George,

....Does the fact that I'm an Episcopalian say anything?< g >

You whiskypalians <bg> are cool! One of my first gigs in a church was playing guitar in a "Folk" mass (boy does this date me!!!!) at a local Episcopalian church. I got $10 per service. Later they found out I could sing and they paid me to be the mens section leader. I was 22 and just starting to work on a degree in music.

Do you have any of the new Charismatic Episcopalians in Cartersville? Thomaston has a small (but growing) group. It is really a pretty cool service. The first part is a fairly traditional service and the next part is more informal praise singing etc.

.......Vocally Rutter's work is very challenging,

YES! That is why your typical choir ( of any denomination ) does not do a lot of Rutter. He writes at a certian level and just does not do many "easy" pieces.

My all time favorite Rutter works are some of his older and bigger stuff. I love the anthem... For the Beauty of the Earth and his bigger works.. Gloria.. and his Requiem.