A Holiday Tradition Kicks Off In Arden

Two weeks after Labor Day, rehearsals for the church's Singing Christmas Tree began.
The singers rehearse once a week, learning new songs and practicing old favorites.
We've got a little over 90 voices in the choir, and they've never sung together until two weeks after Labor Day, said Ron Whittemore, director of music ministries at Arden Presbyterian Church.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Singing Christmas Tree, a holiday tradition for many in the area.
The annual holiday program began in the 1980s with Paul and ariel dress up Debbie Carraway. The annual production involves a 24-foot tall structure, more than 90 singers, an orchestra, actors, a children's choir and dancers.
Whittemore estimates that more than 200 people are involved in the production in some way.
For Nicole Washburn, of Arden, singing with the group was a way to meet people and get involved with the community after she moved to the area several years ago.
The very first year we moved here that was my way to get involved in the community and meet people. I met a lot of people that first year, Washburn said. Everything about it is so fun.
Rehearsals allow participants to get into the Christmas spirit early really early.
When it's still hot out, Washburn said.
Ken Crabb, part of the church's pastoral staff, has been taking part in the Singing Christmas Tree since 1990 along with his wife, Susan.
It is a way to connect with fellow church members and the community, he said.
After you rehearse for several months, you get a connection with people in the community, Crabb said.
Whittemore said a little more than 1,100 people a night will come out to see the performances.
Over the years, some 65,000 have turned out for the Singing Christmas Tree.
The appeal, Whittemore says, is the 2,000 year old story of Christ told through the singers and songs.
Obviously, we've got a great story to tell, he said.
Again this year, the church will hold its Singing Christmas Tree Banquet of Hope.
We bring folks in from the shelters and the rescue centers, Crabb said. We feed them, summer dress patterns and we bring them as our guests to the dress rehearsal.
The Banquet of Hope started in 2005.
Debbie Harris had this vision after years of serving the homeless, feather dress those in rescue centersmany served by agencies like ABCCM (Asheville-Buncombe Community Christian Ministries)Crabb said in an e-mail.
About 200 people will attend the dress rehearsal scheduled for Wednesday.
Contact Ball at 232-5851 or jballPISGAH
MOUNTAINNEWS.com.




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