10/25/2015
The people of St. Paul’s Church, Wells, observed the feast of St. Michael and All Angels with a joyous Eucharist and hymns that praised the angelic host of heaven on Sunday, September 27th. Bishop Ely gave his permission to keep the observance on the Sunday so that the children of the parish could present their version of the story of Michael and the dragon during the Mass. The account of this encounter as it is told in Revelation was modified to allow all the children to take part in the story. Not only did Michael and a dragon figure in the story, but there were peasant women, assistant angels, and even a princess! The revised presentation has the dragon “tamed” and subdued by Michael, since some of the boys might have overplayed the slaying of the beast if the story was enacted as written in the Bible! The presentation was prepared by Joni and John Lee, who have fashioned a creative Sunday program each week that serves the ten children of the congregation. Joni is seen narrating the story with a poor woman (Cora Hier), a princess (Serenity Zellars), and a small, reluctant dragon (Marin Lee). The photograph of Michael shows an assistant angel (Winslow Lee) by his side. An archangel was enthusiastically played by Liam Hier, draped in a blue cape. Findley Stonehouse played Michael heroically, complete with sword and red helmet. The children are preparing ways to celebrate the lives of Francis, Nicholas and Lucy in the weeks ahead.
Michael with Angel
Michael points his sword
Village women and narrator princess