Living Nativity scene lots of work, but still worth it to some churches

There's more that goes into a living Nativity scene than a bearded man, a veiled woman, an infant and some straw.

If they were that simple, more churches would have them. But the expense, the time, and coordination of animals and children that sometimes don't behave have many volunteers shying away from reenacting the birth of Jesus in a Bethlehem-style manger.

The First Congregational Church in West Dundee used to have a living Nativity, and so did its neighboring congregation at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church.

"We stopped because we were competing with the First Congregational Church when it was next door," said Debbie Smith, a Bethlehem Lutheran member.

"They're a lot of work dealing with kids and animals."

In Christmases past, Bethlehem Lutheran members would put on the scene from the first Christmas during Dundee Township's Dickens in Dundee festival. It came complete with the actors and a rented donkey.

"Someone would lead the donkey through the streets to the scene," she said.

But there's no competition now. First Congregational members built a church along Route 31 in West Dundee and moved out of their old building.

There's also no one willing to resume its tradition.

First Congregational members stopped putting on their living Nativity scene for pretty much the same reason as Bethlehem Lutheran members.

"They're nice when they are put together, but they're a lot of work," said Diane Fuqua, the church's director of communications.

"We had a donkey and a goat in our scene. It cost $150 to rent both of them. We never had a camel, though."

Paperwork is also involved with the scenes. Most municipal ordinances, including East and West Dundee, require permits to be issued for farm animals to be brought onto their streets.

But if animals are to be used for non-profit organizations, the permit fees are waived, said Joseph Cavallaro, West Dundee village manager.

East Dundee leaders may do the same, but village administrator Frank Koehler can't say for sure -- since he has had not had requests for farm animals at Nativity scenes.

Sally Harmon and her friends at the Geneva Lutheran Church know all too well about the work the scenes take. For 15 years they've portrayed Christ's birth in a manger.

"We usually start in September. After the kids go back to school we start organizing who's going to do what," she said.

"We have someone in charge of costumes, someone in charge of building the manger and someone in charge of refreshments."

This year, she and her army of volunteers got lucky; they found a family to donate the donkey and goat.

Her church's Nativity scene was held last weekend.

But other churches have scheduled Nativity scenes, too, despite the difficulties.

The Epworth United Methodist Church in Elgin will host "A Night in Bethlehem," from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday. This free event will include live animals, actors and interactive activities. The church is at Highland Avenue and Randall Road in Elgin.

Also, Faith Community Church in Huntley will host a living nativity scene from 2-4 p.m. Sunday. For details, click on the church's Web site at www.faithcommunitychurchhuntley.com/