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Area churches are promoting the talents of parishioners during this Christmas season:

• The music ministry of Christ the King parish in Guilderland is selling its "Spirit of the Season" CD;

• Transfiguration parish in Schaghticoke/Speigletown is showcasing the children's book "The Santa Clock," written by parishioners Jimmy and Christie Baldwin.

Lou Ann Cleary, director of Christ the King's music ministry, said between 150 and 175 CDs have been sold to parishioners, as well as to customers as far away as Virginia and Florida.

The albums have been available for $15 after Masses, in the parish office or by ordering from the parish's website, www.ctkparishny.org.

"As a volunteer group, [the music ministers] never realized how good they are and that it is a ministry," said Ms. Cleary, who came up with the idea to do a recording several years ago. "The CD and its sales have certainly boosted morale."

Lyrical lineage
All the music on the CD is religious; song titles include "Celtic Silent Night," "You Are the Bread" and "Resurrection Victory."

The CD contains 11 songs by the adult choir and two by the children's choir. Both choirs boast more than 40 members, including parishioners Mary Pat and Bob Crevatas.

"The parish has been supportive and interested" in the CD project, Mrs. Crevatas told The Evangelist. "It is the first time we have been professionally re-corded and it was exciting."

Mrs. Crevatas has been with the choir for 13 years; at one time three of her four children were members, as well. "All of my family will be getting a CD this year for Christmas," she joked.

At Transfiguration parish in Schaghticoke/Speigletown, authors Jimmy and Christie Baldwin are donating from the presales of their book, "The Santa Clock," which sells for $16.

The Baldwins are long-time parishioners of the Speigletown worship site. This is their first children's book; it's about a boy named Peter who is beginning to lose his faith in Santa, because he can't believe that Santa can make the trip all in one night.

Nom de plume
Mr. Baldwin actually goes by the pen name Jimmy Badavino, which was his great-grandfather's real name before he changed it during the immigration process at Ellis Island.

Mr. Baldwin wrote the book; his wife, Christie Colangione-Badavino, was the artist who created colorful, mixed-media paintings to illustrate it.

The Baldwins, parents of three children ages 11, nine and five - all Santa believers - hope their book will become a holiday classic. The 48-page book is selling well at church sales and at Market Block Books in Troy. It's also available online at www.jimmybadavino. com, www.amazon. com and www.barnesandnoble. com.

"The Santa Clock" is the official sponsor of the local radio station SANTA 105.7's "Ho Ho Hotline," a telephone service that children can call to leave their Christmas wishes, which are then broadcast on the radio. (The number is 302-1ELF and is a free call locally.)

"Our book has religious overtones, and the parish is tying the book into Gospel readings about believing and having faith when you don't physically see something," said Mr. Baldwin, who also writes crime novels and short films.

The couple are now working on a fall-themed children's book to be released next year.

(12/23/10)[[In-content Ad]]

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