Fill out this form to email this article to a friend
Religion
Christ's last days performed with spirit
A former English teacher will retell the emotional story through the eyes of Mary Magdalene and Mary, mother of Jesus.
By JEAN JOHNSON
Published October 29, 2005
SPRING HILL - In April, Steve McManaway attended a couples retreat at a Methodist church in Leesburg. One of the highlights of the retreat was a music and drama performance by Donna Allen, who portrays the gospel through drama and music.
"She blew us away," said McManaway.
Sunday, Allen will be the special attraction at First United Methodist Church in Spring Hill as she presents Mary's Song, a music and drama performance retelling the last days of Christ through the eyes of Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus.
A graduate of Auburn University in Alabama, Allen decided in 1990, after 15 years as a high school English teacher, to pursue sharing the gospel full time through teaching, music and drama. Since then she has been a member of the Conference of Southern Baptist Evangelists and Alabama Conference, traveling throughout the north and southeastern United States. She also has had engagements in England and Israel, serving as an inspirational speaker and speaking at state evangelism and pastors conferences.
Allen, who is married and has three children, has led worship services for Methodist Hour International for 10 years, National Joyful Woman conferences and many other retreats and ministries.
Allen is one half of Forever Family Ministries. The other half is her brother, the Rev. J. Michael Ramage. This brother-sister team is "committed to the scriptures and intends to educate, motivate and encourage believers to live the victorious Christian life while reaching others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ."
McManaway said Allen is not just a performer with talent.
"It's the emotion she brings to it. She really is spirit-filled," he said. "It's not so much a performance, but a worship experience. And the fact that she comes for a love offering is great for the church."
Getting Allen to perform for the 1,300 members of First United Methodist is part of a ministry McManaway and his wife, Gail, has focused on for five years. The goal is to bring a guest speaker, singer or dramatist to the church at least four times a year.
"It's an outreach to the community," he said. Guest performances have included the Gaither singers and Ivan Parker, who will return for a performance in January.
When asked how he goes about obtaining information on suitable guest performances, McManaway said it's not hard.
"It's amazing the amount of stuff which is sent to the church, and since the new sanctuary was built, the increased seating capacity of 1,000 and the sound system are an attraction to guest (performers)," said McManaway. By Easter, the seating capacity will increase to 1,250, when the balcony section is renovated, he said.
"However, we turn down a lot because we don't want the church to turn into a theater," McManaway said.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Mary's Song, a music and drama performance.
WHERE: First United Methodist Church, 3344 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill
WHEN: 7 p.m., Sunday
COST: No admission charge, but love offering accepted.
CALL: 683-2600
[Last modified October 29, 2005, 01:45:21]
Share your thoughts on this story
|
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
Print
Email story
Comment
Email editor
