By Susan Shinn
sshinn@salisburypost.com
CHINA GROVE ó Generations of members at Ebenezer Lutheran Church have participated in the annual Easter pageant, “Christ’s Cross and Crown.”
They’ll continue that tradition ó now nearly 50 years old ó with performances this weekend.
“Christ’s Cross and Crown,” an outdoor drama, takes place at 8 p.m. tonight and Sunday evening at the church, located at the corner of Old Concord and Old Beatty Ford roads. A free hot dog supper takes place at 7 p.m.The production began in 1951 in front of the church.The congregation then purchased the field adjacent to the church in 1962. It is a natural amphitheater setting,with audience members sitting on the hill, looking down onto scenes below.
Over the years, cinder block stages have replaced wooden sets.
The audience views the last hours of Christ ó his triumphal entry, his praying in the garden, his betrayal, the Last Supper, the crucifixion and resurrection ó all set to a narration done by the Rev. Michael Comer, the church’s pastor.
More than 100 people ó more than the actual congregation itself ó participate in the drama.
Herman Cline, who’s now 75, remembers his parents and other church members ó who have been gone for years, now ó participating.
“We get all of the young’uns participating,” he says.
Three-year-old Marielle Gordon, whose mother Scarlett Schenck, was in the play as a child, now runs around the grassy field. She wears a hot pink robe, her hair covered with a pink kerchief.
Marielle’s grandmother, Gale Schenck, participates as well.
“I’ve been it it ever since I’ve been in the community, and I’ve been here 41 years,” Gale says.
“It’s multigenerational,” Scarlett says.
She was in the play even when she was in college.
“There’s always somebody who rallies behind it and makes sure it happens,” Scarlett says.
There are members who build sets and members who clean and iron the robes, and Boy Scouts who help and neighbors who join in, too.
“We count on those people,” Scarlett says. “It makes you feel like you’re a part of something bigger than yourself.”
The success of the production usually has a lot to do with the weather, Herman says.
“Sometimes we can’t park all the cars in the parking lot,” he says. “We used to have it four nights, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, but it wore the people out. I’ve been Peter a dozen times.”
Now he just helps with lighting behind the scenes.
Vanessa Helms took over directing duties from the pastor’s wife “for just a year.”
That was three years ago.
Now she’s the one guiding participants through their scenes.
“I need beggars! I need a crowd out here,” she hollers. “Big movement! Spread out! Spread out!”
The production has taken place every year but one, Priscilla Lipe says. “It was like something was missing. One year without it taught us a lesson.”
“This thing is beautiful at night,” Herman says.
Dale Martin, a former member, returns every year to play Jesus. He’s probably had the role for a decade, according to his wife, Sherie. “He knows the script by heart.”
Sherie says she hopes those who attend the pageant come away with “a lot of peace and understanding.”
“I need soldiers!” Vanessa shouts. “We gotta roll the stone!”
“Oh, cool,” one teenaged soldier says.
Despite the kidding around during practice, Vanessa says, “It always comes off great on Saturday and Sunday.”
Eugene Gordon has been the head soldier every year but last year, when he had kidney problems.
“I’ve just been in it every year,” says Eugene, 70, and he’s enjoyed it every time.
The 45-minute program has taken place in all types of weather, because the date of Easter Sunday varies.
“We’ve done it in the snow,” Priscilla says.
“One year, a storm was coming and real thunder struck during the crucifixion scene,” Lillie Marks says. “It added to it. It was awesome.”
The pageant concludes with these words: “Yes! Jesus is alive! He lives in the hearts of all those who know and hear his voice. He lives among his disciples in every age, sharing his message of love and hope, offering to each of us his eternal life!
“To you who have found your way to this hill, what will you do now? Jesus the Christ is risen and he can change your life.”