Frozen
I like themes that have an obvious 'hook' with respect to visual and written imagery, and 'Frozen' is such a title for me. Obviously there is no point however in making a service look pretty if it has no real content. So here are my thoughts so far...
- Frozen fits with the weather at the time of the service, so the imagery should resonate with people
- 'Frozen' suggests a sense of impotence and fear. A lot of our services are very inward looking; I think this could lead us in directions where we explore our response to some of the big issues facing our world
- Frozen can also of course describe the human heart, and its inability to feel connected to others. In the gospels Christ had the ability to 'unfreeze' hearts... are we receptive to that? Are we called to be part of that process for others? Do we feel too frozen with fear when it comes to sharing our faith with others?
- Other Scriptures that come to mind are OT characters too afraid to take on what they were called to do (e.g. Moses, Gideon); and the parable of the talents
- Elements could include melting ice (I have a lovely image of icecubes hanging on a washing line, gradually dripping throughout the service!); and I've got a great song up my sleeve! I know Ian is very keen on story telling playing a part, and certainly it could fit within this service.
Tracey
posted by Richard Wheeler at 12:14 PM
9 Comments:
Storm,
In the morning light,
I feel,
No more can I say,
Frozen to myself.
I got nobody on my side,
And surely that ain't right,
Surely that ain't right.
-- Roads, by Portishead
2:58 PM
Madonna also has a track called Frozen,on Ray of Light. Can't remember the lyrics offhand.
3:22 PM
From Iain McColl
I think that 'Frozen' could work really well.
I like the theme of both coming to life though reacting to the presence of the Spirit, as opposed to being frozen, and the way in which being 'frozen' can correspond to a paralysis in the face of (1) a response to faith or (2) a calling to action.
In respect of the first point, this seems to correspond with certain biblical images eg. in gospel of John, the paralysis of the man by the pool (was he formerly frozen by lack of hope and by despair, as much as his physical infirmities?), by the Pauline images of liberation through faith from a bondage or slavery, and by the ubiquitous images of the 'hardening' of hearts, corresponding, of course, with the hardness of ice.
In respect of the second point, I like the idea of the service being more 'outward focused' as well, and of overcoming being 'frozen' in the face of the problems in the world.
I also would really like to suggest some ideas in relation to God being fire, and that fire being able to liven and quicken us, and hence overcoming (melting?!) our frozen states. Ice and Fire! When ice melts, of course, it becomes water ... which could correspond with living water!
A story could be built into this service if it was felt appropriate.
I also had some ideas of showing some visual clips eg. from Chronicles of Narnia, to show the CS Lewis imagined contrast between the ice and frozen nature of a 'evil' regime, and the thawing of that frozen landscape that comes with Aslan/faith coming back into the world. I appreciate, however, using the a clip from the C of Narnia may not be everyone's cup of tea!
Finally, it also has a seasonal feel to it, which can help to add to the atmosphere.
12:28 PM
Ian again
I also think there is a good opportunity to do a drama sketch with Frozen, possibly concerned with the way we relate to one another and the wider world.
12:35 PM
Cold, cold water surrounds me now
And I can't let go of your hand
Lord can you hear me now?
...or am I lost?
- Damien Rice, Cold Water
1:25 AM
Skin (formally of skunk anansie) has a song called frozen which i have - utterly fabulous. I will try to email it to tracey.
2:52 PM
yay we have broadband again! although my computer has decided to go a little crazy, so i can't voluntarily type the letter eks. generous website is http://www.generous.org.uk
10:51 AM
a couple more references: http://www.smallfire.org/grace_ice.html for the "streams in the desert" experience from grace at greenbelt 2001 and http://hca.gilead.org.il/snow_que.html for the snow queen
9:55 AM
We have suggested a number of Bible passages that may inspire our thoughts, such as various OT figures (Moses, Gideon, Jonah); the gospel story of the paralysed man; imagery of ice / snow from Job. Are there any others? Do any particularly spark some thoughts, and if so what are those thoughts?
10:00 AM
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