Habitat for Humanity of Greene County will hold its third annual Nativity Festival Sunday, Dec. 14, at the First United Methodist Church in Jefferson.
The nativity has been celebrated through time in virtually every style of art and media. The Nativity Festival celebrates the season with a display of nativity sets shared by area residents from their personal collections. A pie auction and concert are also part of the festival.
A special addition to this year’s event is a silent auction for a unique, handcrafted nativity set created by the nationally-acclaimed Sticks art and furniture studio of Des Moines.
Sticks crafts handmade American folk art with its origins, surprisingly enough, in a nativity set created by Sarah Grant, company founder and one of Iowa’s most successful and well-known artists.
The Sticks nativity will be unveiled a week earlier, Sunday, Dec. 7, at 2 pm at the Gallup House in Jefferson. Sticks founder Sarah Grant will be there for the unveiling. She will tell of the humble beginnings of Sticks in 1992.
The Nativity Festival itself returns Sunday, Dec. 14, with public viewing of nativity set displays beginning at 3 pm in the church basement hall.
Anyone with one or more nativity sets to share with the public can call Hollie Roberts at 515-386-0108 days, or 515-386-4555 evenings, for more details and to reserve space. While there is room for a large number of displays, reserved space will go quickly.
The community Christmas concert begins at 4 pm in the church sanctuary with several groups and individuals sharing their musical and poetic talents in celebration of the Christmas season.
Following the concert will be a soup supper prepared and served by Greene County church congregations who regularly support Habitat for Humanity in eliminating substandard housing for local low-income families. Members of the Greene County High School Interact Club will assist with serving the meal. Homemade chili, chicken noodle soup, and dessert will be served.
During the supper, a fun-filled pie auction featuring the very best bakers in Greene County will take place. Professional auctioneer Dale Higgins of Grand Junction will be joined by Teresa Mobley in pulling the highest bids for incredible home-baked pies.
The Nativity Festival is the sole annual fundraising event benefitting Habitat for Humanity in Greene County and is relied upon to help more local families in their search for healthy, decent and affordable housing. There is not an entrance fee for the Nativity Festival, though opportunities to contribute through freewill offerings will be available. The most fun and tasty way is through the pie auction.
“Plan now to attend the Nativity Festival, where hearts will be lifted, voices will be raised and all will gather to support Habitat for Humanity’s belief that ‘Everyone Deserves a Stable Home’, said a Habitat spokesperson.
