MEMBERS OF Mount Pisgah AME Church paid tribute to the Negro spiritual in an original play Sunday for an audience of more than 200 people.
The play, "I Love To Tell The Story," was written by members of the Mount Pisgah congregation -- Sandra Wright, Patricia Brown Leak, Joanne and Wayne Brooks, and Linda Blanchard.
"The audience was captivated. It was a very well-done program," said Sheila Edmunds of Hickory Ridge, vice president of the Women's Missionary Society. The play was produced by the young people's division of the society.
Blanchard is director of the young people's division. Her husband, Byron, gave her a copy of a book about Negro spirituals -- "Go Down Moses," by Richard Newman -- for Christmas.
Blanchard said the book inspired her to make Negro spirituals the focus of the church's annual celebration of African-American heritage.
"Spirituals are becoming a lost form of sacred music," she said. "They're very rarely sung in churches anymore."
Some spirituals were influenced by stories from the Bible, she said, while others were coded songs used in the days of the Underground Railroad, giving directions to the next safe house or directing blacks to secret worship services.
Forty church members acted, sang and danced in the play about a grandfather, his daughter and her teen-age son.
"What we hope would come out of this is that the young people will not lose sight of their heritage," Blanchard said. "Especially living in Columbia, the young kids may forget the struggle that African-Americans have experienced throughout history."
The Rev. Donald Smedley is pastor of Mount Pisgah African Methodist Episcopal Church, 5901 Cedar Fern Lane, off Cedar Lane in Columbia.
Pennies for pasta
Last month, pupils at Longfellow Elementary School participated in a national fund-raiser for the Leukemia Society. Dubbed "Pennies for Pasta," members of the Longfellow student council collected change and cash donations for three weeks.
The class with the highest total of donations was promised a spaghetti lunch, catered by the Olive Garden restaurant.
Amy Snyder's fifth-grade class won, with $168.61.
Tammie Rudzinski, fourth-grade teacher and student council sponsor, said the drive netted more than $600.
The student council consists of representatives from second through fifth grades. Members are Taylor Procida and Daniella Lamy, second grade; Maddie Burke and Jessica Rizzo, third grade; Brittany Terry, Grant Vickers and Nureya Anthony, fourth grade; and Katie Mullins and Kevin Barrett, fifth grade.
Truth in films
This month, Channing Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church will screen and discuss ethical, moral and religious aspects of important films.
On Sunday "Kundun," a story of Tibet's Dalai Lama and his struggle to lead his country as China seizes control, will be shown at the church office, 3355 St. Johns Lane, Suite F, Ellicott City.
"The Apostle," starring Robert Duvall, will be shown March 28.
Showings begin at 6: 30 p.m. Admission is free.
Information: 410-992-0986.
Channing Memorial's services are held at 10 a.m. Sundays at Pointers Run Elementary School, 6600 S. Trotter Road, Clarksville.
Irish eyes
Photographs of Ireland by Natalie Harvey will be exhibited from tomorrow through March 31 at Borders Books Music & Cafe, 9051 Snowden Square Drive, off Snowden River Parkway.
Harvey, a photojournalist and former Sun community columnist, is a resident of Harper's Choice. Her work has been featured in the magazines Earthwatch International and Fifty-Plus.
The public is invited to hear Harvey discuss her travels to the Emerald Isle from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. March 17 -- St. Patrick's Day.
Information: 410-740-4479.
Court of honor
Boy Scout Troop 649 held its first Court of Honor last month at a ceremony at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center. The Court of Honor recognizes Scouts who are advancing in rank, receiving merit badges or training.
David Calder advanced in rank to second class. Jim Sanders advanced to the rank of Star, and Chris Jordan achieved Life rank.
Merit badges were awarded to Jordan, Sanders, Steve Watson, Aaron McWethy, Jon Marker and Danny Roth.
Joe Blasi earned the Den Chief Service Award for his efforts as Senior Patrol Leader and Den Chief for Cub Scouts, as well as being honored as the Assistant Senior Patrol Leader.
Harper's Choice resident Barbara Thomas received the Adult Scouter's Training Award. Her son, Eagle Scout Nicholas Thomas, 16, was awarded the position of Junior Assistant Scoutmaster for his leadership skills.
Boy Scout Troop 649 is sponsored by St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, which holds services at Wilde Lake Interfaith Center.
Art exchange
The Columbia Association is offering an opportunity for artists and art lovers to visit some of the world's most inspirational museums.
The Sister Cities Program is accepting applications for an art exchange to Cergy-Pontoise, France, in May.
Twelve people will be selected to travel to Giverny, where they will see Monet's house and gardens; Auvers, where Van Gogh found inspiration; and the palace at Versailles.
Participants will have the opportunity to tour the Louvre, the Musee D'Orsay and the Rodin museum.
In October, the group's French hosts will come here to explore American art in Washington, Baltimore and New York.
Registration or information: Louise Bowser, Sister Cities Program Manager, at 410-715-3162.
Wood chips for the taking
Free wood chips are available until March 12 at Cedar Lane Park (west area), Alpha Ridge Park, and Alpha Ridge Landfill.
The chips are not the treated, shredded mulch sold at garden centers but raw, uncured chips that must be stored at least six months before being applied to the soil around plantings.
The chips can be used immediately for such purposes as defining a playground or creating a ring for horses.
"This is a wonderful opportunity to recycle some of the ice storm debris and give back a useful product to our citizens as part of our cleanup effort," Betsy McMillion of the Department of Public Works wrote in an announcement.
Information: 410-313-3406.
Pub Date: 3/03/99