This year’s program — as is usually the case with the Divine Miss C in charge — is an interesting mix of the traditional and, uh, not-so-traditional music.  One of the prettier traditional pieces is “Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella.”  So that the MVT Class can demonstrate its natural sophistication to the rest of the congregation, here’s the background for the piece … from that source of all knowledge, Wikipedia:

“The carol tells the story of two milkmaids, Jeanette and Isabella, who went to milk their cows in a manger in Bethlehem, only to find the baby Jesus sleeping in the hay. The two girls ran to town to tell the village of the coming of Christ, and the townspeople came with their own torches to view the sight for themselves. However, they had to keep their voices down so little Jesus could enjoy his dreams. To this day in the Provence region, children dress up as shepherds and milkmaids, carrying torches and candles to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, while singing the carol.”

So there you have it; when someone asks who those two women are the choir sang about, you’ll be able to enlighten them — which, of course, is the true mission of the MVT Class.

 – Danny

6:30 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 30 – the FUMC Chancel Choir and Jazz Band will present its annual Gospel Fest. We’re doing arrangements of nearly every standing, leaning and bleeding song you’ve ever sung or heard, not to mention such bestsellers as Amazing Grace and When the Saints Go Marching In (among others).  It’ll last about an hour.

Y’all don’t want to miss this one — it’s Miss Beverly’s Big Boys and Girls at their finest.  And it’s free.

Y’all don’t want to miss this one — it’s Miss Beverly’s Big Boys and Girls at their finest.  And it’s free.