The community is invited to celebrate the Christmas story and to support Habitat for Humanity in its ongoing efforts to repair and replace sub-standard housing across Greene County at the annual Nativity Festival Sunday, Dec. 10, at the First United Methodist
Center to this event is the display of all types of nativity sets offered by local collectors for public viewing.
Nativity sets will be on display starting at 3 pm. There is still time for anyone to reserve a spot and share their sets with others. Call Jill Lamoureux at 515-370-4785 for more details and to reserve space.
There will also be a silent auction of nativity sets. Those wishing to donate a set for this cause are also asked to contact Jill Lamoureux.
The Ccmmunity concert begins at 4 pm, with gathering music by the Town and Country band starting at 3:30.
The concert will feature Kyle Roeder, a 2013 Jefferson-Scranton graduate and a trained operatic baritone. Also performing in the concert for the second year are members of the Greene County Singers community chorus, which got its start from the massed choir that concluded the 2015 Nativity Festival concert. The choir, which has grown to about 35 members, is directed by Sheilah McGregor-Pound and is accompanied by Cheryl Nailor. McGregor-Pound and Nailor are both known in local music circles.
Other performers in the concert will include the 3:16 Brass and Wind Ensemble from Central Christian Church in Jefferson, the Joyful Noise women’s choir of the First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson, and carolers and a saxophone choir from Greene County High School.
Tori Riley of Jefferson will read an original poem she has written for the Nativity Festival. This is the fourth year Riley has written for the festival.
Master of ceremonies for the concert will be local Habitat board member Harry Ahrenholtz.
Following the concert at about 5:15 will be a soup supper prepared and served by Greene County church congregations who regularly support Habitat for Humanity. 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, pies made by the very best bakers in Greene County will be auction by professional auctioneers Kevin and Kaleb Lentz. They’ll be helped by the always-energetic Teresa Mobley and Angie Jewett in pulling the highest bids (and the most generous donations) for the 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 Heart of Iowa Habitat associate director Jeff Lamoureux.
