Christmas pageant in West Tisbury
The Joyful Noise Choir, two dozen garland-wreathed children with intent little faces, starred in the annual Christmas Eve pageant at the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury last Thursday, to the delight of nearly 500 family members and friends in attendance. Children acted out the story of the birth of Christ as carols sung by the choir and children from Oak Bluffs School filled the church to its rafters with festive seasonal sounds.
Those who filled the Ag Hall on Christmas Eve joined voices in song.Presented annually by the First Congregational Church of West Tisbury, guided by the Rev. Cathlin Baker, the Christmas Eve pageant has become a quintessential holiday event. Families clustered together in the glow of the candles they held, many children dressed in Christmas garb were hoisted to their parents' shoulders as everyone joined together in song.
They were led by Brian Weiland, Oak Bluffs School music teacher, and accompanied by young musicians Shelagh Smilie and Liam Weiland, and by Ken DeBettencourt and Rick Bausman. Choir members Doug and Erin DeBettencourt, Emelia Cappelli, Anna Flaherty, Tessa Whitaker, Maddie Moore, Mercedes Giambattista, Cheyenne Tilton. Caley Bennett, Alyssa Whitney, Kirsten Schuele-Van Aken, and Katharine Reid helped make the evening a success.
Brian Weiland (left) with Ken DeBettencourt lead the Joyful Noise Choir. Photos by Meg Higgins
Garrett Hagen, left, (Joseph) and Avalon Weiland (angel) make their contributions to The First Congregational Church Christmas pageant.
The Scott family from Chilmark enjoys the show: from left, grandfather Rob Hauck with Tristan on his shoulders, and Josh Scott with his wife Lindsey, who makes sure daughter Charlotte has a good view of the gathering.
Morgan Estrella (left), Alex Nagel, and Hannah Hagen help tell the Christmas story.
