By Loretta Fulton

A Holy Week tradition that originated in 1997 is returning to St. James United Methodist Church, 3100 Barrow St.

The Living Last Supper, which brings Leonardo da Vinci’s famed painting to life, features men of the church portraying Jesus and the 12 apostles at the Last Supper in the Upper Room. The public is invited to the free performances. Performances will begin at 7 p.m. on the following evenings:
Saturday, March 28
Sunday, March 29 (Palm Sunday)
Thursday, April 2 (Maundy Thursday, the day of the actual Last Supper)

The performances open in a museum setting, with the curator, June Wideman, explaining the painting, which then comes to life. A news release from St. James says the following:

“Based on the portrait ‘The Last Supper’ by Leonardo da Vinci and adapted from the 1954 work of Ernest K. Emurian and originally produced at Cherrydale United Methodist Church in Arlington, Virginia, ‘The Living Last Supper’ was first produced at St. James in 1997 when Rev. Curtis Cadenhead approached the church‘s worship committee with the idea, and is performed by individuals from around the Abilene and Big Country community.”

Each disciple speaks of his concerns and asks the same question, “Is it I?” after his soliloquy. The cast includes:

Jesus Christ–Jared Kingston
James the Lesser–Walter Fish
Matthew–Scott King
James–Gerald Gilkey
Andrew–Mike Stephens
Simon the Zealot–Alan Jones
Philip–Don Christensen
Nathaniel–Steven James
Thomas–Van Ligon
John–Tyler Sparks
Thaddeus–Rich Stacy
Simon Peter–Eddie Sides
Judas Iscariot–Jerry Kingston

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene