Submitted by Amal Chammas
January, 2002

St. Ephrem Choir of 20 members had a year full of celebrations, achievements and establishments with proper leadership, practice and preparation.

The main goal of the choir is to ensure that the liturgy of hte day is properly supported with the appropriate hymns to bring the best to the faithful and help them pray with participating in singing the hymns.

During this year we had major events. One of which we were blessed by the visit of His Beatitude Mar Nisrallah Boutros Sfeir our Patriarch, and the hosting hte Southwestern NAM regional Convention in February. During these visits St. Ephrem Choir (with proper practice that took place twice a week) presented 2 recitals that gained the favor and admiration of the community. St. Ephrem Choir featured all the church's seasons with a great presentation that provided liturgical information, spiritual music and lyrics. The Church's Seasons were displayed on a big board by PowerPoint slide show and explained by a well educated speaker Naji Mouawad.

In addition to these major events, St. Ephrem Choir presented a Christmas recital for the third Millennium. As an effort to share how Christmas is celebrated around the world. This year we have combined the best music, lyrics with different languages, features and information of the past in a new community based format. Presented a collection of items that reflect upon our faith a spirituality during the Holiday Season with Christmas which is ultimately about the celebration of the Birth of Jesus born nearly two thousand years ago.

St. Ephrem choir went further to participate in Weddings, Baptisms and Funerals to raise funds for hte church to support the Committees expenses and needs.