Southeastern California Conference

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

Southeastern 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

and woodwind instruments, strings, handbell choir, and musical soloists also recorded separately; however, with the media team’s mastery, the program became a beautiful whole ensemble. “The team effort was blessed with divine guidance,” Perrera said. “This program was put together by the Holy Spirit.”

At Southeastern California Conference schools, teachers, staff, and students have been working with new formats for months, and the Christmas season continued to stretch their imagination. At La Sierra Academy, Principal Libett Muñoz Beard recognized that a Christmas concert would give students a goal to work toward during a stressful time. Muñoz Beard praises music director Edwin Rumbaoa with keeping a vibrant music program while volunteering the many extra hours to produce the virtual concert.

Music played an important part in the Christmas drive-through at Redlands Adventist Academy. As students and families began the drive down the lane of decorated trees, snowmen, and penguins, they were greeted by a handbell choir composed of teachers and staff. RAA staff member Chaltu Sandiford credits handbell director James Walters with teaching staff to play the handbells so that each family car could have their own performance.

Escondido Adventist Academy students in grades 9-12 “adopted” a child from the nearby Escondido Community Child Development Center and sent wrapped Christmas gifts. According to math teacher Cristy-Anna Martinez, “Even though we knew our physical presence would not be possible, we wanted to provide them with a gift so that they would know that they are loved.”

Feeling this love during Christmas can be difficult for those who are struggling with grief. After a year of loss for so many, Paradise Valley, La Mesa Community, Chula Vista, and South Bay churches collaborated to offer their

The Addenbrooke family from the South Bay church participate in the Blue Christmas virtual program. Students at Escondido Adventist Academy fill a car with Christmas gifts they wrapped for children at the nearby community child development center. members a unique Blue Christmas program. Featuring musical performances, Scripture readings, and messages from the pastors that supported grieving church members, the program focused on giving people hope.

In past years, the program has been offered to those who could attend in person, but this year’s virtual Blue Christmas allowed more people to view the program, and it is now also available online as a resource for those who are grieving during the year. Meshach Soli, pastor of South Bay church, said that this program received an “overwhelming response from those who felt blue after months of isolation and the loss of jobs, loved ones, and health.”

Emma Leach, a church member who attended the virtual Blue Christmas program, said that she appreciated the message that it was OK to grieve during this season. Leach valued the fellowship of the four congregations, noting that “death has no boundaries and affects everyone, so it is nice when church members can connect with each other to honor those that they have lost and express hope for Jesus’ return.”

Soli says that the collaboration between the four churches is an undeniable strength. “The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that we are better together and churches who work together can share resources.” He embraces the spirit of collaboration as important not only at Christmas but throughout the year and said, “We are not in competition with each other. We are building the kingdom of God.”

The story of Christ coming to redeem mankind is a powerful message of hope for the unpredictability of the future. As the Southeastern California Conference churches and schools look forward to 2021, they can be reassured by the meaning of the Christmas season, which is found in Jesus.

____________________ By Tricia Murdoch Zmaj