11/24/2009 2:58:00 PM St. John's gives a gift to the city of Williams Four free mini-concerts offered during Advent
Lynda Duffy/WGCN
The Rev. Ann Johnson (left) of St. John's Episcopal-Lutheran Church and parishioner Julia Glaab prepare for concerts that will be offered every Sunday during Advent. The first concert begins at 4 p.m. Sunday.
WILLIAMS - Preparing for the holidays can be stressful for many. Spending an hour on a Sunday afternoon at a mini-concert is an opportunity to relieve nervous tension during the holiday season.
For the third year, St. John's Episcopal-Lutheran Church is offering four mini-concerts in celebration of the season of Advent. Three of the four concerts feature professional musicians. The final concert will be a celebration featuring lessons and carols.
The concerts will be offered at 4 p.m. the next four Sundays at St. John's, located at 202 W. Grant Ave. The concerts are free.
Sunday's concert will feature flutists Jeanette Moore and Andrea Graves of the Flagstaff Symphony. Johnson, who has served St. John's for more than three years, started the annual tradition.
"I love music so much that I just wanted to share that love with the community through the church," Johnson said. "The concerts are one hour in length and are free. Come and enjoy the performances with us."
While donations are welcome, they are not necessary.
"If those in attendance want to help us pay for this, that's great, but that's not the point," she said.
The Dec. 6 concert will feature Andrew Hamby of the Flagstaff Symphony on cello and baritone Jamey Hasapis of the St. Pius Catholic Church. The Dec. 13 concert will showcase the talents of a Denver musician.
"The third concert will include baritone John Taylor from Denver," said Johnson. "He will be joined by two Flagstaff musicians, Joel Eide and Charley Spining."
The final concert on Dec. 20 will include readers from the community and will feature lessons and carols.
"We are calling this Celebraciones de Amistad, which means Celebration of Friendship," Johnson said. "We are telling the Latino community that they can join us for a cross-cultural experience. We will have Spanish readings and will sing traditional Mexican carols."
Approximately 50 community members attend each concert.
"The weather has a big bearing on attendance," said Johnson. "Following each concert, we always have an opportunity to visit with the musicians and enjoy light refreshments such as cookies, cake and tea."
On Saturday, the children of St. John's invite the community to view their living Nativity scene located at the corner of Route 66 and Second Street. Immediately following the tree lighting, the Nativity will be featured.
For more information on the concert series, call Johnson at (928) 556-8656.
