4/09/2009

Thirty Penguins do Flash Evangelism.

Ruth Gledhill linked to a great video clip of "flash evangelism" that is now on YouTube. It's an interesting idea. Here it is:









I thought it was great. What's with taking off the shoes? What did people think? Etc.


So, here in the village of Lewes (it calls itself a City, but we know better) where there are not so many people I invited thirty penguins to do a flash mob bit of evangelism. It's a bit of a goof-off, given that I really should be doing my mother's taxes, writing a sermon for Easter Eve, and generally being a better sort of person. Maybe even saying something about the new draft Anglican Covenant.


But it's Holy Week and I've got the Cross on my mind and in my heart. So here it is: a small goof-off sort of contribution to flash mob evangelism.












Flash mob evangelism may not make it, and this particular bit will in all
likelihood not. But the notion of presenting an up front project - making a cross out of people or penguins, and also bringing in an under the surface set of questions is interesting. In the first, "Why the shoes off?" and in the second, "Why the flamingo?"


Is Christ, the New Creation, like a flamingo among penguins, holding promise that we might all be colorful and tall? Probably not. But the thirty penguins knew something special was going on.



May we all in our own ways know that something special is going on as the New Fire is lit and the
Alleluias return.

5 comments:

  1. Nom de Plume10/4/09 7:17 AM

    "Why the shoes off?" Simple - a reference to "this is holy ground". Remove your shoes, etc.... Exodus 3:5

    BTW, loved the flamingo, but the bigger question is how does anyone come to have thirty penguins?

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  2. Mary Clara11/4/09 3:00 AM

    Why the pink flamingo? I can only surmise, Mark, that you have a secret Baltimore connection.

    I liked the whole idea. People, penguins, whatever.

    A blessed Easter to you and to all!

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  3. I was involved with the Liverpool 'Flash Worship' event - your video response is great ... loved it!

    Have a great Easter.

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  4. I thought, w/ the shoes off, perhaps there was going to be a foot-washing?

    Which begs the question: the two meanings of the word "service".

    Why not "flashmob-service", where service means "works of mercy", as opposed to worship? JMO, but I think that would be more impressive, than forming a cross seen from overhead...

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  5. I should observe that I refer to the penguin as my "totem" animal.

    In part this is due to the capacity of penguins to be simultaneously dignified yet ridiculous.

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