Reporter Interactive content is the intellectual property of UMR Communications Inc. unless otherwise specified. Hyperlinks to specific stories may be established by other Internet sites, but please notify UMR Communications of the link with an e-mail to bfentum@umr.org.

© 2003 UMR Communications.
All rights reserved.
Duplication in whole or in part is prohibited without permission from
UMR Communications
2400 Lone Star Drive
Dallas, Texas 75212.
1-800-947-0207
bfentum@umr.org

Reporter Interactive is the digital religion news publication of UMR Communications Inc., 2400 Lone Star Drive, Dallas TX 75212, (800) 947-0207. The site provides five-day-a-week updates on religion news, especially of interest to Protestant denominations.

Veteran Wesley portrayer looking for people to fill his shoes

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/18/02 - By Steve Smith, Associate Editor

BEDFORD, Texas | Bill Vance doesn't want the legacy of Methodism's founder John Wesley to become just another paragraph in the history books.

Now 79 and no longer able because of throat cancer to project his voice on stage, Mr. Vance since 1975 has dressed in period costume from the late 1700s to perform as John Wesley. He has appeared before more than 100,000 people at 600 churches, conferences, conventions and seminars in nearly every state and in England.

Now he's putting out the call for future Wesley thespians.

"It's vitally important that we keep Mr. Wesley's legacy alive and even more well-known than he is at present," said Mr. Vance, who retired from his performances in 1998. "The presentation is not simply a sermon by John Wesley. It's a look at the man himself.

"This is drama, this is entertainment. And if you can entertain people, they will listen and learn."

That's exactly what Tom Dillon hopes. Mr. Dillon is picking up Wesley's role from Mr. Vance, and plans first to take his show on the road throughout Texas and surrounding states. He said he's willing to venture further beyond those boundaries if host churches can assist with travel expenses.

"As I approach full retirement in a few more years, developing the character of Mr. Wesley as an avocation seemed an appropriate outlet for the latent ham within me," said Mr. Dillon, a lay member of Christ United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. "As we approach the 300th anniversary of Wesley's birth next year, I want Methodists to hear many of his original messages that are as relevant today as they were when he first issued them."

Mr. Dillon added that he also wants United Methodists to appreciate Wesley's concept of the connectional church and his belief that "the entire world, not just our local surroundings, is our parish."

Meanwhile, Mr. Vance, a member of First United Methodist Church in Hurst, Texas, said he hopes to find plenty more Tom Dillons among United Methodist clergymen — "most preachers are actors at heart anyway" — and dedicated laymen. The only requirements are a costume, a "big voice," and probably a modicum of acting ability.

Tom Dillon of Plano, Texas, plans to take John Wesley on the road in the near future.
Mr. Vance, a retired airline pilot, said he plans to work through the Fellowship of Christian Airline Personnel to help with travel expenses and reduce presentation costs.

He will provide future Wesley thespians with videotapes of his own performances and scripts on everything from the history of Methodism to stewardship, based on Mr. Vance's research with Wesley scholars and his goal of historical accuracy. The videotapes were made of Mr. Vance appearing in a costume made by his wife, Lee, a retired United Methodist diaconal minister.

"I wanted to project the personality of Mr. Wesley," said Mr. Vance, who even resembles John Wesley when the light is just right. "We can read about John Wesley and what he did, but what was he like? I wanted to re-create the man, John Wesley."

Mr. Vance's scripted play, An Unexpected Visit by John Wesley, involves two characters, Wesley and the local minister, lay leader or whomever is leading the event.

"I'm extremely pleased that Tom wants to do this," he said. "I would like to see others all over the country do the same. The performances have been so well received everywhere that I don't want them to end."

For more information, contact Mr. Vance, 604 Rankin Drive, Bedford, Texas, (817) 268-0000, or send an e-mail to wsvance@ev1.net. To contact Mr. Dillon, send an e-mail to tjdillon@aol.com or call (972) 596-8215.