BANGOR, Maine (Press Release), March 30, 2009. Beginning April 19, at 12:00 noon, several Bangor area churches will unite to provide a meal every Sunday to anyone who is hungry. Columbia Street Baptist Church, Bangor Baptist, Redeemer Lutheran and St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church will take turns providing food and serving a meal every Sunday. Currently, the meal consists of soup, bread and cookies. The Soup kitchen’s location is a large room with adjacent kitchen on the first floor of Columbia Street Baptist Church, 63 Columbia Street, Bangor, 945-6616.

Columbia Street Baptist Church’s physical location in the heart of Downtown Bangor, and close proximity to the Bangor Homeless Shelter, Shaw House, and Manna Ministries, makes it a great place to host a soup kitchen and serve a meal to those who would otherwise have no meal on Sunday.

The general feeling within the community is that a meal on Sunday is needed. Manna Ministries and The Salvation Army Soup Kitchen—who serve meals during the week—are closed on Sunday. The Bangor Homeless Shelter turns away 20-30 people each Sunday. Once word gets around, the Soup kitchen expects to serve 80 to 90 people each week.  During these tough economic times, it’s possible the need for a Sunday soup kitchen will be here for a very long time.

BANGOR, Maine (Press Release), March 31, 2009. Columbia Street Baptist Church has performed the dramatic play “The Last Supper” every two years since 1979.  The Ernest K. Emurian’s play is based on the famous painting “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci — created between the years 1495–1498.

This contemporary dramatization brings the painting to life. Taking place in the upper room, the painting represents the last meal Jesus shared with His disciples before His betrayal. The scene shows the tension filled moment when Jesus reveals that one of the disciples will betray him before the night is over. The play tells the story of the dismay, amazement and confusion this statement caused as each character reflects on their relationship with Jesus and wrestles with the statement “Is it I?”

Without knowing the history behind Leonard da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”, the figures in the painting could easily be eating a normal meal, discussing events of the day or telling of the glorious miracles they had seen. Andrew might tell of the boy who’s loaves of bread and fish fed thousands. Judas Iscariot might once again, express his anger at Mary for wasting precious oil washing the feet of Jesus, or his wishes that Jesus would hurry and become the King of the Jews. However, is it well documented that the intent of da Vinci was to portray the moment of betrayal.

Some of the players have performed this play numerous times. Mark Tuck, who plays “Doubting” Thomas, takes the role very seriously. “Doubt has stopped me from doing God’s will in my life more than once. Playing the role of Thomas has made me really look at my life and the things I have and some of the things I have not done in my life.”

Tyke McKay has played Andrew at least a dozen times, starting in 1987. At the time, the youngest man in the performance, playing the oldest disciple. “Andrew is an interesting contrast to the impetuousness of Peter. He is quiet and contemplative.  Traits I do not possess. It seems amazing to me that over the years I need less and less white hair powder. I look forward to doing the play once again as I search for new meaning, no longer a young man, but one closer to Andrew’s age with a little seasoning.”

Chuck Hillman has played Thaddeus at least four times. “It becomes more meaningful each time, as I learn more about Thaddeus, and the other disciples. It is an honor to be a part of the group, and humbling to try to portray the feelings of the disciples at that time . . . realizing that all the information was gleaned from scripture, it becomes very informative, and interesting.”

“The Last Supper” will be presented Thursday April 9, and Friday April 10, at 7:00 pm in the main sanctuary of Columbia Street Baptist Church, 63 Columbia Street, Bangor.