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White Gift Christmas Service at The Reformed Church Includes Many Bronxville High School Students

Written by Allison Roesser





Dec. 31, 2014: On Sunday, December 14, The Reformed Church of Bronxville celebrated the Christmas season with its 61st annual "White Gift" Christmas Service. 

The service is a musical re-enactment of the Christmas story, led entirely by the church's high school students. From the pulpit, narrators Tim Buttigieg and Zach Shively told the nativity story as its scenes were enacted before a congregation filled with wide-eyed and excited children. Abigail Roesser played the part of Mary, and Ross Hoch was Joseph. Playing the role of the angel Gabriel was Jane Torell. 

After the birth of the baby Jesus, the angel Gabriel was joined by a "multitude of angels," played by Celia Haims, Dryden Quigley, Ariel Sachtjen, Caroline Schetlick, and Isabelle Shinsato. Head shepherd Andrew Lemberger led the other shepherds, Chris Gay, Jonah Pfeiffer, Malcolm Roesser, and Will Langhoff, to see the baby in the manger. Hurrying after the shepherds were the villagers, Sam Arcano, Caroline Langhoff, Sabina Richter, Emily Spitz, and Christina Weiler. 

A highlight of the service for the children was the "March of the Kings," in which the three bearded and robed wise men carried their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the baby Jesus. Robby Westerfield was the page, leading the kings up the aisle as cymbals, tambourines, clavés, and drums resounded. The three kings were played by Graham Klimley, Preston Klimley, and Charlie Tarry. 

After the three kings presented their gifts, children at the service followed, carrying gifts wrapped in white paper. The "white gifts" were blessed by The Rev. Jonah Smith-Bartlett and collected by ninth-grade ushers for distribution to families in the Nodine Hill neighborhood of Yonkers. Ushers this year were Griffin Garbarini, Cece Hail, Nate Londal, Robby Schetlick, Alston Tarry, and Spencer Thomas. Special thanks go to Francesca Guglielmo for coordinating the distribution of the gifts.

The music director for the service was Laura Green, The Reformed Church's youth choir director, with support by the church's choir guild. Helga Bartus, James Ferguson, and Teddy Wardell provided musical accompaniment. Leading the opening choir processional was standard bearer Jack Haims. Overall direction and cast preparation were led by volunteer church member Nina Richter.

Pictured here: Abigail Roesser as Mary and Ross Hoch as Joseph.

Photo by Tracy Tarry

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Christ Church Bronxville

Christ Church Bronxville, or "CCBNY" as it's known in the community, is the village's Episcopal church, whose beginnings date back to 1898. The current church, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was completed in 1926 and was designed by Bertram Grosvenor Goodhue, who also designed St. Bartholomew's in New York City and the Chapel at West Point.

CCBNY offers a wide array of programs to its parishioners, who live throughout southern Westchester. The acclaimed music program boasts five choirs; international outreach efforts to Cuba; and education and service programs for family members of all ages. CCBNY is also home to the renowned children's music program Young at Arts (http://www.youngatartsny.org), and Eliza Corwin Frost (www.elizafrostschool.org), a nursery school for children ages 1 to 5.

Our services are as follows:
8:00AM Rite I Spoken Eucharist
10:00AM Family Choral Eucharist, with 11:00 AM Coffee Hour
5:00PM Informal Eucharist or Choral Evensong

"No matter where you are on your spiritual journey there is a home for you at Christ Church. Our worship, music, education and outreach challenge us to embrace holiness and fearlessly share Christ's love."

The Rev. Dr. Kurt J. Gerhard, Rector
17 Sagamore Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3544 

First Baptist Church

The First Baptist Church was organized in 1854. Its mission is “to reach out as a caring and Christ centered Church to people of all culture and races, helping them to know God and find fellowship with each other through Jesus Christ to the glory of God.”

407 New Rochelle Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-2560

http://www.firstbaptistchurchbronxville.com/

Reformed Church of Bronxville

The Reformed Church of Bronxville is the community church in the heart of the village. We welcome people of all faiths and persuasions to be a part of our church family. We have exciting programs to meet your interests including music and the arts, service and outreach, children's ministry and a wonderful Nursery School.

Starting Sept. 7th, we have three Sunday services held at 8:30 am, 10:30 am and 5:00 pm. A Fellowship Coffee Hour is offered after the 10:30 am service. Childcare is available during our 10:30 am service along with Church School classes for children from 2 years old through the 8th grade.

The Reformed Church
180 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-6776
www.reformedchurch.org 

St. Joseph’s Church

St. Joseph Church, which opened its doors in 1925, is the Catholic Church in Bronxville. It offers services on Saturday, Sunday, weekdays and Holy Days. It offers a religious education program for K - 8th grade which takes place on Wednesday during the school year. It also offers a myriad of opportunities for parishioners to meet, share ideas and experiences and help others. The St. Joseph’s School offers classes for K – 8th grade.

15 Cedar Street
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-1660

http://www.saintjosephsbronxville.org/

Village Lutheran Church

The Village Lutheran Church “is a ministry of word and sacraments. This ministry gives opportunities for witness, nurture, fellowship, stewardship and service.” The Chapel School, which goes from pre-school three-year olds through 8th grade, is an integral part of the Church’s ministry for children.

172 White Plains Road
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-0207

http://www.vlc-ny.org/

West Center Congregational Church

West Center Congregational Church is a member of The United Church of Christ. It welcomes “all who seek to find, know and serve the living God better in all they are and do.”

101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-337-3829

www.Westcenterchurch.org

Sinai Free Synagogue

Sinai Free Synagogue is Westchester`s "newest" Reform congregation but its roots go back almost 100 years. Formed in 1999 by a merger of Mount Vernon`s Sinai Temple (founded in 1906 and the first Reform congregation in Westchester County) and the Free Synagogue of Westchester (founded in 1927), the 250-member congregation has a long, distinguished history.

Please check the Calendar for dates and times.

550 North Columbus Avenue
914-664-1727

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