by Bea Peterson
For many people the holiday season begins with thoughts of food, presents and decorations. For Dottie Cross the upcoming holiday season begins in October with thoughts of music. Twenty years ago Dottie gathered the members of her Christ United Methodist Church choir with those of the West Hoosick Baptist Church choir for a special service of Thanksgiving and Praise. They performed their very special program the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It was a heartwarming start to the holiday season. Over the years the program has grown to as many as 50 singers and musicians from 18 churches for three performances.
20th Year
On Saturday evening, November 20, the Johnsonville Christ United Methodist Church was filled to overflowing in anticipation of the 20th Annual Service of Thanksgiving And Praise. The music was a compilation of the singers’ favorites from those 20 years. It was a magnificent performance! The highlight of the evening was a surprise. Near the end of the program Director Dottie Cross was escorted to a very special seat in the center aisle of the Church. Then, for the very first time, her choir sang a Christian anthem they had commissioned Pepper Choplin to compose for her. Choplin is one of Dottie’s favorite contemporary composers. Afterwards she was presented with a framed copy of the first page of the anthem, with a special note to her from the composer.
Singing In Hoosick Falls
The final 20th Anniversary performance will be Sunday, November 28, at 2 pm in Immaculate Conception Church, Hoosick Falls. As noted in the performance program, Dottie and the Choir wish everyone a “Thanksgiving full of friends, family and joy and pray that the upcoming Advent Season will fill you with God’s love and peace.” Their beautiful music is an inspiration for the Advent Season. Don’t miss it!
