Voices of Christmas
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11/25/2006 - The Living Christmas Tree stays strong in its 22nd season
By JIM COFFMAN
First Covenant Church senior pastor David Trosper and his wife, Beth, had only been in Jamestown less than two months late last year when they received an early lesson about the impact that the Living Christmas Tree can have on the area.
It was the third week in November, a Saturday morning, when church and community members were busy assembling the structure in the church’s sanctuary, which is located at 520 Spring St. in Jamestown.
But while plenty of work was going on there, the tree’s figurative branches were already providing a warm embrace on the other side of town.
It seems that a woman had been involved in an automobile accident on Fairmount Avenue near Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce & Garden Center and was understandably distressed. Fortunately, Mrs. Trosper reported, the woman’s concerns were quickly put to rest.
All she needed for comfort was the sight of David Cohen’s NACO Express Truck — the vehicle in which “the tree’’ is stored for 50 weeks out of the year —which just happened to be nearby.
“In her moment of need,’’ Mrs. Trosper said, “she looked up and saw the trailer, inscribed ‘God’s Trailer: The Living Christmas Tree Inside,’ pass by. She was reminded that all would be well.’’
All is well, indeed, as the Living Christmas Tree, now assembled and decorated, awaits a 65-voice choir, a 25-piece professional orchestra, a narrator and pageantry to help tie in the whole message of Christmas.
Conducted by Norm Lydell, ‘‘The Voices of Christmas,’’ by Joseph and Pamela Martin, provides a message in the forward to the piece that explains what the production is all about: ‘‘Christ was born to everyone: past, present and future,’’ it reads. ‘‘We are all, in some sense, connected to the manger. We are all witnesses to and voices of the good news of His birth.’’
The Living Christmas Tree provides an opportunity for First Covenant to get that message across.
See LIVING on Page C-3
From Page C-1
“There is a presence of excitement coming together to build the Tree that creates the anticipation of Christmas,’’ the Rev. Trosper said. “It is centered in telling the story of Christmas, a story that can get lost in the secular, commercial aspect of Christmas. There is something about music that is incarnate within us.
“The Living Christmas Tree is the story of hope that is so important to the church and the community. It is the telling of God’s story in music and in drama that’s inviting. It is a living manger being acted out in the present as if you are a witness to the Christ-event. It is this living manger that touches the emotions within.’’
Children are also impacted by seeing the tree for the first time.
Mrs. Trosper recalled how her grandchildren stood in awe of the structure when they entered the sanctuary and were equally impressed when they noticed that their violin teacher from Persell Middle School — Katie Cierlicki, who is also the orchestra director at Jamestown High School — was a member of the orchestra.
The Rev. Trosper also feels that it is a wonderful family tradition. That tradition can take the form of families who attend the performances together; families who begin Christmas by working in various ways for the Living Christmas Tree; and the group of people from more than 20 churches who have become family after 22 years of performances.
The traditions that the Living Christmas Tree have fostered for more than two decades would not have been possible without the efforts of two church members — Gunnard ‘‘Kinky’’ Kindberg and Henry Norman — who both passed away this year.
The Living Christmas Tree participants remember Kinky as a man of many talents. His excellent tenor voice contributed to the choir for 21 years. His stewardship in taking care of the church will be missed. Kinky quietly and faithfully helped his wife, Carol, in her duties as chairman. His good spirit, jokes and love of people and the church are qualities everyone will remember.
“Kinky had a global view of all aspects of the Living Christmas Tree,’’ Lydell said, “dealing equally with small or big details in quiet ways. He knew what needed to be done to make things flow and nothing slipped through the cracks. His good spirit lightened the load. The way he worked quietly as a behind-the-scenes man made a significant contribution to the Living Christmas Tree.’’
Those involved in the planning of the Living Christmas Tree realize more than ever the significant contribution Kinky made every year and honor his memory.
Henry Norman is remembered at First Covenant for his strong faith, which he shared gladly with others and also as the tree’s original architect.
He was also remembered in 2004 by Russell Johnson, the Living Christmas Tree’s founding conductor, as ‘‘the real genius of the Living Christmas Tree.’’
Because of the unique architecture of the sanctuary at First Covenant Church, Henry had to design a tree that spanned over the altar railing and incorporated the tiers in the front of the sanctuary. This required frequent trips to the church to verify measurements as sketches were made and the Living Christmas Tree was created. It was first assembled at Mission Meadows camp on Chautauqua Lake, then erected at the church where the fit was perfect.
Amazingly, after 22 years of being assembled and disassembled, the integrity of the Living Christmas Tree remains intact. It has been examined and strengthened over the years to assure that it remains strong.
Henry was more than an architect, though. He was a teacher of the Bible, a prayer partner and friend.
By JIM COFFMAN
First Covenant Church senior pastor David Trosper and his wife, Beth, had only been in Jamestown less than two months late last year when they received an early lesson about the impact that the Living Christmas Tree can have on the area.
It was the third week in November, a Saturday morning, when church and community members were busy assembling the structure in the church’s sanctuary, which is located at 520 Spring St. in Jamestown.
But while plenty of work was going on there, the tree’s figurative branches were already providing a warm embrace on the other side of town.
It seems that a woman had been involved in an automobile accident on Fairmount Avenue near Brigiotta’s Farmland Produce & Garden Center and was understandably distressed. Fortunately, Mrs. Trosper reported, the woman’s concerns were quickly put to rest.
All she needed for comfort was the sight of David Cohen’s NACO Express Truck — the vehicle in which “the tree’’ is stored for 50 weeks out of the year —which just happened to be nearby.
“In her moment of need,’’ Mrs. Trosper said, “she looked up and saw the trailer, inscribed ‘God’s Trailer: The Living Christmas Tree Inside,’ pass by. She was reminded that all would be well.’’
All is well, indeed, as the Living Christmas Tree, now assembled and decorated, awaits a 65-voice choir, a 25-piece professional orchestra, a narrator and pageantry to help tie in the whole message of Christmas.
Conducted by Norm Lydell, ‘‘The Voices of Christmas,’’ by Joseph and Pamela Martin, provides a message in the forward to the piece that explains what the production is all about: ‘‘Christ was born to everyone: past, present and future,’’ it reads. ‘‘We are all, in some sense, connected to the manger. We are all witnesses to and voices of the good news of His birth.’’
The Living Christmas Tree provides an opportunity for First Covenant to get that message across.
See LIVING on Page C-3
From Page C-1
“There is a presence of excitement coming together to build the Tree that creates the anticipation of Christmas,’’ the Rev. Trosper said. “It is centered in telling the story of Christmas, a story that can get lost in the secular, commercial aspect of Christmas. There is something about music that is incarnate within us.
“The Living Christmas Tree is the story of hope that is so important to the church and the community. It is the telling of God’s story in music and in drama that’s inviting. It is a living manger being acted out in the present as if you are a witness to the Christ-event. It is this living manger that touches the emotions within.’’
Children are also impacted by seeing the tree for the first time.
Mrs. Trosper recalled how her grandchildren stood in awe of the structure when they entered the sanctuary and were equally impressed when they noticed that their violin teacher from Persell Middle School — Katie Cierlicki, who is also the orchestra director at Jamestown High School — was a member of the orchestra.
The Rev. Trosper also feels that it is a wonderful family tradition. That tradition can take the form of families who attend the performances together; families who begin Christmas by working in various ways for the Living Christmas Tree; and the group of people from more than 20 churches who have become family after 22 years of performances.
The traditions that the Living Christmas Tree have fostered for more than two decades would not have been possible without the efforts of two church members — Gunnard ‘‘Kinky’’ Kindberg and Henry Norman — who both passed away this year.
The Living Christmas Tree participants remember Kinky as a man of many talents. His excellent tenor voice contributed to the choir for 21 years. His stewardship in taking care of the church will be missed. Kinky quietly and faithfully helped his wife, Carol, in her duties as chairman. His good spirit, jokes and love of people and the church are qualities everyone will remember.
“Kinky had a global view of all aspects of the Living Christmas Tree,’’ Lydell said, “dealing equally with small or big details in quiet ways. He knew what needed to be done to make things flow and nothing slipped through the cracks. His good spirit lightened the load. The way he worked quietly as a behind-the-scenes man made a significant contribution to the Living Christmas Tree.’’
Those involved in the planning of the Living Christmas Tree realize more than ever the significant contribution Kinky made every year and honor his memory.
Henry Norman is remembered at First Covenant for his strong faith, which he shared gladly with others and also as the tree’s original architect.
He was also remembered in 2004 by Russell Johnson, the Living Christmas Tree’s founding conductor, as ‘‘the real genius of the Living Christmas Tree.’’
Because of the unique architecture of the sanctuary at First Covenant Church, Henry had to design a tree that spanned over the altar railing and incorporated the tiers in the front of the sanctuary. This required frequent trips to the church to verify measurements as sketches were made and the Living Christmas Tree was created. It was first assembled at Mission Meadows camp on Chautauqua Lake, then erected at the church where the fit was perfect.
Amazingly, after 22 years of being assembled and disassembled, the integrity of the Living Christmas Tree remains intact. It has been examined and strengthened over the years to assure that it remains strong.
Henry was more than an architect, though. He was a teacher of the Bible, a prayer partner and friend.
For more information on Chautauqua Lake Realk Estate & Living visit: www.chautauqualakehomes.com
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