Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1954-12-14
Churches Plan
uIeServiices
On fheEIIipse
Daily Programs
Scheduled for
Pageant of Peace
BY Harry Bocos

By Harry Boeos
The religious life of Washing.
ton largely will revolve around o
cross-shaped park on the Ellipse
during the unprecedented three
week Christmas Pageant Of
Peace" which opens Friday.
Catholic and Protestant parti-
cipation In the pageant win be-
gin at the ceremony at 5 pm.
Friday when President Eisen-
hover lights the city's enormous
community tree and broadcasts
his annual Christmas message to
the Nation.
The Rev. Carl Heath Kopf.
minister of the First Congrega.
tional Church, win give the in
vocation after the Presidents
arrival. The Rev. John B.
Roeder. vice chancellor of the
Catholic Archdiocese of WASH
ington, will deliver the closing
benediction.
During the three weeks that
follow. worship services will be
held during the noon hour on
most days while plays, tableaux
and concerts by Washington
area churches will take the stage
at the east end of the Ellipse
almost every afternoon and eve
ming. ..-.
Hanukah Festival.
Coincidentally. Hebrew con-
gregations will be celebrating
Hanukah, the Festival of
Lights" from the night of De-
cember 10 through December 26,
in Washington temples and
synagogues.
In all. more than 5000 area
residents from schools, embas-
sizes and the military services
will join church groups in pre-
senting daily programs through
January 6 on the Ellipse.
Six Catholic orders will spon-
sor masses and furnish choirs.
They are: December Is, the Rev.
Thomas A. Kelly and the choir
of Holy Cross College; December
81. the Rev. Robert Mcnamara
and choir of oblates of st. Fran
els de Sales Church: December
"a, the Rev. Regis Marshall and
choir of Holy Name College: De-
cefnber 81. the Rev. Adam Ko-
stick and choir of the Christian
Brothers Seminary; December
80, the Rev. John c. Wild and
Oblate Scholasticate Choir;
January 4, the Rev. John F. Nc
Cormick, rector of the Theo-
logical College. and the college
choir.
Protestant Services.
Protestant services at 1918
pm. are: December 90, DR..
George NJ. Docherty, pastor, and
New York Avenue Presbyterian
Church Choir; December 20, the
Rev. Shelby Rocks. pastor, and
Lincoln Congregational Church
Choir: December "a, 1880 pm,
DR.. Lawrence D. Folkemer, pas
tor, and Lutheran Church of the
Reformation Choir: December
%. DR.. Clarence w. Crawford,
minister. and Calvary Baptist
Church Choir; December 81, DR..
Albert P. Shirley, pastor, and
Mount Vernon Place Methodist
Church Choir in a candlelight
service; January 4, the Rev,
Robert Trenbath, rector, and st.
Adams Episcopal Church Choir.
st. Sophia Greek Orthodox
Church will hold an Epiphany
service at 1915 pm. on January
5 on the Ellipse stage. The
ceremony includes the traditional
blessing Of the waters"
Other Services Planned.
Other services will be present.
ed by the Chinese Community
Church at 1880 pm. on New
Years eve, including a dragon
dance. The Organized Bible
Glass Association, under Howard
Stackhouse. president. will. hold
services at / pm. on December
10 and at 1915 pm. on Deem
Der %.
Many other programs will be
presented by individual churches
during the afternoon and eve
ming. Churches participating
include SITS. Constantine and
Helen Greek Orthodox, st. An
thongs Catholic, st. Gabriel's
Catholic, Bethel Tabernacle,
Foundry Methodist, Chevy Chase
Baptist, Shiloh Baptist, the
Washington Federation Of
Churches. Holy Family Catholic
and Immaculate Seminary.
The theme of the entire pag-
cant is Peace on Earth, Good
VIII to Men"