Community Corner

Dexter United Methodist Church Brings the Christmas Story Alive in Interactive Show

Actors will portray the birth of Christ at the church Friday and Saturday.

Residents throughout Washtenaw County will have a rare glimpse into the biblical times of Jesus Christ this weekend as actors in the Dexter community perform an interactive retelling of the Christmas story at .

The church's Christmas Odyssey comprises 10 stations set up to feature various key stories leading up to the birth of Christ. Visitors will travel in groups of 10 and depart every three minutes on their journey through interactive Bible scenes, including the Garden of Eden, King David's reign, the Annunciation of Mary and the manger in Bethlehem where Christ was born.

This is the third time the church has offered the free show to the public. It is the brainchild of parishioner Else Sly, who wrote, directed and produced the church's first Odyssey in 2003 as well as one in 2006. She said the event requires the commitment and hard work of more than 150 volunteers.

Find out what's happening in Dexterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"This is a gift from our church to the community," Sly said. "It's a labor of love for many people. I'm very grateful for the opportunity to do this show. When it all comes together, it's just amazing."

Sly said she came up with the idea for the show after talking to her niece about Easter and the Stations of the Cross.

Find out what's happening in Dexterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We thought there should be stations of Christmas, too," she said. "There are so many great stories to tell, it's hard to narrow it down to 10."

The Odyssey is open from 6-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Following the tour, guests will be treated to refreshments in the church's lobby. The show is free and open to the public. Each tour lasts approximately 25 minutes.

Jane Fink, producer of this year's show, said she is hoping for a large turnout.

"We're hoping this will be the best year for attendance," Fink said. "A lot of effort goes into putting the show together, so we are only able to do it once every few years. It definitely gets you in the mood for Christmas."

For more information on the Christmas Odyssey, contact Dexter United Methodist Church at 734-426-8480.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here