Portia Williams

PDT Staff Writer

Living Faith Temple church, formerly, Greater Emmanuel, will hold the 50th Anniversary Choir Reunion Concert on Sunday.

Present and former members of the Greater Emmanuel choirs, which are now called, Living Faith Temple, have been preparing for a 50th Anniversary Choir Reunion and Concert, at Living Faith Temple, located at 1329 Kinney Street in Portsmouth. The idea to host to the choir reunion was that of Elder Randall Lewis, a former Greater Emmanuel choir director and Deacon Jerald Gordon, who is the current choir director at Living Faith Temple.

Minister Mary Alice Tanner, a former choir director of Greater Emmanuel, and one of the event coordinators, said they are expecting a great turnout for the choir reunion and concert.

“We have contacted former choir members all over the country, (and) as far as Nova Scotia. Our goal was to get every choir member who sang in the choirs from the 1960’s to the present to be a part of the choir reunion,” Tanner said.

She said a tremendous amount of preparation has transpired to ensure success of the celebration.

“We are also going to honor our oldest, living Greater Emmanuel/Living Faith Temple choir member, who is mother Geneva Lewis, and the oldest living Greater Emmanuel/Living Faith Temple member, who is Mother Frances Rutherford.

Tanner said they will also honor Bishop Edward E. Shouse, Sr., who is the first Greater Emmanuel choir director.

“Here in Portsmouth, we have held choir rehearsals every Thursday, and practice for at least two hours each practice,” Tanner said.

Tanner said that other rehearsals have been going on in other cities among the former choir members in conjunction with the local rehearsals.

In addition to the choir rehearsals, Tanner said they have regular meetings among the former choir directors, which include Bishop Edward Shouse, Elder Ralph Clay, Minister Mary Alice Tanner, Elder Randall Lewis and Deacon Jerald Gordon, who is the current choir and praise team director, and worship leader.

Tanner said that 50th Anniversary Choir Concert and Reunion will be wonderful celebration of a 50 year legacy of singing, fellowship, and worship.

Portia Williams may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 234 or portiawilliams@heartlandpublications.com.