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"A CHRISTMAS FOR EVERYONE," A SPECIAL FROM THE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF ST.PAUL AND ST. ANDREW IN NEW YORK CITY, TO BE BROADCAST FRIDAY, DEC. 24 ON THE CBS TELEVISION NETWORK

A holiday special, A CHRISTMAS FOR EVERYONE, a service of lessons and carols from New York City's United Methodist Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, will be broadcast Friday, Dec. 24 ( 11:35 PM -12:35 AM  ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

 

            This 175-year-old historic church is known for its openness to the entire community of faiths whenever they have a services or when others need their help.  The church houses and provides vital social programs, including an emergency food program, a shelter for homeless women and a tutoring program for neighborhood children.

 

            The special broadcast will open with the church's pastor, Rev. K. Karpen, briefly describing how the church reaches out to the homeless, the poor and the marginalized, as well as to the Jewish and Muslim communities.  Rev. Karpen along with Rabbi Rolando Matalon (Congregation B'nai Jeshurun) and Imam Talib-Rashid (Mosque of the Islamic Brotherhood) will speak about opportunities for people of different faiths to come together in peace and love during the holiday season.

 

A CHRISTMAS FOR EVERYONE also explores the Christmas story and how it can have meaning for everyone during these trying times.

 

            The heart of the program will be filled with scripture readings and carols. Bishop Jeremiah Parks, the bishop for the United Methodist-New York Area, will do a reading.  Other readers will include members from the church's diverse congregation.  Carols will be sung by children and the congregation, as well as by the St. Paul and St. Andrew's choir and accompanied by harp and strings.  Music Director Dr. Frank Glass will conduct the choir.  Tony Award winner Victoria Clark, an active member of the church, will offer a solo version of "O Holy Night."

 

John P. Blessington is Executive Producer for CBS.

 

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Press Contact:         Jeremy Murphy               212-975-4577      jeremy.murphy@cbs.com

 

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