Unemployment: How Faith Communities Reach Out to Help (wt)

Aired 2011-12. With so many people in America out of work it has become a personal and family crisis for many. To give practical, emotional and spiritual support many faith communities started local programs to assist job seekers. The free workshops we visited were run by local professionals or by imported talent - and they were inspiring. Watch online

A Christmas for Everybody from The Church of St Paul & St Andrew United Methodist

Aired 2011-12. The Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church hosted  A Christmas Eve for Everybody. Located on the west side of Manhattan, the church has a multi -faceted ministry to and with the community. The program opened with the church pastor, the Rev. Dr. James “K” Karpen speaking about what A Christmas for Everybody means to the church and a video montage of the many gifts of ministry. A rabbi and imam who related to the church shared their thoughts and there was music with the choir and musicians, prayers and blessings.

Christmas Angels: ecumenical segments from UCC, ELCA, Episcopal

Aired 2011-12. Christmas AngelsPresented by the National Council of Churches USA; produced by the United Church of Christ

On a day when children all over the country will unwrap their gifts, one group of young people gave a special gift to the nation through a holiday TV special called Christmas Angels. The musical special celebrated Christmas through the music and memories of youth from different Christian denominations across the United States.

Coming Home: Hurricane Katrina Five Years Later

Aired 2011-12. Presented by the National Council of Churches USA; Produced by the Presbyterian ChurchUSA "You have to remember one thing when you drive through my city: behind every broken window...behind every boarded up empty house...There is a family trying to come home.” Wanda was one of the thousands of families left homeless or displaced following Hurricane Katrina. Five years later, some of these families were still trying to return home. The most destructive hurricane in U.S. history inspired a movement that brought thousands of volunteers from all over the world —taking leave from their jobs, their families— to work alongside families and communities desperately trying to return home. The documentary, "Coming Home: Hurricane Katrina 5 Years Later," gave insight into the relationships between volunteers and hurricane survivors and included stories of how they have touched each other’s lives.

 

Embracing Aging: Families Facing Change

Aired 2011-12. Presented by the National Council of Churches USA; Produced by Third Way Media

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“I would like to be able to embrace my later years but I’m still scared because I don’t know what’s going to happen,” says Randi Gedaliah of New York City in a documentary Embracing Aging: Families Facing Change produced by Third Way Media (formerly Mennonite Media). Gedaliah’s father, Harry Davis, 86, is one of the elders featured in the program. The documentary addresses the universal topic of aging through the eyes of five extended families from across the country. The program probes phases of aging, retirement, housing options, care issues and options, relationships,aging in different cultures, and the role of faith and the church.

 

Faith in Action: Young People Making a Difference

Aired 2011-12. Over recent decades various groups have worked to reduce tensions among various people in conflict. Programs have been developed to bring youth groups together to expose them to each other in ways that can increase common understanding and reduce hostility. Palestinians and Jewish youth and youngsters from Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic were among those programs we visited.

Haiti: Religion's Response to Disaster

Aired 2011-12. The world has seen what a major earthquake can do and the effect is all the greater when the victims are among the poorest. Haiti has a complex history, and people around the world know it, and turned their hands and hearts to help. The stories of heroic Haitians and of self-sacrificing outsiders were told, to remind us of the ongoing needs of our hurting neighbors.

Kepulihan: Stories from the Tsunami

Aired 2011-12. Kepulihan: Stories from the Tsunami Presented by the National Council of Churches USA; Produced by the Presbyterian ChurchUSA

'Kepulihan: Stories from the Tsunami' chronicles the struggles and triumphs of three survivors -- Yadi, Mahmud, and Damai -- as they rebuild their communities and reclaim their lives. Each survivor chose to be part of this project and actively participated in the process of production and documentation. As the filmmakers returned to Sumatra each year, survivors were able to view their interviews and stories from the previous year, reflect upon where they had been and share new stories in the time line of their recovery. The result is a unique time-lapse documentary that captures the healing and transformation of each individual, while leveraging the power of story to the survivors. They remind us that life does not end with each disaster but continues to be reclaimed with each day.

DVDs are available from 800-524-2612 or visit our website: http://thetsunamifilm.com/

Pascha: The Resurrection of Christ

Aired 2011-12. Presented by the National Council of Churches USA; Produced by the Greek Orthodox Church This program offered the viewer an opportunity to witness portions of the services leading to Orthodox Christian Pascha, featuring highlights of Holy and Great Week and focused on the deeply moving and ancient services that recount the Gospel narrative leading to the death and the Resurrection of Christ.  A beautiful narration explained the symbolism and relevance of the services and guides us through the week. Videotaped at Greek Orthodox Churches in New York, including the magnificent Archdiocesan Cathedral of the Holy Trinity, the climax of the program was the procession to the exterior of the Cathedral on Holy Saturday where Archbishop Demetrios of America proclaimed the Gospel of the Resurrection and lead the faithful in the joyous hymn, "Christ is Risen!"

Proving Holiness

Aired 2011-12. Presented by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops What does it take to make a saint? Proving Holiness answers that question by leading viewers through the Roman Catholic Church*s canonization process. Producers travel to Poland, Rome and El Salvador as well as throughout the United States to follow the cause of four individuals*each at a different stage of the process. Ken Woodward, former religion editor for Newsweek and author of *Making Saints,* shares his insights about this extraordinary effort. Produced by Daybreak Production, Diocese of Buffalo..

For a copy of the DVD, call 716-847-8721.

Service of Lessons and Carols from Historic Trinity Church on Wall Street

Aired 2011-12. Presented by the National Council of Churches USA Trinity Church, an Episcopal Parish in the city of New York  presents the Service of Lessons and Carols, featuring the acclaimed Trinity Choir. This beloved Anglican service traces the birth of the Messiah from prophecy to fulfillment in scripture and song.  Favorite Christmas carols and hymns are featured throughout the service, sung by the Trinity Choir and congregation.

Audio CD available from Trinity Church: http://www.trinitywallstreet.org/shop/products/a-service-of-lessons-carols-cd/

The Conscientious Objector

Aired 2011-12. Presented by the National Council of Churches USA; Produced by the Seventh-day Adventist Church The true story of Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who overcame ridicule for his refusal to carry a weapon, then distinguished himself as a fearless saver of lives on the battle fields of the Pacific during WWII. In one of the battles for Okinawa, unarmed and unprotected Doss saved the lives of 75 wounded men as well as that of his commanding officer, dragging them one at a time in the face of certain death to a cliff side where he lowered each of them by rope to the camp below. Some of the GI's he saved including his Captain, were those who had mistreated him, but his unselfishness and concern for their lives won him the respect of the Army and our Nation which awarded him The Congressional Medal of Honor.

DVDs are available: www.desmonddoss.com

Time to Say Goodbye

Aired 2011-12. As we are born, we know we will die. This program examined the thoughtful approaches used today to make the end of life less frightening, painful or isolating for patient and family. Hospice and other programs intertwined medical and psychological care with religion and spirituality to make this passage a time of reflection, reconciliation, and often of celebration for countless patients and their loved ones.

Easter from the Shrine of the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception

Aired 2009-10. Presented by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops The intimate setting of the Crypt Church at the Basilica of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception provides a perfect place to celebrate Christianity's holiest day, Easter Sunday. With Washington's vibrant faith community singing "Alleluia!" and with altar surrounded by mosaics of saints, the Easter Mass celebration unites the past and present believers who have responded to the Good News of the Risen Christ. The Most Rev. Paul Loverde, bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, Virginia, is the main celebrant and homilist.  Joining him on this day of joy is the Children's Choir of Queen of Apostles, Alexandria, Virginia.

American Ramadan

Aired 2009-10. Presented by the Islamic Society of North America An introspective view of how Muslims in America cope with their religious and cultural traditions, while balancing the western way of life, “American Ramadan” is required viewing for anyone that is an observer of humanity. Filmed on location in Dallas and Los Angeles, we followed the lives of five American Muslim families during the Month of Ramadan complemented by commentary from scholars from the three Abrahamic faiths.

214-282-4325 www.americanramadan.com

Callings

Aired 2009-10. Presented by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops All around us we meet people who seem to be more centered, more grounded, and more fulfilled than others. Perhaps they have more purpose in their lives, or a greater certainty of purpose. What they do each day isn’t a job or a career, but a calling – a response to an invitation from outside themselves. And they believe that similar opportunities are offered to us all if we stop, listen, and discern what that small voice inside us says. Former Oakland and Kansas City Royal Mike Sweeney, a marine biologist, a government official and others shared how they responded to their calling.

Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph