The Community Congrega-tional Church of Southern Pines will present "Living Madonnas," a unique and inspirational Advent program of art and music, at 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, in the sanctuary.

Ten Madonna masterpieces will be displayed in a life-size gold frame with live models posing as the Madonna. A narrative describing the painting, the artist, and his or her other works will accompany each presentation followed by musical interludes by Danny and June Infantino.

"We are pleased that Adam Faw has returned as artistic and technical director for this year's program," says a church spokesman.

As artistic and technical director of the Pinecrest Players theater program at Pinecrest High School for six years, Faw has directed multiple productions. These include Disney's "Beauty and the Beast," "West Side Story," and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum." He and his students participate in the NCTC play festival each year and have earned an invitation to compete at the state play festival three of the past four years.

During the summer of 2007, Faw was selected by the Moore County branch of the English-Speaking Union to study at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London for three weeks. He is very much involved with the N.C. Theatre Conference in his first year on the board of directors. He is also currently working on his master's degree in education in theater through UNC Greensboro.

Faw has added a new masterpiece to be presented this year by Leonardo Da Vinci titled, "Madonna and Child with Flowers" to the church's collection of 40 reproductions. Some of the other selections for this year's program are "Madonna of Humility" by Fra Angelico, "Adoration of the Child" by Botticelli, and "The Sistine Madonna" by Raphael. The Madonnas will be portrayed by Sarah Beth Atkins, Patty Hoke, Liza Tomko, Nicole Matthews, Dawn Bryant, Lynne McSwain, Wendy Vanlandingham, Karina Cameron, Cathryn Crowl and Kelcey Cameron.

Each masterpiece has been carefully researched by Joan Bridgeman Smith.

"The Internet has made this task so much easier," says Smith, who has written every narrative as an informative and interesting accompaniment to each portrait. She has narrated this program for many years.

"We are excited that local and well-known musicians Danny and June Infantino will be providing the music for this event," says the church spokesman.

Danny currently has 10 CD recordings, including three with June. His recorded music has been featured on national television and radio. Their repertoire includes classical, traditional, Celtic, Broadway show tunes, standards and light jazz. Three of their CDs, "Of Kings and Joyful Noises," "Of Stars That Brightly Shine," and "Of Blessed Beasts and Children," feature traditional Christmas music.

First introduced by Ann Schwer, an artist and church member, in 1986, the Madonna program has been presented biannually since then. Over the years costumes and backdrops have been handmade and added to the collection which now includes 41 Madonna masterpieces. This year's program is being coordinated by Ginger Rolfe Thompson, Marjean Campbell, and Sue Bowling. Costumes are being made and refreshed by Judy Nelson and Anne Crabbe, both talented designers.

Refreshments will be served in the fellowship hall following the program. Admission is free.

The church is located at 141 North Bennett Street, Southern Pines.

For further information, call 692-8468 or visit www.communitycongregational.org.