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Cantata in Warren marks Maundy Thursday
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
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The altar at Christ Episcopal Church, 2627 Atlantic St. NE, Warren, is draped with banners of color for the Maundy Thursday service at 7 tonight that will feature the cantata “Colors of Grace.” The Rev. Donna Maree, rector, said white represents God’s grace. The banners will be removed in the stripping of the altar.
The Vindicator (Youngstown)
Photo
At a recent practice, Maryanne Stefanick of Cortland rehearses with fellow choir members for the “Colors of Grace” cantata. The cantata tells the story of the Passion of Christ through color, music, lyrics and narrative.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
linonis@vindy.com
WARREN
“Colors of Grace” cantata tells the story of the Passion of Christ through color, music, lyrics and narrative.
The musical experience will be presented at 7 p.m. today, Maundy Thursday, at Christ Episcopal Church, 2627 Atlantic St. N.E.
The contemplative music will be underscored by red, orange, green, yellow and white banners from the altar. They will be removed after the cantata.
The Rev. Donna L. Maree, rector of Christ Episcopal, said the colors “symbolize the Last Supper, where we receive the bread and wine of life.” She described the white cloth as representing God’s grace. “God is all colors in one ... the bright, white light.”
The rector said the symbolism continues to the people of God, who “are all colors.”
She said the rainbow message might be especially appealing to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community; and all others. The Rev. Ms. Maree said the rainbow makes her think of Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s book “The Rainbow People of God.” It traces South Africa’s victory over apartheid in the writings and speeches of the archbishop.
“The church is open to all,” she said. And the “essence of the lesson," she added, is about service, symbolized by red; obedience, orange; humility, green; and forgiveness, yellow.
Ms. Maree said the cantata was “well received” last year, so the church decided to repeat it.
Dean Hunt, director of music, organist and choir master, said he likes the “Colors of Grace” cantata because it is contemporary; it was written in 2000. Dan Mason will be the narrator.
“I like it because it takes you through Lent up to Easter,” he said. “It’s contemplative.”
Hunt said the cantata is a beautiful piece of music that “touches people.” It takes people through “suffering and darkness” and then “joy in the light of Christ.” He added that in the darkness, people find the light of Christ.
Hunt described the piece as poignant. “People go away in tears,” he said. He added that the music “reaches people,” and that’s the most important element.
After the 30-minute cantata, Ms. Maree said the “colors will be drawn out one at a time.”
The rector said the stripping of the altar is removing ornamentation. “It symbolizes the place to lay out the body of Christ,” she said. The action relates to “the sacrifice of Jesus’ death” and is in contrast to adorning the altar for Easter Sunday and the Resurrection, Ms. Maree said.
For information on Christ Episcopal Church, visit the website at www.christchurchwarren.org.