Holiday Events Foster Community

More than 40 churches and schools in western Washington selected from a variety of holiday events, such as concerts, drama productions, nativity scenes and more, to specifically build relationships within the church and the community.

Olympia Christian School continued their multiyear tradition of performing a 30 to 45 minute concert in the Capitol Rotunda. Anita McKown, principal, reports many people enjoy the students' music and often inquire more about the school. Auburn Adventist Academy's Sylvan Chorale also performed at the Capitol.

The Chehalis (Wash.) Church's sing-along-Messiah concert marks the beginning of the holiday season in the local community. More than 500 guests attended this year. A week later, the church hosted a holiday vegetarian tasting extravaganza to share a festive introduction to vegetarian cooking for guests.

Everson (Wash.) Church invited the community to "The Last Noel," a children's production of Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem. Children dressed as sheep, cows, angels and wise men joined together to sing praises to their newborn King.

The Oak Harbor (Wash.) Church reached out to military families to provide a free Christmas dinner on Christmas day.

The Auburn Academy Church along with its church and school partners produced the fifth year of Journey to Bethlehem, an interactive, outdoor drama, with more than 6,000 guests attending in four nights.

"Journey to Bethlehem uses almost every gift we have in our church," says Bill Roberts, Auburn Academy Church senior pastor. "This ministry involves the youngest to oldest members to reach out to the community and helps our members get to know each other better."

Featured in: February 2011