Spirit of the season

The church’s “Calling All Angels” Interfaith Concert on Dec. 9 brought together singers, musicians, and caring members from 10 churches and faith communities to celebrate how uplifting the sounds and visions of Christmas can be when we all gather together.

Planning for this concert began months ago by Gail Parker and Marvel Earnshaw and in spite of the season’s first snowstorm, the end result was an evening for adults and children to entertain us with Christmas carols we all know and some we were hearing for the first time. It was a joyful event.

In addition to our church, participating faith communities included The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Thornton Heights United Methodist Church, St. Maximilian Kobe Catholic Church, Peoples United Methodist Church, St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, Maine Hindu Temple, Raymond Village Community Church, Scarborough Congregational Church, and the West Scarborough United Methodist Church. Also participating were students from Scarborough, Portland and Cape Elizabeth schools.

In addition to choral singing by adults and children, everyone in attendance was asked to join in throughout the concert with favorite Christmas hymns from “Silent Night” to “The First Noel” and “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear”. After a request for silent prayers for all of the strife in the world, there also was the singing in unison of “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

Words of embracing the season and being together as a community were delivered during breaks in the singing by Pastor Casey Collins from our church and Bishop Craig Treadwell from the Church of Latter Day Saints.

Pastor Casey Collins of the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church

Bishop Craig Treadwell from the Church of Latter Day Saints

As memorable as the concert was, unfortunately the snow prevented 15-20 members of the Interfaith Choir from taking part.

Thank you again to Gail Parker and Marvel Earnshaw for making this wonderful evening possible!

Click here for more images of the concert: