Loading ...The Ile Camera [Grosse Ile, Michigan] reports,
Nov. 22, 1963, witnessed the passing of two figures of international prominence.
The first of these was President John F. Kennedy.
The second was the man some have called the most influential Christian of the 20th century, Professor Clive Staples Lewis.
This Nov. 22, on the afternoon of Christ the King Sunday, St. James Episcopal Church will honor the memory of C.S. Lewis by bringing “a touch of Narnia” (the imaginary kingdom of Lewis’ seven-part “Chronicles of Narnia” series) to Grosse Ile.
This will feature a one-time only presentation of “From Narnia, With Love: The Spiritual Voyage of C.S. Lewis,” written and performed by Grosse Ile actor, author and playwright Mark McPherson.
“From Narnia” first was presented at St. James a decade ago, following its dramatic debut at the Cathedral of St. Paul in Detroit. The play’s original sponsor was Bishop Stewart Wood, who believed in Mark McPherson’s mission to “bring C.S. Lewis to life, across the denominational board.”
As a result, the play was subsequently produced twice at the cathedral, as well as a host of local, statewide and international religious, educational and secular venues. Early on among those settings was St. James’ own historic chapel.
“After having written about and portrayed so many famous figures, ranging from Winston Churchill to Wyatt Earp, I’ve never had a doubt that the majority of these ‘one man shows’ were all in preparation for this one,” McPherson said.
“The idea for re-presenting Clive Staples Lewis came at a time when I needed his spiritual tonic, as I believe, we all do. For that reason, we’ve remained traveling companions over a good many years.”
At 4:30 p.m. Nov. 22, St. James will recognize the 46th anniversary of C.S. Lewis’ passing, as well as the 10th anniversary of the 1989 performance of “From Narnia, With Love.”
This event also will be unique for two other reasons.
First, the production will be filmed in the chapel, which will afford some of the authentic atmosphere of the Oxford and Cambridge ecclesiastical settings known by Lewis. The proceeds from the ensuing film, which will be edited and marketed, will continue to benefit a series of artistic programs at St. James.
Secondly, free-will proceeds solicited at the November performance will supplement money collected for the interdenominational island Crop Walk held Oct. 4.
“His message was meant to be simply but cogently presented,” McPherson said of C.S. Lewis’ mission. “He wanted his audiences, be they ‘churched’ or not, to comprehend two big questions: First, ‘Why Christianity today?’ and secondly, ‘What is a Christian expected to do?’
“I hope to reintroduce those in our drama, even as it shows, in Lewis’ own words, how one man made the voyage from devout atheism to a believing sense of Christianity. As ever, we hope people will come out to discover the answers behind that decision.”
Seating for the performance will be limited to what the chapel can provide.
For more information, call 1-734-676-1727.