Brand-new scene depicting the birth of Jesus Christ coming to United Presbyterian Church
Lighting Ceremony will be Sunday November 30 at 6pm
By Lisa Sanford, pictured is the 2019 crèche lighting
The gratitude focus of this holiday season is truly on full “display” at Hornell’s United Presbyterian Church. The stately gray stone building recently underwent a complete exterior stone repair, strengthening and beautifying it for decades to come. In October, the congregation welcomed the Reverend Ted Warner as their newly-ordained and installed pastor. This week, travelers along Hornell’s Main Street will see that the nearly half-century old crèche, a well-loved and well-worn fixture of the holiday season, has been retired. To quote long-time creche organizer, the late Doug Barnard ”As the Christmas shopping season begins, we want to remind everyone of the true meaning of Christmas.’
Hand constructed by Cyndi Besig, Louise McCarty and other members of the church back in 1977, what stories it had to tell! Chicken wire, glue, paste and paper were used to form the figures. Long-time church members recall mannequins from the former Murray Stevens clothing store, a Salvation Army wool coat transformed into the wooly skin of a sheep, the cow tail a former kitchen mop, and an Alfred University academic robe as the regal garb of one of the wise men!
Over the years winter’s harsh elements took their toll on these figures. After much prayer and problem-solving among UPC members, the decision was made to retire them and purchase a newly constructed spun glass crèche set. This gorgeous new crèche display will be revealed at a crèche-lighting ceremony Sunday, November 30 at 6 PM. The entire community which has long appreciated Main Street’s visual nativity scene is invited to a brief lawn crèche-lighting ceremony to kick off the Advent Season. This “reason for the season” will feature remarks by “Pastor Ted” Warner, an original poem about the crèche along with a special performance by The Orpheus Chorale.
