The event will also feature a cookie exchange.

“This is the first time of what we hope will be an annual event,” said Pat Freuh, president of the Bay de Noc Unitarian Universalist Church, which is sponsoring “Jingle and Mingle.” “The idea … is that anyone and everyone from (age) 5 to 95 will feel free to just come and have a Christmas music sing-along with familiar songs and good cheer, that they bring the Christmas spirit and visit with other people that they know.”

Co-organizer Phil Lynch is the main musician behind the plans. Lynch — a singer, pianist and retired Escanaba music teacher — has recently been assisting the church with musical accompaniment during services.

Freuh said the congregation was “excited” to hear about Lynch’s musical background, and “this idea came up for a community event … to share his music and just to have a warm-hearted event that the Unitarians could share with the rest of the community.”

The entrance to the studio on the west side of the William Bonifas Fine Arts Center, 700 First Ave. S. in Escanaba. The studio will house a musical event open to the public on Sunday, Dec. 14. (R. R. Branstrom | Daily Press)

The intended set list — albeit not in order — includes: “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas,” “Hark! the Herald Angels Sing,” “Winter Wonderland,” “Deck the Halls,” “Frosty the Snowman,” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Silver Bells,” “Happy Xmas (War Is Over),” “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World.”

Sheet music will be provided for guitar, piano and any other “concert pitch” instruments that play in the key of C, Lynch said. Others may bring their own music for the planned songs.

Instrumentalists should consider bringing their own music stands, pianists their own keyboards, and electric guitarists their own amplifiers. Lynch recommends arrival prior to the 1 p.m. start time to allow for setup.

While it’s yet unknown how many and what sort of instrumentalists and vocalists will show up, all are welcome.

An optional cookie exchange is part of the event. Organizers suggested that people bring a dozen or two and in return take home a mixed-and-matched dozen. Cookies, hot chocolate and coffee will be served at the get-together.

Questions about the event may be directed to Freuh at 906-399-3480.

The William Bonifas Fine Arts Center — sometimes referred to more simply as the Bonifas Arts Center or just the Bonifas — is at 700 First Ave. S. in what used to be the auditorium and gymnasium for St. Joseph’s parish school. Its construction in the 1930s was funded by Catherine Bonifas, widow of the lumber baron whose name the center now bears. It was incorporated as the fine arts center in 1974.

While the studio space to be used for the upcoming jam session and the galleries that feature visual art exhibitions are open, damage is still evident in the theater portion of the Bonifas from the fire caused by a lightning strike in May. Both the arts center and its affiliate Players de Noc, the theater group that used the space, continue to collect donations for restoration efforts.

The Bay de Noc Unitarian Universalists congregate at the Bonifas on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.

“We’re very community-minded and feel responsible to make the world a better place,” Freuh said of the church.