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'Trail of Light' drama needs volunteers to fill many roles

By Rose Hooper
Noah's Animals Larry Grantham, standing, assumes the role of Noah, aided by Kari Wilson, left, as Mary with her rabbit Rapunzel and animal handler Kate Welsh with Nugget the golden retriever as they practice for the interfaith Christian drama "The Trail of Light." Additional live animals are needed for the Noah scene, which will be indoors. Players and volunteers are now being recruited to fill the many roles in this production, which will be held Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at Cullowhee Baptist Church. "The birth of Jesus was not just something that happened 2,000 years ago on the other side of the world. It was an event that makes a real presence here today in the mountains," said Barbara Eberly, working on the genealogy of Christ's lineage for the Christmas drama "Trail of Light."

"Christ's lineage surrounds us... and it doesn't end with us. We carry it on ­ that's how important each one of us is," she said.

According to the Bible, there are 74 names listed in Luke's genealogy, but only 40 names listed in Matthew, beginning with Abraham, and 19 more in Genesis, going all the way back to Adam, Eberly discovered in her extensive research.

Why the discrepancies? Matthew was a Jew, writing his gospel primarily for the Jews, while Luke, a Greek, was primarily writing his gospel for the Gentiles. That's why he wanted to establish that Jesus's ancestry runs all the way back to Adam, the father of the human race.

All of Christ's lineage is presented in "The Trail of Light," an interfaith Christian drama to be presented Nov. 30-Dec. 1 at Cullowhee Baptist Church.

Isn't it a little early to be talking about a Christmas drama?

"Oh, no," those working on the drama agree,"there's so much preparation to do right now." Players for the many parts are needed now, as are helpers with the costumes, fabric, props, jewelry, animals, sound and lighting.

King Solomon "Calling all characters..." Steve Eberly plays the role of King Solomon in "The Trail of Light" drama depicting the lineage of Christ. Many positions have yet to be filled in this Christmas drama. To participate, call Etheree Chancellor at 293-3020 or Barbara Eberly at 293-5304. The play is so named because at the end, each generation carries a torch, lighting the trail to the birth of Christ. "Last year when we performed the play, that trail of light was so impressive. It's a powerful thing to see the genealogy trail of Christ on one stage at one time," said Amy Garza, the play's author.

"It's so far-reaching; it transcends faiths and just begs to be shared," said Etheree Chancellor, who conceived the idea for the play.

Cullowhee Baptist Church enlisted the support of Cullowhee Methodist Church, and soon 32 other churches and more than 100 people, some who were not even church members, eagerly became involved.

"At first we thought we would do this small Christmas play, but suddenly we realized from the genealogy alone just how many people would need to be involved," Chancellor said.

"But we are not some big Broadway production. We are just local people who love the Lord and want to spread his word," she said of the one-hour production.

Last year as the cast assembled for opening night, the Rev. Jack Hinson told them, "Even before a one of us steps foot on that stage, this is a success; it's a success because all of us and all of our congregations have worked together."

"The important role that each one of us plays in that coming together mirrors the theme of the play," said Garza.

"As we are getting ready for this year's production, there is something for everyone to do," said Chancellor. "We have speaking and non-speaking parts. We need volunteers to make costumes and props and to furnish jewelry for costumes. We need live animals for Noah's scene. And, above all, we need your prayers."

For more information or to volunteer, call Chancellor at 293-3020, Eberly at 293-5304 or Garza at 631-4587.

Back to Archive: 08/23/01.