Welcome to "This Is My Story," a new blog series dedicated to highlighting the journeys of individuals within the Polyphony Music Resources family.
In these posts, we turn the spotlight on some of our dedicated church musicians. Through personal anecdotes and professional milestones, we’ll learn a little more about them and hopefully, get to know one another better.
This series aims to inspire and celebrate the invaluable contributions of our musical leaders. Join us as we delve into their stories and continue to strengthen our connections.
Meet Melanie Williams
Minister of Worship Arts
Present City - Lake Park, NC
Hometown - Waynesboro, GA
Education - DMA
Tell us about your family.
Married to my high school sweetheart for 53 years. Oldest daughter, Howell, is living and working in Melbourne AU. Our second daughter, Haley, her husband and 3 children live in NC where we are living at present.
Favorite hobbies?
Gardening, pickleball, golf, and looking at real estate
How have you participated in Polyphony?
Attended conference in Nashville in 2023 and also Rock Hill in 2024. Currently part of the Thriving in Ministry cohort.
What do you think God is up to in your life right now?
We are all learning so much more in depth about God’s gift of grace and provision in all that we do.
Tell us about your faith journey.
Grew up as the eldest in a large family of four other female siblings in small town Waynesboro, GA at FBC with many dedicated teachers, clergy, and role models. I can remember as far back as age 5 when the pre-school department would sing I Was Glad When They Said Unto Me upon arriving at Sunday School.
I have always been fascinated with the pomp and circumstance of worship and enjoyed participating in the singing and reading and praying and listening as a child. I remember attending a revival service on a week night as a 6th grader with my family, and feeling the Spirit nudge me forward to make a profession of faith. I can even remember what I was wearing at the time because Mom made the four of us dress in our Ben Casey tops and gathered skirts.
Our church organist taught almost every child in town piano lessons, and when our new female choir director came to town, she put me to work as a middle schooler accompanying children’s choirs which also led to ukulele and guitar playing for summer church camps, often being summoned home from college for the summer to help.
My choir director saw gifts in me that I was unaware of until our new band director came to town in 7th grade and the both of them called out my musical gifts as I matured, all the while being drawn deeper into to the faith connection.
BSU at the University of Georgia help to hone my spiritual and leadership gifts as I was influenced by camp pastors and upper classmen in leadership roles.
I served as a summer missionary at the end of my freshman year at UGA and Alan and I were married at the end of my sophomore year. Following our graduation, Alan did a 6 year stint in The Air Force in the Midwest, while I went on to graduate school in voice at the U of I.
One particular Air Force Chaplain, a very southern Voice Professor, and an enthusiastic young preacher were influential in persuading me to flesh out my true calling which eventually led to a full time church position which in turn, led to more open doors for my faith journey. One of my faithful choir members, who happened to be a retired colonel in the Marines and chairman of the deacons at the time, urged me to consider letting the church ordain me for the gospel ministry.
Accepting that call proved to be one of the most clarifying and affirming experiences which led the way to more growth and grace and humility, particularly at the bedside of hospitalized congregants or looking into the eyes of fellow members of the Body of Christ during intinction or communion. How beautiful is the Body of Christ.
After serving in full-time ministry for over 25 years at two churches, I retired to move closer to family and wait for another call. I now am serving part-time in a small but mighty family of faith, which leads to more opportunities to look for gifts in others along the way.
Something interesting most people would not know about you.
My dad took me to a turkey shoot when I was in the 5th grade, and I ended up winning the turkey, outshooting all of the boys that were present. That was a great Thanksgiving!
What adjectives best describe you?
Discerning, intuitive, diligent, persistent, assertive, affirming, still growing
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