-
Pictured, from left is Ken Graham as Bartholomew, Pastor Wayne Deckert as Jesus and Ken Jones as Little John, in a preview of the live Last Supper the community is invited to attend and participate in on Thursday, April 6 in the fellowship hall of the Bryson City Methodist Church beginning at 6 p.m.
Jessica Webb
editor@thesmokymountaintimes.com
When you think of The Last Supper, it is likely the famous mural by High Renaissance painter Leonardo da Vinci is what comes to mind. That could change next week if you choose to attend a special event planned at Bryson City Methodist Church where there will a live staging of The Last Supper, where those in attendance will be invited to participate in the meal. It will be held on Thursday, April 6 in the fellowship hall at 6 p.m.
Dr. Patricia Graham, the visionary behind the event, said she wants it to be as historically accurate as possible. The table, unlike in Da Vinci’s rendition, will be T-form table with a large backdrop of the wailing wall behind it.
“We’re trying to make it as accurate as possible so when the audience comes, they can sit and see the scene and feel like they become a part of that environment,” she said.
Props will include a terracotta pitcher and bowl and gourds.
There will be foot washing stations for women and men.
“We’re going to invite the audience to be part of the meal,” Graham said.
The audience will be invited to participate by sampling food from that time period, including figs, olives, apples herb flatbread, chicken and eggs. Everyone will be able to take part in the communion of bread and juice (in place of wine).
A female chorus will sing Biblical songs, including Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh and El Shaddar in Hebrew.
The first of its kind for town, the live Last Supper builds on the success of live nativities the church has hosted in the past. Graham said she’s had it in mind for a few years. Participants include members from other area churches as well, including Presbyterian, Baptist and Episcopal.
Bryson Methodist Pastor Wayne Deckert provided the context for the event that will be held during Holy Week on Maundy Thursday, commemorating the washing of the feet and Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles.
“Holy Week begins with Jesus riding into town on a donkey,” Deckert said. “During that week, he spent time with his disciples and caused a ruckus at the temple. The existing religious leaders at the time weren’t having it.”
They sold him out, as did his disciple Judas. Later that night, Jesus was arrested and on Friday was hanged on the cross. Easter Sunday celebrates his resurrection.
“We just really want to tell the story of what Christ has done for us, and that regardless of what we’re facing, his love can take care of it,” Graham said.