Salem UCC sponsors Living Nativity

Anne Hernandez, music director, treasurer and member of the consistory at Salem United Church of Christ, Plymouth, wanted members of the congregation to sponsor an activity, highlighting that the birth of Jesus is the reason for celebrating the Christmas season.

So in fall 2008, she proposed to Rev. James Hoppert, pastor of Salem UCC, that the congregation sponsor a Living Nativity on the church grounds at 217 Salem Drive, Plymouth.

“He said, ‘Go ahead,’” Hernandez recalled.

She realized that preparing for the event would entail several months. So she began by attending the Living Nativity production, sponsored by St Paul’s Lutheran Church in Howards Grove last year with her parents – Sharon and Ron Schoenfeld. “We were very impressed with their presentation,” Hernandez recalled.

She then spearheaded planning for this year’s Living Nativity at Salem UCC, which will include costumed characters and live animals – sheep, donkey and llama.

Admission is free to the event that will be held on the grounds of Salem UCC, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 11, and from 6 to 8:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 12.

Six 15-minute presentations, followed by a five-minute passing time will be held on Dec. 11 and seven on Dec. 12. The 6 p.m. presentation on Dec. 12 is for those with special needs and those who need extra time to get around.

Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall of the church on both evenings. And there will be a display of nativity collections inside the church.

A dress rehearsal for the Living Nativity will be held on Dec. 5. Funding for the Living Nativity is provided through memorial-fund contributions and church members who sponsored costumes.

“I thought it would touch people’s hearts to have members of our congregation present the story of the birth of Jesus,” Hernandez said. “It is a way to reach out to the wider community and to fill a need.

“I think people are so busy decorating, buying gifts, going to parades and attending parties that they don’t take time to experience the true meaning of Christmas,” she added.

Scott Bunyea, narrator for the Living Nativity, will follow the script contained in “The Children’s Living Bible.”

“We want people of all ages to be able to understand the story,” Hernandez noted. “This will be an event for the entire family.”

Other members of the cast include; Greta Grall, Mary; Jered Krueger, Joseph; Cody Wolfert, Angel Gabriel; Courtney Wolfert, angel for the Dec. 11 production; Nicole Richart, angel for the Dec. 12 production; Rev. James Hoppert, Joey Halle and Wesley Huibregtse, the three Wise Men; and Colton Sukowaty and Kyle Lisowe, shepherds.

Sharon Schoenfeld, chairperson of the seamstresses and her committee members – Eileen Brooks, Barb Englebretson, Judi Miller, Caroline Risse, Diana Roberts and Jackie Rortvedt – are making the costumes.

Other committee chairpersons are: Julie Sukowaty, animals; Andrea Miller, backstage; Linda Bosman, event promotion; Judi Miller, hospitality; Scott Bunyea, lighting and sound; Tom Daigle, parking; Anne Hernandez, program; Janis Knuth, refreshments and Claude Kent, set construction.

Kent made the stable for the Living Nativity production.

“This is kind of a big undertaking,” Hernandez noted. “Yet, everybody has been so receptive in offering their time and talents.”

Hoppert said he believes this is the first time the Living Nativity will be presented in Plymouth. “The members of the congregation are pretty excited,” he said.

The song that will be played between productions of the Living Nativity is “The Friendly Beasts.”

This song is one of the 12 tracks on a new Christmas CD, “The Promise of Light,” that Hoppert and 10 other people – most of them members of his congregation – produced.

Those involved were: Hoppert, vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboard; Gloria Schroeder, violin; Brian Pagel, drums; Chris Brooks, bass player; Dennis Hill, guitar and bass; Garrett Debbink, piano, Barb Pahr, keyboard; Mandy Radloff, flute; Anne Hernandez, vocals; Scott Bunyea, mixing and sound work, and Sharon Brumer, vocals.

The CD will be sold at Salem UCC and at First Congregational UCC Church, 1405 S. State 67, Plymouth, starting on Nov. 29. Proceeds from the CD sales will be divided between the Plymouth Food Pantry and the Gathering Table food ministry, sponsored by St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Plymouth.

Among the tracks on the CD are: “The Friendly Beasts,” “Away in a Manger,” “Silent Night,” “What Child Is This?” and “Infant Holy, Infant Lowly.”

Production work on the CD began in August and was completed earlier this month. The CD was recorded at Salem UCC and in the basement of Bunyea’s home in Plymouth.

Hoppert expressed his gratitude to Bunyea’s employer, O & W Sound Communications, Sheboygan, for lending the group some digital mixing equipment used in recording the CD.

Note: For further information, phone Salem UCC at 892-7456.