Community Church Pageant
by Maryann Miller

On Monday, April 7th representatives from area churches gathered at the Ivy Garden to discuss plans for an Easter drama to be presented during Winnsboro's sesquicentennial celebration in 2004. "What a wonderful opportunity this is for us to showcase what we believe and why," Sherrie Hansen of His Way Ministry said to the crowd of about 35. "I was so excited when the Sesquicentennial Committee approached us to see if we were interested."

From that initial approach, Ms. Hansen took the idea to the Ministerial Alliance and immediately got the endorsement of many of the area churches. She then called about fifty other churches whose pastors, with only one exception, backed the idea of this being a community-wide endeavor with all churches participating. In attendance at this first planning meeting were representatives from St. Francis Episcopal, Central Christian, First United Methodist, Glade Springs Church, Perryville Baptist, St. Ann Catholic, First Baptist, His Way Ministry, First Presbyterian, and the Revival Center.

In keeping with the sesquicentennial theme of celebrating our roots/heritage, the drama will focus on our Christian spiritual roots that cross denominational lines. The result will be a production similar to the Passion Play in Eureka Springs, AR and The Promise in Glenrose, TX, with the possibility of making this an annual event.

Enthusiasm was high for the project, even as the reality of all the work needed to bring a production of this magnitude off was laid out. "We need help from every congregation," Ms. Hansen said. "In addition to financial support, we need actors, actresses, stage hands, props, costumes, carpentry, production people, and prayers. Not least of all, prayers."

Planning is still in the early stages, but some details already in place include securing the football stadium for the weekend of April 3rd , 4th , and 5th next year for performances. A bank account has been opened at First National Bank of Winnsboro as the committee begins to raise funds to pay for the production. If individuals, congregations, and businesses are interested in supporting this effort, they can send contributions to
His Way Ministry P.O. Box 782, Winnsboro, TX 75494.