Friends,
Whenever something is “in the Country” then people are getting the best of the Chapel of the Cross and we are doing the work God has given us to do. This past weekend, we welcomed thousands to the Chapel of the Cross through Christmas in the Country and Concerts in the Country’s offering of Mennotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors.
I want to share with you a comment left on our Facebook page from a Christmas in the Country visitor:
“We so enjoyed going through Friday night with our two granddaughters. I had seen your sign on a recent trip to Madison for a doctor’s appointment. We drove from Indianola to go through Christmas in the Country. What I thought was extra special was the fact that you could tell from the people and the well organization of this night that your church members are a village that work together to bring this special weekend to all. Everyone was smiling and I LOVED that you included your church children in this special night. What great memories of their home church for them to look back on in future years! And your Santa and Mrs. Claus were the best! So sweet and gentle with the children. Thanks to all and wishing all a blessed Christmas season.”
Christmas in the Country was followed up by Amahl and the Night Visitors which featured our own Johnston Markle as Amahl, and many other Chapel members included in the cast, and of course, directed by our wonderful Organist and Choirmaster, Ed Dacus. This production has been in the works for a year and so much work was poured into making it the moving story that it was. It was like a Christmas Eve service as over 300 people filled the Chapel of the Resurrection despite pouring rain!
The visitor that came through Christmas in the Country only had to drive through our Chapel grounds for ten minutes to see the best of us and who we are. We are a village that works together no matter the reason or cause. When help is needed, there is always an overwhelming response. The Chapel is a beautiful, unique place with a rich history, but the brightest and best of the Chapel of the Cross is her people.
Thank you to Martha Frye, the Chair of Christmas in the Country, and Ed Dacus, our Organist and Choirmaster, who dreamed big. Thank you to the countless Chapel volunteers who have made those dreams a reality. As Tina Turner once sang, “You’re simply the best.”
See you all “in the Country,” as we continue our Advent journey to the manger.
Will