Hanna Ministerial concert gives gifts this season
By Gwen Snell
Freelance Journalist
Rev. Dr. John Schaufele and his colleagues with the Hanna Ministerial Association were pleased with the participation and attendance at their annual Ministerial Concert held at the Hanna Community Centre on Sunday, December 3, at 7 p.m.
Both local churches and community groups volunteer to take part in providing the entertainment for the evening. Special mention was made to Will Warwick for assisting with the sound for the program. Allowing the performers to choose their own selection provides a diverse program of musical entertainment for the evening. Those in attendance joined in for the singing of traditional Christmas hymns, which were spaced throughout the program between the various performers and special readings from the bible.
Each year, donations are accepted at the event, including donations for the local food bank. By the end of the evening, there were two large tables overflowing with Food Bank donations, and over $1,300 in funds were received.
Cash donations assist with the costs associated with the evening, including rental for the facility. Any funds over and above the obligations provide support in two categories: travel assistance and emergency needs. Generally, travel assistance requests are more frequent during the summer months, and emergency needs are on an as-needed basis, varying from year to year.
Hanna’s Ministerial Concert is a long-standing annual event which draws church and community of Hanna and district together in a common celebration of the birth of the Lord Jesus. The event celebrates Christmas and “the coming of our Saviour”, including those who might not identify themselves as Christians or churchgoers, according to the Reverend.
Looking at the benefits the concert provides, Rev. Dr. John Schaufele expresses his strong faith and feels that there are two strong positive impacts: “First, our coming together and singing the carols of Christmas helps lift our eyes upwards ... Second, it allows all of God’s people to join with one another and collectively express our praise and thankfulness to God in the gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus.”
He goes on to share this statement: “Giving is a central theme of Christmas, from God’s gift of His Son to our own gifts to one another. This Christmas, I encourage all of us to remember those who are suffering and need our support. Kindness and generosity are gifts that are deeply appreciated. Thank You to everyone for your gifts to the Hanna Food Band and other community support programs. Your generosity is appreciated. It is my desire that each of us be able to say, as Tiny Tim, “A Merry Christmas to us all; God bless us, everyone.”