Rockdale Medical Center held its annual Love Light Tree lighting ceremony Monday and highlighted with a special performance by Peeks Chapel Elementary's "Holmes' Heavenly Harpists."

The lights on the Christmas tree commemorate those who have served in Rockdale's medical community, both past and present, explained Rockdale Medical Center Auxiliary member Carolyn Redrearn. She noted two Auxiliary members who  passed away this year - Carolyn Sutton and Pat Stapley.

RMC CEO Deborah Armstrong noted the service and accomplishment of the Auxiliary, including raising funds for scholarships and for a new golf cart for the hospital's security staff. RMC Auxiliary Chaplain Billy Boyd led the invocation.

Then students from Peeks Chapel's unique harp group performed for the audience. Lead by music teacher Erica Holmes, the students plucked out Christmas favorites on specially created student harps and gave an encore performance with Pachabel's Canon in D.

This is the first year for the group. Holmes said she had started another such group when she taught in Memphis. The harps, which Holmes purchased and fundraised on her own, cost about $800 each and are specially designed for students.

The students performing on Monday were: Kendell Belfon, Kelvin Spooner, Jeniah Spooner, Shawn Lubenow, Malcolm Lowe, Vital Joseph, Malik Harper, Kerrington German, Julie Gutsulyak, Paulanne Patterson, Rebecca Lubenow.