EASTER WEEK IN THOMASVILLE

In the exact center of rural Southwest Alabama sits the little town of Thomasville. It is not an old Black Belt Town with pretensions of grandeur and a glorious past to reflect on. It is a plain little town that grew up around the railroad track. It is getting prettier since the downtown revitalization that has caused a resurgence of interest in it. The interest has grown so much that even people who used to say “When a downtown is dead, you aught to bury it” have come around and are taking pride in how it looks.

Four years ago a new United Methodist preacher came to town that has a wife who was a drama major in college. Some of the theatrical influence rubbed off on him. He has built what was a good enough local church Passion Play into a big theatrical production. He even invited the Baptists to participate this year. They did! This is big news since they barely spoke to the Methodists (religiously speaking) for a number of years when they had a preacher who did not believe in mixing the denominations. Having them involved this year was a giant step for church relations. Besides, they have a lot of good singers to complement the Methodists’ good actors. Their choir is bigger, too.

The production was so good this year, it played both Saturday and Sunday nights to packed houses. It is a three act play that starts in the fellowship hall, winds outside to the courtyard and ends up in the sanctuary with Golgotha’s crosses. The grand finale is Jesus ascending into heaven by means of a borrowed forklift. It all works. The crowd rises to its feet at the end and cheers for the Son of God. Next year, Brother Phil, the preacher says the production will be staged in the brand new Thomasville Civic Center, with all local churches participating. We believe it will become as well known regionally as the Moundville Sunrise Service was in its day.

This event was just the kick off to the Holy Week Festivities. I’m sorry I didn’t write about it last week so that you could have some. To be quite frank with you, we really didn’t have room this year because the United Methodists’ fellowship hall was filled to capacity for both performances. The tickets were free, but you had to have a ticket to get in. Next year with the Civic Center in operation, they should have more tickets available. It is something to see. The theatrics are well done and the music is excellent for a local production. It reminded me of what the locals always say about Fred Kimbrough’s productions in Gilbertown “I can’t believe these are local people!”
The other Holy Week Activities included a Maundy Thursday Service at 6:00, a Cross Walk through downtown Thomasville on Friday at 11:00 am (the Stations of the Cross) which ends on top of the hill at the Methodist Church, a drive through of the Crucifixion on Friday evening behind the United Methodist Church from 7:00-9:00, a family Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday at Gates Drive Park at 2:00 pm, and of course every church in town will be having a big service on Sunday. If you plan to be at Sunday services, you better get there early as many local people who do not attend but twice a year will come out for that. My take on this particular subject is not the same one that preachers who at mad at the low crowds on the next Sunday will be. I say “Glad to have you, come join the celebration.” That’s the same thing the folks of Thomasville will say to you.