Amber Willard
LA CRESCENTA -- Mother Nature, joined by characters like the Earth
Goddess and Sky God, will meet Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden later
this month.
Twenty children, ages 4 to 15, will present the play "Mother Nature in
the Garden of Eden: In the Beginning," which was penned by Carol Holst,
youth religious education director at the Unitarian Universalist Church
of the Verdugo Hills.
"Children learn through experience. That's why acting out what the Sky
God represents makes the theology stick," Holst said of why she wrote the
20-minute play, and included changes suggested by the children as well.
Unitarian Universalism studies all religions as well as scientific
reason and intuition. The church relies on seven principles, which are
basic ethical concepts, like the inherent worth and dignity of every
person, Holst said.
The play is an exploration of what might have happened in the biblical
garden, had characters from ancient traditions also been there.
"We want the children to think for themselves. We want to create
momentum around theological discussions," Holst said of the idea behind
the play.
Some scenes include Eve eating an apple supplied by a serpent while
others involve gods and goddesses, like one in which the Water Spirit
calls all the forest creatures and plants to refresh themselves and hands
out glasses of water.
"Kids are thespians at heart," said Holst, who has been a church
educator for 12 years. "They're always asking me to do another play."
The play will be presented during the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service Sept.
24 at the church, 4451 Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta.
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: "Mother Nature in the Garden of Eden: In the Beginning" by Carol
Holst.
WHEN: During the 10:30 a.m. service, Sunday, Sept. 24.
WHERE: Unitarian Universalist Church of the Verdugo Hills,4451
Dunsmore Ave. in La Crescenta.
ADMISSION: Free.
