Films & TV
“A ‘benediction’ is a divine invocation for blessing or help. The film Benediction is also such a thing – a desperate and lingering cry for wholeness amidst some of the very worst that humanity can inflict upon itself,” says Jonathan Sargeant from St Francis College
Books & Guides
“As Friendship’s book reveals to us, monasticism offers a distinct wisdom to ponder – a wisdom that is being written in the lives of so many people who continue to test and live out this vocation from God, in both old and new ways,” says Bishop Godfrey Fryar
“The Idol tells the story of how Mohammad Assaf travelled from the Khan Yunis refugee camp in Palestine’s Gaza strip to the Arab Idol competition in Beirut. Since the film is based on real life and the outcome is famously known, the artistic challenge for the filmmaker was to present the story in a fresh way that keeps the viewer engaged,” says The Rev’d Dr Greg Jenks, who is the former Dean of St George’s College, Jerusalem
“This hymn is a very useful addition to our repertoire of congregational hymnody, of course, and also has other more nuanced possibilities. For example, the first two lines of each verse might be sung by a soloist or small group, with the congregation joining in the repeated final line each time. Or it might be used as a quiet background during intercessions, with the final line used as the people’s repeated spoken response to the prayers,” says The Rev’d Dr David Cole
“Belfast achieves a kind of glistening memory of childhood that steers just the right side of over sentimentality. It is sweet but never sickly, incredibly charming without descending into smugness,” says anglican focus film reviewer, Jonathan Sargeant
“As a star, Aretha was a mostly private person, so the unexpected disclosures hit hard. That the film builds to the most emotional climax in its last few moments makes you forgive some arguably choppy pacing and disappearing characters,” says anglican focus film reviewer, Jonathan Sargeant
“Liturgically, this wonderful hymn is especially fitting for Epiphany, Ascension, and Christ the King, as well as the Easter season (of course), and makes a wonderful processional hymn or a gathering-for-worship song,” says The Rev’d Canon Dr David Cole
“Reading this book has brought back memories of how we in the Movement for the Ordination of Women in the Anglican Church of Australia were joined by Catholic, Orthodox and Lutheran women and men, and others, to support our struggle for women’s ordination in the 1980s and 90s,” says Dr Gwenneth Roberts, trailblazing ordination of women campaigner
“I was won over. I think you will be, too, by the authentic tale of these young people inspired that darkness would not be their final destination. As the credits roll and you see images of the real-life equivalents of each of the cast members and their ongoing life situations, the transcendent uplift is palpable,” says anglican focus film reviewer Jonathan Sargeant
Vernon was a natural entertainer…with the capacity to generate a laugh, not at others’ expense or at the faith, but laughter at things as a sign of the redemptive presence of the risen Christ. Ledger’s biography explores this aspect well, along with two other strengths that any ordained person might aspire to,” says Bishop Jonathan Holland in this biography review
anglican focus film reviewer Jonathan Sargeant gives a mixed review of High Ground, a confronting colonial tale filmed in Arnhem Land, which is currently showing in cinemas
“In writing this book, Father Dave seeks to offer information to correct misconceptions about Muslims based on his own experience and his theological and doctrinal perspective. He contends that through addressing the unwarranted negative perceptions of Muslims, the Church is well positioned to have a positive impact on attitudinal change that could influence local and international events,” says Dr Robin Ray from Anglican Overseas Aid
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