Already exhausted by the holiday hustle? Looking for a break from shopping, socializing and stressing? Longing to experience the quiet wonder of Advent and the true meaning of Christmas?
First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort invites you to its fourth annual Nativity Celebration, December 12th – 14th.
“I began collecting nativities in the first year of my marriage,” says one of the organizers, Peggy Fryer. “I made my own out of papier mache, first. Several years later, my mother-in-law gave me one as a gift. When we traveled to Mexico, I saw a pottery scene and bought it. At some point, I began to collect nativities as souvenirs from our trips inside and outside this country. I found the figures representative of various cultures, telling the Christmas story from the viewpoints of the local people.”
When Peggy moved to Beaufort, she discovered other crèche collectors. “Marion Leach invited me to go to Mepkin Abby to their annual Crèche Festival. My collection grew larger each year. Today I have over 55 nativities from Native American to African. I have many from Latin America, and my newest are from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and Germany.”
Peggy Fryer is just one of many collectors who will contribute crèches to the Nativity Celebration, hosted by the Presbyterian Women of FPC. There will be over 70 nativities on display, hailing from various parts of the world. Italy, Peru, Spain, France, Chile, and the US are among the countries that will be represented. There will be Native American crèches and at least one from Africa, as well.
The public is invited to come and view this special collection of nativities in the church’s Fellowship Hall Dec. 12th and 13th from 10 am – 3 pm, and on Dec. 14th from noon – 2 pm. There is no charge for admission. First Presbyterian is located at the corner of Church and North Streets in downtown Beaufort. The fellowship hall is in the education building, across the street from the sanctuary.
