’Tis the season to be jolly, hang the wreath and string the holly. Or, it could be one that is observed by lighting candles, spinning a dreidel (a top-like object which is used as a game) and eating latkes (potato pancakes). Whatever your spiritual beliefs are, there is a cornucopia of options available to make the winter holiday season be one filled with hope and joy. qnotes has assembled some of them for you below.
Religious/Spiritual
Fun, food, friends, fellowship
Dec. 6
Celebrate the holiday season following worship service — lunch, cookie and ornament exchange and games. Cookie exchange protocol: Bring six dozen cookies (five dozen to swap and one dozen to sample), along with copies of favorite cookie recipes to share. Also, bring a wrapped $10 or less ornament for the exchange.
RSVP to Rev. Susan Morris, revsuemo@gmail.com.
Metropolitan Community Church Winston-Salem
4105 Patsy Dr., Winston-Salem, N.C.
mccws.org.
Christmas is Coming Party
Dec. 6, 12:30 p.m.
Congregational potluck with fun and games.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
1900 The Plaza, Charlotte, N.C.
htlccharlotte.org.
Carols in the Round
Dec. 6, 6:30 p.m.
An eclectic program under candlelight of familiar and new Christmas carols sung by the Motet Singers of Myers Park Baptist Church. The evening will alternate between favorite Christmas carols from the Motet Singers, (as well as a sneak preview of two carols from “A Ceremony of Carols” being sung by the Chancel Choir during worship on Dec. 20) and familiar carols that the congregation will sing.
Myers Park Baptist Church
1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte, N.C.
mybconline.org.
Concert and Services
Usher in the holidays with several events and services.
Dec. 12: “Brother Sun” concert, 7:30 p.m.
Brother Sun is comprised of veteran touring sing-songwriters, Greg Greenway, Pat Wictor and Joe Jencks. Together, they fuse folk, Americana, blues, pop, jazz, rock and a cappella singing. Proceeds from the concert will go to a guest musician fund at the church.
Community potluck and carol sing at 6 p.m. in Freeman Hall preceding the concert. Sign up for the potluck at goo.gl/DfcNmE.
Tickets: $10/advance and $15/at the door available online at goo.gl/abylJa.
Dec. 19: Outdoor Solstice Service, 5 p.m.
Dec. 24: Light-hearted, family-friendly Christmas Eve Service, 4 and 6 p.m.
Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Service, 8 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte
234 N. Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte, N.C.
uuccarlotte.org.
Children’s Christmas Pageant
Dec. 12, 4 p.m.
Myers Park Baptist Church
Heaton Hall
1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte, N.C.
mpbconline.org.
Chanukah Party
Dec. 13, 5 p.m.
Enjoy the Festival of Lights with menorah lighting, games and song. Catered dinner, complete with latkes and other holiday food for members. Others by reservation only to religiouscommittee@havurattikvah.org.
Avondale Presbyterian Church
MacLean Fellowship Hall
2821 Park Rd., Charlotte, N.C.
havurattikvah.org.
“Manger Faces”
Dec. 20, 7 p.m.
Jazz/liturgical concert.
Green Street Church
639 S. Green St., Winston-Salem, N.C.
greenstreetchurch.org.
Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 24, 5 p.m.
The Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church at Temple Israel
1600 Brenner Ave., Salisbury, N.C.
puuc.org.
Christmas Eve Pageant & Worship Service
Dec. 24, 4 p.m., pageant
Dec. 24, 10:30 p.m., service
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
1510 E. 7th St., Charlotte, N.C.
stmartins-charlotte.org.
Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 24, 7 p.m.
Meditation, candle lighting, music and more.
Spiritual Living Center of Charlotte
Actor’s Theatre
650 E. Stonewall St., Charlotte, N.C.
slccharlotte.com.
Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 24, 7 p.m.
The Piedmont Unitarian Universalist Church
9704 Mallard Creek Rd., Charlotte, N.C.
puuc.org.
Christmas Eve Worship
Dec. 24, 4 p.m.
Family-friendly services with Rev. Carrie Veal
Dec. 24, 5:30 p.m.
Music of Christmas
Dec. 24, 6 p.m.
Candlelight service with communion with Rev. Robin P. Coira
Myers Park Baptist Church
1900 Queens Rd., Charlotte, N.C.
mpbconline.org.
Children’s Christmas Pageant and Worship Service
Dec. 24, 5:30 p.m.
All children are welcome to participate. Must arrive at 5 p.m.
Green Street Church
639 S. Green St., Winston-Salem, N.C.
greenstreetchurch.org.
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Dec. 24, 5:30 p.m.
Caldwell Presbyterian Church
1609 E. 5th St., Charlotte, N.C.
caldwellpresby.org.
Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 24, 7 p.m.
Pullen Memorial Baptist Church
1801 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, N.C.
pullen.org.
Christmas Eve Worship
Dec. 24, 8 p.m.
Festive worship with candle lighting and communion.
Holy Trinity Lutheran Church
1900 The Plaza, Charlotte, N.C.
htlccharlotte.org.
Christmas Day Service
Dec. 25, 10 a.m.
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
1510 E. 7th St., Charlotte, N.C.
stmartins-charlotte.org.
Musical
Holiday Concert and Fundraiser
Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte
Benefit/fundraiser for Concord/Kannapolis Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Refreshments will be served afterward. Admission is free. Contributions graciously accepted.
Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.
Trinity United Church of Christ
38 Church St. N., Concord, N.C.
dagjag@carolina.rr.com.
“Madonna, Madonna”
One Voice Chorus
One often reads, “Keep the ‘Christ’ in Christmas.” Why not keep his mother in there too? At the heart of an overwhelmingly patriarchal religion, one finds the central figure in the biblical Christmas story to be…a woman, Mary! Also called “the Madonna,” Mary was blessed among women, and many holiday texts discuss her role in the Christmas story. Of course, the other famous Madonna made her splash in the 1980s, and the gay culture has come to worship this “Like a Virgin” Madonna as well. “Madonna-Madonna” explores both the secular and sacred polarity of Christmas in this concert.
Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 5, 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte
234 N. Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte, N.C.
Tickets: Dec. 4 and 6, $18.65/student with ID, $27.97/general;
Dec. 5, $13.99/student with ID, $18.65/general.
onevoicechorus.com.
Triangle Gay Men’s Chorus
“A Christmas Celebration”
with special guest artist Arsenia Soto
From “Jingle Bells” to “Santa Baby,” the chorus will present uplifting sacred and secular tunes associated with the holiday season. Everyone welcome.
Dec. 5, 7 p.m.
Pilgrim United Church of Christ
3011 Academy Rd., Durham, N.C.
Dec. 6, 3 p.m.
Pullen Memorial Baptist Church
1801 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, N.C.
Suggested Contribution: $10/advance online, $15/at the door.
tgmchorus.org.
“Christmas Time’s a’ Comin’!”
Triad Pride Men’s Chorus
Festive holiday tunes to welcome the season.
Dec. 5, 8 p.m.
Congregational United Church of Christ
400 W. Radiance Dr., Greensboro, N.C.
Dec. 8, 8 p.m.
Centennial Station Arts Center
121 S. Centennial St., High Point, N.C.
Dec. 12, 8 p.m.
Parkland Magnet High School
1600 Brewer Rd., Winston-Salem, N.C.
Tickets: $15/Greensboro, Winston-Salem; $10/High Point, available online
triadpridemenschorus.org.
“Wild Bells”
Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte
Come home for the holidays and help the chorus kick off their 10th season. It’s voices will envelop the audience in harmony for an evening of heartfelt holiday magic — sprinkled with a festive pinch of fairy dust. Presents under our tree for everyone: beloved carols, soaring holiday classics and the cheeky antics you expect from the chorus.
Dec. 11-12, 8:04 p.m.
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church
1510 E. 7th St., Charlotte, N.C.
Tickets: $20-$25 in advance, available online.
Reserved seating only.
gmccharlotte.org.
“Winter Concert”
Charlotte Pride Band
The band presents its annual winter concert, featuring the band’s brass and woodwind ensembles. The groups will perform traditional holiday music, as well as other selections arranged for small instrumental groups.
Dec. 13, 3 p.m.
Temple Beth El
5101 Providence Rd., Charlotte, N.C.
Admission free.
charlotteprideband.org.
“A Season of Peace”
Cantaria, Gay Men’s Chorus of Asheville
Music to usher in the season.
First Congregational United Church of Christ
Dec. 17, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 20, 4 p.m.
20 Oak St., Asheville, N.C.
Tickets: $20/general, $25/VIP, available online. Bring printed receipt for entrance.
cantariaasheville.org.
Celebration
“Oh What Fun!”
Charlotte LGBT Chamber of Commerce
Holiday Party and Annual Meeting
Celebrate the season during the 23rd annual gathering. Bring a $10 gift card from Food Lion. Cards will be given to Time Out Youth Center to assist with youth who are displaced and need toiletries and food through the winter season.
Dec. 8, 6:30 p.m.
Sugar Creek Brewing Company
215 Southside Dr., Charlotte, N.C.
Admission free.
RSVP via facebook.com/events/979397322102927/.
clgbtcc.org.
Network Holiday Gathering
The Raleigh Business and Professional Network
Holiday Dinner and Gathering
Socialize during an extended meet and greet time, with dinner following. Non-speaker meeting.
Dec. 9, 6:30 p.m.
P.G. Werth’s
927 W. Morgan St., Raleigh, N.C.
Registration is requested and is available online at bit.ly/1Ss7i9q.
raleighnetwork.org.
SAGE Holiday Party
Dec. 12, 3 p.m.
LGBT Center of Raleigh
324 S. Harrington St., Raleigh, N.C.
Contact Les Geller at sage@lgbtcenterofraleigh.com to learn more.
lgbtcenterofraleigh.com.
Holiday Covered Dish
Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Greensboro
Potluck with family and friends.
Dec. 15, 6:30 p.m.
College Park Baptist Church
1601 Walker Ave., Greensboro, N.C.
Call 336-291-8396 to alert organizers what favorite holiday dish will be brought to share.
pflaggreensboro.org.
Holiday Soirée
The North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition
Holiday Party
Deck out in an ugly holiday sweater and practice singing for a karaoke showdown. Door prizes will be given to the ugliest sweater around. Afterward, head over to the Landmark Tavern, 117 E. Hargett St., for an after-party.
Dec. 18, 6 p.m
The Pour House Music Hall
224 S. Blount St., Raleigh, N.C.
Tickets: $15 via check to NC Harm Reduction Coalition, P.O. Box 13761, Durham, NC 27709 or via PayPal for $20 which includes a processing fee. Contributions are also available for tickets on a sliding scale.
bit.ly/1l1uctR.