Aired 2008-09. Presented by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops "Creativity: Touching the Divine" brought together artists and non-artists who have experienced the joyful tandem of spirituality and creativity. Viewers were inspired to rethink the possibility for creativity in their own lives, regardless of their circumstances or abilities. "Being creative means to develop the skill to listen, to silence the ego, and to let creativity come from the soul rather than the self," comments Thomas Moore, author of the best-selling Care of the Soul. Joining him were glass harpist Jamey Turner, who always seeks the extraordinary in the ordinary; and the late Madeleine L'Engle, who penned the young adult classic, A Wrinkle in Time; and Urban Family Institute founder Kent Amos of Washington, D.C., who lives the African axiom, "It takes a whole village to raise a child."
Everyone Prays in Holy Etchmiadzin
Aired 2008-09. Produced by Diva Communications
Presented by the National Council of Churches USA and the Armenian Church in North America Since its founding in 303 A.D., the Armenian Church and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin have fostered Christian unity and interfaith dialogue. From the Chief Rabbi of Israel to the Chief Mufti ofSyria, and from Popes to the Archbishop of Canterbury – Everybody Prays in Holy Etchmiadzin.
To purchase a copy of the film call 212 397-7259
Finding Hope in Recovery: Families Living with Addiction
Aired 2008-09. Presented by the National Council of Churches USA, produced by Mennonite Media Finding Hope in Recovery: Families Living with Addiction examines the role that chemical dependency plays in family dynamics. While the tragic results are apparent, the program emphasizes that with emerging forms of treatment, recovery is possible. For families willing to do the hard work, the effects of this disease can be reversed and families restored to health and wholeness.
Please contact Mennonite Media: www.MennoMedia.org
Fresco
Aired 2008-09. Presented by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops A half-million-dollar gamble. That's what The University of St. Thomas in Minneapolis took when it commissioned Mark Balma to create a fresco – a painting on wet lime plaster – for the vaulted atrium ceiling of its downtown campus and graduate school. The subject: the seven virtues as cited by the medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas. But how do you depict these ancient attributes in today's multi-cultural world? Fresco was an enlightening and challenging journey – for both the artist and the viewer.
Joy Dawned Again
Aired 2008-09. Presented by the National Council of Churches USA, produced by United Church of Christ As a congregation gathered to celebrate Easter worship, they experienced the power of the resurrection in an unexpected way. Current reality intersected the ancient narrative in John’s Gospel as the personal stories of Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Thomas come alive against the backdrop of our contemporary world. Music, storytelling, and the arts embraced the viewer by offering a radical hospitality that proclaims—no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at the empty tomb.
Sacred Objects & Symbols
Aired 2008-09. All the world’s religions have objects and artifacts that are used in varied rituals, or for prayer or identification. A statue, prayer rug, Menorah, candle, incense, Tabernacle, or a book of sacred writings, each have a deep meaning, and even special power within the various faith traditions. The program presented these symbols, their history, meaning and uses within the various faiths.
Voices of Christmas from the National Council of Churches USA
Aired 2008-09. Brought to you by CBS and the National Council of Churches USA CBS presented “The Voices of Christmas,” a TV special which aired on Christmas Eve, in observance of the 100th anniversary of the American ecumenical movement. It was hosted by Dr. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council of Churches. The program featured music from across a wide spectrum of the 35 Christian faith groups that make up the interdenominational Council.
Choirs and musicians from Presbyterian, African-American Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Moravian and Brethren traditions were featured, along with brief reflections on Christmas from clergy and laypersons from Methodist, Reformed, Orthodox, Episcopal and other Christian communions.
The hour-long program, which was seen on CBS stations across the nation, highlighted the National Council’s role in bringing together diverse Christian faith groups who discover and celebrate their unity in Christ as they work together in common mission in the spirit of the Christ child of Bethlehem.
This Christmas Eve special was produced by Bill Turpie, veteran producer of two long-running cable series: “America at Worship” on the Hallmark Channel and “Great Preachers” on the Odyssey Channel.
An Easter Celebration
Aired 2008-09. Produced by the Southern Baptist Broadcast Communications Group Easter is a celebration of hope and new beginnings. This program was an inspiring Easter service of hope from the 14,000-member First Baptist Church of Springdale, Arkansas. Held in the worship center located in the beautiful Ozark Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, the service included music by a 200-member choir and orchestra conducted by Buster Pray, the Minister of Worship, followed by a message from the church’s Senior Pastor, Dr. Ronnie Floyd.
A Visit to a Mosque
Aired 2007-08. Presented by the Islamic Society of North America This program gave viewers an intimate look inside the life of an American Muslim community. With so much misunderstanding about Islam in the world today, this production introduced Islam to a broad American audience by allowing Muslims to tell the story of who they are and what they believe. Members of the Mosque, from the Islamic Center of Greater Cincinnati and beyond, taught viewers about Islamic beliefs and worship. The program discussed common misconceptions about Islam, such as issues dealing with gender and violence, as well as Islamic education, interaction with other faiths and Muslim life in America.
A Marble Church Christmas
Aired 2007-08. Marble Collegiate Church, is the nation’s oldest Protestant ministry and historic landmark in New York City. This one hour special was hosted by Oscar-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden, and included such classic Christmas favorites as “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “The First Noel,” “Go Tell it On The Mountain,” “Joy to the World,” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing” performed by Marble’s exceptional choirs, as well as heartwarming stories from Senior Minister Dr. Arthur Caliandro. Internationally touring tenor Johan Botha and renowned American soprano Camellia Johnson also joined the choirs for soul-stirring renditions of “Behold a Star” and “O Holy Night.”
American Muslims: A Chance to Speak
Aired 2007-08. The war in the mid-east has increased our need to know our Muslim neighbors, those here for many generations, as well as those new to this country - a chosen country. American-Muslims wish to be known as a varied people, who seek peace and prosperity as much as those of other religions and cultures.
Building on Faith
Aired 2007-08. An interfaith religion special about the ongoing role of religion in bringing post-Katrina Mississippi back to life. The broadcast concentrated on Roman Catholic, Presbyterian and Methodist disaster relief organizations, but many other volunteers have participated in the years since the storm hit.
Christmas Special
Aired 2007-08. Presented by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops “The Perfect Light” focused on the journey of the magi, or three kings, as they follow the star to Bethlehem. This Christmas celebration, performed at St. Joseph Cathedral, South Dakota, featured the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Henry Charles Smith, along with tenors Scott Piper, Jeff Barnett and Matt Billion; concert pianist, Paul Sanchez; the Cathedral Choir, and actress, Vickie Fuller. There were also special appearances from St. Joseph Cathedral School children and the O’Gorman Concert Choir.
Tapes of this program are not available.
Come to the Water
Aired 2007-08. Come to the Water Presented by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
Atheists. Buddhists. Unchurched individuals. A fascinating group of adults came together to seek adult baptism into the Catholic Church. Come to the Water: The Adult Journey to Baptism followed both catechumens and candidates in the year-round process of adult education and initiation into the Catholic community, culminating with Baptism celebrated within the Easter Vigil. Filmed on location in the Pacific northwest and in the breath-taking interior of St. James Cathedral, Seattle, the program was a vibrant and moving experience of the adult spiritual journey.
Divining the Human: The Cathedral Tapestries of John Nava
Aired 2007-08. Divining the Human: The Cathedral Tapestries of John Nava Presented by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
What does it take to build a cathedral today in a major metropolitan city? "Divining the Human" explores the answer through the building of LA 's Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels and most specifically the creation of the tapestries that grace the interior. The thirty-seven individual works range in height from 15 to 45 feet. To render these massive tapestries, artist John Nava integrated twenty-first century technology with centuries-old artistic tradition. This compelling documentary shows the creation of art that now enhances the cathedral's themes of spiritual unity and ethnic diversity.
Embracing Aging: Families Facing Change
Aired 2007-08. Embracing Aging Presented by the National Council of Churches USA, produced by Mennonite Media
In the next 10-20 years, the baby boomer (1946-1964) generation will be full force in their retirement years. Our society needs new ideas, vision, and practical ways to revolutionize the coming care needs, and learn to embrace the later years in life. In this special, viewers will meet multiple generations of families confronting the difficult passages they face in aging. As viewers see other people dealing with aging and hear experts discuss what happens as we deal with these issues, they will find new insights and become more comfortable and equipped for their own aging.
Video (Broadband) -- Requires QuickTime: click here to download
Faith Works: Across the USA
Aired 2007-08. Faith Works: Across the USA Presented by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
For the millions of Roman Catholics living in the United States, there’s no “typical” day, but a tapestry of ways in which each member of the Church lives out their faith. Faith Works looked at “typical” days in the lives of several Catholics--a New Orleans restaurateur who served up vital job skills to inner city youth before Hurricane Katrina and who returned to "cook up" something better, and a mother who started a Children of Chernobyl chapter in Boston. From coast to coast, these individuals provided a sense of the breadth, depth and diversity of Catholic ministry in our nation.
Joy Dawned Again
Aired 2007-08. DVD copies of this program are available by calling 1-800-537-3394 Easter Liturgical: Joy Dawned Again
Presented by the National Council of Churches USA, produced by United Church of Christ
As a congregation gathers to celebrate Easter worship, they experience the power of the resurrection in an unexpected way. Current reality intersects the ancient narrative in John’s Gospel as the personal stories of Peter, Mary Magdalene and Thomas come alive against the backdrop of our contemporary world. Music, storytelling and the arts embrace the viewer by offering a radical hospitality that proclaims—no matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you are welcome at the empty tomb.
DVD and VHS copies of this program are available by calling 1-800-537-3394
Never Far From God
Aired 2007-08. Presented by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops
"Never Far from God" highlighted how separation from family and friends strengthens people's need for a special connection to the faith community. Lt. Karl Nielson was in an unusual place for a Benedictine monk. A Navy reserve officer, he was assigned chaplain to the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit during an eight month deployment. Sr. Adele Appleby is a tiny woman who looked out of place inside the walls of Valley State Prison for Women in Chowchilla, California. But, despite her small stature, she was a big part of the loves of many women incarcerated there, bringing them hope and healing.
Strong Roots, Fragile Farms
Aired 2007-08. Strong Roots, Fragile Farms Presented by the National Council of Churches USA
Here in the United States, family farmers employ people, allow local businesses to thrive and are more ecologically friendly to the environment than large, industrial farms. Yet a growing crisis reveals farmers struggling to hold on to their farms, and farming families in a financial struggle to preserve a tradition for the next generation. Although the food situation in the U.S. is better than almost any other nation, family farms are dying. American farmers are not the only ones struggling to stay alive. Globalization of farming is a worldwide problem that impacts us all. This documentary shed light on the farm crisis through personal stories, profiling farm families in Iowa and North Carolina, the Philippines, Mexico and Africa. We followed the families as they planted crops, cultivated and harvested. They told their own stories and showed us how globalization affects their lives everyday.