A CELEBRATION of the Lord’s Prayer is the topic of a latest short film to be released on 6 May as a part of the Archbishop of York’s Faith within the North initiative.
Then as Now has been created by the filmmaker Oliver Murray, an ordinand at St Hild College within the diocese of York.
Set within the landscape of the north-east, the eight-minute film interweaves the religion of northern saints from the seventh century — including St Cuthbert and St Hild — with the lives of Christians today.
Mr Murray said: “This film is about rediscovering the facility of the Lord’s Prayer alongside the lads and ladies who first shared it, spreading the sunshine of religion within the north. It’s incredible to see how this ancient prayer still speaks to our hearts, offering guidance and luxury in every season of life.”
Mr Murray studied film as an undergraduate. In the last decade since he graduated, he has continued to make movies. His previous film, Cuthbert: A mystical short film for now (News, 10 November 2023), captures the doubts and isolation of the northern saint.
Faith within the North, a prayer, storytelling and church-planting movement led by Archbishop Cottrell, is encouraging people across the Northern Province to explore the Lord’s Prayer afresh during 2025 (News, 14 March).
“The Lord’s Prayer has been spoken through the centuries by countless people looking for strength, direction, and peace,” Archbishop Cottrell says. “If you’ve never prayed before, that is the perfect place to begin and if you happen to’ve been praying this for a while, it’s an amazing opportunity to have interaction anew with each line of the prayer. Join me in rediscovering Christ’s story in our hearts and communities today.”
The Faith within the North programme manager, Theo Sheridan-Watts, pointed to a set of free resources available, including newly commissioned songs for kids and choirs, collective-worship resources for schools, small-group resources, and a partnership with Thy Kingdom Come.
“We are glad that Oliver has brought his creative tackle the importance of the prayer to the religion of the north and hope that it stimulates discussion and thought.”
As part of those resources, Then as Now shall be available to observe from the Archbishop of York’s YouTube channel from 6 May.
Watch the trailer for Then as Now here
