Concordia puts on 10th annual live Nativity
JEFFERSON TWP — Carol Shick wanted to be involved in Concordia Lutheran Ministries’ live Nativity in some way, and, as a lover of the Bible, she got perhaps the best role she could have asked for.
Shick, a six-year resident of Concordia, narrated the 10th annual live Nativity production Sunday, Dec. 10. It was her fourth year taking on the role, after staff of the nonprofit noticed her “great voice.”
“I love Scripture,” Shick said. “I love getting to see the animals, and I love to watch the kids and their reaction. It’s not every day a kid gets to see a camel or a llama.”
The live Nativity involves nearly 40 people each year, a crew made up of staff, residents and other community members who volunteer to take part in the Christmas tradition. Concordia’s production is only about 15 minutes long, but viewers get to pet barn animals brought in for the production. Cookies and hot chocolate await following each of the three performances.
Frank Skripp, director of public relations for Concordia Lutheran Ministries, said the agency tries to get as many people of the Concordia community together as possible, and many are happy to oblige for this event.
“We just put out a call for volunteers to employees,” Skripp said. “Then we just see who puts their hand up. Every year, if you don’t volunteer within the first couple hours, you don’t have a chance.”
The Nativity scene played out on the grass outside one of Concordia’s buildings, and the actors followed Shick’s narration of the story. Viewers of the live Nativity could participate as well by singing hymns relating to the Christmas Scripture.
Staff members rotate in and out of roles each year. Emil Steinmetz, director of maintenance at Concordia’s Cranberry Township campus, played a shepherd, and he said it was his first year doing the live Nativity. He said there are several aspects of the Nativity people could enjoy.
“I’m enjoying it,” Steinmetz said. “Come out and enjoy the Nativity, see the animals and get to know people.”
Concordia’s president and CEO, Keith Frndak, said as a Christian nonprofit, the annual live Nativity is a way to get people — residents, staff and community members — into the Christmas spirit each year. The event is one night only, so many people make a night out of it, he said.
“It’s for the community; it’s a good way to get people involved,” Frndak said.
Layne Behe, 13, of Saxonburg, is Frndak’s grandson, and he said this was also his first year in the live Nativity, portraying another shepherd in the production. He said he was led to participate in the program by God. However, he was led in the production by the other shepherds in the show.
“I was just following him,” Layne said of second-year participant Todd McCurdy. “You just kind of do it and jump in.”
