THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411220244
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Religion
SOURCE: BY FRANK ROBERTS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 69 lines
SLOWLY, THE ELDERLY woman moves up the aisle, her cane helping her keep balance.
She needs help, she needs love - she gets neither from the Christian Lady.
Some orphan children come to the door. They would be happy just to see a spark of kindness.
But they are sent on their way following a biting reprimand because they disturbed the Christian Lady.
She has no time for anyone. She is getting her house in order awaiting a ``special'' guest - Jesus.
A beggar, a blind man, a needy stranger are all coldly dismissed.
The Christian Lady has no time for them, no interest in them because, she says, ``Jesus will be here in a little while.''
It takes a little while for the Christian Lady to try to live up to her name. Does she succeed?
Nineteen members of Mount Sinai Baptist Church let you know as they perform ``Somebody's Knocking At Your Door.''
The musical play often has a happy ending - people inspired by its message coming to the front of the church following an invitation from the minister.
Many ministers have been involved since the production began traveling from church to church a year ago.
The play has been performed in nine churches, there are invitations from three more, and a Dec. 11 performance is planned at New Mount Zion Church in Franklin.
``At the end of each performance we're bombarded by people who want us to come to their church,'' said director and soloist Carroll Holland, who first saw the play at her sister's church, Ebenezer Baptist in Ivor.
It was a one-time thing there ``but it touched me till I just had to do it,'' said Holland. ``The people in the program are really involved. It touches us as well as the audience. We start shedding tears.''
The message is inspirational, and biting, Holland said. It tells about people who profess to be Christians but act otherwise.
The performers could use a little charity themselves.
``We have no bus. We'd sure like to have a van donated,'' said Holland, a secretary at Union Camp. ``We do a lot of traveling. We spend a lot of money on our own gas.''
It is worth it, according to Olivia Williams, a retired teacher who plays the elderly lady in the play and lets it be known she doesn't use a cane in real life.
``I love this play,'' Williams said. ``It gives me a big lift. It's an inspiration. I look forward to each presentation.''
``I like ministering to other people with the gospel of God,'' said 10-year-old Brandes Ash. ``It's fun going to the other churches.''
``The play uplifts everybody,'' Holland said. ``It really touches the heart.'' MEMO: For information about ``Somebody's Knocking At Your Door,'' call
562-3168.
ILLUSTRATION: Photo by FRANK ROBERTS
Vernettia Rawls, right, is the woman who professes to be a Christian
in the musical play ``Somebody's Knocking at Your Door.'' The needy
children seeking her help are Arica Carruth, left, Brandes Ash and
Altreese Holland.
by CNB