The church school youth performed a dramatic re-enactment of the passion of Jesus Christ according to the apostle Luke at the Garden City Community Church recently. Six costumed scenes were portrayed: the Last Supper, Jesus praying in the garden, the arrest of Jesus, Jesus before the chief priest and Pilate, the way of the cross and the ultimate Resurrection. The children responded to each scene with a unison prayer and song. They also completed an Easter craft, held palms, and wore special crosses to symbolize their walking with Jesus. The scenes were accompanied by prayers and by songs performed by flutists Lana Noone, Rebecca Melkonian and Karin Melkonian.
“The Lenten Walk is a wonderful way for our youth to share their talents and faith with the younger children of the community. After each gospel scene, the children were able to ask the teenagers questions about what it would have been like to be Peter, a soldier, or to carry a cross. Their questions were a beautiful witness to their faith and it made Jesus’ journey to the cross less scary and more accessible for them. The Lenten Walk is a community prayer experience for kids, parents and adults of all ages to come to know Jesus better and experience his death and resurrection through the eyes of young people,” stated Paula Tusiani- Eng, interim church school administrator.
The actors who did a fine job are: Jonathan Warhurst and Corey Laisure as “Jesus,” Isabel Cara, Rachel Cara, Andrea Laisure, Corey Laisure, Allison Lanning, Olivia Lanning, Nicholas Matzelle, Lauren Nelson, Lauren Palmer, Alexis Philippides, Cara Rumsey, James Rumsey and Maggie Feyrer as the narrator.
Tristan Cara and Anne Short volunteered in the craft room and Francie Cohn assisted along with our many teachers and parent volunteers. Adults who helped included Christine Alkin, Susan Eckna, Christine Hanson, Debbie Lazzaro, Karin Melkonian, Christine O’Neill, Rebecca Melkonian and Karin Melkonian.
At the end of the walk, the children were able to celebrate in fellowship with their families at the Lenten brunch prepared by the Membership, Life and Development Committee, chaired by Paul Birkenstock.
In addition, “the auxiliary held a bake sale, which included sweet and savory pies and cakes baked to perfection by Kimberly Pauley,” said Robin Boyle Laisure, auxiliary president. The proceeds went to the church.
There were also a number of volunteers who assisted with the egg hunt afterward, in the Community Church Nursery School playground. They were Drew Hearon, Susie Henriquez, Marcia Matzelle and Board of Christian Education Administrator Rhonda Kraff.
Garden City Community Church info: 516-746-1700 e-mail ChurchOffice@GardenCityCommunityChurch.org or visit www.GardenCityCommunity Church.org for more information.
