I don’t know how many of you are aware, but there is a relatively new tv show on Netflix called Sweet Magnolias.  It premiered on May 19, one year ago and it is taken from the book series by the same title written by Sherryl Woods.  The book was then adapted and the scripts written by Sheryl Anderson who is a longtime writer for tv, the showrunner and also a member of Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Santa Monica, California.  There was an article in Living Lutheran in 2020 highlighting this show and how it has the potential to be a powerful stage for spreading a positive message which is so needed in our world today. This show could be a platform for millions of congregants. In case you missed it, I wanted to bring it to your attention.

What makes the show even more interesting to me and possibly you readers is this show takes place in the fictional town of Serenity, SC where the fictional ELCA church of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church has been created by Anderson and is the second home for the lead characters in this show.  While the church in the novel was not Lutheran, Ms. Anderson has depicted it as an ELCA congregation and the show displays the brandmark on the building.  This church also has a female pastor, Pastor June, who Sheryl has created to possess all the qualities she admires in ELCA pastors.

The show is secular in nature, but Ms. Anderson was able to include much of what is important to her faith as a Lutheran.  She states, “I’m not trying to speak the Small Catechism, but my world view is very much shaped by my faith.  The things that are important to me are grace, redemption and the power of coming together. Those ideals work, even if you don’t address them in theological terms.”

The three main characters in the novel/tv show all go to this ELCA church and are lifelong friends who support each other through the challenges of their businesses, love lives and child-rearing.  When they can’t find solace with each other, they can go to Pastor June with pressing questions.  She offers them counsel and understanding and offers them words of grace and hope.  She does not dictate but listens, suggests and guides them.

Anderson’s writing is supported by Pastor Eric Shafer, her own real-life pastor.  He tells us that Sheryl’s faith is easy to see in her work.  “She wants to show Christianity as loving and accepting of everyone, not hating and rejecting anyone.  She comes to her television work informed by a deep faith in God and the desire to show the world that regular Christians are people just trying to do good in this world”.

This is a wonderful show with great characters who are dealing with real life problems and it is easy to become involved with them as they go through their lives.  It is refreshing to watch a show that sends a positive message and even more important, is a witness for God’s unconditional love for us all the time.

Pastor Shafer said, “That Sheryl Anderson was able to put an ELCA congregation and pastor into her program is just a wonderful gift and bonus for our church”.

This is not a commercial for Sweet Magnolias, but an opportunity to see this show and its loving message of grace and hope.  Season One is over, but Season Two is getting ready to release soon.  If you have an interest, you may go to Netflix and pick up the first season and find out when season two will start.  Remember, God loves you unconditionally!

Patty