One of the admin team actually had a spare red carpet uphis sleeve (thanks, Dave) – and so this was put to good use and then wheeled out this Sunday for the latest in our Christians facing Issues series. Here is a paparazzo pic of the fab Dimity, (one of the team who slaved away to get things ready), getting into the celeb mood…
Because this time, the topic of concern was Celebrity Culture. Planned months ago, it couldn’t have been held at more appropriate time, coming at the end of the week in which Michael Jackson’s funeral took place. Regardless of how aware or consciously influenced by celebrity culture we are, it is a fact that the world of celebrities is part of the very oxygen we breathe. So there were many things today that got people thinking…
And being the BBC’s next door neighbour means that we see celebrities walking past our front door on an almost daily basis, putting us in a peculiarly good place for addressing it.
Tim & the gang came up with a brilliant and thought-provoking time:
- 3 short in-house videos on the subject
- conversations with people who know what they’re talking about when it comes to this subject
- 3 Bible passages (1 Samuel 18:6-9, James 2:1-5 and Philippians 2:5-11) with 3 mini expositions from Hugh Palmer
- all surrounded by songs and prayers to tie in.
Colin Paterson is Entertainment Reporter for the BBC and a church member. His two worlds couldn’t be more divided – epitomised by last Tuesday, when he went from Leicester Sq covering the Harry Porter premiere, and then rushing to get to his All Souls fellowship group immediately after.
He made this fantastic short film about the history of celebrity – having had special access to film in the British Museum (and so name-checking everyone from Rameses II, Alexander the Great, Cleopatra to the stars of today)…
There were two other films – vox pops from ASLP and Oxford St – will put those up when they become available.
- To hear Hugh’s talks, click here
- To see to any future videos we make for church, subscribe to langhammedia on youtube.
- Check out the 2 books recommended on the subject: John Drane’s Celebrity Culture and Chris Rojek’s more substantial Celebrity
