Abertay University Christian Union

The Passion is a bold event drama, retelling the last week in the life of Jesus Christ and written by Emmy Award winner Frank Deasy (Prime Suspect 7). The Passion will be shown throughout Holy Week on BBC ONE, drawing to a dramatic climax on Easter Sunday. Joseph Mawle (Jesus), James Nesbitt (Pontius Pilate), Paul Nicholls (Judas), Ben Daniels (Caiaphas), Penelope Wilton (Mary), Denis Lawson (Annas) and David Oyelowo (Joseph of Arimathea) lead the cast in this unique and compelling dramatisation.

Visually arresting and rich in colour, the story is rooted in the chaotic world in which it took place - the city of Jerusalem during Passover week. Set in the political and religious context of the time, it combines both narrative tension and thematic power to convey the events that took place that week.

The Passion places the audience at the heart of the action by telling the story from three points of view - the religious authorities, the Romans and Jesus. For the first time, all the key players are intimately characterised, with Jesus (Joseph Mawle) at the centre. The drama begins with Jesus’ prophetic entrance through the East Gate, following him to his crucifixion and its startling aftermath.

Jane Tranter, Controller BBC Fiction, says: “The Passion is an example of BBC Drama’s commitment to deliver ambitious and distinctive projects. It is a privilege to be making such a major piece of drama from the brilliant Frank Deasy, directed by Michael Offer (The State Within) with an amazing cast.”

Award-winning producer Nigel Stafford-Clark (Bleak House) says: “The Passion is a gripping, multi-stranded dramatisation of not just the most familiar but arguably the greatest story ever told. Both truthful and simple - it gives it back to the audience in a way that will feel as fresh, contemporary and surprising as if it were happening for the first time.”

Episode 1: Sunday 16 March, at 20:00 on BBC ONE
Episode 2: Monday 17 March, at 20:30 on BBC ONE
Episode 3: Friday 21 March, at 21:00 on BBC ONE
Episode 4: Sunday 23 March, at 19:30 on BBC ONE

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/programmes/thepassion/about/

In my first (extended) contribution to this slot on the CU web site, I would like to introduce myself a bit. I’m a second year student at the University of Abertay Dundee, studying BSc Natural Resources Management. I was the President of the Christian Union at Abertay during the 06/ 07 academic year and currently attend The Steeple Church in the city centre.

I have become firmly established in my faith over the last few years and I think it is fair to say that Abertay CU and the wider UCCF (Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship) movement has been tremendously instrumental in this process. In addition, my strong enthusiasm for the work of sharing the Gospel has been cultivated and emboldened by the mission minded ethos of the the Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF).

In my next entry I hope to tell you something of how that enthusiasm for sharing the Gospel has led me into an exciting new avenue.

Robbie

Thank you to those of you from DUCU and ACU who joined us for session one. Please come join us again, or for the first time, at this is the 2nd session of three for final year students.This session is “Keeping the Main thing the Main Thing” - What are the essential facets of a young Christian in the workplace? On what must we focus, how might we prioritise it and how do we cultivate these priorities in an essentially Godless work place? What disciplines are essential to us here and how might we develop integrity as an ambassador for Christ?

It will be held from 6pm to 8pm on Saturday 15th March at the Stirling’s house, 16 Hepburn Gardens, St Andrews, KY16 9DD. There will be a meal provided. If you are interested in coming along, let Arlington know for catering purposes arlington_barron@yahoo.com

Each year Christian Aid appeal for support for an annual fund-raising event involving a sponsored walk across the Tay Bridge. Since 2000, the Tay Bridge Cross has raised over £110,000 for projects working with some of the poorest and most disadvantaged people in the world. The walk will take place on Saturday 26th April 2008.

Will the Abertay CU help this year with this opportunity for helpful Christian witness? (see Luke 10:25-37 and Matthew 25:31-46). Sponsor forms and further details is available from Leslie Barrett, University Chaplain, Room 2034. Telephone 01382 308 447 or e-mail: l.barrett@abertay.ac.uk

As usual, CU is hoping to put on a ‘Transition’ training session (possibly including a meal) for all those former and current CU members in their final year of studies, especially those moving on from the student life into the work place.

If you are one of them, please get in contact with Arlington at arlington_barron@yahoo.com by the end of this week in order to get a date sorted and to have an idea of numbers for catering purposes.

As you all know, the current CU Exec committees from all over Scotland are approaching their end of service as CU Leaders. So once again UCCF Scotland is providing for them their final CU Leaders Day on Saturday 16th February from 8-10am at Logie’s church. As usual, Dundee being the hosting city is providing the catering for about 80-100 people. I need the help of 8 students to fill in rolls, set up tables, etc. I know it’s an early morning, but ask anyone who has helped in the past, it is definitely worth it getting up early on a Saturday to serve God and then to make the most of your day.

Please if you are willing to offer a helping hand, get in touch with me at arlington_barron@yahoo.com Much appreciated!

This is a open course for anyone (non-Christians, Muslims, seekers, Mormons, Christians, etc) who would like to investigate Christianity for the first time, or just brush up on the basics. In a relaxed setting it addresses the questions of: Who Jesus is? - Why He came? - What it means to follow Him? Please invite friends and classmates along and/or come along yourself!

This session continues this Thursday 14th February and runs from 7:00 - 9:00 with a meal from 7:00 - 7:45 at Logies and St John’s Church. If you can’t make the meal - no problem, just come at 7:45 and grab a coffee! Please assure anyone that you’re inviting that they don’t need to know anything about the bible. They won’t be asked to read aloud, pray or sing; and no question is too simple or too hostile. Everyone is welcome and there’s plenty of scope for discussion. More details from Andrew Randall (andrew@logies.org) or 01382 520255.

P.S. - The course is run upstairs in the church, so please come through the back door, off Shaftesbury Avenue.

Alpha Course is for all those wanting to know more about the Christian faith. The course is running this Thursday 14th February from 6.30 pm in Borders bookshop. Best discussion is when there are more non-church goers than church goers - so bring a friend! For more information contact Craig Stocks on 01382 580853 or email cstocks@newfrontiersdundee.org.uk

The Tayside CUs Ball is taking place on Wednesday 13th February at the Invercarse Hotel, Dundee (end of the Perth Road). Ticket are £25 and include a full-on meal and a Ceilidh band for the dancing evening. Get your tickets from Malcolm (Malky) this week at CU on Thursday - LIMITED TICKETS!

Dare to be Digital 2008 has secured sponsorship from one of the world’s biggest media giants, Turner Broadcasting System Inc.Turner Broadcasting System Inc, owners of major news network CNN and part of the Time Warner group, is the first new sponsor to be announced for Dare 2008. The company’s sponsorship comes soon after confirmation that the University of Abertay Dundee, originators and promoters of Dare, would continue and increase its support for the competition this year.

Paul Durrant, Director of Dare to be Digital, welcomed Turner Broadcasting System Inc. as the first new sponsor for 2008, saying: “We are absolutely delighted to be partnering with TBS this year. Their support is a huge boost to our plans to raise £1 million to support Dare to be Digital for the next two years, and a measure of how seriously the contest is now regarded by major creative and media businesses around the planet. We plan to greatly increase the scope of this year’s competition, with almost twice as many students as in 2007, taking part in several host centres across the UK and perhaps even overseas as well.”

Turner Broadcasting System Inc. is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and the leading provider of programming for the basic cable industry.

Casey Harwood, Senior Vice President for Digital Media at Turner Broadcasting System Europe said, “We’re delighted to support ‘Dare to be Digital’ and any initiative that fosters talent and diversity within our industry. Gaming is a particularly high growth area, complementary to our own target audiences and digital output, and this sponsorship presents us with yet another opportunity to build on our understanding of the format and the range of emerging digital platforms.”

For more information about Turner Broadcasting System Inc., go to http://www.turner.com/about/index.html