Mineral Ridge parishioners dress for manger selfies

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

MINERAL RIDGE

For Nicole McMullen,

taking a “selfie” in the manger at First Presbyterian Church of Mineral Ridge meant more than a photo.

McMullen was nine months pregnant for a photo taken Dec. 10. She was due to deliver Dec. 26 but baby boy Aiden Joseph arrived Wednesday in time to be part of the Christmas celebration. “It had special meaning for me, taking the photo,” she said. “I thought about Mary and what she went through.”

McMullen, who was baptized at the church at 3654 Main St., said she has attended First Presbyterian “my whole life.”

She said the selfies in the manger activity is a “nice way to get all ages involved. I think it brings us together.”

McMullen and her husband, Paul, also are the parents of daughters Natalie, 5, and Hailey, 3. “My daughters liked being angels for the selfies,” she said.

“I think this activity gives us a special opportunity to think about the birth of Jesus,” McMullen said.

Pastor Jamie Milton said this is the second year for the selfies in the manger activity during Advent. He said a member had seen something similar at another church and suggested it at First Presbyterian.

“We knew it would work here ... we have a lot of costumes we could use,” he said. The church bought an appropriate backdrop of a stable-like setting that includes a donkey and sheep and put it up in the fellowship hall. The church had wooden animals that it added to the setting.

“We had a baptism recently for a large family. After the baptism, about 15 people took selfies in the manger,” he said.

Pastor Milton said costumes are appropriate for Mary, Joseph, Three Kings, shepherds and angels. “They can work for all ages and sizes,” he added. And if there’s a line for the selfies setup, those waiting can fill time coloring an Advent poster.

At recent teen and young adult Christmas events, Pastor Milton said the selfies in the manger were popular. “Especially for that age group, the selfies are something they do,” he said. “I think everyone likes to dress up and try it, especially the children.”

Pastor Milton and his wife, Katie Lindahl, are the parents of daughter, Harper, who turns 4 in February, and son, Isaiah, who will be 2 in February. “Harper likes being an angel,” he said.

Of the activity, Pastor Milton said, “I think it’s a good reminder of the reason for the season. It’s a break from Christmas shopping and time to pause to think about the birth of Jesus.”

The pastor noted the backdrop and costumes also will be used in the Christmas play planned during worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday. “We do an impromptu pageant ... we read a Christmas story and when different characters are mentioned ... angels, Mary, kings ... come forward,” he said.

Pastor Milton said the selfies in the manger provide a “good gathering place” to bring church members together.