People gather Saturday night for the first Community Live Nativity at Field of Faith on Lodge Hill in Otisfield. The Christmas pageant portraying the birth of Jesus drew about 200 people to the barn, overflowing into the yard outside under the Christmas star. Lindsay Cook Photography photo
OTISFIELD — About 200 people attended the first Community Live Nativity on Saturday evening at Field of Faith on Lodge Hill.
“Total astonishment by the turnout,” coordinator Rick Mowery, pastor of Spurrs Corner Church on Route 121, said Sunday about the Christmas pageant. “The number of the people, the mix of people, people from the local community, from many churches in the region, older couples, young families, young adults were represented. What a stunning blessing.”
“We were hoping for maybe 40 people,” he said.
The presentation was a collaboration led by the Spurrs Corner Church with assistance from East Otisfield Baptist Church and Oxford Advent Christian Church.
Ken and Jen Hawley, owners of the Field of Faith on Lodge Hill on Bean Road, were equally surprised.
“Wow,” he said. “We’re in awe at the turnout; approximately 200 people? Our hearts are full of gratitude from all the community efforts and supporters. There was a true sense of peace and joy.”
The decorated and specially lit barn set the scene to tell the story of Jesus’ birth.
Jake and Marissa Proctor and their daughter, Adalyn Proctor, portray the holy family Saturday night at the first Community Live Nativity at Field of Faith on Lodge Hill in Otisfield. About 200 people filled the barn to overflowing to see the pageant depicting the birth of Jesus. Lindsay Cook Photography photo
Dressed in period garb, Jake and Marissa Proctor stood next to their baby daughter, Adalyn, sleeping in a manger.
Angels Kristen Saunders, Marcus Blanchette, Leah and Zeke Menezes and Peggy Mowery stood nearby, as did shepherds Mike Bracked, Joni Merrill, Ezra Henderson and Vivian Oakes.
Jack Eaton, Stan Bumpus and Greg Knight portrayed the wise men and Jake Tardiff played the role of King Herod.
The barn was packed with people before the pageant began and those who could not get in stood at open doors on both ends and on one side looking through open windows.
Providing music were pianist Virginia Noble, a choral group from East Otisfield Baptist Church and attendees, all singing traditional carols under the direction of Chris Conde.
The cast of the first Community Live Nativity tell the story of the birth of Jesus on Saturday night at Field of Faith on Lodge Hill in Otisfield. About 200 people attended the pageant hosted by Ken and Jen Hawley. Lindsay Cook Photography photo
A guiding star on the barn, a large lighted cross in the field, patio lights and spotlights added to the solemnity of the presentation, which was narrated by Jennie Burnette. Wahneta Ellsworth was cue director.
Mowery said as wonderful as it was, all did not go as planned.
“This is not a complaint, but because of the large gathering, we were unable to do our final walk-through of the script … but we’ll choose people attending over perfection of a program, any day.”
Live animals were planned but were not available due to unforeseen circumstances.
Shepherds prepare Saturday night to enter the barn for the first Community Live Nativity at Field of Faith on Lodge Hill in Otisfield. From left are Joni Merrill, Ezra Henderson, Vivian Oaks and Mike Bracken. About 200 people attended the pageant hosted by Ken and Jen Hawley. Lindsay Cook Photography photo
Mowery said it was reassuring “that what we presented was something that people still wanted to experience, something that people still care about, the unquestionable historical, spiritual reason for the Christmas celebration. Amidst all that Christmas has become, the bottom line truth is it’s about Jesus. I think many still want to hear that.”
Mowery and Ken Hawley said they looking forward to another Community Live Nativity.
“Though we have a number of issues to address to clean it up a bit,” Mowery said, “I think there’s a genuine commitment to do it again.”
“We’re looking forward to offering more free community events and are already discussing next year’s nativity!” Hawley said.
Marissa and Jake Proctor and their baby Adalyn Proctor portray the holy family Saturday night at the first Community Live Nativity at Field of Faith on Lodge Hill. Among those playing the roles of angels are Marcus Blanchette, Peggy Mowery, Kristen Saunders and Leah Libby Menezes and son Zeke Menezes. About 200 people attended the portrayal of the birth of Jesus, filling the barn and overflowing the yard outside. Lindsay Cook Photography photo
Kristen Saunders portrays the lead angel Saturday night at the first Community Live Nativity at Field of Faith on Lodge Hill in Otisfield. Playing the role of shepherds are Mike Bracken, Joni Merrill, Ezra Henderson and Vivian Oakes. About 200 people attended the portrayal of the birth of Jesus, filling the barn and overflowing into the yard outside. Lindsay Cook Photography photo
Zeke Menezes plays the part of an angel Saturday night at the first Community Live Nativity at Field of Faith on Lodge Hill in Otisfield. The pageant portraying the birth of Jesus was attended by about 200 people. Lindsay Cook Photography photo
People join a choir Saturday night in singing Christmas carols at the first Community Live Nativity at Field of Faith on Lodge Hill in Otisfield. The pageant was organized by the Spurrs Corner Church with assistance from the East Otisfield Baptist Church and Oxford Advent Christian Church. It was hosted by Ken and Jen Hawley. Lindsay Cook Photography photo
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