Gareth Higgins writes: “Going to the cinema can be a spiritual experience akin to worship, which can inspire and convict as well as any sermon.” Discussing films, and the relation between films and theology, is all very good, but there is something magical, and potentially spiritual, about dimming the lights and watching films together before we move into discussion.

This weekend residential conference will provide the opportunity to do just that. Throughout the weekend, Gareth Higgins, a popular Greenbelt presenter and author of the book How Movies Helped Save My Soul: Finding Spiritual Footprints in Culturally Relevant Films, and Vic Thiessen, whose Greenbelt presentation was also popular and who plans to write a book on films one day, will share some thoughts on various aspects of film and spirituality, but the focus will be on the five films we watch and discuss together.

The film selection has not been finalised but we will be choosing important films relating to our theme, including films which people may have overlooked.

If you’ve ever wondered how watching a film together (followed by discussion) can enrich our spiritual lives, then come join us for this fun and stimulating weekend. Space is limited, so please book early to ensure a place. Adults of all ages are welcome, but we are offering a 20% reduction on the fees below for everyone under 30.

Fri. 30 March 6:00 pm. - Sun. 1 April 2:00 pm.
Guy Chester Centre, Muswell Hill, London
Fee: £98 (double room); £118 (single room);
£68 (without accommodation); reduced fees for
those under 30.
Fee includes VAT, meals (and accommodation)
C-C seminar No 268

Gareth Higgins is a peace activist in Belfast and co-founder of the zero28 Project, a postsectarian peacebuilding initiative. He is an occasional lecturer at the Irish School of Ecumenics and a consultant specializing in dealing with difference; art and spirituality; theology and violence; and spirituality and post-modern culture. Gareth is the author of How Movies Helped Save My Soul: Finding Spiritual Footprints in Culturally Relevant Films and the forthcoming The Devil We Thought We Knew: Naming the Antichrist in an Age of Anxiety. Vic Thiessen is director of the London Mennonite Centre. A lifelong film buff and occasional film critic, Vic leads film nights at the Guy Chester Centre and, for seven years, has hosted a weekly movie night where watching a film is followed by an hour’s discussion.

Recommended reading: How Movies Helped Save My Soul: Finding Spiritual Footprints in Culturally Relevant Films by Gareth Higgins; and some recent titles related to film and spirituality: Cinema & Sentiment: Film’s Challenge to Theology by Clive Marsh, Useless Beauty: Ecclesiastes through the Lens of Contemporary Film by Robert K. Johnston, and Religion and Film: An Introduction by Melanie J Wright

To book for the course, download the Cross-Currents Calendar and application form, fill out the application form and mail it, with the fee, to London Mennonite Centre
14 Shepherds Hill
London N65AQ
For more details or to reserve a space, call 0845 4500 214.