BY RUTH RICE
RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM
The power of the resurrection will be captured in an interactive drama at a local church.
The third annual Easter “Egg”-citement Event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 27 at Cardiff Road Church of God, 1060 Cardiff Road, Nanty Glo.
“We’ve added and embellished this year,” said Lisa Shaffer, event coordinator and wife of the church pastor, Rick Shaffer.
“We’ve done the drama before, but we painted the backdrops and made it interactive.”
Examples of the interaction come when spectators receive a candy kiss at Jesus’ betrayal and pound dowel pins with a mallet in the crucifixion room.
Guests will be greeted at the door and will be escorted through the church by guides in groups of six to 10.
The first stop is the sanctuary, where palm branches will be waved in celebration of Palm Sunday.
“The sanctuary also is used for the Last Supper and the betrayal,” Shaffer said.
“The tomb is a closet. The only thing that isn’t interactive is the Last Supper.”
The actors don’t speak at the kid-friendly stations set up all through the church, but narration is provided in each room.
In addition to the drama, children will be able to participate in face painting, decorating gift bags that will be filled with goodies and other crafts.
What Shaffer calls a “warm and special lunch” will be served free of charge.
Shaffer said every inch of the church is used for the drama, children’s crafts and lunch.
Resurrection eggs, plastic eggs in a carton that open to reveal the Easter story, are the inspiration for the event.
“There are 12 eggs, and each one has a reminder of the story inside,” Shaffer said.
Shaffer stressed that there is something for the whole family at the event, and even those without children can enjoy it.
“If you need a fresh look at the Easter story, this is for you,” Shaffer said.
When the first event was held, Shaffer said God clearly spoke to her, telling her not to let Easter go by without having a community outreach.
Last year, the church hosted 130 people, including 80 children. This year, Shaffer is planning for 200 to 250.
Interactive drama
What: Easter “Egg”-citement Event.
When: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 27.
Where: Cardiff Road Church of God, 1060 Cardiff Road, Nanty Glo.
Admission: Free.
Information: 749-8246.
