A Guy in the Pew

Okay--this has to be one of Father Matthews best videos: a clever explanation of why Jesus ascended by a study of the movie Mary Poppins . Brilliant.

Here is the latest from Trinity Cathedral Media that I blogged about earlier . (Anastasis, by the way, is Greek for Resurrection). The video itslef is about Jesus's descent into Hell. Enjoy

Father Bosco Peters has a great website on liturgy. He also has a great sense of humor, which is is putting to use as the "Naked Liturgist." This video on the "Liturgy of the Notices" is an excellent start:

I have posted a few videos from Trinity Cathedral Media. The most recent issue of Arizona Life gives some background on this great project: Bryan Matuskey is just 22 and has already made a name for himself making music videos for regional bands and vocalists. He recently finished a gig as mastermind of a cutting-edge music TV show. And now, he is directing his talent and energy and insight into producing videos for the newly organized Trinity Cathedral Media. ----- "Hi! I'm Bryan with a ‘y'!" "Um... Hi, Bryan with a 'y'. I'm Craig with a ‘c'. What's up?" "My friends and I were shooting a video and we were walking by and tried the door and it was open and we thought we'd take a look around. Do you mind?" "No prob. We're just setting up for our Ancient/Future, eChurch@5 worship service. Feel free to wander. Take your time. Let me know if you have any questions." We continued the set-up; the little group wandere...

The American Association for the Advancement of Science recently released this very interesting video, which features Dr. Francis Collins and AAAS CEO Alan Leshner discussing the compatibility of science and religion, including a focus on evolution. Some in the atheosphere are critical of the AAAS for even dealing with this issue. I think that they miss the point--they are not the audiuence. The AAAS is all about "advancing" science and taking on this issue is essential when a large percentage of Americans seem to think that science is incompatable with their faith.

This is the latest from Trinity Cathedral media. There is some great stuff coming from the project, including a short video of our Cinco de Mayo celebration at the Cathedral. Check it out here .

With apologies to my current law partners and all of my previous employers as well, the highlight of my career so far has been my service as General Counsel of the Army. While the work was interesting and challenging, the best part of the job was getting to know the Army as an institution, and even more importantly, meeting hundreds of soldiers. And as part of the unofficial "share our toys" program of my fellow service general counsels, I was able to meet members of other services, including a two day visit to the U.S.S. George Washington, an aircraft carrier. I have therefore been watching with great interest the PBS series Carrier . And I highly recommend that you start watching the program. The show is a person-focused exploration of life on an aircraft carrier. Unlike the military shows on other channels, this show does not focus on the gee-whiz technology of the carrier, but instead on the daily life of the sailors on board the carrier. And, perhaps most importantly, th...

The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona has taken a decidedly unpopular position on the immigration issue--that it is a human problem, resulting from human beings trying to find a better life for themselves and their families, and that our faith demands that we treat immigrants as our neighbors. The result has been quite a bit of activity--including support of fair trade operations in Mexico that allow families to make living at home, health care visits to border communities, and displays of solidarity with immigrants. My church, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Phoenix, has a new video initiative, and the first short video (about 6 minutes) is devoted to this issue. If you look closely you will see Bishop Smith in Naco at the most recent border procession. This is the first of a series of videos. You can find all of the videos at You Tube here . More context on what the video shows can be found here . And, here, without further ado is the video:

The latest from Father Matthew. Enjoy!

This is part of Father Matthews new series on the sacraments. This is very well done--and is on the Rite of Reconciliation of a Penitent (Confession), one of the sacraments in the Episcopal Church. Enjoy

The latest video from Peter Carey. Enjoy!

Father Matthew Moritz lead the way to the use of YouTube as a tool of effective evangelism. Rev. Peter Carey, a transitional deacon serving as Chaplain of St. Catherine's School in Richmond, Virginia (and who will be ordained as a priest just a few weeks from now) has started producing his own videos. this is Peter's latest video--which you should definitely watch if you wonder what a "transitional deacon" or a "deacon" means. You should also check out Peter's own website .

Father Matthew has started an eight-part series on the Sacramants. His first installement is now online--and it focuses on Baptism. Father Matthew explains in an email to his fan base: Greetings All, Bring out the ticker tape! Bring out the fatted calf! Blow the trumpet in the new moon! A new “Father Matthew Presents” mini-series has begun. The eight-part series, entitled “Father Matthew Presents the Sacraments,” will be a full-fledged educational series including one video featuring each the seven sacraments, with a closing piece. . . . The hope is for this series to engage the regular and wonderful “Father Matthew Presents” audience, but also to serve teachers in the Church, whether it be Sunday School, Youth Group, or EFM. So please be sure to share the fact of this series’ existence with anyone you think may be interested: teachers, preachers, inquirers, etc. Your help to spread the word is greatly valued! Another hope is for the entire series to be compiled on a singl...

Peter Carey, a recent graduate of VTS now serving as the chaplain at St. Catherine's Episcopal school in Virginia, will soon be ordained as a priest. He has joined Father Matthew on You Tube with a first viedeo that gives us a tour of the school chapel. I was especially impressed with the school motto.

Father Matthew has released another video--this one is on desert spirituality. Here is his description: Here is a short piece from my recent journey to the diocese of Los Angeles’ clergy conference a few weeks ago. The desert drive had me thinking of the Christian hermits of the 4th and 5th centuries, whose contemplative and mystical tradition is a veritable gold mine of spiritual treasures. . . . You can get an excellent introduction to the desert fathers and mothers in ABC Williams’ book, here: http://www.amazon.com/Where-God-Happens-Discovering-Another/dp/1590302311

This is one of Father Matthew's most thoughtful, and thought provoking videos. He asks the most basic of questions: what is the nature of sin. Here is Father Matthews explanation of the video: This piece “Making Sense of Sin” was inspired by my reading a piece by Valerie Saiving that changed my view of sin forever, challenging the limited understanding that has been promulgated for so long, an understanding that is not good news for those on the underside of power. Some good writers like Kathryn Tanner and Joy Ann McDougall have pursued this line of theology to make a constructive contribution. And this is my attempt to give it justice. Enjoy! Further Links: AskThePriest - Humility, Shame and Guilt Wikipedia - Sin 1979 EC Book of Common Prayer Catechism - Sin and Redemption Faculty Bio - Joy Ann McDougall Faculty Bio - Kathryn Tanner Anglican Theological Review - Sin-No More? A Feminist Re-Visioning of a Christian Theology of Sin "Jesus Humanity, and the Trinity: A Brief ...

This is a quite interesting video by Father Matthew about the treatment of dead bodies in Italy for a religious purpose.

It has been a while sionce I posted a Father Matthew video, so here goes. Father Matthew describes his vacation to Italy--including an audience with the Pope.