In Columbiana, journey through ‘Walk with Jesus’

Church members stage vignettes as a glimpse into the life and times of Jesus.

By LINDA M. LINONIS

VINDICATOR RELIGION EDITOR

COLUMBIANA — First Christian Church presents “A Walk with Jesus” as its Christmas gift to the community.

That’s the sentiment shared by Len Derico, senior minister, and Sheri Lamoncha, director.

“We want this to be a time of reflection ... to remember and be reminded,” Derico said. “Today, society has a greater degree of Bible illiteracy. People know about Christmas and Easter but they’re not connecting the dots. This is about bringing greater awareness about the life of Jesus ... why he was born and the end result.”

Though many Christmas programs focus on the journey to Bethlehem and the birth of Christ in a stable, First Christian takes it to another level — portraying Jesus’ birth, life and death in a series of vignettes. “It’s a unique way to present the story of Christ,” Derico said.

First Christian deliberately schedules the program early in December before other holiday demands crowd the calendar. “We hope that people will reflect on their relationship with Jesus,” Derico said, noting that the uplifting presentation is a nonthreatening way to offer an important message and turn away from commercialism.

“It’s a roundabout way to convey the message of salvation,” he said, and noted it’s both educational and entertaining.

When those taking “A Walk with Jesus” enter the church, they will be assigned, for example, as members of the House of David or Abraham, said Lamoncha. When their tour guide calls out the House of David, each group of 15 or so people will start the tour.

Visitors are free to visit the Bethlehem Market Place before and after the tour. The market features herb, fabric, candle, bread and craft shops. Lamoncha explained that the market gives visitors a sampling of the sights, sounds, smells of what they might have experienced had they lived in the first century.

It has a practical purpose as well because it occupies people, especially children, while they wait their turn to take the tour. In the craft room, children can make a simple craft and play games.

The church’s Sunday school rooms have been transformed to a market place, where the smell of fresh-baked goods such as Ezekiel’s Bread hangs in the air and mixes with herbal aromas.

Judy Baer, a 12-year church member, may barter with guests in the herb shop, where they will find samples of balm of Gilead, coriander, bay leaves, aloe and rose hips. “I researched what would have been herbs available at the time,” she said.

Connie Hughart, market place coordinator, said original research was passed on to her and it’s expanded each year. The walls are decorated with scrolls with messages in Hebrew and the hallways feature live ferns and rustic benches. Modern conveniences such as light fixtures have been disguised with fabric and scrolls.

Shop vendors and tour guides, garbed in simple cotton robes, some with scarves and headdresses, make small talk — discussing the couple who found no room at the inn, the look of pigeons for sacrifice and how many coins their taxes will cost.

The market place is a glimpse for visitors of what is to come. On Monday, the 100-plus cast and crew, made up of congregants ranging in age from 3 to their 70s, had a dress rehearsal of vignettes that include Gabriel announcing to Mary her destiny as the mother of God; the Three Wise Men visiting Jesus, Mary and Joseph at the manger; Jesus in the desert where he was tempted by Satan; the Last Supper; Judas betraying Jesus; Pontius Pilate washing his hands of the innocent man; the crucifixion and resurrection.

The vignettes, staged in Sunday school rooms transformed to appropriate settings, are dramatically lighted, or candles create atmosphere. “I think people like the intimacy of the rooms. They’re close to the performers,” Lamoncha said.

One year some 900 people were visitors. “It’s getting rougher for families to find such activities,” Lamoncha said. “Many families have made it a tradition to attend.”

Ken Muller, a former minister at the church, started the event 14 years ago as an Advent program.