Reel Theology

12211 Memorial Drive,Houston TX 77024

20 September, 2022

Description

A relaxed pace (a film a month) + a reduced load (watch a synopsis of a film if you don’t have time to watch the whole thing at home) + a critical eye (to the ways spiritual themes play in the movies) + a safe place to share (facilitated by a certified spiritual director): Put them together and you have the basis for this monthly offering that explores key themes of Christian spirituality and spiritual formation through the lens of Hollywood classics. Each month this Fall, learners will engage a different film synopsis (key scenes, “cleaned up” as necessary) then discuss spiritual themes seen in each film. Films scheduled for the months ahead include the “The Matrix,” “Tender Mercies,” and “The Way.” Led by Rev. Dr. James H. “Jim” Reiter After 35 years of active service in the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Rev. Dr. James H. “Jim” Reiter took early retirement from parish ministry so that he and his wife, Kathy, could pursue their interest in and passion for spiritual formation on a full-time basis. “Zoe-Life Explorations” was founded in the Spring of 2018–with the mission of facilitating experiences in and conversations about the “more” God has in store in the lives of individuals and faith communities. A 1983 graduate of Texas A&M University, Jim went on to attend Perkins School of Theology where he received his M.Div. in 1987 and his D.Min. in 1992. Prior to his retirement in 2018, Jim engaged in coursework at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary pursuant to a Professional Certification in Spiritual Formation through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. Most recently, Jim has completed studies with the “FIND School for Spiritual Direction and Formation” (Episcopal Diocese of Texas)—being certified and commissioned as a spiritual director and now serving on their faculty. Throughout the course of his active years as a United Methodist pastor, spiritual formation has been a keen passion and interest for Jim. It’s an interest/focus emerging from a host of streams, including service as chairperson of the Spiritual Formation Team of the Texas Annual Conference, explorations in the contemplative life, immersion experiences in monastic settings, leadership in a variety of retreat settings, research in stages of faith development, experience with and gleanings from traditional and not-so-traditional spiritual disciplines, and a keen interest in the intersection of Christ and culture – focused especially in the spiritual themes embedded in the movies.