Posted: 8/20/03

CPR gives life to Godís word

Jessica Foster
Staff Writer

The 30 members of Christian Puppet Revival have reason to hold their headsóand their handsóup high.

The puppet ministry at St. Paul Lutheran Church, CPR, still is grinning from their surprise gold medal win at the International Festival of Christian Puppetry and Ventriloquism in Illinois.

I-Fest, as the contest is referred, draws hundreds of puppeteers and ventriloquists from around the worldóprofessionals and amateurs alike.

The win was on the heels of a regional competition where CPR also took gold for performance, props and scenery and is a two year winner of the peopleís choice award.

While they were contest favorites, they didnít expect gold in Illinois.

Aimee Hudon has been involved with CPR for six years. She is one of the original members, and a successful member at that. For the past two years she has been one of 18 youth chosen for the I Festís Dream team of puppeteers.

ìIt was our first year competing, and it was a hard competition. It was very exciting,î Hudon said.

History

The puppet ministry began six years ago, as an effort led by Dr. Sondra Mericle. It was a two team ministry with members in fourth grade through high school.

Tony Lee got on board assisting Mericle and eventually took the reins.

When Lee became director, he combined the teams into an all ages group. Adults then became involved, first building sets and props and then becoming puppeteers themselves as their talents were in demand.

ìI felt I had a different vision,î Lee said of taking over. ìWeíre one church weíre going to be one CPR.î

An all ages group, Lee said everyone is respected and listened to. The name of the group was thought of by a fourth grade participant.

ìIt became more of a family ministry,î Lee said. ìThe kids are going to respect the adults and the adults are going to respect the kids. Itís worked well for us. I want people to feel they have a say in this ministry.î

Always, CPR works as a team.

ìThis is not my ministry. All Iím supposed to do is show up,î Lee said.

While he doesnít work the puppets, Lee keeps busy scanning CDs for possible inclusion into the show. He organizes and motivates, finds means for improvement and does Godís work through puppets.

And all of it, Lee said, is enjoyable.

ìWe just have a blast, we have a fun time doing it,î he said.

The group does a variety of shows in various genres of music from rock to funk to childrenís music. Hudon is preparing a version of ìSmashmouth'sî ìWalking on the Sun.î Instead, itís ìWalking with the Son.î

Intricate props, puppets, sets and even blacklights work to create the right mood.

Indeed, in a Muppets meets Sesame Street meets School House Rock style, the 30 members share Christís love.

ìItís a unique way to praise God and teach others to praise God,î Hudon said. ìItís something different people havenít seen before. Weíre puppeteers praising God.î

A good group

Danielle Langevin, who will be heading off to college in Montana this fall, said she will miss her time with CPR. She has spent about a year as a background puppeteer.

ìI got involved because I thought it would be fun,î she said. ìItís something different that not everybody else does.î

And Langevin said she has been welcomed into the fold.

ìI donít even go to this church and they just took me under their wing. They took time to help me,î Langevin said. ìTheyíre rare people, Iím really going to miss them, but Iíll keep in touch and hopefully Iíll be back next summer.î

Though sheís headed off to Montanaís Rocky Mountain College, Langevin said she looks to join up with a similar puppet troupe.

ìThe puppets come alive,î she said. ìIt kind of just appears.î

Langevin, who has been involved with traditional theater behind the scenes, she said moving to the stage has brought with it confidence.

ìIt helped with my confidence and self esteem because Iím in front of people performing.î

For the Qualies, CPR is a family activity.

Sitting on the sidelines during a recent practice, Rosie Qualie said her two children benefit from being part of the troupe.

ìThey love itÖjust the friendship and working with people of different ages. They donít mind the time it takes,î Qualie, who also participates in CPR, said.

Lindsey Qualie has been in the troupe for one year. Using free time during practice to massage her aching arm muscles, she said she enjoys spending her time with her arms in the air spreading Godís word.

ìItís really fun,î she said. ìYou learn a lot, and itís just fun getting to teach people about God.î

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