Country Western Dinner Theater Showcases Young Talent

On the evening of Saturday, Sept. 28, the Moreno Valley United Methodist Church welcomed a group of cowboys and cowgirls ready to take on the saddle and transport themselves to full country mode and be ready for a country western dinner and show. The Country Western Dinner Theater event was the fourth annual theater event the church has hosted, but was the first to bring out the cowboy within. The church puts on a theater event with a different theme every year as a way to raise funds for the church’s youth programs. The money collected from this event is put into the church’s youth fund to assist with expenses for younger church members to attend summer and winter church camps, which can cost approximately $350 for each participating individual per camp. Church youth members served as waiters and waitresses for the night, and some performed onstage. Their participation allowed them to share their talents and contribute to the family environment. Amber Sager, 16, said, “I love the family environment felt here every year, and at the same time it’s for a good cause. This is our opportunity to raise money for our youth group to be able to go to more places where we can learn more about God.” Rubi Ha, 12, said, “I love how everyone … enjoys it.” Elizabeth Sjoden, the driving force behind the event, said, “We’re all here for a good time. That’s our biggest thing. We come here to have fun every year and if people leave with a smile on their faces then that’s all we need.” As the show went on, the audience received chili beans and salad as an appetizer, enjoyed a main dish of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and cornbread, and an apple cobbler dessert, all home-cooked by church members. Along with the dinner the audience enjoyed a show where fiddling, singing, country bands and narrative poems were performed. “We’re all musicians here and we all do really well,” Sjoden said. A recurrent performer of the night as the guitarist, Alex Davidson, shared his enthusiasm for music. “I love it here so much. I have played in other bands, at clubs [and in] bar scenes, but nothing is as rewarding as this. I just get so much more reward playing for the church at events like these and especially on Sundays. I really enjoy it,” Davidson said. Youth members also acknowledged the key role their faith played in their lives and the importance of the church camps they raise funds for and attend every year. His son, 11-year-old James Davidson, said, “I love the events like these because I love the games and all the fun we have. At the same time, I also love the church because I love learning special lessons in life, like the story of Abraham, which shows God is always there. Through the camps we learn what we should do and how to love God.” Open to all in the community, the church also welcomed non-members to participate in the event. Jacob Ubrun, a 13-year-old visitor to Moreno Valley and the church, said, “This is my first time coming to an event like this and I’m really enjoying it. There are some pretty good singers and it’s really fun.” A musician and an active member of the church, 19-year-old Laurann Estevez said, “It’s really nice sharing with people, playing music with them and collaborating with everyone in the church. They’re like family, so when performing there is no pressure and it’s all just fun. Everybody is so loving and we’re all truly one big family.”