Christmas Pageant Information
It’s time to get ready for the 2017 Christmas Pageant! This rich and favored tradition is in its 9th year! We invite you to register your child/children to participate in this year’s pageant.
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!
Registration is easy!
As an important part of our Pageant cast, we need your child to be available for the entire rehearsal on December 23 and for both pageant performances on December 24. If you have questions, please contact Kelley.
Please consider the following time commitments:
PAGEANT COSTUME FITTING
When: Sunday, December 17
Time: 10:15-11:15 a.m. and 5:45- 6:15 p.m. ONLY.
Where: Lower level by Nursery & COA rooms.
The costume crew will be available to help cast members try on their costumes between/before/after the services. Please plan to stay late or arrive early that day. There are no other “fitting times” and costumes remain at church. No costume fittings needed for Children’s Choir.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR REHEARSAL (Open to all 3-6 grade children)
When: Sunday, December 17
Time: 10:15– 11:00 a.m.
Where: Robbins Parlor (Kathleen Radspinner, Director)
ADULT CHOIR REHEARSAL (Open to all adults)
When: Sunday, December 17
Time: 10:15- 11:00 a.m.
Where: Choir Room
PAGEANT REHEARSAL
When: Saturday, December 23
Time: 1:00– 4:00 p.m., check in begins at 12: 45 p.m.
Where: Parish Hall
One parent per family is required to attend and volunteer during this time. We will follow a tight schedule. Families with children in the children's choir do not need to attend this rehearsal.
12:45-1:00 p.m. -- Check-in, Parish Hall, Parent Assignments are posted
1:00-1:15 p.m. – Welcome and Pageant Intro in the Sanctuary
1:15-2:15 p.m. -- First Rehearsal, no costumes and Lead Parents will coach on Parent Volunteer roles
2:15-2:45 p.m. -- Costumes on, Photos taken in Sanctuary
2:45-3:45 p.m. -- Second Rehearsal w/Costume
3:45-4:00 p.m. -- Wrap-up, Sanctuary
We will meet in the Sanctuary and review the rehearsal plan. We will practice once without costumes, then once with costumes. In between, the pageant photographs are taken. It is at this time (approximately 2:15-2:45) 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 rehearsal. No snacks please.
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.
CHRISTMAS EVE PERFORMANCES
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. Pageant photos will be available online to all participants.
PAGEANT CAST ROLES
The Children’s Choir is specifically for our children in grades 3-6 (this is the only role for these age groups).
We ask everyone to select a first and second choice for all roles. For your second choice, please select a DIFFERENT role than your first choice (i.e. Acolyte or Shepherd, Angel or King or Shepherd, Page or Heavenly Host):
PAGEANT VOLUNTEER ROLES
Parents must register for a volunteer role when you register your child.
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!
Registration is easy!
- Fill out the online form at right. Registration deadline is December 4.
- Questions? Email kelleyloughrey@comcast.net or call/text Kelley at 763-607-7520.
As an important part of our Pageant cast, we need your child to be available for the entire rehearsal on December 23 and for both pageant performances on December 24. If you have questions, please contact Kelley.
Please consider the following time commitments:
PAGEANT COSTUME FITTING
When: Sunday, December 17
Time: 10:15-11:15 a.m. and 5:45- 6:15 p.m. ONLY.
Where: Lower level by Nursery & COA rooms.
The costume crew will be available to help cast members try on their costumes between/before/after the services. Please plan to stay late or arrive early that day. There are no other “fitting times” and costumes remain at church. No costume fittings needed for Children’s Choir.
CHILDREN’S CHOIR REHEARSAL (Open to all 3-6 grade children)
When: Sunday, December 17
Time: 10:15– 11:00 a.m.
Where: Robbins Parlor (Kathleen Radspinner, Director)
ADULT CHOIR REHEARSAL (Open to all adults)
When: Sunday, December 17
Time: 10:15- 11:00 a.m.
Where: Choir Room
PAGEANT REHEARSAL
When: Saturday, December 23
Time: 1:00– 4:00 p.m., check in begins at 12: 45 p.m.
Where: Parish Hall
One parent per family is required to attend and volunteer during this time. We will follow a tight schedule. Families with children in the children's choir do not need to attend this rehearsal.
12:45-1:00 p.m. -- Check-in, Parish Hall, Parent Assignments are posted
1:00-1:15 p.m. – Welcome and Pageant Intro in the Sanctuary
1:15-2:15 p.m. -- First Rehearsal, no costumes and Lead Parents will coach on Parent Volunteer roles
2:15-2:45 p.m. -- Costumes on, Photos taken in Sanctuary
2:45-3:45 p.m. -- Second Rehearsal w/Costume
3:45-4:00 p.m. -- Wrap-up, Sanctuary
We will meet in the Sanctuary and review the rehearsal plan. We will practice once without costumes, then once with costumes. In between, the pageant photographs are taken. It is at this time (approximately 2:15-2:45) 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 rehearsal. No snacks please.
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.
CHRISTMAS EVE PERFORMANCES
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. Pageant photos will be available online to all participants.
PAGEANT CAST ROLES
The Children’s Choir is specifically for our children in grades 3-6 (this is the only role for these age groups).
We ask everyone to select a first and second choice for all roles. For your second choice, please select a DIFFERENT role than your first choice (i.e. Acolyte or Shepherd, Angel or King or Shepherd, Page or Heavenly Host):
- Mary – Must be 12th grade only and this is a gender specific role
- Joseph - Must be 12th grade only and this is a gender specific role
- Angels (3 needed) – 10, 11, 12th grade and please specify choices as 1st, 2nd, 3rd • Blue (Gabriel), White (walks with Heavenly Hosts), Pink (brings out Cherubs)
- Kings (3 needed) – 10, 11, 12th grade and please specify choices as 1st, 2nd, 3rd • Red (1st to walk), Green (2nd), Purple (3rd)
- Big Shepherds (18 available) – 7-12th grade
- Acolytes (18 available) – 7-12th grade
- Little Shepherds (3 needed, up to 5) – 1st & 2nd grade
- Heavenly Hosts (18 desired) – K, 1st & 2nd grade
- Kings Pages (4 minimum, up to 6) – 1st & 2nd grade
- Cherubs (no registration) – these roles are selected by Kelley & KP as they involve younger children
- Runners/Prompters (4-6 needed) –at least 6th grade
PAGEANT VOLUNTEER ROLES
Parents must register for a volunteer role when you register your child.
- Parent Chairs (Mary & Joseph Parents): Assist Director with parent check-in, training for ushers, room chaperones, prompters and greeters
- Registration at rehearsal & pageant check-in (King/Angel parents)
- Chaperone cast rooms (2 per room minimum required)
- Costume ironing: (We always need to iron costumes during the 1st rehearsal. Some may need slight mending/hemming). If you can bring an iron & / or board, please do on December 23, thank you!
- Light Assistance* (there is a core team, need 1 or 2 additional)
- Prompters* (must have 2, prefer to have the same 2 people for both performances, critical role for the pageant & timing)
- Greeters (4 needed), (stationed throughout the church, before each service)
- Ushers* (4 needed), (head ushers will also assist with collections during pageant)
- Nursery care (will ask families to pre-sign up for nursery care)
- Post Pageant Clean-up - Everyone helps – we need a lead coordinator
- Room Clean-up: One person responsible for ensuring rooms are cleaned both days
