Donna Gail Sacra
BIBLICAL STORY TELLING Donna Gail Sacra has always had a passionate love for studying and communicating The Holy Word of God. As a former Pastor, (struggling with dyslexia) , it was customary for her to memorize Scripture passages and sermon materials, so that the message would become more alive to people with listening ears. In Nov. 2013 Donna Gail attended a workshop conducted by the Shenandoah Valley Biblical Story Tellers Guild. She was amazed at how these seasoned storytellers could tell Bible stories, Word for Word, straight from the N.R.S.V. Bible, while using dramatic facial expressions, movement and gestures. She watched as they did their tellings by heart, as if they had been present, thousands of years ago, when the Bible account first originated! This was quite appealing to Donna Gail, considering her ministry background, and her flare for Drama. Immediately, she joined the Shenandoah Valley Guild, and has participated in most every performance. Her greatest passion, and unmet aspiration, would be to inspire other Biblical story tellers to involve themselves in performing Scripture collectively, as being part of a cast in a play, with each teller portraying a particular character, which interacts with other characters, within the passage of Scriptures being presented. When the Bible becomes our only script, the play becomes more accurate, as well as entertaining! If other Creative people could grasp this concept, oh what a thrill it would be! |
“The most appealing passages of Scripture for me to tell”, says Donna, “Are the ones requiring a display of emotion and/or a dialogue between characters within the text.” Donna Gail likes to really put her whole self into the part, while feeling all the emotions that the Biblical Character may have felt. Therefore, she does not just recite Scripture – She acts it out, in her heart, and in her telling! An example of this would be in the Luke 18 passage of the Pharisee and the Publican. When Donna portrays the Pharisee, she speaks in a loud, puffed up voice, but quickly shifts her voice to one of humility, and repentant tears, as she portrays the sinner who is begging for mercy. HOME & CHURCH Donna Gail Sacra, has lived in the Heart of the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia all her life. Her home is positioned along the North Fork of the Shenandoah River, in the Mountains of Fulks Run, less than an hour’s drive from Mathias W.VA to the West; Luray Va. To the East; Woodstock to the North, and Harrisonburg to the South. It is in Harrisonburg, where Donna became involved with her local Guild of Biblical Story Tellers. For the last 45 years, Donna Gail has been married to Lenwell Sacra, the only man she ever kissed! To their great disappointment, they have not had children yet, but in the mean time, they have given their love to 158 homeless people, whom they have fed, clothed, housed, and carried for over the years. They also give love and attention to 7 Balinese cats, and 4 Sheltie dogs! The Sacras have always been active in the Church of the Brethren, where they teach and preach and share various talents. Presently, Donna plays drums in the church band at Columbia Furnance C.O.B. She has also written hundreds of songs and poems for all occasions.. Donna is always happy and excited to share Biblical stories and teachings. And since she has no employer, other than Jesus, her schedule is quite flexible. So long as her Balinese cats are not giving birth to kittens on the performance date, she would be free to do Biblical Story Telling, at most locations through out the Shenandoah Valley and beyond. OCCUPATION Donna Gail has been raising Hypoallergenic Balinese cats for decades. They are a rare and special type of Siamese, with long, silky, non-shedding hair; good for people with allergies. (www.babybalinesekittens.com). When people purchase these purebred kittens, the adoption money supports The Charity Mission, where Donna houses and rehabilitates hurting homeless people. |