by Bonnie Seely

" We are the Church: Two Hundred Years of Faith in Action" was performed on Sunday, November 5, 2000, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Center of Shiremanstown United Methodist Church. Forty-five persons were involved in the production of the play, with an additional 120 to 150 persons in attendance at the performance. The play was designed to be performed with a minimum of memorization, as most of the spoken parts could be read and the visual parts were pantomimed as the narration occurred. Carol Wilson, Ann Seidel, Amanda Cornnell, and Daniel and David Wilson provided continuity as a class of students (Amanda, Daniel, David), being taught our church’s history by their teachers (Carol and Ann). The Reverend Dr. Thomas Guinivan, in his role as the Voice of Christian Newcomer, was the pivotal character, as Newcomer knew and wrote about in his diary not only the founding members of the United Brethren in Christ Church (Phillip William Otterbein and Martin Boehm) but also Jacob Albright of the Evangelical Association and Francis Asbury of the Methodists. From the start Newcomer urged union with these groups, a union that was finally accomplished in 1968 with the merger of the EUB (Evangelical United Brethren) Church with the Methodists. Newcomer was also the first we believe to preach at the house church established by Johannes and Anna Shopp. The first recorded meeting was March 24 of 1800. Dr. Guinivan preached a sermon based on Newcomers diary in June of this year, and generously agreed to lend the diary to Bonnie Seely, who was working on a script for the bicentennial play. Thus was born the theme of the play — " We Are the Church", focusing on the personalities that have made up this body of believers since its beginning over 200 years ago. As this performance was the first major theatrical undertaking in the Fellowship Center, thecast and crew had to be creative in "making do" with what was on hand to use. The artistic talents of Joe Seidel, assisted by Gary Glasgow and Carol Wilson, were exquisitely exhibited in a lovely painting of the Shopp farmhouse (which has found a permanent home above the door to the lobby in Fellowship Center), a window-framed view of the Shopp Cemetery, a "covered wagon," and a church steeple designed and built by Gary. Costumes and props were brought by the cast, and all worked together, contributing ideas and volunteering to be responsible for the many details that are so important to the success of a play. The cast was also crew, changing the backgrounds and moving the props. Diana Karlinsey served ably in the essential roll of stage manager. Ken Baer coordinated the lighting, assisted by Richard Rife and Jay Wattman. Chubb Dietz made a video recording. Following the play, Vera Glasgow coordinated the serving of refreshments. The play was well received by both the performers, who surprised the playwright with roses, and those who attended, who were generous with their applause and gave the players a standing ovation. Many voiced the opinion that the play provides a good refresher course in the history of the United Methodist Church, and of the Shiremanstown branch especially. A spirit of fellowship prevailed, and all who participated agreed that it was a unifying event, bringing us closer as a church family.

Bonnie Seely, playwright and director of SUMC's production of "We Are the Church"

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