Festival of Faith and Arts is Feb. 10-11

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Lewiston Porter Sentinel, February 3, 2007

Sarah, Christopher and Nicholas Wright in costume for the performance of “Joseph: From the Pit to the Palace.”

The congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown will be singing, stomping, creating and munching next weekend – and it’s inviting the community to join the fun.

The annual Festival of Faith and Arts features free activities for adults and children on Saturday, Feb. 10, and Sunday, Feb. 11, at the church, 100 Church St., Youngstown.

“We think there are other ways of worshiping God than just listening to people speak,” said the Rev. Dr. Charles Lamb, assistant to the pastor and staff assistant to the parish committee that plans the event. “We think spirituality can be expressed through art, music, poetry, crafts and dance.”

Activities begin at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, with a calligraphy workshop led by Mary Mohlke, a certified Christian educator with the Presbytery of Western New York. There also will be displays of work by local artists and self-directed art stations for children and adults. Monica Barner, the church’s director of Christian education, calls the stations SoulFeast because the creativity will feed your soul.

At 4 p.m., a cast of children and adults will sing, dance, act and stomp (rhythmic use of props) in a performance of “Joseph: From the Pit to the Palace.”

“It’s the story of Joseph and his many-colored coat through the perspective of a kind of ‘This is Your Life’ show,” said Claudia Andres, First Presbyterian music director. “It covers a lot of ground in a short amount of time (about 30 minutes). It’s a really, really cute musical.”

Look for First Presbyterian’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Rex T. Stewart, in a cameo role as Jacob, Joseph’s father. Monica Barner plays the older Joseph, and her daughter, Hannah, takes the role of the young Joseph.

Next, at 5 p.m., a fund-raising dinner (pizza, salad, chips, dessert and beverage for $6) will benefit First Presbyterian’s Kids Count After School Program, now in its second year of operation.

Highlight of the weekend will be the 7 p.m. performance of “Sing We and Chant It,” madrigals by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus Chamber Singers, directed by Brett Scott. The Niagara-Wheatfield High School Choir, directed by David Curtis, will join the Philharmonic singers.

“Sing We and Chant It” is part of First Presbyterian’s Second Saturday Concert Series. Admission is free, although a free-will offering is accepted.

On Sunday, Feb. 11, enjoy a luncheon, art display and more SoulFeast art stations for children and adults beginning at noon, and a repeat of the musical “Joseph: From the Pit to the Palace” at 1 p.m.