By Daily Press staff
The Venice Marina United Methodist Church this weekend will host its second contemporary Christmas celebration, which combines sacred traditional Christmas hymns and gospel with a modern twist, featuring a variety of choral arrangements and storytelling.
On Sunday, Cathleen Crone will direct a 20-piece choir and two liturgical dancers from Santa Monica’s Church in a program called “The Tree of Light.” Nelda Tittle will direct a five-piece rhythm section to accompany the singers. Also two narrators will tell the story of the birth of Christ.
The choir is made up of singers from inner-city Los Angeles churches and has “an array of terrific voices,” Crone said. Crone expects the event will have the success it had last year, drawing approximately 250 people.
The event begins at 10 a.m. and is free to the public. A reception will be held afterwards with members of celebration, guests and church officials. The church is located at 1020 Victoria Ave., near the corner of Lincoln and Venice boulevards, and can be contacted at (310) 391- 2314. Free parking will be provided.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 20, 2003. Read the original PDF.