Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Mocksville’s First United Methodist and First Presbyterian choirs are combining for two Christmas choral concerts this month.

After a reduction in choir membership following Covid shutdowns, First Methodist Director of Music Lou Wilson wondered how the church could present its usual Christmas concerts.

“Since missing the last two years, it was very important to all of us top be able to offer the community the traditional Candlelight service and concert,” said Angie Jordan.

Through the Community Missional Network, Wilson and the Rev. Dana Fruits, pastor at First Presbyterian, talked about combining the two choirs for a more robust presentation.

“Both choirs were enthusiastically in favor of this plan, and began learning the music separately in September for “An Invitation to A Miracle,” a cantata written by Joseph Martin.

“Through poetic narration and scripture passages and creatively arranged carols, the timeless story of the birth of Christ is presented,” Jordan said.

The choirs practiced together for the first time on Nov. 16, and will practice once more before the debut performance at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11 at First Presbyterian. The second performance will be Sunday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. at First Methodist.

“I thought it was cool that we recognize that we are stronger together than apart in these difficult times,” Jordan said.