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• Oikumene Film Festival, July 20

  "One Body, Many Parts"

  "One Body, Many Parts" is a short film produced by Christ Church United Methodist in Troy and directed by Alice I. Rose, featuring music from local musician, Maria Zemantauski. It is one of 10 films selected for the festival and the only film produced by a local church.

  The Oikumene Film Festival is sponsored by the National Council of Churches' Faith and Order Commission and is being held in conjunction with their fiftieth anniversary celebration "On Being Christian Together" in Oberlin, Ohio, this July. For more information on the film festival, see http://www.ncccusa.org/faithandorder/oberlin2007/oikumene.html

  The four-minute feature, "One Body, Many Parts", illustrates a classic passage from Paul's letter to the Corinthians where he uses the parts of a body to discuss the importance of diversity in a church community. The film reiterates this message with a chorus of voices and large-scale puppets.

  More than 25 volunteers worked on the project. Senior Pastor Nina Nichols noted, "Alice was able to pull together a wonderful cross section of our community to work on the film. Performers range in age from 8 to 80, intermixing those with developmental and physical ailments side-by-side with retired professors and active professionals. The diversity is further explored in the chorus of voices used, young and old, and of varying accents."

  Local Flamenco guitarist Maria Zemantauski provided the soundtrack for the film. Upon hearing the news of its selection for the festival, Maria said, "I am honored to be part of the project and this important message of unity and diversity." The Christ Church United Methodist community in Troy is preparing to celebrate its 200th year since incorporation in November 1808 with 15 months of special concerts, art installations, historical re-enactments and more. Selection of this film for the Oikumene Festival is an early start to this celebration. The stated vision of Christ Church is to live out the message of "One Body, Many Parts" by "welcoming everyone through the word, music, art and personal engagement - celebrating the qualities that make us different and the faith that makes us one."