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I thought the same thing. It would be a crap shoot. But if it means getting it performed, then it's worth it. You mentioned taking piano lessons. That would eat up your time, but it would be great. When I was living in New York I approached the Julliard School about studying there. But they wouldn't even take one of my credits. When I asked why she said "We want you to learn the 'Julliard Way.' I'm thinking to myself: Theory is theory. What is this Julliard way? What she is really saying is, "We'd like to extract as much cash from you as possible for as long as possible." So, you're right. Sometimes it's better to declare yourself a practitioner of music and just forge ahead.

P.S. Yes, this would be a totally doable piece for many church choirs, in which case an organ is generally available. It's really common to have a general "keyboard" part and make the decision Sunday morning whether to use piano or organ based on the style of the piece, balance issues because of the number of singers who actually show up that morning, or even things as mundane as the organist needing to immediately launch into the Doxology at the end of the piece and having no time to walk from one instrument to the other. That means the organist is looking at a piano part and making their own editorial decisions about stops to use and where to put a bass line in the organ pedals, or the reverse, they are looking at an organ part, ignoring the stop settings and deciding how to add piano pedaling. Also lots of last minute changes to help the choir get their notes or to support the balance if, say, only one bass shows up to sing. Being a church organist is a specialized calling.

Thanks! That's helpful! I really don't play, so I really do need specifics like those. Much appreciated! At some point I'll find the time and money for a piano teacher, but at the moment I've got too many other irons on the fire so I'm delighted to have people on this site I can lean on for advice.