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Children’s choir of Canfield UMC to present ‘Stone Soup’ on Sunday
By LINDA M. LINONIS
CANFIELD
A musical message about giving, sharing and the benefits of community will highlight two Thanksgiving-themed services Sunday at Canfield United Methodist Church.
Janet Williams, director of the music ministry, said the Joyful Praise Children’s Choir will present “Stone Soup” during services at 8:15 and 10:30 a.m. The choir involves about 15 children in first- through seventh-grades.
She said the presentation is a musical adaptation of the classic story. She explained “Stone Soup” is a 200-year-old folk tale focusing on cooperation in a time of need. There are variations of the story in different parts of the world. Williams noted that the “Stone Soup” theme shows how something significant can emerge by amassing many small contributions.
Williams said the basic story is about travelers who arrive in Old Town, where the residents are unfriendly, grumpy and uncooperative with one another.
The travelers, she said, coerce the townspeople to contribute food items like meat, vegetables and seasonings to the soup made from stones.
“The townspeople really don’t want to share but do anyway,” Williams said. As the soup cooks, the aroma entices everyone. Children sing “my mouth is watering, my tummy is growling.”
All want to share in eating the soup. “People feel wonderful about it, and their contribution,” Williams said. “The townspeople realize it was their generosity that made the soup good.”
The folktale promotes the idea of helping people, an important practice of many faiths. “The story shows how sharing is a great gift,” Williams said.
She continued that this event involving cooperation changes the townspeople’s outlook. Children will sing how it was a “sad little town” but how it was transformed ... “see what sharing can do” are words of a lyric.
Children will sing about “see the town now.” It was an unfriendly place that became a welcoming one. Residents now regularly eat together.
During a rehearsal this week, Williams directed the children as they went through the songs. “Remember to breathe ... don’t yell,” she coached from the piano.
The mission team of the church will continue the message through its soup sale between services and after the second one. Proceeds will benefit Valley charities. Any soup not sold will be delivered to housebound church members.
Those attending also are asked to donate a nonperishable food item for Operation Blessing food pantry.
The Rev. Susan Brown, pastor, said the church has various presentations by the children’s choir. “The message is for children and everyone,” she said. “The idea of helping people is a perfect message for this time of year.”
Pastor Brown said the Thanksgiving services will feature messages from those attendance, who will get the opportunity to share what they are thankful for. “Sharing these words of thanksgiving is what the observance is about,” she said.
Co-director is Amanda Lacusky. Terry Smith created the main prop, a soup pot over a fire. Narrators are Courtney and Morgan Rapp.