Easter Comes Alive With Drama Students My wife, Lori, is a middle school teacher who recently started a Drama Club at her school to give the kids something to do with their creative talents. Attendance is voluntary and is open to all K-8 kids. Inspired by what she learned in the Keeping the Faith in Public Schools Bible study, she invited the class to attend a local Easter performance of the life of Jesus from manger to crucifixion and resurrection. She started by inviting the class to a rehearsal. She took the invitation letter to the principal who approved it. The letter then went to parents who were told the play would be true to the biblical story including a rather graphic recreation of the crucifixion. Eight kids responded along with parents. They not only were able to watch a rehearsal, the director and stage manager took them through the rather extensive stage set and through all the props as well. The director talked to them about timing and positioning and all the background things that are necessary for a production like that to work. They were then able to watch a full rehearsal of the 1 hour and 45 minute production. The kids and the parents enjoyed the rehearsal and decided to come back for the actual production. Lori then informed the parents in a second letter that near the end of the production, there would be a message from the pastor that would invite them to accept Jesus into their lives. Lori explained that during this time they would be free to leave the auditorium if they so chose. None of them chose to leave. In fact, of the 30 parents and kids who came to one of the performances, 10 of them made a decision to give their lives to Christ that night. All this happened because my wife learned the legally appropriate parameters for teachers to address issues of religion in and outside of school. Without Keeping the Faith in Public Schools, she would never have even considered such a "bold" move. Now, the Drama Club has doubled to about eighteen kids. They are looking forward to seeing similar portrayals of the holidays that are so important to the culture of this nation. Dan & Lori Fryk