By Courtney L. Anderson
SHARON — Folks looking for an outlet for early holiday spirit or a way to kickstart the season need search no further than the inaugural Christmas Tree Extravaganza hosted by First United Methodist Church in Sharon.
The public, organizations and businesses are invited to set up and decorate trees in the church, which will be lighted from Nov. 19 — Sharon’s seventh annual Light Up Night — through New Year’s Day 2010.
“We just wanted to open up the church to the community,” the Rev. Richard Roberts said.
“It doesn’t cost anything” to set up a tree or to check out the display, he said.
The grand opening is from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, in conjunction with the city’s downtown Light Up Night. The church will serve refreshments and the children’s choir will perform, Rev. Roberts said.
The church has room for 50 trees to be decorated throughout the building. Rev. Roberts said they hope to get as many sparkling as possible.
Rev. Roberts said they borrowed the idea from the Barrow Civic Theatre in Franklin.
“I want to see it be successful for us,” he said.
Trees must be artificial with miniature lights in good working condition. Tree space can be used to advertise a company or service. Themes are also welcome.
Decorations must be finished by noon Thursday and people set them up during the day Tuesday through Thursday and Tuesday and Wednesday evening.
To reserve a space or for more information, call the church at 724-983-0200.
The event is not only an outreach for the community, but a reminder of what the holiday is about.
They’re kind of “taking back” Christmas, Rev. Roberts said. So many bad decisions are made in the world, but “there is peace on Earth and good will toward men,” he said.
They’re hoping the extravaganza is just one example of that.
Popular culture has affected the church over the years, and Rev. Roberts said now he wants the church to help the community in positive ways.
The Roberts family moved to Sharon in January from near Franklin so this is their first Christmas in the Shenango Valley.
“We’re excited about it,” the pastor said.
He mentioned how impressed he was with how busy the town was at Easter as visitors traveled to Sharon’s shops and candy stores.
“This is like the holiday town,” Rev. Roberts said.
While some might focus on the negative aspects of empty storefronts downtown, “I see that as potential,” he said.
In addition to the tree festival, the church is also holding these free events: Hanging of the Greens Festival, 11 a.m. Nov. 29; all children’s musical “The Gifts of Christmas,” 5:30 p.m. Dec. 13; “Community Choir Cantata,” 4 p.m. Dec. 20; and a “Country Christmas Jamboree at 6 p.m. every Saturday through the holiday.
Participants are also needed for upcoming musical events.
The Christmas events are “just the beginning,” Rev. Roberts said, adding that they hope to hold dinner theater shows for every major holiday. The first will be the premiere of the original musical “It’s a Wonderful Night” by the Holiday Players at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 5, 6, 11 and 12.
