Hanna Ministerial Concert giving gifts
By Gwen Snell
Freelance Journalist
Rev. Dr. John Schaufele and his colleagues with the Hanna Ministerial Association are busy planning for the annual Ministerial Concert to be held at the Hanna Community Centre on Sunday, December 3, at 7 p.m.
Hanna’s Ministerial Concert is a long-standing annual event which draws the 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.
Both local churches and community groups take part in providing the entertainment for the evening. Allowing the performers to choose their own selection offers a diverse program of musical entertainment for the evening.
Each year, donations are accepted at the event, including donations for the local food bank. 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.
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.”