ANDY RICE

I got an exciting package in my mail this week: CP's new DVD "Celebration
of Faith".

I've already watched it three times (!), and checked out the vanload of
extras again and again. I used my "pause" and "rewind" buttons A LOT,
because this DVD has sooo much in it, you can't get it all in one viewing.

It starts with a video presentation, narrated by Bobbi (with scripture
quotes read by Wes) about putting together the Retreat, the logistics,
prayer, and faith involved in getting everybody together from 5 continents.
Then some history (taken from the Presentation done at the Retreat) of Chuck
and CP. Then more about the Retreat. Lots of interviews with different
current and retired CPers, pieces of plays performed at Retreat ("There's a
whale in the motor pool!"), Catalysts sing Christina's song, "I'm a Covenant
Player", and more.

There are LOTS of pictures! They've crammed many different slideshows on
the disc, starting with photos of everybody at Retreat (we gathered for a
group shoot the fourth day), and shots of each indidvidual person at Retreat
(or it certainly seems so). Everybody has such cute kids!

In addition to slideshows from the Retreat, there are loads of classic CP
photos, many of which I've never seen before -- and I lived at Tanner Manor
for several summers! Plays, (and plays and plays), old black & whites of
Chuck, Dorie, Mel, Bill Skelton, Eleni-Dayle, Peter, units of all shapes &
sizes, vans, CPCC, promo shots from the movie "When Time Runs Out", and
more! I spent half my time calling out the names of individuals (or the
characters they played), and half racking my brain for the names of the
others!

It's been 7 months since Retreat (and years since my last one before
that), but this brought it all back again. The testimonies, prayers, and
spiritual insights of old friends (and some new folks I just met) got me
thinking (and thanking), and warm fuzzies abound. Now I've gotten myself
all excited -- I think I'll watch it again tonight :-)

Andy