June 29, 2025
Jinny Perrin Receives Lay Member Recognition Award
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Borrego Springs Leader Receives United Methodist Honor
Virginia “Jinny” Perrin has received the 2025 Lay Member Recognition Award from the South District of the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, which includes San Diego, Imperial, and parts of Riverside and Orange counties. This Lay Member honor recognizes individuals who serve with consistent dedication in both their congregations and communities.
Jinny’s love of music began early. Both of her parents were music educators and church music leaders, and she held her first choir director position while still in college—directing a children’s choir. Over the decades, she has contributed in countless ways to the spiritual and cultural life of Borrego Springs. Among her many ongoing commitments, she also performs with the Flotilla of Flutes, sharing her talents beyond Community UMC and supporting music throughout the community.
Below is the official nomination submitted to the UMC Laity Board:
Virginia “Jinny” Perrin arrived in Borrego Springs August 1981, the new K-12 music teacher in our schools and began attending Community UMC. She stepped up to become the church musician in January 1984, following the untimely passing of our pastor, Norman Wright, who was also the pianist, organist, and choir director. Jinny immediately provided piano and choir music for Sunday worship and began taking organ lessons. After 4 lessons, the organ teacher suddenly passed. Jinny continued to study independently and became our very competent organist. During her 42 years serving as Music Director of Community UMC and working with the various pastors, she has enriched and enhanced our worship experiences and encouraged many others in contributing to ministry through music. She has worked with the children/youth programs over the years, provided music at additional holiday worships, weddings, and life celebrations. The music ministry Jinny provides, has drawn many people to worship and participate at Community.
Jinny is also active in the organization and operation of Community UMC. She serves as Chair of the Simple Board of Governance. She serves and advises the Trustees and continues to be active in caring for church property. If there is something that needs attention, Jinny is there to assist.
Beyond Community UMC, she helps plan and provide music at the ecumenical Thanksgiving and Easter Sunrise worship events of the Borrego Ministers Association, including co-organizing and conducting the annual religious themed Christmas concert. She is active in the community of Borrego Springs, providing and participating in music opportunities in Borrego Springs with the Performing Arts Center, the Community Concert Association, even going to the elementary school to lead holiday singing with the students, plus other music programs.
Since retiring from teaching, she spends summers at a family home in Iowa, which is located adjacent to Lake Okoboji United Methodist Camp/Retreat Center. There is a small chapel at the camp and Jinny helps to coordinate, support, and provide music at the chapel, which serves summer residents in the area.
This is but a brief overview of the many ways Jinny is active and shares her gifts in our church and community. We give thanks to God for her presence with us.
Jinny is a quiet leader, although not afraid to speak out when necessary. She is a vital and active contributor to the operation of the church. She gets things done. She shares the gift and joy of music with others, encouraging and welcoming others to join in the joyful noise. She is dependable, you can count on her to help. She is a respected and appreciated member of the Community UMC and the community of Borrego Springs. She is a true gift!
This award affirms Jinny’s decades of service in music, church leadership, and community involvement. Her commitment continues to enrich both Borrego Springs Community United Methodist Church and the broader Borrego Springs community.
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Doug MacLeod Blues Workshop in Borrego Springs A rare, small-group session with multiple Blues Music Awards winner Doug MacLeod—scheduled before his live performance at the Borrego Springs Performing Arts Center. Learn acoustic blues technique, song craft, timing and dynamics, plus first-hand stories from the road. Below are the exact details on location, date, price, materials, capacity, and registration so you can decide quickly and secure a seat. Life, Love and the Blues! Format: Hands-on coaching, Q&A, storytelling Focus: Song craft, right-hand patterns, tone, timing, feel When & Where Date & Time: October 17, 2025 — 1:00–3:00 PM Workshop Location: Studio West , 587 Palm Canyon Dr., Suite 208, Borrego Springs, CA 92004 Price BAI Members: $75 Non-Members: $100 Materials Bring a notebook, a writing device, and a desire to learn. Capacity 20 student maximum. Intimate format for individualized feedback. Description Kick off Borrego Days with the blues. Learn from award-winning artist Doug MacLeod. Explore song craft and guitar techniques, and hear first-hand stories of old bluesmen and blueswomen. Includes audience Q&A. Registration Register through borregoartinstitute.org . For questions about fees or accessibility, contact Borrego Art Institute. About Doug MacLeod Doug MacLeod is known for superb songwriting, guitar wizardry, warm soulful vocals, wit, and memorable live performances. Storytelling sits at the center of his shows, bringing characters—from the faceless to the legendary—to strikingly real life. He is a multiple Blues Music Award winner, including 2024 Acoustic Album of the Year (Raw Blues 1) and 2023 Acoustic Artist of the Year . In 2025 he received two Blues Music Award nominations: Acoustic Artist of the Year and Acoustic Album of the Year (Raw Blues 2) . His 2022 release A Soul to Claim (produced by Jim Gaines) was named a DownBeat Magazine “Album of the Year.” An international touring artist, MacLeod writes and sings original songs drawn from his own life and experiences. As a youth he overcame abuse and a debilitating stutter by turning to music and voice. His playing led to sideman work with George “Harmonica” Smith, Big Joe Turner, Pee Wee Crayton, Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson, Lowell Fulson, and Big Mama Thornton . Over four decades he has recorded 29 studio albums , several live records and compilations, two blues-guitar instructional DVDs, and a live performance DVD. His songs have been covered by Albert King, Albert Collins, Joe Louis Walker, and Eva Cassidy , and have appeared in TV movies and the series In the Heat of the Night . Playwright August Wilson requested MacLeod’s slide guitar for the Los Angeles opening of Gem of the Ocean . From 1999–2004 MacLeod hosted Nothin’ But The Blues on Los Angeles’ KLON-KKJZ and later voiced The Blues Showcase on Continental Airlines. For ten years he wrote “Doug’s Back Porch” for Blues Revue Magazine , sharing humorous and insightful stories with thousands of readers. He is also featured in the documentary Resonate: A Guitar Story about National Guitars. Like the masters who taught him, MacLeod’s music expresses life and times with a clear sense of what matters most. He often cites mentor Ernest Banks of Toano, VA: “Never play a note you don’t believe,” and “Never write or sing about what you don’t know about.” Brought to you by Borrego Art Institute, Mitzi Matijevich & Option B Entertainment - Stay tuned this is just the beginning of incredible events and workshops. Let's show our support!
An ARTTALK with publisher, author, and historian Diana Lindsey is scheduled for Saturday, October 11 at 3:00 PM.
Celebrate St. Francis on his feast day, October 4, 2025 at the Blessing of Animals, at the Christmas Circle at 10am. Bring your pets!
