For centuries, lives have been changed by the Easter Story.

On Wednesday, March 19, over 100 people came to Meaford United Church to hear that story one more time. Thirty members of the congregation had worked very hard for two weeks to put on a theatrical production of the events of Easter.

A manuscript belonging to Rev. Judith Oliver was written in 1957 by a family relative and passed down to Rev. Judith. With the help of Dorothy Henley and Marjorie Davison, the manuscript was put into a dramatic format with its integrity intact.

The story was seen though the eyes of Barabbas, played by Wayne Bryant, and his son Joelah played by Nicholas Pretli. The cast of actors were dressed in period costumes and the set reflected Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago. The set opened with the "Door" on centre stage.

The "Door" was built by Floyd Wilcox and was two sided. One side was made of rough-cut wood while the opposite side was beautifully carved and painted. The story begins with the rough side out and the prison cell of Barabbas in the back ground. Barabbas was bound by chains and led through the door by one of the Roman guards.

Through the narration of Rev. Judith it was revealed that the "Door" is a metaphor for the different circumstances we find ourselves in that requires each of us individually to make a choice.

Holy Week (the week that precedes Easter) is typically a week of reflection for Christians.

Reflecting on decisions we have made and how those decisions have affected those around us.

In this drama, once again we see how Pontius Pilate, played by Garry McEachern would give in to the Jewish leaders even though it was against his better judgment. The audience saw how this choice affected him and his wife. That decision not only affected them, but Barabbas and his family, the guards, the other prisoners and of course, Jesus Christ.

The set was quietly changed between scenes taking the audience from the prison to the court then to the home of Pilate to the home of Barabbas to Golgotha and eventually to the tomb. The audience watched intently as the familiar drama unfolded and everyone was given the opportunity to look at this story as a parallel to their own.

The Meaford United Church senior choir complemented the production with beautiful Easter songs.

The music filled the 100-year-old building with a holy reverence that allowed everyone's heart and soul to reflect on the Easter story in that meditative place.

Everyone was invited to step though the door and reflect on their own situation one last time.

This dramatization of the Easter Story which was very meaningful to the audience, the cast and the crew was planned as a Centennial event to celebrate our faith.