Dear Times News,

It may seem a little unusual for the pastor of one church to praise the congregation of another, but I cannot keep silent about the exceptional work being done at Zion United Church of Christ in Lehighton. They are doing many good things. But my recent experience with the Zion Opera Workshop was so outstanding, it deserves special mention and celebration.For over 45 years, this outreach ministry of Zion UCC has been bringing musical theater to this region at a quality level that truly surprised and delighted me the first time I saw one of their late-winter shows in 2012. There are few communities of our size that can support and produce a full Broadway-style musical of this caliber. The fact that it's coming from a CHURCH is even more amazing.Many churches are under a lot of stress as memberships decline and the time and resources of those who remain stretch thinner and thinner. Yet the people of Zion UCC and their friends have decided to defy decline and despair and to live out the promise of God's life and love for all people to offer this community a few fine hours of laughter and limelight.If this were only a story of the near-miracle of a church deeply supporting good and wholesome arts in their community, that would be amazing enough. But this year I got to go "behind the scenes" of the 2015 production "Annie Get Your Gun."My wife (and fellow Lutheran minister) Allison and our younger daughter Jo both played instruments in the orchestra pit. I played "Buffalo Bill Cody." And our older daughter Mallory was offered the title role of "Annie Oakley."What I discovered backstage is the true miracle of ZOW. I watched children as young as 7 and "seasoned citizens" in their 70s gathering week after week, working and playing side-by-side. They were dedicated to doing something well, doing it right, giving it all they've got. They were welcoming people who were new, or shy, or different. They didn't form cliques, they formed friendships often between people who had little in common, or who would never hang out in any other way.As newcomers, Mallory and I were welcomed, made to feel at home, made to believe we mattered and that this thing we were doing was more than just fun. It was important, meaningful, memorable, SHARE-ABLE another way we could see, and share, that God really does love all people.This is at the heart of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is why he came and died and was raised to new life. Because "God so loved the world …" And we have seen it true, seen it all anew, through a silly little musical, performed by and alongside our neighbors who are no longer strangers but friends.So, on behalf of my whole family, and all the people who benefit from what you do, I want to give glory and praise to our God, and hearty thanks to Brad Cressley, Paul Smith, all the cast and crew of ZOW past and present, and the Consistory and membership of Zion UCC, for showing us what it means to live out and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. May you be blessed, and may it truly be "ON WITH THE SHOW" for generations to come!Sincerely,The Rev. Christopher deForestPastor, St. John's Lutheran Church of Mahoning