We hope you find these four short Spoken Word poems helpful. They have been written by members of some of our churches in the South West Baptist Association and are designed to be used during worship services through Advent and Christmas. A couple of the films below might be particularly useful for Carols by Candlelight services to help those who don't normally come to church engage with the Christmas story in a different way.
The scripts are available below and you can easily download the films from our Vimeo channel via the links provided.
There is no charge for using these films - the writers and the film-maker are keen that they are used as widely as possible - but if you are able, a donation made to the Home Mission Fund would be very gratefully received. Home Mission supports people in God's mission across the country, including the South West. You can give individually or as a church online here, or for more ways to give please click here.
Carl Smethurst (Regional Minister - Mission, SWBA) introduces these four Spoken Word poems for use during the Advent season in church services, small groups and for personal devotion. We really hope you find them helpful!
Scroll down the page to view each of the films. You can easily download these short films by clicking the appropriate link and then clicking the 'Download' button below the video on our Vimeo channel.
We'd love constructive feedback... if you'd like to send us some and/or if you'd like us to produce similar resources for you and your church in the future, please email Carl here.
Alt Nativity
Written by Lucy Sherburn (from Watchet Baptist Church) and performed by her Dad, Mike (WBC's Minister), this is a wonderful, contemporary interpretation of Mary & Joseph's search to find a safe place for Jesus to be born. Download the script here and download the film to show in your church here.
The Magnificat
Inspired by the story of Mary's visit to Elizabeth and her song of praise in Luke 1: 39-56, this beautiful piece written and performed by Rachael Warnock (Pastoral Assistant at Devonport Community Baptist Church and Minister-in-Training at Bristol Baptist College), encourages us to acknowledge the magnitude of the world-changing event that is Jesus' birth, and challenges us to join in with his mission bringing peace, justice and mercy to those in our world today. Download the script here and download the film to show in your church service here.
The Stable
This piece, written and performed by Carl Smethurst (Regional Minister - Mission, SWBA), is a humorous take on a serious issue; the lack of stability that so many in our communities increasingly feel in our rapidly changing world with an uncertain future. This film might be especially valuable to use in Carols by Candlelight services (or the like) to help those who don't often come to church recognise that stability, even in the midst of life's uncertainties, can be a reality for those who choose to follow Jesus. Download the script here and download the film to use in church services here.
Nativity in Full Flight
This piece is written and performed by Mike Sherburn, Minister of Watchet Baptist Church. Mike is a gifted wordsmith and in this Spoken Word he weaves beautiful language and imagery with the harshness of the first nativity. The earthy reality expressed in this piece will speak to all, but especially to those who find Christmas a difficult time of year. Expertly relating the ancient story of the nativity to real life today, Mike offers hope and the presence of the 'God who is with us' rather than the fluffy sentimentality and escapism which marks a few fleeting moments during this season for so many. Download the script here and download the film to show in church services here.
A word about the film-makers...
These beautiful films have been made by The Fuelcast, a hugely gifted film production company based in Bristol, U.K. The Fuelcast make short devotional films which you can subscribe to receive by email. Take a look at some of the previous devotional films here, subscribe to receive more by email here and support them with a gift here.