The Living Christmas Tree

Thomas S. Pryor

The following dedication appeared in the program of the 2003 Living Christmas Tree:

Every year since 1984 when the first notes sprang from the Living Christmas Tree in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church, thousands of people have been blessed by its message. Appropriately, attention has been focused on the directors, the soloists and all the musicians. Yet, the team that produces the LCT is much larger. From the beginning, the focus among those unsung team members has been the Chief Engineer, Thomas S. Pryor, a quiet and unassuming man without whose extraordinary talents, dedication, patience and persistence the many productions could not have happened. A man who neither sings nor plays an instrument has earned the admiration of FBC musicians as Mr. Living Christmas Tree.

When the concept of LCT was first discussed in FBC in the early eighties, there was significant resistance and Thomas S. Pryor was among the reluctant. Yet, after he had seen a production in another city he became an enthusiastic supporter and was instrumental in gaining approval for the concept in his church. He immediately became a prime mover for the project and devoted without reservation his substantial talents as a careful and practical engineer. From the supervision of the design of a safe structure to fit the FBC choir loft, to electrical engineering, to systems engineering to the many assemblies and disassemblies, to the placement of singers on the tree year after year, and to the design of traffic flow on and off the tree, the hand of Mr. Pryor was always evident. Each person who has sung on the tree has been measured by him and fitted to an individual platform that allowed that person to appear to be the same height as everyone else. Recognizing the Chief Engineer's meticulous attention to details, each person could mount the tree without concern for safety.

As the giant star at the top of the tree sheds its light all around, it models how Tom Pryor has cast his influence into every crevice of the LCT production. However, the most important contribution is likely his contagious spirit that has motivated the best from work crews as well as performers. Often in pain in these most recent years, he has continued to drive himself in what he saw as an opportunity to participate in an important ministry. He has shared time, talents and energy from a glad heart.

In recognition of his inspirational service through nearly 20 years of LCT performances, let this mission of Mr. Pryor today and for as long into the future as this valuable ministry continues to thrill great audiences and point them to the meaning of the Christmas season, be proclaimed as an example of selfless service of the highest order. It is to Thomas S. Pryor, an uncommon man, that this year's Living Christmas Tree is dedicated in loving appreciation. What a legacy!

William R. Lucas
Chairman of Deacons
First Baptist Church