Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Thursday, December 24, 2009 at 5:00 p.m.
at the Gualala Arts Center

Following the form in which it has been offered each year since 1919 at King's College Chapel, Cambridge, England, the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols will be presented again in the Gualala Arts Center auditorium this Christmas Eve at 5:00 p.m.

Local coast musicians will join together to provide special solos, ensemble selections as well as accompaniment for congregational singing of the carols. Vocal soloist Sita Milchev, Ellen Buechner and pianist Don Krieger on the synthesizer / keyboard provide key musical leadership and direction for the evening service. The Allen sisters will join their grandmother, Sita Milchev, for two special carols and the Coast Recorder Consort will be playing carols from the Mezzanine as guests arrive.

Past participating clergy and lay readers have represented several of the coast faith communities: Mary Star of the Sea and St. Aloysius Catholic Churches of Gualala and Point Arena; Light of the Coast - Science of Mind Center, Gualala; St. Paul's Community United Methodist Church, Point Arena; Starcross Community, Annapolis; Shepherd of the Sea Episcopal - Lutheran Mission, Gualala. In addition, several of our coast community children and youth will lend their gifts of leadership to this well-loved tradition and celebration.

The seating at the Gualala Arts Center is limited and traditionally fills up to standing room only. You are encouraged to plan ahead, arrive early and bring a flashlight for your safe walking to and from parking areas around the Arts Center.

Rev. Tina Ballagh and Sita Milchev are this year's coordinators of the event. Call for additional information, 882-2074 or 884-1138.

The Gualala Arts Center, located at 46501 Old State Highway in Gualala, CA,
is open weekdays 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and weekends from noon to 4:00 p.m.
Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Serving the coastal communities of northern Sonoma & southern Mendocino Counties.