At Christ Episcopal Church in Tarrytown, New York, things are different from when Washington Irving was a member of the congregation. Once a month, Susan Copley, the rector, does not rise to give a sermon. Instead, Howard Lipson, a member of the congregation, steps up to introduce the chancel drama for that Sunday.
Chancel dramas have been a tradition at Christ Church, for over 10 years. Howard writes, casts, and directs the dramas, which are staged readings based on the scripture lessons for that chosen Sunday of the month. About a third of the congregation has taken part in one play or the other, including both adults and children.
Reaction to the Chancel Dramas
As excerpts from testimonials show, the plays are a big hit, among the rector, Susan Copley, and parishioners, including adults and children:
- "The dramas enable me too to hear and see the scripture anew. I love to hear all ages share their voice in dramatic expression of the ancient texts.(Susan Copley, rector)
- "Whether Howard takes you to a funeral parlor, a peace march, a community food pantry or a golf course, his message feeds the spirit and offers insight for daily living” (Jane H. Edwards, parishioner)
- "Over the years my teens have gotten so much more out of Sundays because of the dramas. When they were young children, they wanted seats right up front in order to get a good seat for "the show" (Kathleen Hinge, parishioner)
- "I love being part of these dramas. It makes it more meaningful for me and, I hope, for others. It feels really good to be a part of it." (Tibor Hinge, 15 who's participated in the dramas since age 8)
Interview with Howard Lipson
I recently interviewed Howard to learn more about chancel dramas at Christ Church. We discussed the role and purpose of chancel dramas, and why other parishes may want to consider them as well.
Chancel Drama –Sermon or Theater?
Suite101: For those who aren’t familiar with chancel dramas, how would you describe them?
Howard: A chancel drama is a theatrical sermon. Every month our rector gets a much deserved break. The chancel dramas vary widely in style. They are never without some humor. Some are outright funny, others satiric, others are fantastical. The chancel drama is always diligently faithful in its expression of the scriptures for that given Sunday. The vast majority of the time, I choose to dramatize the gospel lesson.
Suite101:Chancel dramas are interesting, because they occupy the space between sheer entertainment and the means of conveying a spiritual message. How are your plays the same, or different, from the Sunday sermon whose time slot, if nothing else, they replace?
Howard:They’re both intended to have the same desired result. I’m an advocate of the view that theater, with its vivid images and emotional charge, will uniquely capture the spirit and messages of the gospel to make it powerful and memorable.
Actors are Members of the Congregation
Suite101: I understand that anyone who expresses an interest in being a participant in the chancel dramas may do so, and in fact at Christ Church, both children and adults have been part of various plays. How do you choose who will participate?
Howard: Gratefully, almost everyone wants to participate. It is rare for someone to beg off when asked. It helps that I reassure and nurture everyone along the way and that the congregation is accepting and appreciative. It’s a great way to acquaint newcomers to our parish community. At our coffee hour, newcomers (as well as all who participate) are warmly thanked and complimented on their work.
The Process-Bible Study to Production
Suite101: You write, rehearse, and oversee performance of each chancel drama in the space of a month, is that right? How do you manage that? What is the process you go through to put a performance together?
Howard: I research other sermons, commentaries and reflections. Ideas marinate as I begin to see the world through the prism of the gospel message. The setting, plot and characters become clearer. Finally, the play materializes. I often write it in a few hours as it splashes on the page. Then, I apply the theatrical skills I developed through the years as an actor, director, producer, playwright and acting teacher. I’m spiritually driven to make the gospel fresh, relevant and meaningful for today’s challenges. After it's written, we have just one rehearsal.
Examples of Popular Plays
Suite101:How do you gauge the success of your productions?—by how you feel they went, or by the feedback you get from the congregation, or maybe both?
Howard: Unsurprisingly, the coffee hour is enlivened with comments about the plays. Obviously, the more controversial plays garner more responses. Recently, two controversial plays have elicited uniquely charged reactions.
- For the gospel lesson about the battle of Jesus and Satan in the desert (Luke 4:1-13), I wrote "Invisible Fingerprints.” A talented reborn and successful pop culture screenwriter is pitted against a determined and crafty film producer. The producer is the victor and gets everything he wants from the writer, who caves--despite being full of his new found spirit. At the end, the producer reveals himself boldly to us as Satan as he gloats over his cleverly conceived conquest. Many in the congregation were disturbed that Satan was the victor. I told them, “We are not Jesus, try as we might-- we are flawed and fall short.”
- In another recent play “Johnny or Joanna” was created for Luke 12:49-56. In the scripture, Jesus passionately says he did not come to earth to bring peace but fire--and that fire will result in family division. The script dramatizes how the transgender issue can divide a family. I based the play on a true story told to me by a parishioner, who spoke to us afterward about her real life experience with this event when she worked as a counselor in a safe house for runaway kids. The congregation was challenged with a provocative topic presented in a personal and emotional way--and true to the message of the gospel.
Suite101: If someone were interested in doing chancel dramas at their church, what advice would you give them about how to do it?
Howard: Like the Nike tagline- "Just do it!" you’ll soon find out how many will come forward to participate. If you build it they will come. The program is enlightening and rewarding for the participants and the congregation. It’s a creative way to challenge and unify the parish community in what truly matters- the powerful gospel of our Lord Jesus.
I offer my scripts to all parishes in the diocese until they develop their own writers. Four of my scripts (“Invisible Fingerprints,” “The Great Divide,” “The Third Miracle”, and “Was Blind But Now I See”) can be found on the Lazy Bee Scripts Website.
Through the efforts of Howard Lipson and the congregation at Christ Church in Tarrytown, New York, another dimension has been added to the ministry in the form of live performances. Chancel dramas not only get parishioners involved, they also provide a powerful way of interpreting the Bible and what its timeless messages mean in the here and now.
See also the Tarrytown Christ Church Yearly Tag Sale
Elizabeth Harrington - Poet, Freelance Writer, Marketing Research Professional, Blogger (www.allaboutqualitative.com)
