Fellowship

Continuing our “Oscar Winners” theme, Cindy and Andrew Johnson will present The Artist, 2011’s Best Picture winner among multiple Oscar and international film awards. Shown in black and white, the film takes us back to the world of silent films in 1927. A young dancer, Peppy Miller, has a chance encounter with major film star George Valentin, a meeting that will dramatically change her life – and his. In addition to all the awards, The Artist was highly praised by most critics. One critic at the Cannes Film Festival termed it “a surefire crowd pleaser and a magnificent piece of film-making.”

Soft drinks, popcorn, dessert and coffee will be provided; a $2 donation is suggested.

Sign-up begins February 1 in the church office.

“A married couple are faced with a difficult decision – to improve the life of their child by moving to another country or to stay in Iran and look after a deteriorating parent who has Alzheimer’s disease.” So begins a review of this highly acclaimed, award winning Iranian film released in 2011. In addition to numerous awards across the globe, A Separation won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, only the second Iranian film to do so. While submerging us into a culture alien to us, its themes and messages are universal. Laura Temple and Andy Wood will lead our post-film discussion.

Soft drinks, popcorn, dessert and coffee will be provided; a $2 donation is suggested.

Sign-up begins January 1 in the church office.

Yes, it will be just four days before Christmas, and there will be so much yet to do! But give yourself a break and come enjoy a couple (yes, two) wonderful presentations to enhance your true appreciation of this most special time of year. Greta McDonald has selected two excellent Christmas offerings. The first will be A Star in the Night, a 1946 Oscar-winning short film that depicts an updated story of the Nativity with, as one review states, “a little Christmas Carol twist thrown in.” Though the film is now 66 years old, its message is timeless.

Following our discussion, anyone who cares to remain (but feel free to make it a short night if you wish!) will watch the made-for-TV opera Amahl and the Night Visitors, by Gian Carlo Menotti. This production debuted on Christmas Eve, 1951, was performed live on NBC-TV, and was actually the very first presentation on “Hallmark Hall of Fame.” And for any opera-phobes out there, it is sung in English! We will be watching the 1955 version. No formal discussion is planned after the showing, but you’re welcome to stick around and chat if you wish.

Soft drinks, popcorn, dessert and coffee will be provided; a $2 donation is suggested.

Sign-up begins December 1 in the church office.

A 1980 release and Robert Redford’s directorial debut, Ordinary People is quoted as “the painfully emotional story of the disintegration of a perfect family.” The film features outstanding performances from Mary Tyler Moore, Donald Sutherland, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton, and Elizabeth McGovern in a heart-wrenching portrayal of a family trying to come to terms with the death of one son and attempted suicide of the surviving son. The movie garnered an Academy Award for Best Picture and earned three other Oscars as well. Pastor Jim McDonald will lead the post-movie discussion.

Soft drinks, popcorn, dessert and coffee will be provided; a $2 donation is suggested.

Sign-up begins November 1 in the church office.