Another holiday season has come to a close. The Christmas lights, decorations and left over wrappings are finally tucked away in the attic for another year and the last gift exchanges have been made. As I placed the Christmas pictures into the photo album, I reflected on the busy days of festive rushing and began to think about some highlights. One memorable occasion for the Farmingdale community was the Dec. 11, 2005 Lessons and Carols. The combined choirs of Farmingdale Methodist, St. Kilian, St. Luke and St. Thomas churches offered a wonderful experience for all who attended.

This event began several years ago when Paul Phinney and Gene McCoy, music directors of St. Kilian's and St. Luke's respectively, discussed the possibility of combining choirs from various Farmingdale congregations so that the singers would have a broadening choral opportunity and people could share the Bible texts which foreshadow the birth of the Christ child.

I believe that Paul and Gene are men of vision, those who have the foresight of something that could be. With their drive to make it happen, they have produced an annual event that is ecumenical. Over the last 50 post-Vatican II years many churches have sought religious connection opportunities. The God Squad of Rabbi Marc Gellman and Monsignor Tom Hartman is one positive example. But many efforts including roundtable discussions and prayer services of combined faiths fall short. They do not accomplish their intended objective of having differing religious denominations explore each other's traditions and establish relationships with each other.

In my opinion Paul and Gene's vision of having Farmingdale congregations collaborate for Lessons and Carols has formed a truly ecumenical experience and positive relationship. The planning of the music, the selection of scripture readings, the coordination of lectors and the many hours of learning fine sacred music craft the groundwork for ecumenism. The relationship takes greater shape when the choirs join together. Connections happen when Farmingdale Methodist and St. Luke's altos together drill tricky rhythms. Bonds form when the tenors from St. Thomas and St. Kilian struggle together on a difficult Latin passage. Many marvel and emotionally unite when the female quintet from St. Kilian's and St. Luke's sing center aisle and blend in gorgeous rich harmony.

All had a common objective: creating beautiful music and inspirational worship. It was so moving to hear a large volunteer choir assemble locally on a Sunday afternoon filling the air with quality music and leading all in a truly unifying experience. I guess I should not be surprised that these volunteers are so dedicated musically. When we moved here in 1978, a longtime Farmingdale resident told us about the wonderful musical heritage of St. Kilian and the local schools.

Thank you to all who participated but especially Paul Phinney and Gene McCoy, the visionaries who had the idea and motivated many to participate or attend. And now, along with one laundered Christmas sweater, this thank you makes my last Christmas activity complete.

Rita Zirpolo Padden

(Editor's Note: The author is the Director of Fine Arts, ESL and Languages Other than English for the Farmingdale School District.)