Little Ring-A-Lings capture hearts with sounds of Christmas season

By LINDA M. LINONIS

linonis@vindy.com

and

AMANDA TONOLI

atonoli@vindy.com

BOARDMAN

Ring-A-Ling at Boardman United Methodist

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In a family-friendly, early Christmas Eve worship service in the sanctuary of Boardman United Methodist Church, the Ring-A-Lings played “O Little Town of Bethlehem.”

Debbie Chick coordinates the handbell group, which rehearses only briefly before the service. It is open to any child age 3 years or older who are willing.

Ten children nervously lined up outside the sanctuary doors, learning to ring their color-coordinated bells when Chick held up colored cards just 10 minutes before the performance.

Chick and her husband winter in Bradenton, Fla., from November to May but return for Christmas to be with family. This year, the couple flew into town Thursday in order to put the program together.

She first saw such a group while attending a Methodist church in Florida. “It was incredible,” she said. “I wanted to bring it to Boardman UMC.” She put it on her bucket list to make it happen and she did.

Chick said the children can learn the song in about five minutes or so. They ring color-coded bells to recorded music and ring only when she holds up the color of their bell.

“They just have to pay attention to the cards,” she said.

“It’s very cool ,and any child can participate,” Chick said. “No one has to be musically inclined. The kids ring their hearts out.”

Chick said she started the Ring-A-Lings a couple of years ago. She acquired two sets of eight bells.

It’s a beautiful way to involve children in the Christmas service, she said. “The children are simply adorable.”

The Rev. Jerry Krueger said the child-friendly service is more relaxed and prepared for “off-script events to occur.”

“Whatever it is and turns into, it’s fun and it’s Christmas,” he said.

Those attending the service also appreciate the effort of the children. “Some people have cried,” she said as they watch the performance.

Skylar Ewing, 12, of Boardman, said as a second-year veteran of the performance, she just likes to have fun.

“It’s nice being able to make people happy,” she said.

Chick said her husband, Pete Chick, a retired teacher, assists her with practice and getting the children into position in the sanctuary.

“We are bringing Jesus into town with our sound,” Pete Chick told the children.