Walking Tour of Churches and Photos with Santa – all Downtown Wooster December 6th

  • By: Karen Skubik
  • November 10, 2013
  • 400
                        
It can be said that downtown churches were built to be the heart and soul of a community and on December 6th from 6-8 p.m., Main Street Wooster’s Walking Tour of Churches will provide the public the opportunity to explore the beauty in the faith traditions that each church values and congregations cherish. The annual event showcases the architecture, programs, history, and music of each of the participating churches. Maps for a self-guided tour are available at each church and scheduled activities will be noted. When asked about the yearly tour, Jan Douglas, secretary for Central Christian Church, said, “I think it’s great! Every year we think this will be it, since people have seen it, but it just keeps getting bigger and some churches keep adding activities. There are always new people (attending) and ones that come back every year.” Although Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with creating the first Nativity scene in 1223 to place emphasis on Christ during the Christmas season, the manger display at Central Christian has a relatively long history as well. In 1972 the Purdy siblings all purchased a large nativity scene and donated it to the church in memory of their parents Dorothy and William Purdy of Holmes County. Wanda (Purdy) Hockenberry explained, “Our mother always wanted a Nativity set, so after she died we decided to get one for the church in her honor.” Area residents will recall the crèche set up outside on North Market Street right after Thanksgiving each year, but as Hockenberry noted, “The weather took it’s toll and it was repainted a couple times before we decided to purchase a new Nativity four or five years ago. The new Nativity was not weatherproof, so we decided to set it up inside the church’s new Gathering Room. Last year was our 40th year of setting it up. Over the years we have included new family members, children, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law and grandchildren to help. Everyone looks forward to spending the time to do this in memory of our parents.” During the Walking Tour, Central Christian Church will also provide refreshments and Jung Yoon Wie, this year’s recipient of the Women’s Committee for the Wooster Symphony Orchestra Judy Nihlen Achievement Award, will play live piano music along with other College of Wooster students. Refreshments, music, and festive decorations will fill the churches. Trinity United Church of Christ and St. James Episcopal Church will house consecutive concerts by the Wayne County Choral Union at 7 and 8 p.m., organ music will be heard at First Baptist Church and Zion Lutheran Church. Second Baptist Church, Faith Harvest Fellowship, and Wooster United Methodist Church will all open their doors to welcome the public providing a feeling of solidarity within the greater faith community. Families may also wish to visit Liberty Street Commons between 5 and 7 p.m. when Saint Nicholas will be available for pictures by Liberty Studios. Children can sit with Santa and opt for a 4x6 photo for $5. The Merchants of Liberty Street Commons and Main Street Wooster will also have free activities including coloring, face painting, and a make-and-take craft. Linda Runion from Roomscapes said, “It will be a nice family evening out. It saves going to the mall and waiting in line for hours. Sometimes we have a wait but, we have activities to keep the children busy.” Once again Main Street Wooster, Inc. has planned an evening with something for everyone. And in the words of the Rev. Dr. Kevan Franklin, senior minister of Trinity United Church of Christ, “The Downtown Tour of Churches Walk gives each of us a deeper appreciation of our spiritual values and lights the path to the four lessons of the season of Advent that every human heart longs for - love, joy, peace, and hope.”


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