Members of St. John's United Church of Christ, 575 Grape St., Whitehall, had an opportunity Nov. 16 to find out who stole the Thanksgiving turkey.

Fifteen members of the church congregation participated in an interactive mystery dinner titled "Who Stole Tom Turkey?"

The interactive theater presentation had church members performing in various roles. According to Pastor Becky Beckwith, the play is about a family who experiences some familial issues during a Thanksgiving dinner with one family member stealing the turkey.

Those in the audience were given the opportunity after the presentation to choose the character who stole the turkey.

Church consistory President John Viglione of Parkland said he decided to spearhead the mystery dinner to repair the church fund and also make contributions to the Field of Dreams organization. Ten percent of the funds generated from the mystery dinner will go to the Field of Dreams, he said.

"This is the way to make the church people more visible," Viglione added.

Viglione said those in the church expressed an interest in participating in and holding the mystery dinner. He said church members met once a month to prepare for the mystery dinner performance.

"There was very little reluctance," he said. "They worked tirelessly in putting it together."

Joy Gravely of Whitehall played a role in the performance. She said the mystery dinner provided the church the chance to bond.

"It's a great opportunity for us to come together as a congregation and have a good time," she said.

Gravely said she has witnessed those participating in the performance grow individually.

"I have seen people blossom with getting on stage," she said. "Some people who were shy jumped into character."

Viglione believes church functions like the mystery dinner will aid the church in moving forward, both in congregation numbers and spiritual growth.

"There's a lot of enthusiasm within the church in terms of attendance and church functions," Viglione said.

Viglione said the church hopes to hold another event in the spring.