The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Joplin Metro

Discussion

November 17, 2009

Joplin seeking angels, wise men for ‘Living Nativity’

By Debby Woodin

dwoodin@joplinglobe.com

An effort to turn Landreth Park into a “Living Nativity” is still in need of shepherds, wise men and angelic voices.

A sign-up session has been scheduled for today to recruit more volunteers for the event scheduled the first week of December as part of the Joplin Holiday Experience.

The Nativity is one of a series of events planned in conjunction with the visit of dignitaries from Joplin’s sister city of Bethlehem.

The sign-up session will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at City Hall, 602 S. Main St. Those attending are to use the west door of the building.

Staff members from the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the “Living Nativity” production will be on hand to answer questions and enroll participants. The tourism bureau is working with a committee of residents to plan the event.

Vince Lindstrom, director of the bureau, said some volunteers have been lined up for the event, but more are needed. The show will require about 100 people a night.

“We have been delighted (with the number of volunteers who have enlisted) in the last two or three days,” he said. “We have both churches and individuals.”

Organizers think the drop-in format of today’s session might attract many more.

“People can just come in and say they want to be a shepherd or an angel or a volunteer, and we can get their name and contact information,” Lindstrom said. “We will take their sizes for costumes. We are going to need young, old or in between. But most of all, we need singers.”

Singers are to be changed out every 30 minutes each night of the event so they don’t get so cold. They will be asked to sing traditional Christmas carols, which many people know by heart, Lindstrom said. The choir will sing about 10 songs.

The Nativity is a drive-through production to be staged from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, through Saturday, Dec. 5, in Landreth Park. All of the roles except the choir are nonspeaking parts.

Other volunteers are needed for one-hour increments on any of the dates so they are not out in the cold long if they do not want to be. Volunteers who want to participate more than one hour may do so.

People of all ages may volunteer. Roles include shepherds, wise men, an innkeeper, census takers, and Joseph and Mary.

Churches, Scouting organizations, civic groups and others are invited to appear in the production.





To volunteer



To volunteer for the “Living Nativity” or to ask questions, people may contact the Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau, 417-625-4789 or 800-657-2534, or event co-chairman Roger Gladden at RogerGladdenCWP@aol.com.

Text Only
Joplin Metro
  • Ruby-Sapp-obit.jpg Longtime Democrat dies at 81

    Sapp, 81, died Thursday. Funeral services were Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Joplin. A longtime Jasper County Democratic committeewoman and volunteer, Sapp for years was secretary to the county’s central committee.

    August 9, 2010 1 Photo

  • Motivational speaker offers free marriage course

    Presented by Mark Gungor, the course is being offered free to the community. The event is being held to aid in tornado relief. 

    January 12, 2012

  • District sends faculty, administrators on site visits

    With the design phase of several buildings in Joplin Schools ending in May, the district has sent 66 administration, faculty, parents and community members on site visits to 22 schools and two technology company headquarters across the country.

    January 11, 2012

  • 011012 Jop HS mural1_72.jpg Mural depicting Joplin High School dedicated

    A four-paneled mural depicting the recent history of Joplin High School was dedicated at the Memorial 9th- and 10th-grade Center Tuesday morning. The mural will be moved to the new high school when it is completed in 2014.

    January 10, 2012 4 Photos

  • Carl Junction chamber creating new committees

    The Carl Junction Chamber of Commerce is kicking off three new committees this week with meetings scheduled Tuesday and Wednesday.

    January 9, 2012

  • Body of missing Joplin man found

    The body of a missing Joplin man was discovered this afternoon inside his home in the Royal Heights neighborhood of Joplin.

    January 3, 2012

  • Wildcat Glades nature center receives $50,000 grant

    The Wildcat Glades Conservation & Audubon Center has received a $50,000 TogetherGreen Innovation Grant, which is being provided through an alliance between the National Audubon Society and Toyota.

    October 21, 2011

  • Joplin shooting victim’s name released

    The Joplin Police Department today released the name of a woman fatally shot in her home early Thursday and acknowledged that the shooting was reported as a suicide attempt.

    October 21, 2011

  • Barry Manilow to deliver donated instruments

    Singer-songwriter Barry Manilow will visit Joplin next week to donate more than $300,000 in musical instruments to replace those lost during the May 22 tornado.

    October 21, 2011

  • Extreme Makeover releases names of families

    "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" has released more details about the build in the 2400 block of Connor Avenue, including the names of the seven families. They are:

    October 19, 2011