Faculty and staff of Redlands Adventist Academy play handbells and greet students and their families during their Christmas drive-through event.
SECC Churches and Schools Provide Cheer and Comfort During Christmas
S
outheastern California Conference churches and schools had a unique opportunity to reinvent their programs for the 2020 Christmas season. In a difficult year of uncertainty, churches and schools found ways to offer their members encouragement through the hopeful message of Christmas. For over 30 years, Robert Soderblom has led the Calimesa Community Concert Series Christmas program held at the Calimesa church. This year, in lieu of the usual format, Soderblom invited musicians—including the Gary Bonner Singers, pianist and composer Dick Tunney, singer Steve Green, violinist Miclen LaiPang, and the vocal group Selah—to join musical groups from the Calimesa church for a virtual Christmas Eve program. Karl Hafner presented an uplifting message, followed by the two young children of Kazar Ackerman, associate pastor at the church, performing a song that embodied the spirit of Calimesa church hosts a drive-through the season: “Happy Birthday, Jesus.” Before the concert, the nativity with a photo booth, where church hosted a drive-through nativity with a photo booth, Mike and Arlys Fillman take a picture. pre-packaged treats, and a prayer booth for those who were struggling during the season. At the Loma Linda University church, Adriana Perrera, director of worship and musical arts, and Kimo Smith, church organist for 42 years, prayed together during the planning process for the highly anticipated candlelight Christmas concert. “I will always keep this memory in my heart,” Perrera said. “We prayed that we would bring hope and light to the community and, though it looked impossible, God provided all that we needed.” Social distancing measures mandated that the church choir divide into octets to record their sections of the musical score on four separate days. The brass
38 Pacific Union Recorder
Southeastern California Conference
