Over a weekend in March, a homegrown video production crew came together for the second filming session of the Transforming Questions video series. Each session in the series explores a big question of faith. Questions such as:
- Who is Jesus?
- Why is there suffering?
- How should we read the Bible?
- Does God answer prayer?
- How should we live?
The curriculum of Transforming Questions is adapted from a Forward Movement program, the creators of which gave generous permission for the diocese to adapt and use as we saw fit. The crew is made up of parishioners from the diocese – everyone from production design to the narrators. The series is being filmed on location in and around the diocesan offices and St. John’s Shaughnessy. Funding was provided by the Anglican Initiatives fund of the diocese. It is an authentic, local snapshot of who we are and what we can do as well as a gift we hope to offer the wider Anglican church in Canada.
When completed, the series will offer parishes a free, accessible resource for deepening the faith of newcomers, confirmands, and long timers: those exploring faith for the first or fiftieth time. The program presumes we will always have questions and that gathering in the presence of God with one another is the way to live with them and discern responses. It presumes that putting scripture, tradition, and our experiences into conversation with each other provides a faithful way to discover our path in Christ.
The video series allows sessions to be used in a one-off way, for a short series, combined with other materials, and for individuals to watch on their own and then have conversation with others. They will all be uploaded on YouTube. All sessions in the series come with a discussion guide for small groups to use in conversation. These guided discussions are where relationships form and reflection happens. They are integral for any formation.
The production will wrap by late spring/early summer and we hope to have it available to parishes in time for the beginning of Fall 2022.
Principal photography is being directed and produced by Randy Murray, diocesan communications officer; Executive Producer and head writer is the Reverend Jessica Schaap, Missioner for Christian Formation, Diocese of New Westminster
IMAGES
- Section 8, Act III, Take 1, Videographer, Ross Friesen closes the slate on take one to be presented by Kerry Baisley, ODNW and Hope Sealy, ODNW
- Ross adjusts the speed of the teleprompter before shooting a take with Many Olosan and Karyl Amayag
- Karyl and Levi Saunders rehearsing
- Hope lets out a laugh or two during rehearsal
- Videographer, Ross Friesen sets up the lighting intensity
- The talent’s view of the presentation area
- The multiple moods of Manay and Karyl
- Manay shares a smile
- Manay is a little concerned about Levi’s acting