OTISFIELD — About 200 people attended the first Community Live Nativity on Saturday evening at Field of Faith on Lodge Hill.

“Total astonishment by the turnout,” coordinator Rick Mowery, pastor of Spurrs Corner Church on Route 121, said Sunday about the Christmas pageant. “The number of the people, the mix of people, people from the local community, from many churches in the region, older couples, young families, young adults were represented. What a stunning blessing.”

“We were hoping for maybe 40 people,” he said.

The presentation was a collaboration led by the Spurrs Corner Church with assistance from East Otisfield Baptist Church and Oxford Advent Christian Church.

Ken and Jen Hawley, owners of the Field of Faith on Lodge Hill on Bean Road, were equally surprised.

“Wow,” he said. “We’re in awe at the turnout; approximately 200 people? Our hearts are full of gratitude from all the community efforts and supporters. There was a true sense of peace and joy.”

The decorated and specially lit barn set the scene to tell the story of Jesus’ birth.

Dressed in period garb, Jake and Marissa Proctor stood next to their baby daughter, Adalyn, sleeping in a manger.

Angels Kristen Saunders, Marcus Blanchette, Leah and Zeke Menezes and Peggy Mowery stood nearby, as did shepherds Mike Bracked, Joni Merrill, Ezra Henderson and Vivian Oakes.

Jack Eaton, Stan Bumpus and Greg Knight portrayed the wise men and Jake Tardiff played the role of King Herod.

The barn was packed with people before the pageant began and those who could not get in stood at open doors on both ends and on one side looking through open windows.

Providing music were pianist Virginia Noble, a choral group from East Otisfield Baptist Church and attendees, all singing traditional carols under the direction of Chris Conde.

A guiding star on the barn, a large lighted cross in the field, patio lights and spotlights added to the solemnity of the presentation, which was narrated by Jennie Burnette. Wahneta Ellsworth was cue director.

Mowery said as wonderful as it was, all did not go as planned.

“This is not a complaint, but because of the large gathering, we were unable to do our final walk-through of the script … but we’ll choose people attending over perfection of a program, any day.”

Live animals were planned but were not available due to unforeseen circumstances.

Mowery said it was reassuring “that what we presented was something that people still wanted to experience, something that people still care about, the unquestionable historical, spiritual reason for the Christmas celebration. Amidst all that Christmas has become, the bottom line truth is it’s about Jesus. I think many still want to hear that.”

Mowery and Ken Hawley said they looking forward to another Community Live Nativity.

“Though we have a number of issues to address to clean it up a bit,” Mowery said, “I think there’s a genuine commitment to do it again.”

“We’re looking forward to offering more free community events and are already discussing next year’s nativity!” Hawley said.

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Oxford County arrests log: Dec. 15, 2023

Next »

Read our complete coverage of the December storm