The Church Groundskeepers' Tale

Asa Arnold, Colleen Arnold, PGB

John Arnold, Mark Wade, Valerie Ward, Jim Jarvis

Poster by Susan Craft

Last Christmas, the St. Paul’s Players presented an original production, The Church Groundskeepers’ Christmas Pageant. The cast included Asa Arnold, Colleen Arnold, John Arnold, Brenda Byrd, Jim Jarvis, Valerie Ward, and Mark Wade. Bette Althof served as musician. Our project benefited the Stephen Ministry. I really appreciated the compliment that the play could be performed by any church and, despite some of language (“mold, flatulence, and fur”) and bad jokes (wise men must be fightfighters because they come from “afar”), the message of being kind to all since you never know who’s in need fit the holiday and all seasons.

Valerie Ward, Brenda Byrd, Colleen Arnold

Jim Jarvis and Asa Arnold

Tommy Crump and Jim Jarvis

Easter Preparation

On Good Friday, the St. Paul’s Players assisted in presenting the midday service with Pastor Metze, Andrew More, and, from Ebenezer Lutheran Church, Pastors Brooks and Bauser. The program was based on the scripture account of James, Peter, and John waiting with Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemene and called “Will You Watch with Me One Hour?” I appreciate so much the participation of Asa and John Arnold, Malechi Doran, Reggie Hall, Bonnylin Henry, John Henry, Jim and Pat Jarvis, Olin Jenkins, Dean Long, Randy Nolff, Lori and Scott Stepp, and Valerie Ward. Many thanks for wonderful pictures, Colleen Arnold!

 

Many Happy Events

Many happy events occurred this past weekend.

My cousin Heather Turner, a forensics expert, married attorney Bennie Crowe in Alabama.

Riley Miller had her first signing for her story “Teacher of the Year,” published in the anthology The Big Bad, II (Dark Oak Press 2015).

Gary Clark, husband of author C. Hope Clark, spoke to the Palmetto Chapter of Sisters in Crime about federal law enforcement organizations.

Emma Imholtz and Anna Brooks, who appeared in Once Upon a Christmastime for the St. Paul’s Players, were featured in Hairspray, Jr., at the Columbia Children’s Theatre.

Congratulations and best wishes to all!

The Fourth Wise Man

In the St. Paul’s Players production of The Fourth Wise Man, Artaban, a magi who sought to follow the three wise men and bring gifts to the Christ Child, sold all he had to buy a sapphire, a ruby, and a pearl.

On his journey, he was stopped three times and had to use his gifts to benefit others.

His life ended in Jerusalem, where he learned that Jesus had been sent to the cross.

He thought his life was a failure, until he heard God’s voice saying, “What you have done for the least, you have done for me.”

A Wonderful Story

Drawing by McKenzie Miller

Tonight, the St. Paul’s Players have their dinner theatre production of The Fourth Wise Man. Based on Henry Van Dyke’s story, “The Other Wise Man,” it is the tale of Artaban, who tries to follow the Three Kings and bring gifts to the Christ Child. During his journey, Artaban sacrifices his gifts to help others. In the end, he questions if his gifts have been wasted, but receives assurance that his actions were worthy. Jim Jarvis, John Arnold, Brenda Byrd, Olin Jenkins, Randy Nolff, Mark Wade, and Valerie Ward beautifully bring the story to life. Please come today or tomorrow!