St Luke's Church Eccleshill, Bradford, UK

"Star Wars" service at St Cuthbert's Wrose
with a song to the Star Wars theme tune, by our vicar.

This article appeared in the Bradford Telegraph & Argus on Friday June 24th 2005, page 3, under the title "Gospel according to Luke Skywalker".

For fanatics of the Star Wars movies, the adventures of Darth Vadar, Luke Skywalker and Yoda are something of a religion. And now, thanks to the innovative idea of one Bradford vicar, the themes of the movies are being used as part of a church service.

The service being held on Sunday at St Cuthbert's Church in Wrose will focus on the themes of good versus evil which run throughout the six movies. But instead of featurning Jedi knight Luke Skywalker, the service will revolve around parish vicar Reverend Paul Walker.

Mr Walker had the idea after discussing the movie with children at Sunday school. "Our children have been looking at some of the themes of the Star Wars movies," he said. "Themes like: good and evil, having the 'Force' of God in your life, resisting the temptation to evil, and using the weapons of light to fight darkness. And we wanted a special service to bring these things together and celebrate the victory of good over evil."

The idea is the latest in a series of services that Mr Walker has organised to bring popular culture into the context of a church service, having treated his congregation to services featuring the religious theories of Homer Simpson and preached readings from the gospel according to Shrek. "It puts religion into a more modern context," said Mr Walker. "It's not something that we do every week but whenever we do something like this it has been well received.

"The gospel according to Shrek was used to show that beauty is only skin deep and that it is what is on the inside that counts. There is a lot of religion in The Simpsons too. I think if we did it every week it would be a bit much, but the children and parishioners think it's fantastic. Just don't expect me to dress up like Yoda!"

Part of the service will include a hymn written to the tune of the Star Wars theme. The words were written by the Reverend John Hartley, vicar of neighbouring parish St Luke's in Eccleshill.

Mr Hartley said: "The themes in Star Wars draw obvious parallels with Christianity in terms of the battle between good and evil and the idea of Jesus' love being this force that surrounds us all. I have done this kind of thing before. I put new words to the theme tune of Match of the Day and Christmas carols before. To put new words to the music takes some doing and quite a bit of thought."

While the choice of music may be unconventional, Mr Hartley said the congregations who had listened to the hymns had devinitely been singing from the same hymn sheet. "It goes down very well - some people in the St Cuthbert's parish have even remarked that they thing the Reverend Paul Walker's true calling may be on stage."

The service takes place at St Cuthbert's Church on Wrose Road at 10.30am on Sunday.

The article included a photo of Paul with bible, cross, computer screen showing Yoda, and figure of Darth Vadar wielding a light-sabre; and it also set out the chorus and first verse of the song." And the item was also the subject of the cartoon on page 10.

Footnote by John Hartley:

Contrary to what the article says, I did NOT say: "Some people in St Cuthbert's parish have even remarked that they think the Reverend Paul Walker's true calling may be on the stage."

What I actually said was in reply to a question about the reaction of the congregation of St Luke's Eccleshill to the songs I write, and I said: "Some people like them, but some people have remarked that they think the Reverend John Hartley might have missed his true vocation, and he ought to be on stage."

I did go on to add that some people had continued the remark by saying "... on stage, sweeping up!", but they charitably decided not to quote that bit.

	St Luke's Church, Eccleshill, Bradford, UK Bringing the good news of Jesus to the people of Eccleshill. Visitors are warmly welcome to all our events and services.
Home Page. Bradford Diocese. Song to the Star Wars theme Other pages: find us, usual services, diary, noticeboard, magazine. News Index. Contact us.	"Star Wars" service at St Cuthbert's Wrose with a song to the Star Wars theme tune, by our vicar. This article appeared in the Bradford Telegraph & Argus on Friday June 24th 2005, page 3, under the title "Gospel according to Luke Skywalker". For fanatics of the Star Wars movies, the adventures of Darth Vadar, Luke Skywalker and Yoda are something of a religion. And now, thanks to the innovative idea of one Bradford vicar, the themes of the movies are being used as part of a church service. The service being held on Sunday at St Cuthbert's Church in Wrose will focus on the themes of good versus evil which run throughout the six movies. But instead of featurning Jedi knight Luke Skywalker, the service will revolve around parish vicar Reverend Paul Walker. Mr Walker had the idea after discussing the movie with children at Sunday school. "Our children have been looking at some of the themes of the Star Wars movies," he said. "Themes like: good and evil, having the 'Force' of God in your life, resisting the temptation to evil, and using the weapons of light to fight darkness. And we wanted a special service to bring these things together and celebrate the victory of good over evil." The idea is the latest in a series of services that Mr Walker has organised to bring popular culture into the context of a church service, having treated his congregation to services featuring the religious theories of Homer Simpson and preached readings from the gospel according to Shrek. "It puts religion into a more modern context," said Mr Walker. "It's not something that we do every week but whenever we do something like this it has been well received. "The gospel according to Shrek was used to show that beauty is only skin deep and that it is what is on the inside that counts. There is a lot of religion in The Simpsons too. I think if we did it every week it would be a bit much, but the children and parishioners think it's fantastic. Just don't expect me to dress up like Yoda!" Part of the service will include a hymn written to the tune of the Star Wars theme. The words were written by the Reverend John Hartley, vicar of neighbouring parish St Luke's in Eccleshill. Mr Hartley said: "The themes in Star Wars draw obvious parallels with Christianity in terms of the battle between good and evil and the idea of Jesus' love being this force that surrounds us all. I have done this kind of thing before. I put new words to the theme tune of Match of the Day and Christmas carols before. To put new words to the music takes some doing and quite a bit of thought." While the choice of music may be unconventional, Mr Hartley said the congregations who had listened to the hymns had devinitely been singing from the same hymn sheet. "It goes down very well - some people in the St Cuthbert's parish have even remarked that they thing the Reverend Paul Walker's true calling may be on stage." The service takes place at St Cuthbert's Church on Wrose Road at 10.30am on Sunday. The article included a photo of Paul with bible, cross, computer screen showing Yoda, and figure of Darth Vadar wielding a light-sabre; and it also set out the chorus and first verse of the song." And the item was also the subject of the cartoon on page 10. Footnote by John Hartley: Contrary to what the article says, I did NOT say: "Some people in St Cuthbert's parish have even remarked that they think the Reverend Paul Walker's true calling may be on the stage." What I actually said was in reply to a question about the reaction of the congregation of St Luke's Eccleshill to the songs I write, and I said: "Some people like them, but some people have remarked that they think the Reverend John Hartley might have missed his true vocation, and he ought to be on stage." I did go on to add that some people had continued the remark by saying "... on stage, sweeping up!", but they charitably decided not to quote that bit.
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