THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, August 10, 1995 TAG: 9508100164
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 18 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TRUDY CUTHRELL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CARROLLTON LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
IN A UNIQUE celebration that seemingly turned back the clock, the grounds of Carrollton Baptist Church were transformed recently into a 29 A.D. Judean marketplace.
The Marketplace, part of Bible school, was sheltered in a 30-by-40-foot tent that housed eight stations portraying early Jewish trade and traditions. In a semicircle stood 12 tents, home bases for each of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Each evening, children donned Jewish costumes and reported to their assigned tribe. For the first 20 minutes, each tribe heard from its tribal mother about early Jewish history and life in biblical times. Nightly, the oldest child in each tent went to a man-made well near the market to draw water for his ``family.''
Each tribal tent displayed an authentic banner signifying its Jewish name. A Havdalah, a braided wax candle, burned in each tent, serving to illustrate the traditional Jewish ceremony reminding the Israelites of the story of creation and the spiritual symbolism of light. Each tent also displayed a spice box containing cinnamon and cloves, their fragrance demonstrating the joy and fragrance of the Sabbath.
A small box hanging by the entrance of each tent represented the Mezuzah, which hung on the doorpost of every Jewish home, containing a scroll inscribed with the Shema, the law in Deuteronomy 6:4-5: ``The Lord our God is one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.''
``This was a wonderful experience,'' said Kim Powell who, along with Sharon Jones, directed the Marketplace. ``The organization seemed overwhelming to begin with, but all the adults and kids involved learned a whole lot.''
Each night, as the town crier rang his bell in the Marketplace, tribes of Jewish children rotated through the stations. Some hammered together 8-inch wooden crosses at the carpenter's shop. Others braided ropes and sashes for their costumes in the rope maker's shop. Leather-thonged sandals were made in the sandal shop, while bracelets and necklaces symbolic of each tribe's history were handmade in the jewelry stall.
A large tub of mud, clay, straw and water served as the stomping ground for the brick maker's shop. Children pressed the mixture into wooden molds to dry into handmade bricks. By week's end, the Marketplace crowd had grown to include 73 enthusiastic adult and youth volunteers and 80 excited children.
``I liked braiding the yarn and making jewelry the best,'' said Angela, age 6.
``I liked the mud, too, when we made bricks,'' said Katie, 4.
According to adult leaders, relationships developed among tribal ``families,'' and learning took place as children involved their senses, feelings and imaginations in this journey into biblical history.
Fred Walls portrayed a tax collector in the Marketplace. Assisted by a Roman soldier in costume, the collector demanded his money from the Israelites.
``It was interesting to see how much the kids disliked me,'' Walls admitted with a laugh. He also observed, ``On the night I didn't collect taxes, the beggar in the Marketplace received twice as much money just out of the goodness of the children's hearts.''
Other activities included traditional Jewish songs and dance. Refreshments each night featured Jewish fare - pita bread, grapes, dates, figs and dried apricots. A storyteller and drama troupe wandered about the Marketplace, telling prophecies of the Messiah.
``It was a great way for kids to have a feel for Bible culture, and it allowed children to use their creativity and imaginations in an educational way,'' Walls said. Volunteers are already signing up for next year's production.
Nearly half the participants were non-members. Support also came from community businesses.
For additional information about the Marketplace or the ministries of Carrollton Baptist Church, call 238-2399. The church is at 14007 Carrollton Blvd. by CNB