Traditionally in cafes there are opportunities not only for music, but also for dramatic readings. The Beat Poets (and when we say the name Jack Kerouac we always offer a toast: "To Jack!").Today we hear from BabyBlue as she presents a dramatic reading of the 815 New York Times Ad that ran in the paper on Sunday. It is also available at iTunes at the BabyBlueOnline podcast.
But please, do keep your banana cream pies on your plates. Otherwise it's kitchen duty for you.
LATER: The more we think about this 815 "ad" the more we think it's not aimed at those who might be thinking of becoming an Episcopalian - but at the wealthy donors who all ready are. One wonders if the wealthy and established Episcopalians (the ones who's roots actually stem back to the early pre-Revolution - you know who you are) may perhaps be needing a little encouragement from 815 not to rock the boat lest it completely capsize. This ad run in the New York Times seems to be aimed at the Episcopalian laity who are starting to figure out - with the September 30 deadline on the horizon - that things aren't so happy in Whoville after all and that there is indeed a deep division (notice how it poo poo's the "headlines" even as it is itself a "headline" in the fuu fuu New York Times).
Notice also how it emphasizes English - the foreigners it's okay to love - and not those other foreigners of color. Yes, this is aimed at the Old Families and perhaps the Radical Chic - the ones who trusted that their church would not be harmed, where George Washington's pews are carefully marked and the pedigree is chiefly defended (we went to one in college after all, box pews, 1698, the whole shabang).
We do wonder then, if 815 had to go to all the trouble to start a campaign called "Marking a Milestone" (which Ralinda humorously remarks in the comments that it's more like "Marking a Millstone") to rehabilitate the image of TEC (all those unfortunate lawsuits, those inhibitions, those defrockings - pay no attention to the man behind the curtain). Again, what makes this ad so fascinating is what it doesn't say - and what it doesn't say makes all the difference.
Gin & Tonic anyone?
12 comments:
More like "Marking a Millstone"
Me somewise thinks that the parishioners of that mud and wattle church of 1607 would recoil in horror at the though of being associated with the "Church of 815".
Interesting how we'll venerate one church where George Washington "frequented" while we war against another church where George Washington was a vestryman.
The mythology of the TEC continues.
Gin & Tonic? No thanks. Pass the butterbeer, please.
ER ... Ah ... I found a few elements in the dramatic reading I did not see in the original text ... I looked real hard too ... Oh well ...
I did like the background music, it almost brought a tear to my eye, like Teddy Roosevelt marching out of the 1912 GOP convention ... ahh ... those were the days weren't they ...
Fabulous reading!
I especially liked the oops: Come and expire.
Ohh Mary....
That was a great reading! Where do I nominate you for a Grammy?
I don't know what came over me. It must have been the butterbeer.
;-)
bb
BB: many thanks for a superb reading - perhaps "SNL" will come calling soon? btw, I think the Episcopal Church may need to change that "Welcomes You" notice on all those signs. Have you been reading some of the blogs where folks are upset that churches like Truro and TFC aren't sufficiently composed of "real" cradle Episcopalians? Apparently attracting those from other denominational backgrounds is a bad thing (you cannot make this stuff up). Some even accuse these non-Episcopalians (like Truro's poor Marie Pinney, quoted in the press following Bp. Minns' installation) as trying to remake Episcopal churches in their "low church" image. So, "the Episcopal Church Welcomes You" - unless you weren't here in the first place! BJM3
I think you are right that this ad is aimed at the old guard. Here is a critique of the ad from an advertising standpoint I sent to the Episcopal Communicators list server...
Layout:
My initial impression was, "Huh? This doesn't look like an ad." Which can be both a good or bad thing; in this case I'm leaning toward the later. A page of text is far from engaging—despite being well-written. And the headline doesn't help much. Honestly, I thought I was looking at the latest bulletin insert. Which is to say that something in this format has the best chance of being read when slipped in a bulletin and read during a snoozer of a sermon.
Body:
A well-worn rule of advertising is to only sell one thing at a time, to limit your audience to one message at a time. The body text is all over the place: Jamestown heritage, great buildings of the church, role of Episcopal Church in national history, diversity of thought, Anglican Communion, struggles, mission. Great items to promote, though ideally on their own.
Intended Audience:
One thing I've noticed after reading the ad is that I like what it has to say. On further reflection, it appears that the ad appeals well to established Episcopalians. It talks about all the things we're proud of (history, grand buildings, the BCP, diverse points of view). Which is great—if you are trying to rally the troops. However, the final sentence and bottom tagline and URLs imply the ad is aimed at evangelism and bringing in new members. Assuming that our focus remains aimed at my age group—young adults 25-40 (or whatever that age group is currently defined as), then I'm slightly bewildered by among other things...
--Placement in the Op-Ed page of the NYT (I get my news from the NYT, but from their free online email of headlines)
--In-talk: mentions of buildings, General Convention, the BCP
--Above-mentioned layout like a bulletin insert
Tagline:
The decision to feature two URLs leaves me confused: Which one do you want me to visit? Why are you giving me a choice?
Great work,BabyBlue!! I enjoyed your reading tremendously.
Connie
Brilliant, never gets old.
Thanks for the pick-me-up.
:)
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