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‘Let’s Carolfest again!’: Preeceville tradition returns

Inter-denotational carol festival will be bringing communities and people together one song at a time.
Liz Jacobsen
Liz Jacobsen
carol-festival-united-church-choir_result
The United Church Choir sang in the last Christmas Carol Festival in 2019 prior to COVID-19 causing the suspension of the festival. The tradition will return to Preeceville on Dec. 3. File photo Liz Jacobsen

PREECEVILLE - O come let us sing unto the Lord,” Psalm 95 verse 1 invites us.

And so, after the COVID-19 restrictions, three years later the Preeceville and District Ministerial will be hosting the Carolfest again starting this year, stated Hein Bertram, chairperson of the Preeceville and District Ministerial.

On, Dec. 3 at 2:30 p.m. the 2023 Carolfest is scheduled to be held in the Preeceville Legion Hall.

Singing families, choirs, instrumentalists and bands are welcome to sign up for the event. They can either contact Pastor Hein directly, or ask their church office to forward their intention to participate in the event.

“We look forward to coming together as a community, to ‘heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation, celebrating the birth of Christ the King.’ The word ‘Carol’ means ‘Hymn of Praise,’” said Bertram.

“Every year, we rejoice at the fact that, in the words of Once In Royal David’s City, ‘He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all.’

“We have every reason to celebrate Christmas, and what better way to do so than to come together as a community to sing the songs of joy that are not heard during the rest of the year,” stated Bertram.

The mantle of “chairperson” was passed from the highly proficient, very experienced Pastor Miles Russell of Trinity United Church, who has now retired, to Pastor Hein Bertram of Saint John Lutheran Church.

Pastor Bertram accepted in what he terms “True Paulinic Fashion,” which is a euphemism for “With Fear And Trembling.”

Organizing this year's Carolfest is a first for him and he admits that there is a steep learning curve for him.

Before the new broom can sweep cleanly, it first has to grow some bristles (no, this is not an allusion to his fledgling “Movember” mustache!), so Pastor Hein requests the prayers and participation of as many people as possible.

If anyone is interested in signing up or entering the Carolfest they can contact Pastor Hein on his cellphone, (306) 614-9227, or email pastorhein@sasktel.net.