Huw, another OC/IC Easterner has created this wonderful compilation of Paschal Troparia – sit down, relax, and have a good giggle over it.

I came across this vid over at Emergent Village and it started me thinking again about what it means to belive, why we believe, and how we express and share that conviction in the little things – daily life.

Interestingly enough, this vid is also closely tied in with yesterday’s post on helping the poor (it’s towards the end – but be sure to watch the whole thing).

So – according to the temple preists of the goddess Market Research it’s the annual festal season. This used to be a fixed feast but of late it has been shifting and becoming a movable feast – that must naturally terminate on the historic date because then its the leave taking of the feast (also known as the January Sales) which lasts until February when the goddess decress that the next festal cycle begins in honour of St. Valentine.

Here in London the minions of the Goddess were so ecstatic at being able to serve her this year that they actually pushed the envelope for the festal season that little bit further and started laying out the decorations the first week of October! (sigh)

Anyway, last night G and I were having a moment of remembrance (enjoying the memory of this wonderfully imagined ad) I thought I would share it – and see what theological reflection it inspires.

This one is well worth watching – ‘Nuff said.

B.T.W. I found it at Codex thanks to David Kling.

Last year I wrote two posts Ekklesia 2.0, and Ekklesia 2.0.1 which played with ideas surrounding ministry and outreach on the net. Two weeks ago I was visiting a site that linked to the Second Life Anglican cathedral. Like you I’ve seen quite a few stories on the news and in the papers about virtual worlds, and in particular Second Life.

I do not own a video game, I’ve never enjoyed them. I hated D&D when I was a teenager while everyone else was chucking polyhexahedral die, and scribbling orc kills, and magic levels on wrinkled note paper, I went for a hike, or found something, anything to do but sit in a circle throwing and scribbling. I say this by way of “declaring my hand” before entering into this conversation.

Curious about this Anglican cathedral, I signed up to Second Life, downloaded the software, and crafted an avatar. She is green. I like green. And, yes, I made the dress myself!

Anyway I’ve been exploring Second Life, and thinking. This little vid (about 3min) is my first installment of what my Second Life experience inspired. I’ve got at least two more planned.

Here at last is Bishop Elaine Bessette’s interview.

You may have noticed that the last three interviews have not yet been posted to the Archive’s web page – this is because the computer that the web pages are designed on is in the shop. Once it is back in GC HQ the web pages will be updated.

It has taken longer than I had hoped – but here is the most recent addition to the Archive – an interview with Bishop John Plummer done last week. There are a few times where the video quality is wonky – honest John is not an alien invader (grin)! Its simply that our two ISP’s were having their own conversation whilst we were enjoying a chat.

+Elaine Bessette’s interview is nearly done. The audio is edited I simply have to plug in the artwork, and links. Believe it or not this take more time than it does to edit a straight forward video interview. I’m hoping to streamline the process for future audio only interviews.

I want to take a quick moment and thank everyone for the many notes and conversations of support for this project. I’m enjoying doing it, talking with old friends and making new ones. My only hope is that the project is useful both to folks in the community, and those outsiders wanting to know a bit more about who and what we are.

I’ve just finished editing and posting Siobhan Houston’s interview for the Indie Voices Archive. As you can see it is in video – which, as this is the first one, is rather experimental. The picture quality is great, and the sound too – though the two are not entirely in sync (I’ve got a solution for this that I’ll try with the next video interview – which I did not ‘dream up’ until I was half way through editing this one.) but think of her as “our foreign correspondent” on the BBC and you’ll be fine.

+Elaine Bessette’s interview is being edited and should be posted within the next couple of days. And there are a few more interviews to conduct in the next day or so.

This is only phase one of the project – the personal stories of how people join the community. Phase two will involve more focussed discussions on topics of interest; phase three will be round table discussions with three or more people.

As you have no doubt noticed we are complete amateurs here – and that’s part of the fun – in addition to making every reasonable effort to make the archive as representative as possible, and as useful as possible, we are also striving to improve our presentation of each file. Our working philosophy here is “learn by doing”.

Ok, this took Waaaaaay longer than I thought it would. One thing led to another to another and bang, before you know it, what is meant to be a simple interview has become a major artistic production. Oh, and it probably does not help that I am so very much the amateur at all of this. This by way of saying that I expect improvements in future editions. Anyway, so, here it is, the first links to the first round of interviews for the Indie Voices Archive. The web page is still in development, but you can enjoy this little (toungue in cheek) “Making of the Archive” vid, along with the meat of the matter, and that is the first interviews with +Tim Cravens, +Diane Smith, and Fr. Chris Tessone.

You can find out more about the project on the web site (when its done) but for now, keep in mind that these first interviews are just to get the personal stories of people in the movement – the big question is “Why did you join?” “How did you come to be among this motley crew of Christians?” Each interview is about 40 min long – and may take a few minutes to start.

“Selah!” it says in the Psalms. Step back, pause, consider. During Lent we take a moment to consider our spiritual path, our relationship with God, and others.

I thought that perhaps you might enjoy a moment – wherever you are – to pause; and so I offer you this little video.

Selah!