Connections: Celebration, Wisdom and Commentary from Dunedin Methodist Parish

by Ken Russell, Colin Gibson (Editor)

Arising from a New Zealand context and touching on universal issues, Connections offers 45 responses from the people of Dunedin Methodist Parish to the challenge of being church and living out the gospel in their community. A comment from one member typifies the strong faith, humble attitude, realism and grace which the Parish brings to its “My faith, such as it is, helps me to live as well as I can, and motivates me to do what I can to help others.”Readers will find themselves laughing, surprised, angered and affirmed, but mostly, nodding in agreement and encouraged in their personal spiritual journey and in their Christian responses to the people around them.The articles, selected from weekly contributions 2007–2013, are grouped into five broad categories, and cover diverse topics, God’s What makes a mountain or the ocean a sacred, liminal space? The links between chaos, creation and compassion. The blessings of birds, forest and simplicity.*Responding to the Following Jesus simply. Raising children well. Resisting greed, giving, receiving and sharing. Remembering loved ones and dealing with loss. Getting people’s attention.*New Ideas for Being The value of ritual. Changing location brings new perspectives. What if Jesus returned today?*Seeking Putting people ahead of money. Fighting poverty. Communicating through building relationships. Lessons from the Delhi Commonwealth Games.*Working for Opposing violence against women. Peacemaking, power and politics. The cost and futility of war. Finding personal www.dunedinmethodist.org.nz for more articles and information.

96 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2014

About the author

The filmmaker, not the author of IQ Tests.

Ken Russell tried several professions, before choosing to become a film director.He was a still photographer a dancer and even served in the army, but it was film that was to be Mr. Russell's destiny. He began by making several short films, and those paved the way for his brilliant television films of the sixties that are acclaimed for his attention to detail and opulent visuals. His third feature film Women in Love (1969) was a triumph and he became an internationally known filmmaker. In the 1970s his talent truly blossomed, over the next 2 decades he would direct a succession of remarkable films most of them contained his trademark flamboyance that critics generally dismiss but many seem to find this engrossing.He will forever be remembered as a controversial and visionary artist with something of a third eye when it comes to making oddball dramas that have captivating images and themes.