Bethel Selkirk invites all to a sing-along nativity story production
On Dec. 21, Bethel Selkirk invites everyone from the community who would enjoy attending a free Christmas concert/skit which tells the story of Jesus’s birth to stop by to see the show.
“It’s an up to two-hour (program). It’s free. It’s kid-friendly. There’s going to be a few kids singing, a few adults singing, an angel speaking, a manger scene, and small candy bags for the kids at the end,” said event organizer and Bethel Selkirk member Lily Curran.
She explained that it’s going to be a nativity themed event from beginning to end, with shepherds greeting attendees and walking them to their seats and even some actors in the audience who will play their parts interacting with stage characters for an immersive experience.
“It’s not just going to be Santa and reindeer, but it’s going to be angels and shepherds and the nativity scene,” said Curran.
She said that this is the first time that she’s organizing this event for the church. As she’s a transplant from Thompson, her inspiration was the production that is an annual event there.
“I lived in Thompson for many years, and we would do the Town of Bethlehem down in the basement of the church,” she explained.
Curran felt that the production in Thompson really brought the community together this time of year and wanted to make sure that Selkirk was also able to experience that connection.
“There are a lot of people who believe in the traditional Christmas, and there’s a lot that don’t, but it’s nice for them to understand other people’s points of view as well. That’s why (in Thompson) they would call it the Old Fashioned Christmas. People knew that we would mix Santa and the reindeer, and the nativity scene together. So, for me, it was just something I felt would be nice for our community,” she said.
It’s also nice to have more events taking place in Selkirk, as with the many different choirs, skits, and annual holiday events, there’s really no need to travel to Winnipeg to fill up on holiday cheer.
This performance will take place at Bethel Church, which is located at 200 Main St. in Selkirk. The church is accessible for mobility devices as well as strollers, and Curran explained that attendees should come to the front doors.
Curran also wanted to reassure residents that you don’t have to be a member of the church to come to this Christmas Singspiration. Anyone from the community is welcome.
“I anticipate there will be a good turnout,” she said.
Also, as this is going to be a family-friendly event, children are welcome, but residents of all ages will likely have a good time.
“I think kids (will enjoy it) — elementary school kids, high school kids, people in the care homes. Because I’m a nurse, I work at care homes, and they love that kind of stuff,” said Curran.
She hopes that attendees come away with a sense of togetherness.
“I’m hoping it will unify us a little better as a community. It always tends to do that at Christmas time anyway, but I think an event where it’s open to everybody, and it’s free, that brings people into the Christmas spirit and helps them in getting to know each other. I think it’s a good way to get the community together,” said Curran.
She invites anyone interested to stop by Bethel Selkirk on Dec. 21 at 6:30 p.m.
