Click on Image to Enlarge

St. Ansgar's Lutheran Church - Montreal
Bell Choir Performance in
Stille Nag Concert:
December 14, 2003
Wesley United Church

This marks the second year in which St. Ansgar's Bell Choir, under the direction of Julia Shantz, has been invited to open the annual Stille Nag/Silent Night/Sainte Nuit concert held at Wesley United Church. Stille Nag is organized by Wilhelmina Fredericks and Zerf Productions as a benefit in support of children afflicted with Aids in South Africa.

(Photo by Jette or Tony Blair)

Bells of Saint Ansgar's at Wesley United

(Photo by Jette or Tony Blair)

Veteran Bell-Ringers Join with Visitors

(Photo by Jette or Tony Blair)

Julia Shantz Leads the Group

(Photo by Jette or Tony Blair)

Wilhelmina plans with Sheena

Concert Programme

Stille Nag = Sainte Nuit = Silent Night

• Prelude: l'Annonciation - extract from poèmes évangeliques by Jean Langlais (1907-1991)
• Welcome: Rev. Martha Nell Thomson)
• Silent Night: The Bells of St. Ansgar's (Julia Shantz - director)
• The Stille Nag Story and Musical Presentation: Robert Bergner
• Choeur des enfants (Iwan Edwards - director; Margaret Wada - piano)
• Personal Appeal during Goodwill Offering: Sheena King-Kabu
• Intruduction of Kilimjaro Team: Jan Djikman & Wilhelmina Fredericks
• Once in Royal David's City: Audience
• Christmas Songs: Firouzeh Bozorgzhad
• Duet: Nancy Snipper & Dave Hammons
• Gospel & Christmas Carols: Out of NDG Choir (Vivienne Deane - director)
• Silent Night, with candle lighting: Firouzeh Bozorgzhad & Robert Bergner

Geseënde Kersfes

Merry Christmas - Joyeaux Noël - Happy Hannukah

Zerf productions thanks Rev. Martha Nell Thomson and the Welsey congregation for their support of our work at home and in Africa. We thank the artists who have so freely given of their talent and time to make this event a reality. We say a special thank you to the audience for making our 15th anniversary so special. Cheers.
Merritt Adams, Producer

The evening raised over $1000 in donations.

The goodwill offering will help Zerf Productions to buy food and medicine and to build hospices for a few of the 5.3 million children with HIV/AIDS in South Africa.

The Department of Health in South Africa has released the 2002 report on the prevalence of HIV and syphilis among pregnant women, painting a grim picture of an epidemic that is estimated to have infected 10.3 million South Africans. The figures appears to be consistent according to the Centre for Actuarial Research at the University of Cape Town.

The survey of 16,587 women indicates 26.5% are HIV positive - up from 24.8% in 2001. Zerf Productions and partners have made a commitment to help the mothers and children with food, medicine, and hospices.

Under the leadership of Wilhelmina Fredericks, ten Zerf Production team members and friends will challenge Kilimanjaro Mountain, the tallest mountain in Africa, standing at 19,340 ft, for 9 days and 8 nights in October, 2004. The purpose is to raise $20 million over a period of five years. We are looking for sponsors from corporations, organizations, and individuals. Please help us reach our goal. To make pledges, contact: zerf@hotmail.com