Carol Fisher-Linn
Once again, we eagerly await the annual Community Christmas Cantata which will take place this Sunday, December 14. During those enchanting moments viewers will get wondrously transported over 2000 years ago (actually 2026-2028 years ago per Blessed app) to the time leading to and culminating in the birth of Jesus Christ. The Cantata, Touched by a Child, Touched by a King by John Purifoy tells the story of lives being changed by the Christ Child. The music and narrations will follow the experience of the entire cast of players (Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, wise men, etc.) including the believers in attendance. The cantata mixes the old and familiar with fresh Christmas texts making it an exciting Christmas celebration for both choir and congregation.
The Christmas Cantata began as a religious community choir in 1969 or early 1970’s by choir director Marcia Barto with organist Betty Emke at the United Methodist Church. Marcia and Bill had recently moved to Ellicottville and had the cantata experience from their previous church. According to Nancy Rogan, who has been involved with the Cantata since its inception, it was presented every Christmas Eve. Eventually, the Ellicottville church shared a minister with a church in Machias and some of the people in Machias joined the cantata. When Betty Emke died in 1984, pianist Audrey George stepped in to accompany the cantata. When Audrey moved, Nikky Chapman (White) took over the organ for the cantata and eventually for the weekly United church services. When Marcia became ill and could no longer direct, she relinquished that role to Annette Ieda from Holy Name of Mary Church who continues directing to this day. This year, Lauren Hall from Salamanca is filling in as pianist. The venue was changed about ten years ago when the number of choir members multiplied and the United Church was too small for the choir and attendees.
After eight weeks of rehearsals beginning mid-October, this dedicated group of 34 singers from Salamanca’s Riverside Chapel and Ellicottville’s United Church choir plus Holy Name of Mary choir members and other Cattaraugus County area singers and musicians are prepared for the public to enjoy the fruits of their efforts as they offer this celebration of the birth of Christ through narration and songs.
Narrators for Riverside Chapel are Pastor Bengamin Good and his wife, Hannah. For Ellicottville they are Jim Snyder and Lauren Hall. No longer held on Christmas Eve, the choir will perform on Sunday, December 14th, at 3pm (Riverside Chapel on 134 Broad Street in Salamanca) and 7pm (Holy Name of Mary Catholic Church on 22 Jefferson Street in Ellicottville). Both performances are under one hour in length and are magical moments when the biblical account of Christ’s birth is set to music. Great news for those who cannot get out, these events will be livestreamed.
Plan to attend at least one of the performances and get into the true spirit of Christmas where “Jesus Christ is the reason for the Season!” In the Christmas spirit of love and good-will, both concerts will be pleased to receive any “free-will” monetary offerings, which will be used to provide much-needed funds for area food pantries. The food pantries are working overtime to respond to the “overload” which is occurring not only because of the holiday season but also because life-saving government funding that has been cut short for many. As you feed your soul with the glorious music of the season, please remember that “Tis the season” to open your heart and your pocketbooks to help the needy. As Christians we are to feed the poor and help people who are in need. Feeding the needy is part of serving one another and as we serve others we are serving Christ. Why not use our wealth to help someone that really needs it. God will often provide for people through us. We find this in Matthew 25:35: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. And, in today’s modern world, we have Buffalo Bills football legend, Josh Allen who says these words, and practices what he preaches: Do Good, Be good, and God Bless.
Following the 3pm Salamanca concert will be refreshments in the basement meeting room, and after the 7pm HNM concert will be a viewing of over 200 creche scenes in the basement meeting room on HNM Church. Humble thanks to Nancy Rogan for helping us go back in time to tell the cantata story from its beginnings in Ellicottville. Sending wishes from The Villager for a happy, holy Christmas season.