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A Movie You Need To Know About:
The Fault in Our Stars
This week, thousands of young people swarmed movie theaters in New York, Miami, Cleveland, Nashville and Dallas to attend a sneak preview of the soon-to-be released film "The Fault in Our Stars." Based on a New York Times best-selling young adult novel, it is a simultaneously hopeful yet tragic tale of teenage cancer patients who fall in love.Named as one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People, author John Green is a cultural icon to his legions of young fans. They know him not only for his writing, but for his extensive YouTube presence including Mental Floss, Crash Course and the Vlogbrothers.Another key fact about Green? He is an Episcopalian. The support group that provides the venue for the young lovers to meet? It's in an Episcopal church, the setting a conscientious decision by Green, who once considered the priesthood. During his discernment process he served as a children's hospital chaplain and this experiences shaped the story that would become "The Fault in Our Stars." Although he chose to remain a layperson, Green's work is infused with an indelible sense of grace that speaks to who he is as a person - and who we are as the Episcopal Church. Without pandering, his voice channels a teenager's brutal honesty: the hope and despair, the angst and humor. His story embraces the dual nature of faith and futility providing redemption without resorting to easy answers. Teenagers love his work and crave his message.On June 6, when "The Fault in Our Stars" is released nationwide, we have a tremendous opportunity to use this epic tale to share our story as Episcopalians. Like Green, we don't offer werewolves or vampires nor do we exist in a dystopian future. What we do have as followers of Jesus Christ, however, is a culture of grace and love where all - including young people - are welcomed and valued. Like Green's charitable initiative Project for Awesome we, too, are called transform the unjust structures of societies and to respond to others in loving service. Or as Green puts it, we are called to decrease "WorldSuck" - increasing the "awesome" in the world and working hard to eradicate the "suck."So how do we use this beautiful story to help young people connect to who we? Take your youth group to see the movie. It is rated PG-13 for thematic elements, some sexuality and brief strong language (See the link for the trailer below to get a sense of it). For more in-depth consideration, consider a discussion series around the book reflecting on how faith manifests in the book and the reality the characters face.Whether you focus on the movie or the book, take this opportunity to engage your own youth and encourage them to bring their friends. Help them understand that while the characters are fictitious, the love, relationships and support that the characters find are a true representation of who we are as Episcopalians. Okay? Okay.Movie trailer is here
--Lisa Brown is the Director of Children's Ministry and the Communications Coordinator at St. Paul's in Mt. Lebanon. This was originally published at buildfaith.org.
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Everyone is invited to join the folks from St Paul's, Mt. Lebanon, in celebrating their role in the filming of a major Hollywood motion picture based on a New York Times best selling young adult novel at a Red Carpet Gala Event on June 5, 2014 at the Carmike Galleria Cinemas at 1500 Washington Rd., in Mt. Lebanon.- 7:30 p.m.- walk the RED CARPET
- 8 p.m. - appetizers & entertainment
- 9 p.m - MOVIE (plus popcorn/drink)
A limited number of seats remain for this event. Click here to purchase your tickets. Tickets are also available on in the parish communications office at 1066 Washington Road, Mt. Lebanon, PA 15228. The cost is $22 for movie, food, commemorative photo, entertainment, popcorn, and drink. GLITZ & GLAMOUR included.
Proceeds benefit two pediatric cancer charities, the Samuel J Foundation and Genre's Kids with Cancer Fund. Save your receipts from May 16 - May 25 for all purchases at the Galleria and turn in copies of your receipts to the Church Office. For every $100 donated, the Galleria will make a donation to the above pediatric cancer charities. |
All submissions to the Grace Happens newsletter and diocesan web site are welcome and should be sent to info@episcopalpgh.org. Please be sure to include your contact information with any submission.
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