Cinemology: Advent Themes in the Movies

AWAKENING

EXPECTATION

CALLING

ENDURANCE

Each session will be a presentation and corresponding discussion about pre-selected film clips from the history of cinema, as they pertain to these themes that are found in the season of Advent.

In the first class, we begin with filmic themes of spiritual awakening. From across genres, characters in cinema have echoed biblical figures who experienced some form of awakening to a higher existence and a mission. Films such as Star Wars and Contact will be highlighted.

In part two, we look at the anticipatory hope of expectation in our faith. Comparing the familiar lessons of John the Baptist’s cry in the wilderness and Mary’s annunciation from Gabriel, we look at how some film examples demonstrate character’s trust in God and faith in hopeful outcomes (these clips include Star Trek 2: the Wrath of Khan and Places in the Heart).

The third week of Advent presents our opportunity together in this class to study vocation. We all experience a call to some form of ministry, sometimes ordained, sometime not. How we sense a call, and how we respond, is exemplified in films like Dune and its sequel Dune Part II.

Finally, we conclude with the theme of endurance, which pervades all of Christianity. Persistence in our faith and trust in God’s providence are examined in clips from films as varied as A Streetcar Named Desire and Gravity.

Each session on Zoom will provide opportunities to watch clips together to illustrate some of these connections, with ample time for reflections and feedback. Movies will be presented fully in a syllabus a few weeks prior to the course’s start so that participants may schedule time to watch or revisit any films.

This class will meet on Zoom November 25, December 2, 9 and 16th

The Rev. Gregory L. Millikin has been the rector of St. Mark’s parish since August 2023. Fr. Greg is active at the church-wide and diocesan levels in various roles, including serving on the Standing Commission for Liturgy & Music and the Diocese of Chicago’s Commission on Ministry. Ordained to the priesthood in January, 2016, Fr. Greg holds a Master in Divinity from Virginia Theological Seminary, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of from Church Publishing (2018), a primer for the LGBTQIA+ community discerning for ministry in the Episcopal Church.

Host or Publisher The Episcopal Diocese of Central PA