The Epic

Yesterday afternoon we told Matthew's story of Jesus together in our epic telling.
There are mixed feelings about the epic telling, for sum it is not and for some it is the highlight of the annual biblical storytelling gathering.
What always stands out is the sheer diversity in our humanity, our encounter with and interpretation of the story and our expression of it. For that alone, I continue to believe in it as a worthwhile experience. When it comes to a book like Matthew, even when we cut out whole chapters, it is still a loooong story to tell, which is hard to manage, especially with technical difficulties and catering time commitments.
However, I think it went well, from the responses I've heard.
Highlights included Ian's visual telling of the parable of ten bridesmaids, very cleverly done with a banner painted and with flaps; David's representation of John the baptist and his facial expressions as he 'ate' locusts and honey; Gillian's workshop group of new tellers standing together, backs to the listeners, each turning when it was their turn to pick up the story; and the sparse telling of the crucifixion and burial of Jesus with Robyn and Jeannette carrying black and cream fabric in for each part, and only some of the phrases from the story spoken over Barber's Adagio for strings. I didn't see, but around the time the story was moving into the Jerusalem passion scenes, the big cross outside the chapel here was lit up (as it is each night), with poignant timing.