Goshen Stake Community Interfaith Creche Exhibit

COMMUNITY OF CRECHES SPREADS MESSAGE; “LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH.”

From small beginnings in 2001, a remarkable event is once again
unfolding known as the Goshen Stake Community Interfaith Creche
Exhibit.  Yes, Goshen is a small  town, but there is nothing small
about this community celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.   This
year marks the sixth exhibit, with the last event in 2006 displaying
910 Creches.


                  If you’re wondering what Creche means, it’s the
French word used as a universal term to describe the Nativity.  It is
an artistic representation of the birth of  Christ, and through the
generations people have sought to capture the Nativity in a personal,
meaningful way.  It may be an elaborate masterpiece or a child’s
simple creation made from clay.  Many Creches are a unique reflection
of differing worldwide cultures, but each expresses the artist’s awe
and joy in the birth of Jesus.  Since it’s beginning, event volunteers
have set up and displayed more than 3,000 scenes for public viewing,
many originating from other countries such as Mexico, Chile,
Indonesia, Equador, Israel and Nigeria, just to name a few.

The event is held in the LDS Goshen Ward Building with approximately
200 volunteers making it all possible.    Nearly every corner of the
building is used, along with the exterior lawn.  “Lots of visitors say
 ‘Never did we expect anything of this excellence to happen in a town
this small,’” said Peggy Dimick, the director of this event.   And
excellent it is, with Creche numbers growing each year.   Residents of
the towns of Eureka, Elberta, Goshen and Genola add their personal
collections and the exhibit divides the crèches into themes, such as
Native American, mother & child,  international,  South American,
black & white, copper and pewter,  miniatures, olive wood, along with
others.  The artisans room is where local artists demonstrate their
artistic abilities in creating crèches of their own.

In addition to the crèches there are also childrens’ live nativities,
adult live nativities, and musical programs featuring local talent
held in the chapel.  A community choir is scheduled for the final
program on Sunday.

Thousands of people have attended this event in the past and Ruth
Davis, coordinator of the artisans room said “We feel it is paramount
that we have a feeling of unity in our community, regardless of
religion, for the very word community means together in unity.”
According to Dimick “This event  encourages cultural diversity and
community interfaith participation in the birth of Jesus Christ.   It
is a very special and spiritual event; serene and comforting.  Some
visitors don’t want to leave and they stay for hours.”

The Goshen Stake Community Interfaith Creche Exhibit is held at the
Goshen Stake Center, 70 East Center St.  Take I-15 to Santaquin, exit
248.  Travel west on Highway 6 about six miles to reach Goshen.  Go
South on Center street one half block.
The exhibit will be held Friday, December 4 from 1 to 8 pm with
program at 7 pm;
Saturday, December 5 from 10 am to 8 pm with program at 7 pm, and
Sunday, December 6 from 9 am to 8 pm with program at 5 pm.  This event
is free and open to the public.

Reviews

Photos