Dear Unity Church Families,

It’s time to get ready for the 2011 Christmas Pageant, a rich and favored tradition for 90+ years here at Unity Church. We invite you to register your child/children to participate in this year’s pageant.  New this year: online registration! Please read this letter completely than fill out and "submit" the form at right.

We will post the roles on our website (first name, last initial) and in some cases, there may be calls or emails prior to this posting if second choices are necessary for example. Thank you for understanding.  We have capacity for 82 participants (maybe a few more) and we have yet to turn anyone away!  We look forward to your child’s participation.

We do ask that your child be available for the entire rehearsal on December 23, and both pageant performances on the December 24.  We understand that there are some exceptions but we encourage you to plan for the entire pageant schedule.

Each year the service is held on Christmas Eve in the sanctuary. The young people of our church perform the traditional story in tableau form with our co-ministers, Janne and Rob Eller-Isaacs, narrating. Whether you are new to Unity Church or you have been around for many years, we hope that your child will want to participate in this meaningful and joyous event! 

Here’s what you need to do: Fill out the 2011Pageant registration form (at right) and return it to us no later than Sunday, December 4. Following registration, cast assignments will be made by Wednesday, December 6, and a confirmation letter will be posted on the church website. The announcement will include the rehearsal schedule, costume information and other details for cast members.  The costume information remains constant every year.

Please schedule the following time commitments for all participants in the pageant:

COSTUMES: On Sunday, December 11, at these times only: from 10:15-10:45 a.m. and from 5:45-6:15 p.m. The costume crew will be available to help cast and choir members try on their costumes between/before/after the services. Please plan to stay later or arrive early that day. There are no other “fitting times” and costumes remain at church.  The Children's Choir will wear a white gowns* we need to size for each.

REHEARSAL:The rehearsal will take place on the afternoon of Friday, December 23, from 1:00- 4:00 p.m. with check-in time at 12:45 p.m., in the Parish Hall and we will follow a tight schedule.  We will meet in the Sanctuary and review the rehearsal plan. We will practice once without costumes, then once with costumes.  In between, Pageant photographs are taken.  It is at this time (approximately 2:15-2:45 p.m.) that parents are encouraged to take photos. There are no photos or videos allowed during the actual Pageant.  Please make sure to feed your child before the rehearsal, as we will be rehearsing in costume, there is no eating during this short time frame.   

The Children’s Choir rehearsal is held separately on December 18 and 24.

PERFORMANCE: All cast members are to be at the church at 3:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 24. The pageant services begin at 4:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.  Each service lasts just under one hour.  Plan to arrive early for parking, etc. You can take photos with your family and child in costume - downstairs - after the second service and then help them clean up.  Official pageant photos will be made available on-line after the pageant and a link will be emailed to all participating families.

Please note that one parent from each family is expected to stay for the entire rehearsal on December 23, and one parent from each family is expected to volunteer for one of the performances on December 24. We need your help to supervise cast rooms, assist with costume changes, and help with other behind the scenes tasks.

Special Note:  Parents of Mary & Joseph are automatically assigned as the “Parent Chairs” for rehearsal and pageant.  Parents of Kings and Angels are also expected to take lead parent roles (room parents, ushers or prompters) as given their years of experience; they are able to help train “newer” parents.  Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,
Kelley Loughrey, Pageant Director
Questions? Please feel free to contact me at 763-607-7520 (text) or email kelleyloughrey@comcast.net

December 18: Pageant Choir Rehearsal*       
Adult Pageant Choir and Children’s Pageant Choir rehearsals will take place  from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m. The Children’s Pageant Choir meets in the Chapel (Kathleen Radspinner, director) and the Adult Pageant Choir meets in the Foote Room (Jeffrey Hess, director). *tentative initial schedule

December 23: Pageant Rehearsal Plan
12:45-1:00 p.m. Check-in, Parish Hall
1:00 – 1:15 p.m. Pageant Intro, Sanctuary
1:15 – 2:15 p.m. First Rehearsal
2:15 – 2:45 p.m. Costumes, Photos taken
2:45 – 3:45 p.m. Second Rehearsal w/Costume
3:45 – 4:00 p.m. Wrap-up, Sanctuary

If you prefer to download and print the registration form, please do so here and return it by December 4: Pageant Registration Form (pdf)

• Drop it off at the front desk (Holly Ave) at the church, attention: PAGEANT REGISTRATION
• Fax it to the church office at 651-228-0927, attention: PAGEANT REGISTRATION
• Mail it to the church, mark envelope: PAGEANT REGISTRATION
• Email it to: kelleyloughrey@comcast.net : PAGEANT REGISTRATION

Please remember that there are limited numbers of certain roles so please indicate both a first choice and a second choice.

PAGEANT ROLES:

• Mary & Joseph (1 each) -12th graders only * Gender specific
• Angels (3 needed) – 10, 11, 12th graders
  
• Kings (3 needed) – 10, 11, 12th graders
  
• Big Shepherds (18 available) – 7-12th graders (all)
• Acolytes (18 available) – 7-12th graders (all)
• Little Shepherds (3 needed, up to 5 okay) – 1st & 2nd graders (all)
• Heavenly Hosts (18 available) – 1st & 2nd graders (all)
• Kings Pages (4 minimum, 9 available) – 1st & 2nd graders (all)
• Children’s Choir (open) – 3rd – 6th graders (all)
• Cherubs (2 only) – these roles are selected by Kelley & Kerri as they involve younger children.
• Runners/Prompters (4-6 needed) –at least 6th grade (all)