ministry, such as being a lector or eucharistic minister; hanging on in the parish music ministry is like a mother-in-law going on the honeymoon. Do not comment, ever, on changes your successor makes. Make sure your office, workspace and/or storage area is ruthlessly well organized before you bow out. Leaving a mess for your successor to clean up is completely unprofessional—and unpastoral.

If you want to keep your hand in without sacrificing every weekend, mail your information and résumé (perhaps with a repertoire list) to every funeral home in the area. Do the same with other area churches who might need a fill-in accompanist for a short time.

Whether it’s for the challenge of a new job or because it’s just time to retire, leaving can be difficult, especially if you’ve been there a long time. You’re saying goodbye to people who have shared an important part of their lives with you, and they’re well aware that not all change is for the better. Even if you’ve been unjustly dismissed, hold your head high and be gracious. You’ve done your best. The rest is up to God.