As a sort of unintended sabbatical project, I started developing an evolving collection of cinematic depictions of interdependence, co-regulation, and adjacent spiritual principles that inform UU theology (as I experience it at least). Throughout the summer, on Wednesday evenings, from 6:00–9:00PM in the Fellowship Hall, I’m hopeful that we can explore some of these films together and see how they might be scripture for us.

What do I mean by scripture? A scripture is a source of wisdom that serves as a touchstone for spiritual practice or identity. Scripture teaches about spiritual truths and inspires people to live with integrity to those truths. A scripture might offer warning, but even in scriptural cautionary tales there is an element of hope—a counter vision for how things might have been different if spiritual principles were effectively applied. I don’t hold that everything in a famous text is scripture just because a lot of people read it. At the same time, one of my seminary professors was fond of saying, “Scripture isn’t scripture until someone says it is.” So, that’s the defining characteristic I’m leaning into.

This collection of scripture is not linear, nor is it complete. I suspect (and I may be wrong) that some of these are easier to take in and use as scriptural touchstones, while others are more challenging. So, we can begin with what might be easy entry points and flow from there into deeper waters. As we get comfortable with what we’re looking for in cinematic touchstones, I hope that those of you who participate will suggest some potential scriptures to add to the catalogue as well.

A brief note on what I intentionally left out: I rejected depictions of interdependence as survival necessity. I don’t want to feed the narrative that interdependence is a fallback plan when individuals aren’t able to “make it on their own.” Interdependence is not about “those others who are not like me,” but a reality of our existence as parts of a greater web of life. That doesn’t invalidate the fact that marginalized groups often know most viscerally how deeply necessary interdependence is for survival. Whether we call it mutual aid, finding our tribe, or chosen family, embracing the reality of our interdependence has always been a building block of surviving and thriving as a person with a marginalized or oppressed identity.

If this piques your curiosity, I invite you to join us on Wednesday evenings, from 6:00–9:00PM in the Fellowship Hall throughout the summer. Each week will be a different film and conversation, so you can drop in at any point as you’re able. And if you want to watch films ahead of time and just show up for the collective exploration piece, you’re welcome to do that as well. I’ll let you know what films are coming up so you can take them in as you have capacity.

June 24 The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain (1995)
July 1 Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)
July 8 Chocolat (2000)