AUBURN – A drama depicting the everyday lives of people who struggle with poverty in Maine will be performed at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 78 Pleasant St.

The event is co-sponsored by three neighborhood churches, High Street Congregational Church, Court Street Baptist Church and St. Michael’s.

The Maine Council of Churches will present “Hear Our Stories, Know Our Names,” a play based primarily upon the experiences of people who have, at one time, been homeless. The stories of how these people have persevered through many challenges and issues are eye-opening.

More than 27 performances have been held before congregations, agencies and members of the Maine Legislature since the first performance in January of 2005. This is the third visit to Lewiston and Auburn.

The drama features people who are willing to share their stories through story-telling, poetry, music and skits. It is filled with passion, music, humor and a lasting impact that leaves audiences with a new perspective and understanding of what it is like to be homeless or live in poverty.

The Rev. Barbara Barth, rector of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church and a member of the Maine Council of Churches’ Economic Justice Initiative, said, “It is not quite so easy to dismiss people once you know their name, they know your name, and their story is woven into your story. God, the creator, wove one fabric of humanity at creation, but our brokenness tears the fabric. I believe this drama is a small part of God weaving us together again so that we might know one another.”

Using a grant from the Haymarket People’s Fund, Dolores Vail, coordinator of the Economic Justice Initiative, initially recruited nine people from Preble Street Resource Center in Portland who were interested in developing their personal stories into a performance peace. People’s lives change, and for that reason the cast of performers for the drama has changed as well over the last 1-2 years, but the intent is the same: to invite people to hear their stories and to know their names.

The audience will be invited to participate in a group discussion after the performance. Coffee will be served in the fellowship hall at St. Michael’s following the performance and discussion.

Admission is free, however, donations to cover expenses are welcome. For more information about the drama or to request a performance, contact Vail at 772-1918.