Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-23

a Norman lowered
sesss . :.ss ss S' i. &c: s.s:s .;
" that lawn a great Christmas tree
adorned with many bright ana shiiiiiis
Yu,e symbols, but with its distinctive ornA'
rnent a twinkling star OF Bethienem a.
I'm, ton. Imagine it TO be the hour Oh sun
set on Christmas eve, and IN nlho 'ee q
b,ack-robed youth standing at the church-
yard gate, bugle to lips. sounding the ho'e
10 assemble The people for blocks around
have been awaiting this summons anu
they appear from every direction coming
and coming until they fill the churchyaru
and the street outside
Another buRle note, and from the cnurcn
come the white-robed minister anu "a.
chotrs for there are men and women, ooyss
and girls who are to render severaiiy anu
All ,oeather the songs of Noel The minis,
ter asks a blessing on the assembly ana
men the little children sing their nyinns'
the older choir renders its speCiaS "a
ueople in yard and street give united VOC
10 the familiar carols OF CnristmaSaoe'
which reeound throughout the neishpoI-
hood with peculiar sweetness at the "a
ing Of the day.
This was the service which attracted
hundreds OF persons living in Southeast
washington to historic old Christ Church
last Christmas eve. and this is the oroer
of service to which the entire community
is invited on the coming Christmas day at
the hour OF sunset In the throng in PLAIN
clothes many uniforms will doubtless APP
pear this first Christmas Of Americas
war for Christ Church has become a com
munity center not only for its neighnor-
hood folk but for The sailors al the nav
yard. within half dozen blocks. and Tor
the marines at their headquarters close ny
It's Christmas services are but an IN
cident in the important community
work that is being carried on quietly
at this old place OF worship. better
known in Washington as one OF the
landmarks of it's early days as a COM
nunity center OF the most modern ana
accountable type. A work of spiritual
and social welfare is upbullding here
upon the best and most substantial
foundation. and the hve hundred boys
in training and at work al the navy
yard and the men at the Marine Corps
headquarters have learned to welcome
the proximity of its spacious parish
hall place Of comfort and cheer.
providing enterta innent OF KIND they
appreciate and enjoy.
Every day in Christmas week some
thing will be going on" said Rev. Da-
yid Ransom Covel. rector Of the church.
who. with his wife. has established this
Quoting IL successfully. Mrs. Covell.
formerly of New York. Is trained
worker in social service and has set
herself the task of assisting her hus-
band in making Christ Church model
community center. The rector and his
wife have planned and worked TO pro-
vide plays, concerts. dances and social
evenings generally for the whole
Christmastide. These events are TO
make the holiday season time of rec
reation for the section and pleasant
rendezvous for the fighting boys in blue
and brown stationed within its pre-
cincts. The events scheduled for
Christmas week include The Frolic of
the Seasons" play given by the chill
dren of the church. and a party, to
which fifty working girls and fifty
working boys who are far from their
homes. have been invited. with the CO.
operation of the Young Women's Chris
tian Association and the Young Mems
Christian Association. Girls of the
Friendly Society of the church are the
hostesses on this occasion. and they
will assist at the dance for men in
uniform to be given on Saturday even
ing in Christmas week
Mr.. and Mrs. Coveli have not been
sonteut to let all their energies center
eeont -tha- Quaint old church In which