From ancient times, churches employed music, beautiful architecture and other art forms as a way to bridge congregants and community on an emotional and spiritual level.

In the spirit of connecting the Church and community—and with the spirits of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come—St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Islip and the Islip Arts Council (IAC) will bring people together for a vibrant performance of “A Christmas Carol.”

“A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol” will be performed by the Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island and directed by author Gayden Wren. The production will take place on Friday, Dec. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the church’s Fenton Hall.

“A Christmas Carol” is the Dickens story of loss, regret and recovery. The Gilbert & Sullivan Light Opera Company of Long Island first brought it here in 1994 and it has since been performed on Off-Broadway and in England, Australia and New Zealand, among other countries.

The production is funded by a Suffolk County Omnibus Grant for historical programming, awarded by Legis. Trish Bergin and presented to the IAC. The grant covers the Art and Music in Historical House and Sacred Houses of Worship program.

Proceeds from the show will go to the church’s music ministry, noted Fr. Edwin Beckham, rector of the church.

“‘A Gilbert & Sullivan Christmas Carol’ is a festive treat for the senses. This classic Victorian story is well-loved by the entire community, from the tiniest child to an adult,” shared Fr. Beckam. “The Christian scriptures are full of associations between music and faith. In fact, there is an ancient proverb, sometimes attributed to St. Augustine, that ‘those who sing pray twice.’”

The performance stars Chris Diamond as Ebenezer Scrooge. Cast members also include Jordan Breslow as Bob Cratchit; Roseanne Rodriguez as Emily Cratchit; Hanna Roth as Tiny Tim; Paul Landon Dial as the Ghost of Marley; Patricia Gallagher as the Ghost of Christmas Past; Terry Hochler as the Ghost of Christmas Present; Delaney R. Page as the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come; Gerald Quigley as Young Scrooge; John Benvenuto as Young Marley;  Kara Vertucci as Belle;  David Aubrey as Mr. Goodman and Lilly Chase as Cheapside Jackie; Claudia Arroyo as Dora Lincoln; Michael O’Malley as Titus Burton;  Eirini Stavropoulos as Belinda Cratchit and Landon Kurland as Peter Cratchit; Ireland Hill as Sarah Cratchit; Stanley Bergman as Uncle Tim; Meaghan Mahoney as the Balladeer and Farah Chandu as the narrator.

Tickets are priced at $20 for general admission, $15 for St. Mark’s parishioners and Islip Arts Council staff and $5 for children under the age of 12. Seating is limited, and according to Lynda Moran, the executive director of the IAC, you should grab a ticket before they are gone.

“I am personally excited because in my 17 years with IAC I’ve always wanted to present a Gilbert & Sullivan production. And this is happening!,” said Moran. “Tickets are going fast.”

To purchase tickets, please visit stmarksislip.org, call (63) 581-4950, or come into the office, which is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.