A small church in South Toledo is taking a leap of faith by staging a drama at the Stranahan Theater on Easter Sunday (March 31).
“We’re like Peter — we’re stepping out on the water,” said Jane Raab, director of adult ministries and missions coordinator for the Church of the Cross United Methodist Church.
The production, “The Thorn,” uses music and dialogue to tell the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection. The Church of the Cross, which has between 250 and 300 members, is hoping to fill the main floor of the Stranahan, which seats more than 1,000. If more people show up for the 11 a.m. program — for which tickets are not required — they can open up the balcony, boosting the capacity to around 2,500.
Raab said renting the major-event theater on Heatherdowns Boulevard is costing the church “thousands of dollars,” but did not have a precise figure. The production of “The Thorn,” which was written by John and Sarah Bolin of New Life Church in Colorado, fits the Church of the Cross’ renewed vision of reaching its neighbors in South Toledo.
The church is going through a “consultation process” within the United Methodist Church, in which its ministries and programs are evaluated. One of the local district’s recommendations was for the church to hold more community-oriented programs.
Last fall, the Church of the Cross held a “Fun Fest” on its grounds at Cass and Eastgate roads that attracted about 700 people. It will hold another festival this fall but in the meantime its members were inspired to plan big for Easter.
Marge Sudheimer, the church’s drama director, said she has always set high standards for the church’s dramas. “We don’t want it to be like a bathrobe and kitchen towels on their heads. We want real costumes and choreography.”
“We thought, why not rent the Stranahan Theater and put forth the Easter celebration?” Raab added. “Those who are not connected to a church might hesitate to come into a
church building, but they might not hesitate to come into the Stranahan.”
The music in the church’s production of “The Thorn” is “very eclectic,” Sudheimer said.
“It’s not just the contemporary music that you hear in a lot of churches now. There’s going to be country gospel, and there’s going to be an older praise team,” she said. “And then more modern stuff that the young guys have chosen. And then we’ll have brass and
we’ll have bells. So everybody’s musical taste will be touched.”
Raab said the music, acting and video are “intertwined with the message” throughout the fast-paced, hour-long production.
Kyle Metz, who will lead worship during the Easter program, said his goal is to use music to enhance the play’s biblical message.
“My heart, even on a regular Sunday morning, is trying to find songs that go along with the
sermon,” Metz said. “If we can use the music to connect with that, and help them focus with the words that go along with the message that Christ is risen, then that’s what we’re
trying to do.”
Sudheimer has been coaching the two main actors in the play — Vicki Scribner as Mary Magdalene and Ray Sudheimer as Peter. The Church of the Cross’ pastor, the Rev. Steve Judson, also will be on stage to give an “invitation” to the audience.
“I’m working with the pastor because it’s all got to flow — the whole kit and caboodle,” Sudheimer said.
She said Scribner has “an absolutely gorgeous voice” and, as an added bonus for one playing Mary Magdalene, did not grow up being active in a church. That could prove
helpful when cast members greet the audience after the curtain closes.
“If someone after the service would come up and say, ‘Your monologue just touched me,’ then she could relate to them,” Sudheimer said.
Metz, who graduated from Ohio State University last June, said the Easter drama meshes perfectly with the Church of the Cross’ new emphasis on outreach and evangelism.
“The timing is perfect. We’re in this process of really getting back to the basics of the faith, which is to make disciples and see the transformation of the world,” he said. “To
go to the Stranahan and to rent it out, not knowing what to expect, is really exciting because it fits our vision of making new disciples. And we can’t do that by sitting on our
hands in the pews.”
David Yonke is the editor and community manager of Toledo Faith & Values
(ToledoFAVS.com), a website that provides in-depth, nonsectarian news coverage of religion, faith and spirituality in the Toledo area.
