“Good morning, and merry Christmas!” said Joshua Wortham, music director and organist of Chester United Methodist Church, to a small crowd of Lucy Corr residents gathered in the Bistro of the Independent Living building. Laughter greeted him — because, of course, it was January 20, and Christmas was almost a month behind.
Nevertheless, Wortham and the Joy Singers — a musical collective of about 20 retirees from Chester UMC and Trinity United Methodist Church — sang their way through a list of holiday carols, prompting residents to join in. They had planned to visit Lucy Corr in December, but inclement weather had kept them off the roads.
Wortham accompanied the choir on piano and even played a four-hand duet with one of the singers. He said the belated performance mattered for more than just post-holiday cheer: “The music brings such joy and memories. Songs like these can reawaken old feelings.”
