[printprofilepic]I watch a lot of television. This is probably not an earth-shattering revelation. While I’m not part of the first generation to be raised on television, I am part of a generation that often defines itself (the males, at least) based on which Saturday morning and weekday afternoon cartoons we watched as kids. Superfriends and Transformers—just to satisfy your curiosity and possibly date myself. While many people deride television as the “idiot box,” I’ve always found a lot of value in the programming I watch. Honestly, I like a good story no matter what media it’s told in. When it’s a story that reflects the reality of the human experience, even better.
As a minister, I have a tendency to view television and most other popular culture as potential sermon fodder, whether I intend to or not. It’s a hazard of this particular vocation. A scene of some significance will pass by on a TV or movie screen or in the pages of a book, and the little sermonizing homunculus in my head screams out, “That’ll preach!” And then, I’m off looking for a notebook to jot down an idea before I’ve lost it. Currently, I’m trying to figure out how to condense six seasons of Lost into a single sermon. I might have to make that endeavor into a series. Everything we experience is a life lesson, no matter from which direction that experience comes.
That’s one of the beautiful things about preaching in a Unitarian Universalist congregation. All of life is the scripture text from which to draw out meaning. We’re not limited to one lectionary, one mythology, or even one single medium. When I meet with ministers from more orthodox traditions, I’m frequently asked the question, “What do you preach from if not the Bible?”
“Everything!” I exclaim. Their jaws drop in a mixture of both horror and admiration. Maybe there’s even a little jealousy. All of life is our scripture—all of our experience. Even the idiot box has things of depth to teach us.
The silver screen, too, has wisdom to impart. Last summer, I tried an experiment of preaching from movies. Many of us gathered together on a Saturday night for a “Dinner and a Movie” night, and then the next morning I led a service based around themes from the previous night’s movie. It was a lot of fun for all involved, and a great community-building project. We received enough positive feedback to indicate that a repeat of what I called the “Summer Blockbusters” series would be a good idea for the coming summer months.
Starting next month, I lead three services based around recent movies that have spoken to me. We’ll share dinner and a movie on Saturday, and on Sunday I’ll lead a service with clips from the film, designed to get at the deeper issues in these films.
On June 13th, we’ll explore themes of anger and loneliness with the 2009 release Where the Wild Things Are. On July 11th, we’ll try to unravel some of the mysteries of Iran through the lens of one young woman and her attempt to break free from the Islamic revolution in the 2007 animated feature Persepolis. Then, on July 18th, we’ll take on the new #1 movie of all time, Avatar, and explore themes of “us” vs. “the other” and the capacity for art to transform people.
Watch your e-mail for more information on this series as the dates draw near. I’ll provide information on family-friendliness for each film. I hope you can join us for this different style of service. These are also a perfect opportunity for inviting friends and neighbors who might light to check out our congregation.
I’ll see you at the movies.
The end of the church year always brings about some changes and some leave-taking. Several of our members and friends are leaving Los Alamos after 3M closed up operations here in March. I wish all of them the best of luck on this new leg of their lives’ journeys. There will always be a place for you here in our hearts and in our sanctuary. My deepest thanks for making our community a part of your lives while you were here.
It is also with some sadness that we say goodbye to Sara Dickens. Sara joined our staff in September of 2008 as our first youth program coordinator. Her husband, Matt, has taken a new job in California, and she and their children are following him out there at the end of the month. Sara has done a wonderful job with our Uniteens and YRUU groups over the last two years, helping us to chart the beginnings of a new course with our youth programming. I’ve greatly appreciated what she’s brought to us, and I know the youth have valued having her among them as well. Sara’s last Sunday will be on Flower Communion, May 23rd. Please take an opportunity to say “thank you” to Sara and to wish her well as she and her family prepare to make a new home away from Los Alamos.
May brings a flurry of activity in the life of the church.
Our youth will present the May 2nd services.
On May 16th, we’ll hold our annual business meeting. Voting members are expected to attend so that we can take care of important business items in advance of the coming church and fiscal year. If you’d like to become a member in time for this meeting, please come and speak with me after any Sunday service, or give me a call in the office.
On May 23rd, we close out the “ordinary” church year with our annual “Flower Communion.” This much beloved ritual is popular with kids and adults alike, and will be an all-ages service. Please remember to bring flowers to share with the community for these services.
On May 30th, we begin our summer hour schedule, with a visit from our minister emeritus, Rev. Dale Arnink.
See you in church,
Rev. John Cullinan
