Christianity 21

"Christianity 21: Faith in the 21st Century
21 Voices

21 Ideas

21 Minutes Each

We live in a time of epochal change.

Many find this change exciting; for others, it’s a challenge.

Call it globalization, pluralization, or postmodernism, this change affects our economy, politics, government, and education—all of society.

And, of course, our faith and our churches are not immune to change.

So we have gathered 21 of the most important voices for the future of Christianity—21 voices for the 21st century—to speak into our future as people of faith in this age.

They represent a diverse array of backgrounds, interests, and passions, and they will provide a wide range of innovative and challenging presentations.

Christianity21 is less a conference and more a happening, an event—a gathering of voices and ideas that will shape the future of our faith.

And to the 21 voices, we want you to add your voice, whether you’re a seeker or skeptic, leader or layperson, disciple or doubter."

9-10th October 2009

I came across this reading the always self effacing and interesting Nadia Bolz-Weber [The Sarcastic Lutheran] and wish I had time to spare in October!!

Having decided in 2007 not to attend anymore conferences or seminars [because it was a waste of time unless I was actually going to DO something and maybe should JUST DO IT [hey there's a good slogan for an athletic shoe and clothing company!]... this looks like just the sort of thing which could be combined with a visit to Solomon's Porch and Luther Seminary to catch up with Roland Martinson and the work on 'exemplary youth ministry' happening there!!

For those not able to make it our UCA National Inservice [for Workers with Children, Youth, Young Adults and/or Families] BREATHE is on August 2-7 in Adelaide with the inspirational Steve Taylor AND like 2007 there are plans for a symposium of 30min Papers and Presentations on excellent stuff you've been part of, seen or have studied/been exploring!!

YOU could write and present! Encourage someone you know to do just that! and/or Learn from others! More details and registration here

Best Adverts on TV

Each of the footy codes in this country do a reasonable job with their inspired and inspiring advertising BUT the AFL [Australian Rules] consistently either briefs their agency brilliantly or chooses the right bunch to come up with ideas!!
Here's their 2009 promotion which tells a story to local fans but wouldn't be out of place in taking the game to a worldwide audience!! IMHO! For OS readers Aussie Rules was invented 150 years ago and is derived from gaelic football with goal posts modified to four vertical posts and no soccer styled goal where you get 6 points for an on the full kick between the centre posts and 1 point for betwen the centre and outer posts... that's right you get a point for missing!

Unreliable Idea: Faith Shaping Diary

In recent weeks and months I've had a few creative ideas [some have made it to these pages] and hopefully a few will 'see the light of day.' This is not the usual sense of too many ideas, too little time BUT rather that I believe the ideas come from having successfully made some space for reflection and thinking stuff through and also from the increasing sense of wanting to work on stuff that's actually energising and closer to my motivations and purpose... can't go wrong that way I reckon!! They won't happen without collaborators though!!
So the current idea [while I distribute 'We Believe' invitations for another one] is that of a diary based tool for encouraging young people to explore, grow, question, resource and take action about their own faith and life!! I guess it's inspired by "Ways to Live," our QLD counterparts work on 'The Fridge' and 'SKey' coming out of their 'Growing Apostles' and the current energy being put into the notion of 'portable faith' but a general sense that young people are basically needing to explore faith for the most part 'outside' or independent of the existing church... well that bits not rocket science!!
Places making genuine space for young people, starting new things and helping young people find identity, meaning, belonging and shaping faith are the exception NOT the rule!! The beauty of this idea is can only be enhanced by integration into a group or program or place!!
THE IDEA.... I have purchased a 'Week to an Opening' Diary and will now roll out invitations to young people and those engaged in ministry with young people to provide content for what would become a non year specific diary with stuff to explore, questions, websites, topics, activities etc...
I think there's wisdom in a seven area compendium but I also think there's wisdom in a daily, weekely, monthly discipline or option including the motivator that ocassionally you've skipped a bit and it's time to revisit....

I'll be doing a survey of a significant number of young people about topics, needs, questions, ideas... inviting artists, writers etc to contribute..... who knows....

It doesn't have a working title yet... I call it 'Splash' but...

Change

"God help us to change.

To change ourselves and to change our world.

To know the need of it. To deal with the pain of it.

To feel the joy of it. To undertake the journey without understanding the destination.

The art of gentle revolution. Amen"

At our staff meeting this week we spent a deal of time thinking and talking about CHANGE! It was masquerading as the reality of our financial future and the fact that events will overtake the status quo and mean consolidation, loss of roles, morphing into a new structure etc.

As I've thought about it since [my contribution is sadly always contradicted, made sensible or is actually on topic in my own head later on after time to think... I wish that clarity happened at the time].

In one way what we were really talking about was finding a way to help our whole institution deal with CHANGE.... vision, structures, missional congegations, wider resourcing, property rationalisation, learning, history and all our different perspectives!

One message which needs to get out is that not only has the world changed [the normal approach] but the church has also changed, it's already too late... people react:

1. As though we have a choice

2. Out of their own paradigm

3. As if any voice for change is heresy

4. Gravitating towards what power can be wielded

5. With Turf wars

6. Changing stuff that's irrelevant

etc etc

I started with the Michael Leunig prayer because coincidentally I had included it in a worship outline for an assignment just this week. Then I also read it in a post on a blog by Steve Taylor who will in fact be speaking at our UCA National Workers with Children, Youth & Families Inservice in South Australia this coming August.

I'm still pondering one key idea from our meeting about modelling the change. This will mean 'giving up' things ourselves. This could include:

1. Giving away some security

2. Pushing further with our staff and cross Board initiatives

3. Giving energy to our 1.5 and 2nd Gen young people

4. Being willing to engage in lateral and costly thinking

5. working across our interconciliar appraoch to broker new ways of working

For me I hope the work I'm doing and the things I'd like to see happen with Salt [Factory] might be a way to envision and be engaged in 'the new'. I think it's what the future development of 'congregations' could be like... I guess we'll see!!

Anyhow I'm babbling now with a big day on the schedule tomorrow so I will come back to this... how can we think missionally about the future structure of our institution and act for change within it... the cross we bear!!

One More Time

Before normal transmission resumes... there is no video which can quite convey the experience of seeing the Oils live!! But there's a selection on youtube which won't yet download that give you some idea! Even these crowds were a mix of diehards and the curious and so nobody was quite 'going off' in the way Coogee or Newcastle Workers crowd would!!

If you look hard you can see friend Lucian's sizeable head in frame and occasionally I annoyed this video-er by waving an arm in front of camera...

Check out one example here

I'll have a more varied review of 'Sound Relief' in coming days/weeks when I've watched the 10 hours of video!!

Following Up Another Oils conversation

Midnight Oil in Canberra

Last night a whole bunch of us from Newcastle & Sydney joined expats and friends in descending on the first of two 'warm up' gigs by the Oils ahead of the Sound Relief Bushfire Concerts this Saturday. Rumours quickly spread when these shows were hastily arranged and I'm grateful to Andrew for the warning, Kim at Ticketek and Gary Morris [Oils Manager] for the chance to score up to eight tickets in the end. I wished Simone could join us but she gets the obsession and graciously accepted the reality I'd do 'anything' to be here on the night!! Had my calendar looked different I would have joined Lubo again tonight for Part Two...

There was much conjecture and speculation about the gigs [including myself]:

How would they go?

What songs would and wouldn't make the cut?

Would this be the same bitter sweet experience as four years ago?

So excited to be seeing the boys yet soaking up every beat and rythmn as the last...

How would Peter negotiate the immature media coverage of his lyrics?

Would we get a classic 90min set of vintage live rock from Australia's finest?

Now, this is old ground... and music is taste driven, but ask any first timer who was there last night whether 'something special' happened... ? Far from being ageing rockers, the musical excellence, energy and raw passion were all part of the show... how old effervescent drummer Rob Hirst?

Here's the setlist for last nights 2 hour brilliance:

Redneck Wonderland

Brave Faces

Dreamworld

Under The Overpass

Blue Sky Mine

Only The Strong

When The Generals Talk

Golden Age

Read About It

River Runs Red

Bullroarer

Power and the Passion

One Country

Luritja Way

King of the Mountain

Dead Heart

Beds are Burning

Best of Both Worlds... just sublime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Encore One:
Truganini

Too Much Sunshine

Forgotten Years

Encore Two:
In The Valley

Sometimes

And it may vary tonight for the second show!! BUT that's huge... songs I love, songs I haven't heard for 15-20 years plus all the classics. Sure 'US Forces' was missing but can we decide the world is different and Gen Y share little of my own growing up under the imminent nuclear equation... post 9/11... small price to pay to be able to play at all!!

Bob Brown is master of the Simon Creanesque 10 sec media grab so with a huge oil slick off the QLD coast I suppose "the Midnight Oil is burning but the Environment Minister is nowhere to be seen..." is clever but neither is it solving the problem of oily birds and the spreading slick.

While I shed a few tears during 'The Deadheart' and 'Best of Both Worlds' I was much more bouyant this time around than in Manly/the SCG four years ago... maybe this too is not the last time or maybe it was just a precious bonus to jump, sway and shout aloud every lyrics, screaming "Ooooiiillls!" I am not looking forward to the letdown in a few days... note to self to set the vcr for Channel [V] on Saturday but give me a band who sing about stuff that matters any day!! Community, development, indigenous culture, politics, history, values, Australia, media, and huge fun along the way!! By my count I've now seen the band about 40 times in 25 or so years!! Remnant of the 80s? If you've not seen them live you don't get it... and you never will!!

Anyhow, back to recommending The Fray, P!ink, Kings of Leon and Kanye West for all my Youth Worker colleagues contextual discussions and input!!

Thanks to my fellow travellers Geoff, Eve and Nic [who can be asked what it was really like] for the journey, the t-shirt and the limited edition screen printed poster!!

Postscript:
After setlisting it as a maybe for Thursday night, Friday's first encore included "US Forces"
"Ooooiiillls!" "Ooooiiillls!" Very cool Pete!!
And thanks to Arlene Brookes at the Oils Office who responded to my speculative email to the old address I had scribbled down...

U2360

This week U2 have announced their so called World Tour [of Europe and the US] but don't hold your breath for Aussie dates!! The big splashy website revamp and details include a radical new stage giving rise to the 360 bit where apparently the stage will rotate with a baskteball like bank of speakers and screens above their heads in the centre!! Check it out at U2.com here

Unless they can squeeze in Asia in December you could look forward to a visit in 2010 but probably 2011!! Anyway, we'll see!!

In the meantime the band were enthusiastic, high energy and good fun for the five night history making stint on Letterman's Late Show which we saw here on Oz TV until Monday night!! Pictured above is the naming ceremony where part of W53rd St right outside the Theatre was named U2 Way

Unreliable Ideas: Photovoice

I'm participating in the opening two day Retreat of our UCA Board of Mission Leadership Intensive this week [which will be hugely beneficial and has already left me brain drained today!!] and at dinner tonight we heard from a local family sharing in a community meal, open house, and various other mission activities which line up with their purpose and passions!!

A great idea I was introduced to is called 'Photovoice' which is defined by wikipedia as follows:

"Photovoice is a methodology mostly used in the field of education which combines photography with grassroots social action. Subjects are asked to represent their community or point of view by taking photographs."

wikipedia

It basically involves giving people a camera and working on a storyboard to help them provide a photo essay representing some part of their life journey! To me it has huge potential amongst communities of young people, in camping programs etc

It's especially used in many places as a tool to tell an 'alternative story' or bring a different perspective and to give communities of people voice!!

Worship Unplugged # 59 'Speakerdogs'

Creative genius Wes Champion agreed to help out with our junior leader Saturday night program at this years 'Kids Campout' and in the creative process was reminded of a string of ideas that come out of a keen and geek filled fascination with designer toys!!

Needing to work on paper... 'Speakerdogs' that looked like TVs on legs [with speech bubbles] are cutouts you decorate individually and WE used them as a tool for an audio-visual 'prayer of thanks.'

The punters decorated, cut out and glued their speakerdogs and we set up a white backdrop to photograph them. We used 'Photostory 3' so the uploaded pictures and soundtrack were created as window media in minutes. The prayer drew applause the foillowing morning!!

These could be used for reflection, small groups, community building or an entire worship built around the creation and finishing phases...

Row M Seat 30 "The Combination" rated M

Set in the maligned western suburbs of Sydney, Lebanese-Australian John gets out of gaol to discover his younger brother Charlie is caught up with drugs, hookers and crime. Charlie oscillates between the streets and school. Daily clashes between Scott and Charlie's gang escalate. This feud spills into the streets in a territory and identity battle that turns bloody. The Combination dares to shed light on the racial tension that has often boiled over into incidents like the Cronulla riots. Suburban stereotypes are challenged when John falls for an Australian girl named Sydney. She presents an opportunity for a new start - yet with each step closer to her he is made painfully aware of the choice he will have to make - family or love.

www.imdb.com

'The Combination' has a unique place in Australian cinema history since some disputes and violence broke out at an early screening and led Greater Union to pull it from screens over the weekend!! There were conflicting reports about whether this was a response to the film from viewers, clashing gangs or a coincidental event. The Distributors and Theatres have since struck a deal involving security and a pre screening adress from the Director...

It's the films second media splash with one of the actors having been arrested a few months ago in relation to a street brawl!!

Worship Unplugged # 58 Tracing Artwork

Here's an idea I found looking at clips and ideas for a Camp theme of 'Telling Stories'

The story was about a community building project using the histories of notable local figures from the neighbourhood in question but one way the people participated was to trace an artists black and white portrait outline projected onto the community space wall using an overhead projector [a data projector would work]!! They seemed to start with the black outline and then add colour later...
People stood in front and obscured parts of the picture but only as they worked on the part they could see...
I imagine callico or white cloth banners, painted mdf sheets or the whole youth centre wall adorned with relevant artwork or mural!!
As the project unfolded there was a buzz or energy as people met each other, talked about what they were doing and the the story of the picture they were drawing!!
Check out the original story here

Worship Unplugged # 57 Collage Art

I spied this great idea reading the 'Sarcastic Lutheran' otherwise known as Nadia Bolz Weber!! The idea is to have an artist/drawer sketch an outline for a poster/banner/home made icon and mark what colours are needed where... in the original case it was an advent reflection so colour 'wish books' or shopping catalogues were cut up and pasted on as needed to create a textured and vivid image for relfection or focus.

This idea could be applied widely for different themes> pictures> digital images> banners> a worship station> etc>

"No LIne on the Horizon" U2 One Review

So friends have been waiting to hear my review of U2s latest offering... essentially this post follows on from my initial thoughts about the album generally!!
It's not stunning, earth shattering, landscape changing... but it's not bad!!

The Brian Eno/Danny Lanois [lan-wah] influence means that this record has echoes of former eras especially familiar riffs from 'Boy' and 'War' mixed with under produced and stark musicianship. It is one of those albums yoiu'll enjoy the more you listen!!

But there's no anthemic, seminal, 'you have just got to hear this!!!!' kind of track... it's more ambient and sparse.

Love is a dominant theme and to some extent the undesereved or more importantly unfettered love and grace of God woven through episodes and aspects of life!!

That said there are at least three songs that'll make brilliant wallpaper soundtracks for photo reflections or audio-visuals...

"Magnificent"
"...only love can leave such a mark/But only love, only love can heal such a scar"
This is an ambient reflection on place and belonging given the restorative and healing power of love on a grainy life lived in the moment.

"Moment of Surrender"
This is my favourite track from the album!!
"...it's not if I believe in love/but if love believes in me...at the moment of surrender/of vision over visibilty/I did not notice the passers by/and they did not notice me"

To me these songs are about 'feel' and this for me feels like an Easter Friday tune... it would be great with black and white artistic images of the Easter story, the cross and stuff that's happening around us from news, nature and life...

"Cedars of Lebanon" picks up on the imagery around the shade of a tree, it's place in the landscape and the history of the place... and to me has a confessional element.
"...the worst of us are long drawn out confession, the best of us are geniuses of compression..."

"Tropfest" 2009

This years 16 Tropfest Short Film Festival Finalists DVD is out free with the 'Sydney Morning Herald' [and possibly other Fairfax papers] today!!

'Tropfest' was started by John Polson and friends at the 'Tropicana Cafe' Darlinghurst, with a street closure and secret celebrity judges. It's been simulcast across the country out of Sydny's Domain Park in February now for many years and expanded into New York.

Each film must be 7 minutes or less and feature that years specified item which is currently 'spring.' Many Tropfest winners have gone on to big things and others pop up in projects all over Aussie TV.

Our local 'Yellow Pages' Directory and Tooheys beer ad veteran produced the film a few years ago about having to choose between his twins so one succeeded in life and is currently on ABC TV in a comedy called 'Chandon Pictures.'

Tropfest is about clever ideas and genuinely has finalists from schmick productions to handycam plain... other bloggers have marvelled at the recent New York winner shot on a phone camera.

Another feature is the use of well known or pop culturally topical actors who will be known to local audiences. It seems to add that indefinable spark to an already clever idea.

This last year a Melbourne crime inspired TV series called 'Underbelly' made a household name of actor Guyton Grantley who features more than once in films this year including a very funny film called 'Being Carl Williams' about him being mistaken for his gangland killer character from the TV show. The unwitting local petty crim is played by the lead actor from Aussie film 'Thunderstruck.'

I have spoken to my newsagent about collecting spares this year again so colleagues not near a Sydney Herald out there could contact me offline to hopefully receive a copy!! I'll post about spares tomorrow!!
The Tropfest 2010 item is 'DICE' for those who want to get started early!!

Running the 'Shorts' competition at Blackstump and several styles of video activity at Youth Groups I reckon they are a great group building exercise and challenge to stretch most groups.

Encouraging worship contributions opens up a whole other area of discipleship and participation.

"WE Believe" steps up

This week I will start to invite some participants into my next crazy idea!! 'WE Believe'

As previously blogged I hope to build up a space of 'affirmations' or creedal statements with A3 portrait photos of the authors AND the invitations are ready!!

I'd be open to receiving contributions from individuals who would like to contribute and invite readers to think of young people they think would have important, insightful, creative or authentic things to share.... let me know!!

Midnight Oil Warm Up

Just when you thought they'd gone away!!
Even the venue has no information yet but RSS feed and Google Reader devotee and friend Andrew has given me the lead to two warm up concerts for the Oils in coming weeks that will be no secret in the media today!! Just leave it to the weekend to check out!!

MCG Bushfire Concert March 14th MCG and SCG

Do yourselves and the Victorian Bushfire victims a favour and go see what all the fuss is about when Australia's best band 'Midnight Oil' reform for the March 14th MCG Benefit Concert held similtaneously with an SCG show featuring an acoustic set from Coldplay!!

Friends and colleagues actually keen should keep their eyes on local gig guides as the 'Oils' would typically do a 'warm up show a night or two before at a local venue!!

I will of course be ensconsed with family on a weekend away in Forster!!

False Oscar Leak

So the giveaway thnat the memo about Oscar winners was leaked is really that it was signed by the Academy Head.... they make a huge deal about PriceWaterhouse Coopers keeping it under wraps so I hardly think it'd find it's way onto paper in this format!!

Glad the very first award for the day was wrong just to back that up!!

Unreliable Ideas: Collecting some other posts

MOVIES WORTH DISCUSSING

‘Australia’ rated M
In northern Australia at the beginning of World War II, an English aristocrat inherits a cattle station the size of Maryland. When English cattle barons plot to take her land, she reluctantly joins forces with a rough-hewn stock-man to drive 2,000 head of cattle across hundreds of miles of the country's most unforgiving land, only to still face the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by the Japanese forces that had attacked Pearl Harbor only months earlier.

In 1939, the aristocratic Lady Sarah Ashley travels from Great Britain to Australia to meet her husband Maitland Ashley in northern Australia. The husband's drover comes to the city of Darwin to bring Sarah to their farm; however, when they reach Faraway Downs Farm, they find that Maitland was murdered. Sarah befriends Nullah, who tells her that the administrator Neil Fletcher is stealing her cattle; has killed her husband; and is working for the cattle baron King Carney. Sarah fires Fletcher and his men and together with Drover, Nullah and a group of loyal employees, they ride together to take the cattle to supply the army and win a tender in times of war. But the ambitious Fletcher has other intentions and uses Nullah to press Sarah.
www.imdb.com

I may be alone in this but I really enjoyed the film and think it’s got some great themes and insights in trying to describe the Australian pschye, story, values, influences and history in a fable of ‘Gone with the Wind’ proportions.
Is it the best work Baz Luhrmann’s done? No way
Does Nicole Kidman deserve the slaying she’s received in the media? No way

There are tearful moments, schlock, corn, wide landscape expanses, insights into indigenous culture and a cameo or feature from just about every recognizable Aussie actor in history!! Step aside from the hype and give it a chance… though at 2hrs 40 it is an ordeal!!

‘Gran Torino’ rated M
Walt Kowalski is a widower who holds onto his prejudices despite the changes in his Michigan neighborhood and the world around him. Kowalski is a grumpy, tough-minded, unhappy an old man, who can't get along with either his kids or his neighbors, a Korean War veteran whose prize possession is a 1972 Gran Torino he keeps in mint condition. When his neighbor Thao, a young Hmong teenager under pressure from his gang member cousin, tries to steal his Gran Torino, Kowalski sets out to reform the youth. Drawn against his will into the life of Thao's family, Kowalski is soon taking steps to protect them from the gangs that infest their neighborhood.
www.imdb.com
This film is about cultural and generational change, themes of redemption and relationships.

‘Seven Pounds’ rated M
'Ben Thomas' [Will Smith] has a secret where even the previews talk about how he took only seven seconds to ruin his life. We pick up the unfolding story in this film where it seems Ben has chosen a range of people to help out in life, seemingly out of his capacity as an IRS [Tax Ofice] Case Worker.
This moving film comes from the 'Pursuit of Happyness' team and has a similar grain and feel whilst Will Smith works hard to create the depth and complexity of his character who is surprised by the girl he meets who is in need of a heart transplant.
As the truth about Ben and the reasons for and nature of his helping become clear, this turns into a very moving and thoughtful story of one persons attempts to make a real difference in the lives of others.


Will Smith quote:
"Usually with the films that I make there are ideas that I connect to, but lately I've been dealing with the bittersweet in life because it feels more natural. You don't ever get it really the way you want in life. That really fascinates me. As an actor, there are certain parts of a character that you create, and you train yourself to have those reactions and then it becomes hard to stop them when the role is over. You have to retrain yourself. My character in this film is like hot grits. You know you can't shake them off and when you do, it hurts."

SPOILER ALERT
While I found the story had weaknesses and some aspects were simply implausible, it is a 'fable' in the truest sense and offers reflections on:
life
mistakes
that things don't always go well

There are challenges awaiting many thoughtful viewers and the films climax is sudden and definitive!!

‘Defiance’ rated M
On the run and hiding in the deep forests of the then German occupied Poland and Belorussia that was World War II, the THREE Bielski brothers find the impossible task of foraging for food, weapons and survival, not just for themselves but for a large mass of fleeing Polish Jews from the German war machine. The Bielski brothers, living with the fear of discovery, contending with neighboring Soviet partisans and knowing whom to trust take on the responsibility as a guardian angel that is a fascinating insight into the true events of a small independent group of defiant band-of-brothers. Consisting of women, men, children, the elderly and the young alike hiding in makeshift homes in the dark, cold and unforgiving forests in the darkest times of German occupied Eastern Europe, Defiance is a beautiful reflection of dedication, sacrifice, desperation and hope.
www.imdb.com

‘Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince’ tbc
“Once again I ask too much of you Harry!” Dumbledore
Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts turns out to be quite the exciting year. First off is the arrival of a new teacher at Hogwarts, Horace Slughorn, who is a bit more useful to Harry than he realizes. Next, Harry obtains a Potions book which used to be belong to the very mysterious Half-Blood Prince. Harry finds that the Half-Blood Prince's ancient scribbles are written along the margins of almost every page, giving Harry advice on how to improve greatly on his Potions work, and also teaching him a few helpful (and dangerous) spells along the way.

Amidst this, Harry is starting private lessons with Professor Dumbledore, during which Harry learns the dark secrets of Voldemort's past, hoping that they could use these secrets to find a way to defeat him.

Harry's year gets even more stressful with the suspicious actions of Draco Malfoy, who has been sneaking around the school doing, so Harry assumes, Voldemort's bidding. Harry quickly becomes determined, and slightly obsessed, to find out exactly what Malfoy has been up to and putting and end to it.

Yet, during this time, Harry and his friends go through daily life, busy with school work, Quidditch, (in which Harry has been made captain of the team) and of course, romance. Ron has found a new girlfriend, Lavender Brown, a perky (if not obnoxious) Gryffindor student, and Hermione is not happy about it. Ron and Hermione's friendship takes a toll throughout the school year and Harry, as usual, is stuck in the middle. Harry, meanwhile, is facing a romantic dilemma of his own: he realizes he is falling for his best friend's sister, Ginny Weasley, who is unfortunately dating Harry's classmate, Dean Thomas. Harry's pining for Ginny and Ron's hilarious relationship with Lavender give this story a large dose of reality.

Throughout all the school drama, however, the obvious darkness of Voldemort's impending rise to power is always apparent. The incredible action-packed climax is sure to leave the audience stunned and, inevitably, prove that you shouldn't trust everybody who you think is good and also prove that not everyone can manage to survive.
www.imdb.com

As the Harry Potter series becomes darker and more layered the movies are for older and older readers/young people. There continues to be controversy in Christian circles [and no doubt some will criticize our choice to consistently draw attention to these films].
The plain truth is the books and films have been hugely popular and have maintained the theme that although the premise is one of magic, the test is of very human values and choices… indeed these stories are about ‘who we are and who we will be’!!
We must be engaged in our culture and context seeking to find where God is emerging and allowing God to transform, question and cajole us through whatever medium God’s values are in evidence! Don’t miss the boat!

‘Pink Panther 2’ tbc
Steve Martin seems very excited in the chat show circuit about the results of his second tilt at Inspector Clouseau of the Pink Panther series!! Peter Sellers and friends are a hard act to follow!
My own story through High School was one of attending every Pink Panther film with good mate Graeme or others and literally leaving the film having fallen to the ground, rolled in the aisles and laughed until we cried and our sides ached! Some of those films have travelled better than others but the innocent premise and sight gags just struck a chord!!
The one snippet I’ve seen involved Clouseau, the bumbling French detective ‘standing in’ for the Pope at St Peter’s until he stumbled over the balcony, snatched the corner of a carpet banner hanging down and entertained the gathered throng with his attempts to escape a fall and certain death. It did look funny!

‘Terminator Salvation’ tbc
Set in post-apocalyptic 2018, John Connor is the man fated to lead the human resistance against Skynet and its army of Terminators. But the future Connor was raised to believe in is altered in part by the appearance of Marcus Wright, a stranger whose last memory is of being on death row. Connor must decide whether Marcus has been sent from the future, or rescued from the past. As Skynet prepares its final onslaught, Connor and Marcus both embark on an odyssey that takes them into the heart of Skynet’s operations, where they uncover the terrible secret behind the possible annihilation of mankind.
www.imdb.com Warner Bros Films

Aussie Sam Worthington joins Christian Bale, Helena Bonham Carter and others in this latest installment co-written by James Cameron but Directed bu McG.

An action movie fable which always has surprising potential for thinking about the consequences of our values, decisions and societal choices!!

To go deeper with credible movies and use films well in worship, discipleship and youth ministry programs you should check out:
The Internet Movie Database www.imdb.com
Darren’s Digital Orthodoxy http://digitalorthodoxy.com/index.php?Doo=ContentView&id=1
Hollywood Jesus http://www.hollywoodjesus.com/
US site with reader contributors and [1] often helpful slant on lots of good films
Rotten Tomatoes http://au.rottentomatoes.com/
Usually succinct and honest reviews
Damaris http://www.damaris.org/cm/home/damaris
Reviews, clips, Talk Sheets etc
UCA NSW Synod INSIGHTS magazine
http://insights.uca.org.au/reviews/resources/a-m/faithandfilmresources.htm
Film and faith resources and reviews from Adrian Drayton
100 Films with a faith angle, see what you think http://artsandfaith.com/t100/
Or to find sites fitting your impressions, explore http://www.cmu.ca/library/faithfilm.html

MUSIC WORTH HEARING

“Life in Technicolor/Lost/Viva La Vida” Coldplay
Check out the latest clip for ‘Life in Technicolor’ as Coldplay laugh at their own reputation for ‘over the top’ concert experiences as the local church hall marionettes explode into a full on rock show.

“No Line on the Horizon” U2 album
OK, the word that comes ot mind is “underwhelmed”
Someone should have gone to Morocco, walked into the studio and said to Brian Eno “put down the headphones, step away from the panel and walk out of the room backwards and you get to live!”
Basically U2 have produced quite an ambient record with a few interesting tunes out of familiar themes without really including a track which will reverberate around the world and take their reputation, concerts, efforts towards a better world or soaring faith explorations to any greater heights!!
That said I liked “Surrender” and “Cedars of Lebanon” as tracks for use in coming weeks and at Easter, without any sense of “must do”!!

“You Found Me” The Fray
Although already nabbed by various TV dramas to wallpaper their adverts, the Fray have again produced a track of self examination, connection and a mood which invokes serious thinking about who we are, how we connect with others.

“Caught in the Crowd” Kate Miller Heidke
News Ltd, the Education Dept and other partners in NSW/ACT have been running an ‘anti bullying’ campaign with a range of sports and media stars and their stories. Along came Kate MH with performances on radio capturing the attention of teachers and parents as a song written from the perspective of the bystander, apologizing for inaction in the face of bullying at school!!

“Raise the Alarm” The Living End

“Whoa, whoa...
I may not believe in God,
It doesn't mean I'm a lesser person.
I still have a heart,
And I know what it feels like to be broken.

I may not believe in Jesus,
But I believe in sacrifice.
Life doesn't always stand a reason,
And no one ever gets a chance to live it twice.

But I'd rather risk my fate,
Than to lose my faith,
In the lovin', the hatin',
The constant debatin',
The chaos, the calm.
Raise the alarm.”

So what’s that lyric doing on this list?
Well, the deal is, what do you make of this perspective?
How does it challenge an exclusive view of the Christian faith as guardian of values,, morals and all things good?
How do you see this song lived out in the lives of people today?

What is ‘the good news’ in this context?
How do we have the discussion about being good c.f. being a builder of the world lived according to the values of God out of the perspective of afith in that God and personal relationship with Christ inspiring your reflection and action.

“The Fear” Lily Allen*
Superficiality, fame, getting ahead… is this what it takes?
Explore values, pop culture but be warned about the lyrics and language*

“Use Somebody” Kings of Leon
Ready to move from the superficial to something of substance?

“Right Round” Flo Rida feat. Keisha
Different readers will relate to different songs. From an analysts point of view this song is an interesting grab of pop culture in a cover with the usual rap workover!!
On another level it’s yet another track about values, what matters,a dn looking for direction in life. It’s just hit No 1 in the ARIA charts at the time of writing.

RESOURCES
NOOMA DVDs
Rob Bells’ series of 7-14min reflections on various topics relating to discipleship, life and faith are on the whole edgy, open, sharp and useful for reflection, discussion, worship and making a point beyond the superficial.
Not very title in the series is as useful as others and tastes, perspectives and needs will vary BUT the website has great summaries and preview clips to point you in the right direction!!
http://www.nooma.com/

Bushfire Reflection Resources
Check out Darren’s coherent collection of stuff from a variety of sources in the wake of the Victorian Bushfires and relevant to follow up for any kind of natural disaster
http://blog.digitalorthodoxy.com/?p=1015

“Downtime: Helping Teenagers Pray” Mark Yaconelli
From his stream of contemplative youth ministry resources and ideas

Changemakers TEAR
http://digitalorthodoxy.com/index.php?Doo=ContentView&id=186
Read about the study series at Digital Orthodoxy

WEBSITES

‘Fresh Expressions’ treasury of resources from this C of E/Methodist movement for creating new forms of church and transformation across the UK
http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/index.asp?id=1

http://www.pastor2youth.com/
http://www.thesource4ym.com/
http://www.youthspecialties.com/
http://www.youthministry.com/
http://www.egadideas.com/
http://blog.digitalorthodoxy.com/
And sign up for the Youth Leader Email with regular ideas and resources
http://www.rethinkingyouth.blogspot.com/
http://280slides.com/

2009 Academy Awards Winners Leaked?

SPOILER ALERT i
If you like me do not want to know who will win an Oscar tomorrow Oz time then look away!!

In bad news here for Channel Nine [who for the first time are playing the Oscars live!!] plus 9.30pm highlights after 'Underbelly 2: A Tale of Boob Cities' it would appear a memo about this years Oscar winners has been leaked.... IF it's authentic of course!! It'll be interesting to see after rapid official denials!!

Usually Price Waterhouse have everything under lock and key as the pop culture awards fest culminates in rewarding the media companies that have spent the most millions [think 'Shakspeare in Love'] or effected the best smear campaign [think those who spread the rumour of 'Slumdog Millionaire's' young indians being shortchanged and living in squalor... and ocassionally a gifted actor or storyteller is recognised and rewarded for what they add to our culture and reflection!!

I know it's corny and the world has many more important things happening tomorrow but as a movie fan I always enjoy seeing actors 'as themselves', like reliving some moving cinematic moments and will happily cheer on as Heath Ledger is given a postumous Oscar for his portrayal of 'The Joker' in 'The Dark Knight'...

More on this later including the annual 'Raspberries' and their celebration of movie WORSTS known as the RAZZIES

"No Line on the Horizon" U2

Suspisciously U2's new album was available for sale/download on the Aussie distributors website getmusic.com.au with blame attributed to a staffer BUT it was gone two hours later!!
So far to me it sounds interesting and OK without being as stunningly landmark as previous efforts... I'll turn it up loud tomorrow and we'll see... mercifully for those lacking enthusiasm this could be the penultimate post on U2 and bring the topic to a close a week early!!

Richie Benaud surprises No-one

So Richie has confirmed that he will do his last summer of cricket in the 09/10 season here in Australia. Sadly his role has been so diminishd in recent times it's already sad, now all that remains is the final broadcast!!
I recall inspirational footage of his bowling exploits with the old Midford shirt unbottoned half way to the waist, his adage that if you can't add anyhting to the pictures then remain silent.... don't we wish a few colleagues understood that!
His bloopers reel must include his intro to the first State One Dayer at Adelaide Oval with the temporary floodlight towers that were raised and lowered for games so as not to destroy the heritage views of the ground... apparently the Towers are "only 30 minutes to full erection!" and then 15 seconds of silence...

Cheers Richie!! I see a final 12th Man CD in the making!!

Funny Jumbotron Clip

Featured on the TODAY Show here in Oz this morning was a very funny youtube clip! It turns out the uploader likes to record the goings on from the big screen during the breaks because 'people are always going crazy'!! Stay tuned for the 'who is that guy?' stories to follow... not quite Matt Harding but funny all the same!!

OK, U bear with us for 2 weeks

Here are a few links related to an Irish rock band you may hear something about in the next week or so... there's a Conference in the New York talking about their music here and no, despite it's location I won't be there!

AND one of the key presenters Nick McCormick gives a blog review of their upcoming album here and I agree with the reader comment about the quotable quote of the article "I can tell you what Bono thinks because he as been texting me!"

I'll try to come back and add any relevant links to this post and you can skip over it if you wish!!

I really don't care, I get that:

*music appeals or not to different tastes...

*going along with the tag 'biggest band in the world' carries a pretentious self importance

*A millionaire rock star banging on about world poverty when his own bands finances are

invested in tax havens is more than disappointing

*once you know there's a new album you'll check it for yourselves

*some people really don't care

*Even I am over outdoor stadium shows and thought the last U2 tour was underwheliming at Homebush in the sense of the sound, a little bit the rain but much more that the stage was too low and meant standing in the crowd caused sightline problems and was an atmosphere killer [with due deference to all my elipse attending mates!!]

"Caught in the Crowd" Kate Miller-Heidke

"The Daily Telegraph" newspaper has for a long time been a participant in anti-bullying media coverage utilising spots stars, actors and celebrities to talk about anti-bullying strategies! In recent times the ecclectic singer/musician Kate Miller-Heidke has played a few sets on radio and one song made an impression on teachers and parents mindful of the bullying issue...

The Education Department, the Telegraph and others are now partnering in a specific campaign related to the song in question "Caught in the Crowd" where the song comes for the perspective of the observer and calls on kids not to ignore bullying!!

You can check out the MySpace page here

Bitter Sweet Super 14 Rugby Kick Off

Weekends have suddenly become busier [and Replay Tuesdays] with the return of Super 14 Rugby between the provinces in Oz, South Africa and New Zealand!! I have my three sets of tix for the Waratahs v Reds, Crusaders and Force spread across the season and I look forward to some entertaining footy between now and late May!!

Bitter sweet because I always enjoyed watching TV footy a little bit more when I played and it reminds me [still] how much I miss it after rupturing both patella [kneecap] tendons in 2003!!

I've blogged about this before and you'd think that after 20+ seasons that'd do... and sometimes it is OK... but I miss the team culture, the challenge, actually having some success and running around, belting people and pushing myself to contribute in a game week by week!!

I have given up coaching for a couple of seasons to allow others a chance and to spend time with the girls [looking to go back next year when Ellie hits School]!!

I did of course read of the World Golden Oldies in Sydney next year for Over 35s... it's an amazing culture!! I could just pass the ball or dog a tackle if I was worried!! Hmmmm!!

But seriously, for my annual season preview... keep your eyes on an injury free Kurtley Beale [NSW Waratahs 5/8th] only 2 years out of school and finally not being told to bulk up but rather rediscovering a reasonable fitness without losing your natural skills...

I've blogged before thet footy amtes who coached juniors had seen him playing for St Josephs in Sydney when they had been down to see former team members turn out down there!!

Hopefully his knee and ankle repairs 'take' and we see his best for the Wallabies later this year!!

Obama Artwork

Just a bit of a laugh to celebrate the fact I've finally gotten back to, finished and sent in my Portfolio!!

U2 in residence on Letterman

U2s 2009 Grammys Opening celebrated in a 'raw session'

U2 continue to set 'pop culture' records as they take up residence on 'The Late Show with David Letterman' on CBS in the US and hopefully on that week on TEN here in Oz!!
This is the week of the release of 'No Line on the Horizon' which while I predict it will be different & interesting will not be choc full of life changing stuff... more likely a few glimpses at some interesting themes...
As a fan of the phlegmatic Letterman I look forward to a few late nights on the computer with the Late Show on in the background from March 2nd...
For the uninitiated this program is recorded in the 'Ed Sullivan Theatre*' which is the same place the Beatles debuted in the US, Elvis was filmed from the waist up and many fine comics got their start. Of late Dave's best segments have been the stream of 'Great Moments in American Presidential History' a nightly contrasting [until recently] of some seminal public speeches with those less than stunning moments from George W Bush!!
Of course, Simone was pretty excited to have scooped me on this U2 news, which is code for tragically reading the ABC website on a Friday night at work during a lull [closet net junkie]!!

Read about U2 on Letterman

Row M Seat #30 "Gran Torino" rated M

SYNOPSIS:

Following his wife's funeral, grumpy Korean War vet Walt Kowalski (Clint Eastwood) has little to do but drink beer and sneer at his mostly South East Asian neighbours, some of whom sneer back. Next door, Hmong teenager Thao (Bee Vang), is reluctantly pushed into an initiation for the local Hmong gang - to steal Walt's pristine 1972 Gran Torino - until Walt catches him at it.

Walt's general disdain isn't limited to Hmongs; he has never really connected with his adult sons, either. But when the prickly old geezer is out of beer, he grudgingly accepts an invitation from Thao's sister Sue (Ahney Her) to go next door for a barbecue - and beers.

His resentment begins to thaw, and when Thao wants to repair the family name and work for Walt doing odd jobs for a week, Walt starts to recognize the humanity in the boy and becomes the father figure the boy doesn't have, leading to dramatic changes in everyone's lives.

Urban Cinefile

Everything I read told me this would be a good film, with the grainy storytelling qualities of 'Million Dollar Baby' and some familiar themes Clint Eastwood seems to have enjoyed exploring in recent times. This is a moving parable and is one of those multilayered films I appreciate even more the further away I get.

Eastwood's character study is made most real by the authentic neighbours, with little or no English and a very different culture of family life.

Walt 'fixes things' from electrical goods to potentially his young neighbour whose sensitivity and struggle Walt sees. He is gruff and is disappointed in himself and others, yet redemption is possible and surprisingly so...

Set in Detroit, the Gran Torino is a symbol of life itself, from the glory days of American 'muscle cars' to the current economic plight and societal changes thrown in along the way.

It's a moving exploration of:

*multicultural issues

[Walt lumps all 'slopes or zipperheads' together until it's pointed out to him these Vietnamese people are there because they fought on the US side and had nowhere else to go after the war]

*classic second generation issues with a gang storyline

*generational differences pre and post the 1950s

*identity

*issues of faith & life with some nice by play between Walt and his young Catholic Priest

Spoiler Alert:

Confession, redemption and the path to seeing more in others than their flaws proves to be far more complex than might be expected and the parable ending is suitably bitter sweet!!

It's a timely story with Easter not too far away...