When nine of the children and Sister Judith from the Village of St. Joseph were asked to participate in the first production of BEHOLD THE MAN, none realized the far reaching effects –both personal as well as social.

Week after week Sister and the children attended the practices, with the children singing “And They’ll Know We Are Christians” accompanied by Sister on the guitar.

The children portrayed “the children” in the Bethany scene, and seemed to be the ‘sugar and spice’ of every practice.

They came to love the lead members of the cast. One of the boys invited two of the leaders, who were then engaged, to celebrate their wedding in the Village Chapel.

As this was not possible, the children were invited to sing at their wedding which was celebrated at the Belvedere United Methodist Church.

Rev. Branham, pastor of the church, (better known as “St. Peter” by the children for his portrayal in the production) also invited the children and Sister to attend a Sunday service and perform the number for their congregation which had been heard in the production.

On April 26 and 27, Sister Judith and the children will join again with the large interracial and interfaith cast to set in motion another chain of personal relationships such as the first:

--A choir from a Negro church swapping with that of a white congregation.

--New interfaith dialogue groups forming among neighborhood congregations that shared a bus or two to attend the production.

--Black and white ministers invited to exchange pulpit visits.

--Members of one church visiting as a group with members of another to build new understanding of each other and of common problems.