Caledonia Argus

Still-frame passion play will be Friday

Posted: 4/6/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

An idea that had its birth 5,000 miles away will come to Caledonia this Friday.

Churches in Caledonia, and other members of the community, will be holding an ecumenical Passion Service in the high school auditorium on Good Friday, April 9, at 7 p.m.

The service will contain a live, still-frame drama on the passion of Christ. There is no charge for admission.

Jerry and Deborah Van Ravenhorst are directing the drama. They were missionaries in Kosovo for two years, and in Albania for eight years before that. Jerry is now pastor of Bread of Life Church in Caledonia.

A missionary group from California put on the passion play in Kosovo in 2001 and 2002; Jerry and Deborah helped direct it.

About 25 people from three different churches will be in the play. Itís a still-frame drama, which means that light comes on for 15 seconds depicting the passion of Christ.

Itís a unique and impacting way to present the story, Jerry said. ìA picture has more impact. People can absorb things in a deeper way.î

Local pastors talked about doing it last year, and decided to try it this year. He said that participation has been good. ìItís coming together very well.î

Two local businesses have been supportive too. Meiners Lumber donated material and Wiebke Tire did some welding. Members of different churches gave some personal things too, Jerry said.

George Stone of Caledonia is in the play with his wife, Judy, and his daughters, Samantha, 10, and Mariah, eight.

He likes the play for many reasons. One is the unity that it brings to churches of different dominations. Itís truly an ecumenical effort, he believes.

ìI know thatís something all our churches need more of. Weíre all about the same God,î he said.

George plays Simeon (or Simon) in the play, the man who is pulled from the crowd to help carry the cross. ìIíve never really thought of this man before,î Stone said. ìAnd playing this part has really opened my eyes a lot, how a man in the crowd who didnít know Jesus helped him bear the cross up the hill.î

His daughters are paired as children in the street absorbing whatís going on; Judy plays Mary.

George said the play conveys the message of Godís love in a very powerful way. The rest of the program is excellent too, he said. It includes an encore performance of the Easter Cantata that was performed on Sunday at Immanuel Lutheran Church; the bell choir from United Methodist Church; and hymns by the congregation.

ìIím real excited,î Stone said. ìI think itís going to be a good time for all.î

Top of Page