Last Saturday marked the fifteenth annual reading of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the First Baptist Church in Westfield. Project ‘79 Coordinator Mr. Peter Horn narrated the story in this abridged version of Scrooge’s tale. In addition, the First Baptist Church Chancel Choir, Chancel Ringers and former Westfield Chorale Director Mr. Bill Matthews returned to lead members of the WHS Concert Choir in singing Christmas carols alongside WHS alum Michael Rosin, who performed the organ prelude.
Said Horn, “Hearing him tell the story and recreate the voices of all the different characters was a highlight from my childhood as far back as I can remember.”
“The spirit of the story is about the role of generosity…. Scrooge says that he had no idea that anything like this could bring him so much happiness,” he continued.
Like the story itself, this event aims to encourage people to be generous to the less fortunate. The event’s proceeds go towards Grace’s Kitchen in Plainfield. Grace’s Kitchen is an organization for the homeless run by the Grace Episcopal Church, serving meals to the homeless since 1994, according to graceplainfield.org. According to Horn, donations from the First Baptist Church have been made to Grace’s Kitchen since 2000, providing food to those without on the last five days of each month.
To donate, please visit graceplainfield.org.