From the left, front row: Susan Rutters, Dennis Molloy, Lori Unsworth, Sabina de Stecher, Reverend Jonathan Askwith, Tom Clapp, Sandra Macneill, Arlene Armstrong. Back row: Janet Clapp, Ezra Van Gilst, Tracy Van Gilst, Ben Vreman, Steven Grubb, Caroline Roberts, Rick Ventrella. Absent from photo: Reverend Blair Paterson, Erin Hopkins, Colleen McLaughlin, Melodie Trolly and Cathy Graham. Thompson Goddard Photo

CHESTERVILLE – During the afternoon of March 29, people gathered at Christ Church United for the presentation of a dramatic narrative, Dreamweaver. Hosted by CCU in collaboration with The Anglican Parish of North Dundas at St. Clare’s, over $500 and 112 pounds of food was raised for the F.A.I.T.H. Pantry at CCU.

Dreamweaver was written over 20 years ago by former Chesterville resident, Carolyn Thompson, with full rights given to St. Clare’s after it was performed in Winchester in support of the Dundas County Food Bank, now known as Community Food Share.

“With this production of Dreamweaver, the Anglican Parish of North Dundas is showing its commitment to the wider community of which it is part, in particular focussing on supporting ministries that serve those in need in our community.” said Reverend Jonathan Askwith, incumbent of St. Clare’s.

Dreamweaver is an adaption of Henry Van Dyke’s short story, The Fourth Wiseman, which tells the story of Artaban, a Persian magus or wiseman, through the people he met while seeking to bring his gift of three precious jewels to the baby Jesus. During his 30-year travel, Artaban gives away all three jewels to help people. As the drama concludes, Jesus tells Artaban helping those in need is helping Him.

Performers included congregational members of Christ Church United and St. Mary’s in Chesterville as well as St. Clare’s and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Winchester. Reverend Jonathan Askwith, incumbent of St. Clare’s welcomed people and performed in the presentation, with Reverend Blair Paterson, CCU incumbent, thanking all for their support to the F.A.I.T.H. Pantry as the presentation ended.

During the dramatic presentation a choir drawn from congregational members of St. Clare’s, Christ Church United and St. Paul’s Presbyterian Church in Winchester performed several hymns accompanying the story. Crysler resident Susan Rutters performed a solo with Erin Hopkins of Chesterville accompanying the choir.

There was a short reception following the performance in the Great Hall of CCU.