Around Town: The Chosen, Underground Mass, UGM's 2024 Lent Devotional . . .

Update: Peter Chattaway flew from Metro Vancouver to Los Angeles for the world premiere of The Chosen Season Four two weeks ago.

Today, as the movie begins showing in theatres, Christianity Today posted his article (‘The Chosen Sets its Face Toward Jerusalem’) and Peter has posted his interviews with Dallas Jenkins (the director); Jonathan Roumie (Jesus); Abe Bueno-Jallad (Big James) and Vanessa Benavente (Mother Mary); and Yasmine and Al-Bustami (Ramah) and Brandon Potter (Quintus) on his Thoughts and Spoilers Substack.

Season Four of The Chosen will be in local theatres beginning today (February 1). Response to The Chosen TV series has been strong all around the world (with an IMDb rating of 9.2/10), and I know many people who are keen on the series, so I imagine business will be brisk here in town as well.

But for those who haven’t been following the phenomenon (and I have to admit that I haven’t seen a single show yet) here is what IMDb says about the series:

The Chosen is a historical drama based on the life of Jesus and those who knew him. Set against the backdrop of Roman oppression in first century Palestine, the series shares an authentic look at Jesus’ revolutionary life and teachings.

Go here for brief descriptions of each episode of the series, which began in 2017. The Direct said Season Four will bring back all of its main characters in a cast led by actor Jonathan Roumie; go here for their description of cast members and their roles.

Writing for Religion Unplugged January 31, Joseph Holmes said:

It’s worth remembering what a surreal phenomenon The Chosen has become in recent years. A short film by a failed Christian filmmaker became the largest crowdfunded project of all time. In the process, it emerged as a phenomenon in Christian circles before gaining mainstream attention and acclaim from filmmakers such as Paul Schraeder.

Even more miraculous is how it managed to do something that I often heard people say couldn’t be done – make a creative and artistic interpretation of Jesus that both Christians and non-Christians accept. Like I said in my first review, The Chosen manages to tell stories about Jesus and his followers that are narratively compelling without offending the sensibilities of Christians who think the show is violating the Bible.

So, The Chosen ought to do well at the box office. But Peter Chattaway, our local expert – whose Thoughts and Spoilers Substack (“Film and stuff, with a particular focus on Bible films.”) is well worth checking out – noted on X (Twitter) January 31 that the movie doesn’t seem to be receiving the attention it deserves in some quarters:

Gotta say, it’s a little irksome to see these weekend box-office preview pieces that say Argylle is the *only* new release this week. I would be shocked if The Chosen Season 4: Episodes 1-3 wasn’t at least #2 on the chart.

(The Season 3 premiere made more in its 1st weekend than last week’s #1 movie did. So if all of last week’s holdovers take a dip at the box office this week, and Argylle is the only big-studio release this week. . . . seems pretty clear the Season 4 premiere should be in the Top 2.)

Peter has many comments about The Chosen on his site. Apart from the interviews and other information posted February 1, he looks at trailers for Season Four here and here and here, along with box office prospects and other matters.

The shows will be released in three stages – episodes 1 – 3 (February 1 – 14); episodes 4 – 6 (February 15 – 28); and episodes 7 – 10 (February 29 – March 10). Go here for tickets.

Underground Mass

An article by Nicholas Elbers on The B.C. Catholic site demonstrates that religion has not been removed completely from the public square – at least, not when the action is below ground.

He wrote:

Giving a new definition to the phrase “underground Mass,” Father Juan Lucca of St. Francis of Assisi Parish recently celebrated Mass with the work crew of an under-construction SkyTrain tunnel.

The request for the Mass and blessing came from the work crew at one of the tunnels associated with the extension of the SkyTrain’s service down the Broadway corridor. Father Lucca was told the underground workers celebrate the feast of St. Barbara, the patroness of miners and tunnellers, every year on Dec. 4. . . .

At each entrance to the Broadway tunnel, a small shrine to St. Barbara has been placed to ask for her intercession in keeping the work site safe.

Go here for the full article.

UGM’s Lent Devotional

Union Gospel Mission (UGM) does a lot of giving – food, shelter, companionship . . . but more is on its way, including their 2024 Lent Devotional:

Each year, UGM’s Church Relations creates a beautiful daily devotional guide through the Lenten season and distributes it for free to local churches. This year’s theme is centred on Acts 16 and is called: Finding Freedom: The World Turned Upside Down.

This is a part of our support of the local church – and our gift to you! The guide includes stories, reflections and prayers all written by pastors, ministry workers, and community members.

This offers a creative way to minister to your congregation and community – it can be used in small groups, Sunday services, your personal devotions or to connect with neighbours and colleagues.

There will also be an online PDF version available, which we are happy to send to you via email. If you have any questions, or if you would like any free copies, please reach out by emailing: [email protected]

UGM is also following up with its Transforming Community Grants – more on them next week.

Feb 2024

Mar 2024

Apologetics Canada Conference 2024: Can I Trust the Bible? – March 1, 2024 - March 2, 2024 at All Day
Business As Mission Vancouver Conference 2024 – March 1, 2024 at 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
March Art & Prayer Retreat – March 1, 2024 at 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Black History Month Closing Celebration Concert – March 1, 2024 at 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm
G. Peter Kaye Lectures: Prof. Dr. Hartmut Rosa: The Listening Society: Religion, Music & Democracy in Resonance (2 events) – March 1, 2024 - March 2, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Re-imaging the Church Choir – March 2, 2024 at 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Books & Bistro – March 2, 2024 at 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Spring Small Business Fair – March 2, 2024 at 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Trace Bundy's Acoustic Spring – March 2, 2024 at 7:30 pm - 9:45 pm
Jazz Vespers in the Valley with The Ruby Lane Organ Trio – March 3, 2024 at 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
The Laing Lectures: George Yancey – Christian Racial Reconciliation – March 5, 2024 - March 7, 2024 at 12:00 am
Kentro Webinar: Applying Violence and Harassment Legislation in a Practical Way? – March 5, 2024 at 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Imagination Retreat – March 6, 2024 at 9:00 am - 3:30 pm
Kairos BC-Yukon Spring Conversation Toolkit Launch – March 6, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Listening to Indigenous Voices (Wednesday evenings) – March 6, 2024 at 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Jazz Evensong @ Brentwood: Shruti Ramani & Friends – March 6, 2024 at 8:00 pm - 9:30 pm
Black History Month: Ghislain Brown-Kossi’s new exhibition UMOJABLACK – March 7, 2024 - March 26, 2024 at 12:00 am
MCC Vulnerable & Fierce Fundraising Dinner – March 7, 2024 at 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm
March Art & Prayer Retreat – March 8, 2024 at 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Understanding Abuse Training – March 8, 2024 - March 10, 2024 at 1:00 pm - 12:30 pm

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Around Town: The Chosen, Underground Mass, UGM’s 2024 Lent Devotional . . .

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