The festival that marks my church's birthday traditionally happens outside. The June sun often smiles on the pageant, if anything too intensely. But this year the weather staunchly insisted on unleashing its stormy power over that small window of time. Hence the decision to move the pageant indoors. 

Before the play began I enjoyed the jumble of children in the pews, some of whom waved to me. The director quietly circled around the church to make sure that everything was in place. She whispered to a curly headed girl who stood in the path of the actors, and asked that she step out of harm's way. With hundreds of people wondering if the play could succeed in this new setting, the director seemed to know that it would. 

I noticed people with troubles of their own. A widow whose husband died too soon was cuddled with her young family. A special needs child pestered his parents. In the row ahead was a couple with mounting medical bills. Behind me was a family staring down the mouth of addiction. Near us was a woman who had lost a baby from miscarriage. My own son sat beside me, the one whose future feels precarious. Will he master his own emotions? Will he find meaningful work? 

The plot was from the book of Revelation. The story revolved around a Woman Clothed with the Sun and the birth of her baby. They were threatened by the Great Red Dragon, whose resolve was to devour the child as soon as he was born. But the angel Michael with his clanking silver sword defeated the beast and cast it into a pit. A bride appeared behind the altar, symbolizing the readiness of God's people to receive and return His love. 

Most years we watch the drama outdoors where the spaciousness of the lawn helps to diminish the power of the dragon. But squeezed into the pews his ferociousness was magnified, and it seemed fitting that the Baby in his mother's arms was crying. I would be scared too. 

After the pageant children were treated to ice cream and presents, since it is after all a birthday. By then Benjamin has reached his capacity to stay calm and we headed home. 

I turned on a rerun of a show to amuse me while I bound a quilt. The first time the drama overwhelmed me with its convergence of kidnapping, and the impending threat of war I was scared. Yet having seen the climax I now knew that all would be well in the end. It reminded me of the play I had just witnessed, and for a moment it seemed possible, likely even, that the people in the pews would be safe. 

The Director seems to feel confident that they will.