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Thursday, November 30, 2006

 

Catholic Digest forms partnership with National Council of Catholic Women


For Immediate Release
Contact: Kathleen Stauffer, publisher
December 2006
1.860.437.3012 ext. 180
Catholic Digest
E-mail: kstauffer@bayard-inc.com

Visit us online: http://www.catholicdigest.com/


NEW LONDON, Conn. - Catholic Digest and the National Council of Catholic Women have announced a new and exciting partnership for success, a plan that benefits two of America’s oldest Catholic institutions.

Beginning in 2007 and continuing through 2008, NCCW and CD will cooperatively promote one another’s missions to mutual advantage. Each of NCCW’s 50,000+ members will have the option of enhancing her membership, and the result will benefit NCCW’s bottom line financially while boosting Catholic Digest’s circulation. This fundraising opportunity can greatly expand the NCCW mission and outreach worldwide while improving the reach and scope of Catholic Digest’s current 2.4 million readership.

“We are eager to give women the opportunity to join with other Catholic women nationwide who strive to live their faith and serve the church,” says NCCW President Ellen Bachman, “and we are delighted to also offer them the opportunity to enrich this faith by reading Catholic Digest.”

Catholic Digest President and Publisher Kathleen Stauffer agrees. “This is a wonderful opportunity for two established Catholic institutions to further their missions via mutual empowerment,” says Stauffer.

For 70 years, Catholic Digest has empowered, informed, and entertained Catholics to live more active, meaningful, and satisfying lives. And, for 85 years the National Council of Catholic Women has moved women to make a difference in the world, to take an active role in bettering their neighborhoods and themselves. Both NCCW and CD have continued to offer people meaningful tools for everyday, inspired living.

Note: Excerpts and quotations permitted. Credit Catholic Digest and original source, if applicable. For more information, call or e-mail Kathleen Stauffer, publisher, 860.437.3012 ext. 180; kstauffer@bayard-inc.com. Catholic Digest is a national monthly of 325,000 circulation located in New London, Connecticut, and published by the Bayard Consumer Magazine Division.


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About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
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Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Program Listings for December 1, 2006

A Production of Thirteen/WNET New York

** MEDIA ADVISORY ** MEDIA ADVISORY ** MEDIA ADVISORY **


This week’s edition of the PBS newsmagazine program RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY (distributed Friday, December 1 at 5 p.m., check local listings) will feature the following reports:

* Cover Story: “Pope Benedict XVI’s Trip to Turkey” — Kim Lawton reports on Pope Benedict XVI’s historic trip to Turkey and talks with host Bob Abernethy about the pontiff’s efforts to heal relations between Muslim and Christians.

* Profile: “Scott Neeson” — Lucky Severson talks with former Hollywood executive Scott Neeson about his current job helping the disadvantaged children of Cambodia. (Rebroadcast from February 3, 2006)

Web link: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/week923/profile.html

To request a transcript of any of these reports, send an e-mail to schultzm@religionethics.org or use the Web link listed above to access the Profile report. A transcript and streaming video of the Cover Story segment will be available after 8:30 p.m. on Friday at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics.

For information, contact:
Mary Schultz
Director of Communications
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
202-216-2394
schultzm@religionethics.org

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About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

Wednesday, November 29, 2006

 

Craig Taubman Rocks Hanukkah 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dahlia Greer - 310-339-1060
Michael Crowley - 818-760-1077

Los Angeles, Nov. 29, 2006 ... Craig Taubman, a name long synonymous with Progressive Jewish Music, is now becoming synonymous with Hanukkah Rock. Throughout the Holiday Season, Taubman's music will light up airwaves, stores, college campuses and concerts across the country.

XM Satellite Radio will play tracks from Taubman's CDs on its Hanukkah Channel starting December 15, including trance and funk tunes from The Hanukkah Lounge, and folk rock from Celebrate Hanukkah, with guest artists such as Debbie Friedman and Peter Yarrow.

PBS will air 'A Chanukah Celebration' in mid-December, featuring Taubman performing his fans' holiday favorites, along with guests Theodore Bikel and Fran Drescher.

For the first time, Taubman's CDs are making for easy holiday gift purchases at major retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Borders, Best Buy, and Virgin Records, as well as on Amazon.com and itunes.com.

Taubman's newest release, The Shabbat Lounge, is set to break holiday Jewish music sales records among Gen X Jews, with its chillin'-at-the-club vibe.

Families and temples across the country are sending holiday care-packages to college students, made up of Taubman's CDs, Krispy Kreme donuts and Jelly Belly jellybeans through "The College Connection" program, sponsored by Krispy Kreme.

For more information on Taubman, and to arrange for review CDs, photos and interviews, please call 818-760-1077 or 310-339-1060, visit www.craignco.com, or email dahliagreer@zimandla.com.

*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

 

Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards To Meet on December 5th and 6th in New York City

Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards To Meet on December 5th and 6th in New York City On Issue of Homosexuality and Halakha (Jewish Law)

Five Papers to Be Presented by Leading Lights of Conservative Movement Meeting to be Held at the Park Avenue Synagogue


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Shira Dicker
212. 663.4643/917.403.3989

New York, NY, (November 29, 2006) – The eyes of the religious world will be focused on Manhattan’s Upper East Side on December 5th and 6th as the Committee of Jewish Law and Standards (CJLS) of the Rabbinical Assembly meets to discuss and debate the subject of Homosexuality and Halakhah, or Jewish Law.

The Rabbinical Assembly is the international professional association of Conservative rabbis. The CJLS is the central halakhic authority for the Conservative movement, which represents more than two million Jews worldwide.

The CJLS last addressed the question of homosexuality in 1992 when a position arguing for the permission of gay and lesbian ordination and commitment ceremonies was rejected. At the same time, several papers arguing against such permission were approved, together with a Consensus Statement that has guided Conservative movement policy to date.

At the meeting on December 5th and 6th, to be held at the Park Avenue Synagogue at 50 East 87th Street at Madison Avenue, five papers will be presented by some of the leading lights of the Conservative movement. All the papers will react and respond to the movement’s current ruling concerning homosexuality. It is anticipated – but not guaranteed – that a vote will take place at the conclusion of the meeting.

A press conference is scheduled to take place at 2:30 pm on December 6th at the synagogue. Members of the press must RSVP ahead of time to Shira Dicker at 917.403.3989 or shira.dicker@sd-media.com.

The authors of the papers being presented at the December meeting are:

* R. Elliot N. Dorff, R. Daniel S. Nevins and R. Avram Reisner
* R. Joel Roth
* R. Myron S. Geller, R. Robert E. Fine and R. David J. Fine
* R. Gordon Tucker
* R. Leonard Levy

Aside from the authors of the papers, who will be called upon to read their papers, the two-day meeting will be open to members of the CJLS, heads of the Conservative movement and a limited number of Rabbinical and Cantorial School students.

The proceedings will be private until the press conference at the conclusion of the meeting on December 6th. A comprehensive press kit – with the history of the CJLS and information on historic votes – is available upon request. The papers of participants will not be available until after the meeting.

The advisory nature of the CJLS necessitates that even if a vote takes place that overturns the current ruling forbidding homosexual behavior, it will be up to each individual rabbi or congregation within the movement to choose to adhere to the new policy…or not, cautioned Rabbi Joel Meyers, executive vice president of the Rabbinical Assembly.

“Since the CJLS is an advisory rather than a judiciary body, its decisions are not binding in a legal or enforceable sense, on members of the Rabbinical Assembly,” explained Rabbi Meyers. “Since the CJLS’s function is to advise Conservative rabbis on matters of Jewish law, there are times when it offers multiple options of interpretation.”

The Conservative movement is greatly concerned with maintaining its bonds to Jewish tradition and halakhic integrity even as it undertakes a topic of great social relevance and controversy – the question of whether homosexuality might be considered normative. The CJLS has met several times over the past three years in consideration of this matter.

The December meeting of the CJLS was chosen as the setting for this decisive gathering when the committee met this past March. Four papers by leading scholars of the movement were presented at that meeting.

In addition to its March and December meetings, the CJLS also typically meets in June and September.

Before March of 2006, the CJLS reviewed the issue at its April 2005 meeting and prior to that, in 1992, when it emphasized the acceptance of gays and lesbians within congregational life yet upheld the biblical injunction against homosexual behavior.

Although there are a range of views currently held by members of the Committee, the spirit of recent discussions is one that seeks to involve gay and lesbian Jews in Conservative Jewish communities in much fuller ways, obliging them to religious and communal responsibilities, and extending to them membership and leadership rights to the greatest extent permitted by halakhah (Jewish law).

At the conclusion of its meeting this past March, the CJLS affirmed a four-point Statement for the Conservative Community, which was originally drafted at the conclusion of the April 2005 meeting. It reads as follows:

* At the heart of the Torah is the concept of holiness (kedushah) expressed in its command, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord am holy.” Flowing from this declaration are policies regulating the spiritual, ritual, social and sexual lives of Jews. Kiddushin, the sanctification of love in heterosexual marriage, is a centerpiece of Jewish life.

* For a variety of reasons, the Jewish ideal of heterosexual marriage is unrealistic for some Jews. We emphatically recognize the human dignity (k’vod habriot) of all such individuals, and invite them to participate within our religious communities.

* Recalling the Torah’s command, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself, I am the Lord,” we rededicate our movement to making its congregations and educational institutions inclusive and welcoming of all Jews regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation.

* The parameters of sexual conduct for gay and lesbian Jews, their eligibility for admission to rabbinical and cantorial school, and commitment ceremonies remain the subject of a lively debate within the ongoing deliberations of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards.

The CJLS is the sole body empowered to deal with, and rule on halakhic issues within the Conservative movement. Chaired by Rabbi Abelson since 1992, it is composed of 25 rabbis and 6 non-rabbinical members who are non-voting and who serve on a rotating basis for a period of at least 5 years. A list of committee members is appended to this release.

The Rabbinical Assembly, founded in 1901, is the international association of Conservative rabbis. The Assembly actively promotes the cause of Conservative Judaism, publishes learned texts, prayer books and works of Jewish interest, and administers the work of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards for the Conservative movement.

The Committee on Jewish Law and Standards has been functioning since 1927 as a guide for the Conservative Movement in matters of Jewish law.

# # #

For further information on this matter or any other matter relating to the Rabbinical Assembly or to the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards or the two-day meeting on December 5th and 6th, or to RSVP for the press conference at 2:30 pm on December 6th at the Park Avenue Synagogue, please contact Shira Dicker at 212.663.4643/917.403.3989 or by e-mail at shira.dicker@sd-media.com or visit www.rabbinicalassembly.org.



About the Authors of the Papers

RABBI JOEL ROTH, ordained at JTS in 1968, is the Louis Finkelstein Professor of Talmud and Jewish Law at JTS and Rosh Yeshiva of the Conservative Yeshiva in Jerusalem.

RABBI ELLIOT DORFF, ordained at JTS in 1970, is Rector and the Sol and Anne Dorff Distinguished Service Professor of Philosophy at the University of Judaism, and Vice Chairman of the CJLS.

RABBI AVRAM ISRAEL REISNER, ordained at JTS in 1977, is Adjunct Assistant Professor at Baltimore Hebrew University.

RABBI MYRON S. GELLER, ordained at Torah Vadaath in 1959, is Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Ahavat Achim in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

RABBI ROBERT E. FINE, ordained at JTS in 1973, is Interim Rabbi of Beth Torah in Ocean, New Jersey.

RABBI DAVID J. FINE, ordained at JTS in 1999, is Rabbi of Shaarei Tikvah, the Scarsdale Conservative Congregation in Scarsdale, New York.

RABBI GORDON TUCKER, ordained at JTS in 1975 is Rabbi of Temple Israel Synagogue Center in White Plains, NY

RABBI DANIEL S. NEVINS, ordained at JTS in 1994 is Rabbi of Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farmington Hills, MI

RABBI LEONARD LEVY, ordained at JTS in 1984, is Rabbi of The Jewish Center of Forest Hills West in Middle Village, New York


Rabbinical Assembly Committee on Jewish Law and Standards
Chairman: Rabbi Kassel Abelson
Vice Chairman: Rabbi Elliot Dorff

2006

Rabbi Ben Zion Bergman – Univ of Judaism, Bel Air, CA
Rabbi Robert Fine – Cong. B’nai Israel, Rumson, NJ
Hazzan Sheldon Levin* -- Neve Shalom, Metuchen, NJ
Rabbi Aaron Mackler – Duquesne Univ. Theology Dept, Pittsburgh, PA
Rabbi Joseph Prouser – Little Neck Jewish Center, Little Neck, NY
Rabbi Paul Schneider – Krieger Schechter Day School, Baltimore, MD
Dr. Marilyn Wind – Bethesda, MD

2007

Rabbi Jerome Epstein – United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, NYC
Rabbi Susan Grossman – Beth Shalom Congregation, Columbia, MD
Rabbi Vernon Kurtz – North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, Highland Park, IL
Rabbi Avram Reisner – Baltimore, MD
Mr. Mark Rotenberg* -- Minneapolis, MN
Rabbi Gordon Tucker – Temple Israel Center, White Plains, NY

2008

Rabbi Kassel Abelson – Beth El Synagogue, Minneapolis, MN
Rabbi Pamela Barmash – Washington University, St. Louis, MO
Mr. Marc Gary* – Atlanta, GA
Rabbi Myron Geller – Temple Ahavat Achim, Gloucester, MA
Rabbi Paul Plotkin – Temple Beth Am, Margate, FL
Rabbi Joel Roth – The Jewish Theological Seminary, NYC

2009

Mr. Franklin Kreutzer* -- Miami, FL
Rabbi Leonard Levy – The Jewish Theological Seminary, NYC
Rabbi Alan Lucas – Temple Beth Sholom, Roslyn Heights, NY
Rabbi Daniel Nevins – Adat Shalom Synagogue, Farmington Hills, MI
Rabbi Mayer Rabinowitz – The Jewish Theological Seminary, NYC
Rabbi Philip Scheim – Beth David B’nai Israel Beth Am, Toronto, Ont., CA

2010

Rabbi Elliot Dorff – University of Judaism, Bel Air, CA
Rabbi Myron Fenster – Roslyn, NY
Rabbi Israel Francus – The Jewish Theological Seminary, NYC
Rabbi Baruch Frydman-Kohl – Beth Tzedec Cong., Toronto, Ont., CA
Ms. Rosalind Judd* -- Albany, NY
Rabbi Loel Weiss – Temple Beth Am, Randolph, MA


Secretary

Rabbi Melissa Crespy – The Rabbinical Assembly, NYC

Ex-Officio

Rabbi Perry Raphael Rank – Midway Jewish Center, Syosset, NY
Rabbi Joel Meyers – The Rabbinical Assembly, NYC


* Non-Voting Members

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About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

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NK Protests Saturday

Rallies At Chinese Consulates Focus On Inhumane Treatment

SANTA ANA, Calif. – As a result of the harsh treatment of North Korean refugees by China, the North Korea Freedom Coalition is planning an International Protest Against China’s Violent Repatriation of North Korean Refugees. On Saturday, Dec. 2, protests will be held at Chinese consulates in major cities around the world.

Open Doors USA, an international non-profit Christian ministry which supports and strengthens persecuted believers, is a member of the North Korea Freedom Coalition.

“We must raise our voices together against China's violent repatriation of North Korean refugees,” says North Korea Freedom Coalition Chairman Suzanne Scholte. “The plan for the protest is simple: Where ever you are in the world, go to the nearest Chinese embassy or consulate office at noon Dec. 2 to take a stand for the suffering North Korean refugees in China. They are being hunted down by the Chinese authorities and forced to return to North Korea where they face torture, imprisonment and even execution for the ‘crime’ of leaving their country.”

Open Doors USA Advocacy Coordinator Lindsay Vessey adds: “The protests are a way of pressuring the Chinese government to comply by their obligations under the U.N. Convention on Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol. Under this convention, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) should have access to the North Koreans refugees hiding in China and be able to protect and help them find asylum in other countries like the U.S. and South Korea. Yet, China is deporting refugees back to North Korea where they face terrible punishment.

“The Chinese government needs to know that Christians around the world are aware and care about the government’s flagrant human rights violations and that we are committed to praying and assisting these refugees. Please consider joining thousands around the world protesting against this injustice and praying for the refugees, many of whom are Christians.”

Protests/prayer vigils – all starting at noon local time – at Chinese consulates in the United States include:

* Los Angeles, 443 Shatto Place
* Houston, 3417 Montrose Boulevard
* Chicago, 100 West Erie Street
* Washington, DC, 2300 Connecticut Avenue NW

Other protests will be held in Australia, Canada, Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Japan, Norway, Poland, South Korea (on Dec. 3) and United Kingdom.

There is also a North Korean Refugee Fax Campaign. To send a fax to Zhou Wenzhong, Chinese Ambassador to the United States, go to the Open Doors USA Web site at www.opendoorsusa.org.

The North Korea Freedom Coalition is a bipartisan coalition of religious, human rights and non-governmental Korean and American organizations whose primary purpose is to bring freedom to the North Korean people and to ensure that the human rights component of United States and world policy towards North Korea receives priority attention. The North Korea Freedom Coalition Web site is www.nkfreedom.org.

(For more information or to set up an interview, contact Jerry Dykstra at 616-915-4117 or email jerryd@odusa.org.)

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About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

 

Churches Nationwide Unite to Host Special Advance Screening of New Line Cinema’s The Nativity Story

More Than 50,000 Christians Expected To Attend Simultaneous Screenings

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 27, 2006) – On Monday, November 27th, more than 100 churches nationwide will host simultaneous advance screenings of New Line Cinema’s The Nativity Story in a unique event expected to draw more than 50,000 churchgoers eager to see the true story of Christmas. The Nativity Story, which is scheduled for a Dec. 1st release in the U.S., will open in territories worldwide throughout the month of December.

“The anticipation for the release of The Nativity Story within the Christian community is gaining momentum, and it has allowed us to put together this unique event,” says Rolf Mittweg, New Line’s President and COO of Worldwide Distribution and Marketing. “Similar to the world premiere at the Vatican, the scope of this event speaks volumes about the way people are embracing the film.”

The Nov. 27th screenings of The Nativity Story, which will take place in nearly every major market in the U.S., have drawn participation from a cross-section of Christian denominations, including numerous Catholic Archdioceses, Evangelical megachurches, and Mainline Protestant congregations among others.

“For 50,000 Christians to come together at the same time to screen The Nativity Story is a testament to the extraordinary power of this film and to the timeless message it conveys,” says Paul Braoudakis, communications director for Willow Creek Church, one of the largest Protestant churches in the country and a participant in the event.

Mark Crow, Senior Pastor at the Victory Church in Oklahoma City says, “In this season of unrelenting commercialism, it’s refreshing to have a film like The Nativity Story to remind us all what Christmas is really about. It’s our intention to use this screening to share the real story of Joseph and Mary’s journey with people in our community.”

Mother Assumpta, Foundress of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Detroit adds, “Gathering Catholics and all people together across the country on the same night to view The Nativity Story is a wonderful way to proclaim that now, more than ever, mankind thirsts for the unconditional love of God in a world of chaos and noise. The premiere of this movie is perfectly timed to help us focus on what is most important in the weeks of Advent that lead up to Christmas.”

The Nativity Story chronicles the arduous journey of two people, Mary and Joseph, a miraculous pregnancy, and the history-defining birth of Jesus. This dramatic and compelling story comes to life in a major motion picture starring Academy Award® nominee Keisha Castle-Hughes (Whale Rider) as Mary, Oscar Isaac (upcoming Guerrilla) as Joseph, and Academy Award® nominee Shoreh Aghdashloo (House of Sand and Fog) as Elizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist. The Nativity Story is directed by Catherine Hardwicke (Thirteen, Lords of Dogtown) from a screenplay by Mike Rich (The Rookie, Finding Forrester).

About New Line Cinema Corporation:
Founded almost 40 years ago, New Line Cinema is the most successful independent film company in the world. Its mission is to produce innovative, popular and profitable entertainment in the best creative environment. In addition to the production, marketing and distribution of theatrical motion pictures, the fully-integrated studio has divisions devoted to home entertainment, television, music, theater, merchandising and an international unit. In 2005, New Line partnered with HBO to form Picturehouse, a new theatrical distribution company to release independent films. A pioneer in franchise filmmaking, New Line’s Oscar-winning The Lord of the Rings trilogy is one of the most successful film franchises in history. New Line is a division of Time Warner, Inc. (TWX).

For all media requests, please contact:

Grace Hill Media
Tara Shaffer
(818) 762-0000
tshaffer@gracehillmedia.com

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About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

 

Preeminent "Religious Freedom" Organization, the American Center for Law & Justice Joins Order of St. Andrew Efforts for the Ecumenical Patriarchate



WASHINGTON, D.C., November 27, 2006 -- "The Order of St. Andrew's efforts to help the endangered Ecumenical Patriarchate now have another very powerful ally - a preeminent advocate for "religious freedom," the American Center For Law and Justice (ACLJ) headquartered in Washington, DC," said Dr. Anthony Limberakis, the head of the Order in America.

"Already the ACLJ's Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow helped us to explain the plight of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to his radio audience over 650 radio stations across America reaching over 1.5 million Americans. We look forward to additional exposure of this crisis during Sekulow's weekly television broadcast that is carried over Trinity Broadcasting Network and FamilyNet, as well as during his many national television network appearances." Sekulow stated, "The survival of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey is the most important religious freedom case in Europe. This historic pillar of the Christian Faith is facing extinction. This will not only be a huge loss for Greek Orthodox Christians, but for all of Christianity. We are committed to standing with our brothers at this most critical time."

Limberakis added, "Of even greater importance to the future existence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate is the ACLJ's efforts with the Order of St. Andrew in the European Court of Human Rights located in Strasbourg, France. That is handled through their European Center for Law and Justice (the ECLJ). Sekulow and ECLJ's top-flight international lawyers will, in cooperation with the Order, coordinate the landmark court case."

At the Religious Freedom Summit held at the Washington offices of the ACLJ on November 17, 2006, the Legal Committee of the Order of St. Andrew voted to retain the acclaimed human rights attorney Mark Muller, QC of London, England to investigate the possibility of filing a claim in the European Court of Human Rights against the Republic of Turkey regarding religious freedom violations perpetrated against the Ecumenical Patriarchate.

"Thankfully, the ACLJ realizes the historical significance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in all Christendom how critical it is to prevent its asphyxiation," said Limberakis. "This same concern is reflected in a recent U.S. Senate letter about this matter to President George W. Bush that was signed by an overwhelming majority -- 73 Senators. It refers to the religious freedom crisis in Turkey that threatens the survival of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as, `a religious tragedy of historic magnitude.'

"The ACLJ's extraordinary commitment to this crisis is reflective of the importance of the Ecumenical Patriarchate to all of Christianity and to all religions - Christians, Jews and Muslims. This quality of the Ecumenical Patriarchate was also demonstrated when more Members of the U.S. Congress cosponsored the bill to bestow the Congressional Gold Medal on Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew than any bill in recorded Congressional history.

"The recent actions of the ACLJ and the U.S. Senate demonstrate a great opportunity for Turkey. The perception of Turkey and its historic claim of 'religious tolerance' can benefit greatly by affording 'religious freedom' to the Ecumenical Patriarchate," Limberakis concluded.

For more information, contact Mike Manatos at 202-441-3979 or Andy Manatos at 202-441-3978.

*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

 

Thirteen/WNET New York Presents Picturing Mary

Thirteen/WNET New York Presents Picturing Mary, a Stirring Visual Homage to a Worldwide Icon That Takes Viewers on an Artistic Journey Through History, Premiering December 2006 on Public Television

"She is fairer than the sun and surpasses every constellation of the stars. Compared to light, she takes precedence. For she is the refulgence of eternal light, the spotless mirror of the power of God."

- Inscription surrounding Jan van Eyck's painting, "Madonna of Canon Van Der Paele"

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, November 15, 2006 According to the Gospel of Luke, Mary the mother of Jesus, was a Jewish maiden, but no one knows for certain what she actually looked like. For almost two millennia, however, artists have imagined her face, her expressions, even her emotional state, in every medium, with every imaginable material, on a scale from tiny personal images to gigantic mosaics. Drawing on various faiths and traditions, Thirteen/WNET's PICTURING MARY explores how the image of Mary has provided a global mother-figure that has been used to protect cities and even become a national symbol.

PICTURING MARY premieres in December and will be distributed to public television stations nationwide by American Public Television (APT) (check local listings). The film is narrated by actress Jane Seymour and features quotations read by actor James Keach. PICTURING MARY is a follow-up to 2001's critically acclaimed, Emmy Award-winning THE FACE: JESUS IN ART.

PICTURING MARY, a one-hour program that takes viewers on an artistic journey through history from the earliest times to the present day, offers viewers a visually stunning array of art from twelve locations in eight different countries.

"Not everyone is able to travel to Rome, Mexico or Ethiopia to view first-hand some of the world's most personal and important works of art," said William F. Baker, president of Thirteen/WNET New York and PICTURING MARY executive producer. "With this film, shot with the latest, high-definition technology, we can bring the art right to our viewers. It's an extraordinary, you-are-there opportunity to see artistic masterpieces in their original settings, within the context of history."

Through depictions of local life and culture, PICTURING MARY demonstrates how images of Mary remain a part of peoples' lives today - in Europe, Africa, America, and Asia, - just as they were hundreds of years ago when they were first created. In its global exploration, PICTURING MARY allows viewers to marvel over Titian's 22-foot-high "Assumption," to bask in the glow of Michelangelo's "Madonna of the Steps," and to be enveloped in the mournful aura of his "Pietà." The Italian Renaissance sculptor and painter returned to the subject of Mary and her son throughout his life in a series of thoughtful and moving sculptures, drawings and paintings.

In a marriage of beautifully rendered art and fascinating history, PICTURING MARY travels to the charming Belgian city of Bruges to observe paintings by van Eyck, whose innovative use of the new medium of oil painting was employed to astonishing effect on full size pictures of Mary. In the Dutch city of Amsterdam, Rembrandt van Rijn created hundreds of etchings, prints and drawings, establishing himself as the greatest illustrator of Scripture ever. Devoted to realism, Rembrandt depicts Mary in "Death of the Virgin" not as the lovely youth often seen, but as a sick old woman.

Through the use of the latest widescreen HD technology, from the Basilica of Guadalupe to Siena, Ethiopia and beyond, PICTURING MARY shows viewers masterpieces as they've never been seen before. By the end, it is easy to see why - in a passage from the "Song of Songs" - Mary is described as "Beautiful as the moon, as resplendent as the sun, as awe-inspiring as bannered troops."

PICTURING MARY is a production of Thirteen/WNET New York and The Edge Facilities Ltd., in association with the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Executive producers are William F. Baker and Mons. Francis J. Maniscalco. The film is directed by Martin Johnson and produced by Rosemary Plum. The director of photography is Chris Hartley. The composer is Matthew Scott. The film is written by James Clifton.

PICTURING MARY is made possible by James and Judy Boyle, Abby and George O'Neill, The Boisi Family Foundation, The Aztec Foundation, Mr. and Mrs. Mark Berner, Our Sunday Visitor Foundation, and Sandra Robinson.
.............
Thirteen/WNET New York is one of the key program providers for public television, bringing such acclaimed series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Charlie Rose, Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, Wide Angle, Secrets of the Dead, and Cyberchase - as well as the work of Bill Moyers - to audiences nationwide. As the flagship public broadcaster in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut metro area, Thirteen reaches millions of viewers each week, airing the best of American public television along with its own local productions such as The Ethnic Heritage Specials, The Thirteen Walking Tours, New York Voices, and Reel New York. Thirteen extends the impact of its television productions with educational and community outreach projects - including the Celebration of Teaching and Learning in Spring 2006. And as broadcast and digital media converge, Thirteen is blazing trails in the creation of Web sites, enhanced television, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, educational software, and other cutting-edge media products. More information about Thirteen can be found at: www.thirteen.org.
.............
Press Contact:

Kristin Fellows
FELLOWS & FELLOWS ltd
828.253.2296
kfellows@charter.net

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About Religion Press Release Services
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The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

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Christians Challenge Boundaries in Higher Education


Press Release
For More Information, Contact Nick Lantinga:
712-722-6343/712-722-1617/nick@dordt.edu

Date: November 22, 2006



Granada, Nicaragua. Building on the dramatic expansion of Christian Higher Education (CHE) worldwide, 145 delegates from 34 countries met for 5 days in Nicaragua. Congreso Internacional 2006 (CI06), hosted by The Polytechnic University of Nicaragua (UPOLI), was the 7th global conference conducted by the International Association for the Promotion of Christian Higher Education (IAPCHE), with offices at Dordt College in the United States.

Challenging the view dominant in most of higher education in the West, delegates discussed they ways in which their shared worldview directs and shapes their work across a wide variety of disciplines. Further, delegates recognized that their work must prepare students for service throughout the world.

Executive Director Dr. Nick Lantinga emphasized the connection between this vision and two famous Christian thinkers, C.S. Lewis and Abraham Kuyper: “Both Kuyper and Lewis employed nearly identical phrases declaring the Lordship of Jesus Christ over ‘every square inch’ of Creation. Since our first conference in Africa 31 years ago, IAPCHE has promoted that discussion around the world.”

Rev. Dr. José Alcántara, professor at Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico, the newly elected chair of the Board, celebrated the “extraordinary spirit of trust that prevailed, even during disagreement and debate. Although our delegates come from institutions supported by a wide variety of denominations, we all hold one faith. We are united in our task.” Reflecting the rising membership from around the world, Alcántara was elected as the first Chair of the Board to come from outside North America.

During his summary keynote speech, Dr. Joel Carpenter, Director of the Nagel Institute for the Study of World Christianity at Calvin College in the United States, remarked on the extraordinary ability of IAPCHE to adapt to the new international context of CHE. “Over the last 20 years, hundreds of new colleges have started in some of the most unlikely places, changing Christian Higher Education in fruitful ways. The largely fragmented North and West have much to learn from the more wholistic South and East.”

CI06 delegates came from the following countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, England, Philippines, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Mexico, Nepal, the Netherlands, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States.

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The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

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U.S. Senate Urges President Bush to Prevent Extinction of Christian Church Spiritual Headquarters

-- Pope Visits the Threatened Headquarters Next Week --

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – NOVEMBER 22, 2006



“On Thursday, November 30 Pope Benedict the XVI will meet with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul, Turkey. The Ecumenical Patriarch is the head of the Christian Orthodox Church, which represents 250 million people worldwide. This is only the fourth time in 1,000 years the Pope will have visited the Ecumenical Patriarch,” said Dr. Anthony Limberakis, National Commander of the Orthodox Church’s Order of St. Andrew.

“In advance of this historic meeting, 73 U.S. Senators signed a letter to President George W. Bush expressing `deep concern that policies of the Turkish government pose a grave threat to the future of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the spiritual home of the world’s second largest Christian Church – Orthodox Christianity.’ The Senators call this `a religious tragedy of historic magnitude.’ The President receives approximately five letters a year with this level of Senate support,” said Limberakis.

The Senators’ letter states, “Millions of Orthodox Christian Americans stand to lose their spiritual head and all Christians will give up a crucial link to their history and forefathers. Within the 2,000-year-old Sacred See the text of the New Testament was codified, the canonical structure of the Christian church was established, and the Nicene Creed was created.”

The Senators’ letter adds, “Seventy-five percent of the Ecumenical Patriarchate’s properties has already been confiscated by the Turkish government. Beyond this, the Patriarchate’s dissolution in the coming decades is essentially inevitable if Turkey continues its policy of prohibiting all 250 million non-Turkish Orthodox Christians from becoming Ecumenical Patriarch. Turkey itself has only 2,500 remaining eligible Greek Orthodox Christians and they are mostly elderly.

“The disappearance of the See would mean the end of a crucial link between Christians and the Muslim world. Following the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on America, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew gathered international religious leaders and produced the first condemnation of the attacks as “anti-religious” that included Muslim leaders. At a time when individuals hostile to the United States are attempting to create conflict between Christians and Muslims, the continuing presence of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Turkey is a living testimony of religious co-existence since 1453.

“Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s individual importance to America is reflected in the record number of Congressional cosponsors who bestowed on him our country’s highest honor, the Congressional Gold Medal – an award also given to George Washington, Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Pope John Paul II, among others.”

On November 20, 2006, His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America and His Eminence Cardinal William H. Keeler, Archbishop of Baltimore and central Roman Catholic hierarch in the dialogue between Orthodox and Roman Catholics, issued a joint statement of fraternal understanding and prayer for the upcoming three-day visit of Pope Benedict XVI with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew in Istanbul, Turkey.

The Pope and the Ecumenical Patriarch have a long history. Together, they led the church from which all Christian denominations descended – the Pope from Rome and the Ecumenical Patriarch from Constantinople (Istanbul). In 1054 the Catholic and Orthodox churches split.

TO VIEW THE FULL TEXT OF THE LETTER, CLICK HERE.

For more information, contact Mike Manatos at 202-441-3979 or Andy Manatos at 202-441-3978.

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Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

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Tuesday, November 21, 2006

 

A Startling View of the Life Of Jesus; a Lost Portrait of Judas; and a Rare Glimpse Inside Jerusalem’s Most Sacred Sites


NEWS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National Geographic Channel Explores the Contentious, Unexpected and Unorthodox in a Three Night Special Event

Blasphemy? Hidden Truths? NGC Digs Beneath Our Conventional Understanding


(WASHINGTON, D.C. – November 21, 2006) Religion is a topic rife with passion and tension, diversity, reverence and immense complexity. It is also rife with controversy. For thousands of years, across a range of religious backgrounds, bitter arguments have erupted, battles have raged and blood has been shed over unyielding differences of faith and conflicting convictions. All of which is still fiercely evident today.

For three nights, National Geographic Channel (NGC) journeys beyond conventionally accepted religious beliefs to explore the contentious and unexpected, even the unorthodox. Explorer: Secret Lives of Jesus, premiering Sunday, December 17, 2006, at 9 p.m. ET/PT; The Gospel of Judas, airing Monday, December 18, 2006, at 9 p.m. ET/PT; and Secrets of Jerusalem’s Holiest Sites, premiering Tuesday, December 19, 2006, at 10 p.m. ET/PT examine the ancient manuscripts, visit the sacred sites and expose viewers to startling new claims by scholars that could challenge the basic precepts of Christianity. Is it malicious blasphemy? Is it outrageous? Or is there some new truth to be learned?

These three specials ask tantalizing questions: Did Jesus of Nazareth really die on the cross? Was Judas — long considered Jesus’ betrayer — a hero? And what is at the root of the age-old controversies among Jews, Muslims and Christians? Each show draws from a wide variety of sources, including interviews with biblical scholars, religious leaders, archaeologists and authors — all sure to incite debate.

Explorer: Secret Lives of Jesus
Sunday, December 17, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (World Premiere)

More than 1,500 years ago, ancient writings were buried that offered alternative narratives about Jesus of Nazareth. There were many of these alternative gospels that rendered very different versions of the story and were considered scandalous and deemed heretical. Rediscovered within the last century, these texts offer more questions than answers. Secret Lives of Jesus examines these mysterious lost stories of Christ, exploring the fundamental questions surrounding the texts. Who wrote them and why? How do they compare to the accepted New Testament gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? And why were the stories forgotten for so long? Secret Lives of Jesus deconstructs the forces at play during this time of radical religious ideals — and offers a tantalizing glimpse inside the logic behind some of the most bizarre stories ever told about Jesus Christ.

The Gospel of Judas
Monday, December 18, at 9 p.m. ET/PT (Two-Hour Encore Presentation)
This past April, more than 7 million people worldwide tuned in to watch the story of one of the most important finds in biblical archaeology — the Gospel of Judas. An ancient text that lay hidden for some 1,700 years, the document offers a radically different perspective on a man whom history has painted as the ultimate villain. The Gospel of Judas, an exclusive, two-hour encore event, traces the incredible story of what happened to the Gospel of Judas since it was found, the recent authentication process and analysis, and key insight gleaned from its laborious translation and interpretation. The Gospel of Judas presents a lost version of the last days of Jesus, using dramatic recreations to portray and clarify the complex story of intrigue and politics during the earliest days of Christianity and the contents of the gospel itself.

Secrets of Jerusalem’s Holiest Sites
Tuesday, December 19, at 10 p.m. ET/PT (World Premiere)

Sacred and embattled, Jerusalem has held a uniquely important place in history. Judaism, Christianity and Islam all regard this city as holy, and a place where believers can feel closer to God. To each religion, Jerusalem and its sacred sites have varying meanings. Through extremely rare access, NGC goes inside two sacred places in Jerusalem rarely filmed: the Dome of the Rock, in Judaism, said to house the actual rock where Abraham prepared to sacrifice his son Isaac, and in Islamic tradition, said to be where Muhammad ascended to heaven; and the Well of Souls, a natural cave considered by Jews to be a possible location for the Ark of the Covenant, and for Muslims, a place where the souls of the faithful will gather at the end of time. NGC also goes to the most important sacred site for Christians, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which houses the traditional sites of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. Jews, Christians and Muslims each stake claims — often competing claims — to a number of other sacred sites in Jerusalem. Secrets of Jerusalem’s Holiest Sites takes you deep inside this city of mystery and paradox, tracing its parallel histories central to three divergent faiths.

# # #

Based at the National Geographic Society headquarters in Washington, D.C., the National Geographic Channel (NGC) is a joint venture between National Geographic Television & Film (NGT&F) and Fox Cable Networks (FCN). Since launching in January 2001, NGC initially earned some of the fastest distribution growth in the history of cable and more recently the fastest ratings growth in television. The network celebrated its fifth anniversary January 2006 with the launch of NGC HD, which provides the spectacular imagery that National Geographic is known for in stunning high definition. NGC has carriage with all of the nation's major cable and satellite television providers, making it currently available to almost 62 million homes. For more information, please visit www.nationalgeographic.com/channel.


MEDIA CONTACTS:
Russell Howard, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6652, RHoward@natgeochannel.com
Chris Albert, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6526, CAlbert@natgeochannel.com
Broadcast: Dara Klatt, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6720, Dara.Klatt@natgeochannel.com
Broadcast: Cathy Saypol, CSPR, 212-288-8496, Saypolpr@aol.com
Print: The Fratelli Group, 202-822-9491, NWennerstrom@fratelli.com, LAriza@fratelli.com
Radio: Clare Hertel, Clare Hertel Communications, 845-340-0731, CHertel@aol.com
Photos: Matthew Royse, National Geographic Channel, 202-912-6707, MRoyse@natgeochannel.com

NGC-308-112106

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Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

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Monday, November 20, 2006

 

Charlotte’s Web Barn Kits and Other Giving Programs Help Communities in US and Around the World

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

BOSTON, MA (November 20, 2006) — To celebrate the themes of giving, friendship and miracles in the upcoming film Charlotte’s Web, Paramount Pictures and Walden Media have made available over 20,000 barn kits to help groups build “harvest giving barns” to make a real and positive difference in their community. Once built, these cardboard barns can be filled with ‘time, talents and treasures’ to help those in need in the community.

“Charlotte’s Web is a movie that reminds us how friendship and its example of selfless giving can change lives and inspire a whole community to help others. In anticipation of Charlotte’s Web’s December 15th release, we have developed programs and activities that honor the themes found in the film,” stated Walden Media president and co-founder Micheal Flaherty.

Participants in the harvest barn giving program are encouraged to design and decorate their barns in the most creative manner possible. Photographs of completed barns with the story of how that barn is helping the community can be sent to a website gallery (www.charlotteswebresources.com) for display. Visitors to the website can vote for a favorite barn and community story and the barn and story receiving the most votes will win a special “friends and family” screening of the film Charlotte’s Web.

“As a Children’s Pastor, it is important to help families find the threads of faith in their daily lives and in a manner that allows them to begin conversations with their children about giving, friendship and miracles. I look forward to building a harvest giving barn and starting a food drive for families and the entire church community,” stated Sue Abram, Children’s Pastor, Community Church of Joy, Glendale, Arizona.

The barn kits program is not the only Charlotte’s Web giving program developed by Walden Media and Paramount. In addition to the barn kits program, Walden Media and Paramount are distributing 100,000 copies of the book Charlotte’s Web to school districts, many of which are located in areas where students face the greatest need for educational resources. Walden and Paramount also developed a program with Heifer Project International where families could assemble and fill a mini-bank barn, with proceeds helping impoverished families worldwide become more self-reliant through the gift of livestock and training. “There is an old African saying that if you want to go fast you go alone, but if you want to go far you go with others,” stated Ray White, Public Information Director for Heifer International when asked about Heifer’s partnership on the film. “Heifer International is so pleased to partner with Walden Media and Paramount on Charlotte’s Web to help give impoverished families around the world hope for the future.”

More information about how to become involved in the Charlotte’s Web giving programs, as well as downloadable barn kits, are available at www.charlotteswebresources.com.

A Paramount Pictures and Walden Media’s presentation of a Kerner Entertainment Company/Nickelodeon Movies production, Charlotte’s Web is directed by Gary Winick, stars Dakota Fanning and features the voices of Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Cedric the Entertainer, André Benjamin, Thomas Haden Church, Robert Redford, Reba McEntire, and Kathy Bates. Charlotte’s Web is a new, live-action adaptation of E.B. White’s beloved classic, which is the best-selling children’s paperback of all time. In Charlotte’s Web, a very small pig finds that the most powerful force in the world is the bond of friendship. Wilbur, a pig and the runt of the litter, has a youthful manner that makes him seem naïve to the other animals in his new barn, but to Charlotte – the spider who lives in the rafters – he is a welcome friend. Their friendship is shown to be a lasting one when the other animals reveal that the pig’s days are numbered. It seems that only a miracle will save Wilbur’s life. A determined Charlotte spins words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer that Wilbur is “some pig” and worth saving. The film has been rated G by the MPAA and will be in theaters nationwide on December 15th, 2006.

About Walden Media, LLC
Walden Media specializes in entertainment that sparks imagination and engages young people in the learning process. Producing both original works and adaptations of acclaimed children’s literature, Walden Media projects are enhanced by comprehensive outreach and supplemental programs for teachers, librarians, and parents. Walden Media is a division of Anschutz Film Group (AFG).

Press contact:
Grace Hill Media
Tara Shaffer
(818) 762-0000
tshaffer@gracehillmedia.com

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About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
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The American Bible Society to Present Thanksgiving Special Hosted by Pat Boone

Thanksgiving USA Celebrates America's Spirit of Liberty

Television Special to Air on Local and Cable Stations Nationwide During Thanksgiving Weekend

News Release
American Bible Society I 1865 Broadway
New York, NY 10023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Roy Lloyd
American Bible Society
rlloyd@americanbible.org
(212) 408-8731

Brian Devenny
RLMpr
brian@rlmpr.com
(212) 741-5106 x212

NEW YORK - November 17, 2006 - Legendary singer and actor Pat Boone will host Thanksgiving USA, a syndicated holiday special presented by the American Bible Society running on over 110 local and cable television stations across the country throughout the Thanksgiving weekend. Viewers should check local listings for specific viewing times.

This magazine-style program features inspirational stories. From a man who fled his country to seek asylum in the United States where he could freely practice his religion to a community on the mend after suffering a horrific loss during a natural disaster, Thanksgiving USA explores the meaning of Thanksgiving for many Americans.

"This television special celebrates America's unifying spirit of inclusiveness and liberty," said Dr. Paul Irwin, president, the American Bible Society. "We are pleased to have this excellent opportunity to remind Americans that despite the hardships we face and the complexities of our many cultures learning to live together, this national holiday is the day that brings all of us to the table of gratitude, tradition, festivity, and Thanksgiving."

Thanksgiving USA is the Bible Society's second television project this year. Last April, the Bible Society introduced American Bible Society Presents. This weekly half-hour talk show, which launched on 275 TV stations nationwide, featured panelists discussing the Bible's connections to modern life. American Bible Society Presents won a Telly Award and begins its second season January 2007.

For more information on Thanksgiving USA, visit www.877THEBIBLE.com or call 1-877-THE BIBLE. Viewers can also visit the Bible Society's www.givethanks.org, a website dedicated to this Thanksgiving season.

About the American Bible Society
Founded in 1816 and headquartered in New York, the mission of the American Bible Society (www.americanbible.org) is to make the Bible available to every person in a language and format each can understand and afford, so that all may experience its life-changing message.

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The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
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The Fund for Theological Education Seeks Nominations for 2007 Fellowship Programs

Faculty, Administrators, Clergy Invited To Nominate Ministry Program Candidates Fund Increases Award Dollar Amounts









Contact: April L. Bogle
(404) 727-1492
Tasha Schroeder
(404) 727-1173

ATLANTA, Nov. 17, 2006 -- In its mission to support the next generation of leaders for the church, The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) is inviting university and seminary faculty, administrators and clergy to nominate students with great leadership potential to be considered for FTE Undergraduate and Ministry Fellowships, which now offer greater financial support.

“We are asking educators and clergy who work closely with young people to notice those who have the potential to become exceptional ministers and to point them in that direction,” said Melissa Wiginton, FTE Vice President for Ministry Programs and Planning. “We need their help in identifying who should receive a substantial FTE investment in the journey to serve God’s world as leaders for the church.”

University faculty, administrators, campus ministers and current pastors are asked to nominate rising juniors and seniors for FTE Undergraduate Fellowships. Nominations are due Feb. 1, 2007; nominees must submit applications by March 15, 2007.

Seminary deans or presidents are asked to nominate current first-year Master of Divinity students for FTE Ministry Fellowships. Nominations and applications are due March 1, 2007.

Larger dollar amounts and fewer awards support the increased selectivity of the programs:

* $2,000 fellowships will be awarded to 50 Undergraduate Fellows; previously $1,500 fellowships were awarded to 70 Fellows.

* $10,000 awards will go to 20 Ministry Fellows; previously $5,000 awards were made to 40 Fellows.

FTE also helps congregations raise the next generation of church leaders by matching their financial support of young members who are going to seminary. Congregations are asked to nominate applicants for FTE Congregational Fellowships that match congregational support, dollar-for-dollar, for 40 students entering the first year of a Master of Divinity degree program. FTE will award between $2,000 and $5,000 to each Fellow. Nominations and applications are due April 1, 2007.

“By turning to these communities for nominations, we are convinced we will find gifted young leaders who will benefit from the FTE award,” said Wiginton. “And they will go on to benefit the church and the world.”

FTE also has increased the amount of its Doctoral and Dissertation Fellowship awards, to $18,000, up from $15,000. Doctoral Fellowships are awarded to African-American doctoral students; this award is renewable for an additional year. Applications are due March 1, 2007. FTE Dissertation Fellowships are awarded to African-American doctoral students at the final writing stage of their dissertations. Applications are due Feb. 1, 2007.

“We believe the increasing demands on doctoral students in higher education today warrant increased support to help them succeed,” says Dr. Sharon Watson Fluker, FTE Vice President for Doctoral Programs and Planning. “That’s why we’re raising our investment in a new generation of diverse scholars for the academy.”

The Fund for Theological Education is a leading national advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholarship. It supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, annually providing $1.2 million in fellowships and a network of support for gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds.

FTE is also a resource for educational and faith communities, offering programs that encourage high-quality candidates to explore vocations in ministry and teaching. Since 1954, the Atlanta-based organization has awarded more than 5,800 fellowships in partnership with others committed to the future of quality leadership for the church. More information about FTE is available on the Web at www.thefund.org.

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Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

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Friday, November 17, 2006

 

Religion & Ethics Newsweekly Program Listings for November 17, 2006



** MEDIA ADVISORY ** MEDIA ADVISORY ** MEDIA ADVISORY **

This week’s edition of the PBS newsmagazine program RELIGION & ETHICS NEWSWEEKLY (distributed Friday, November 17 at 5 p.m., check local listings) will feature the following reports:

* Cover Story: “Men in Church” — Judy Valente explores the reasons for the decline in the number of men regularly attending church services and what some Christian congregations are doing to address this issue.

* Profile: "E.O. Wilson" — Bob Abernethy talks with distinguished biologist E.O. Wilson about his advocacy for an alliance between science and religion to help protect the world’s vanishing species and explores reaction to this proposal with prominent Southern Baptist minister Dr. Richard Land.

* News Feature: "U.S. Catholic Bishops Meeting Update" — Reverend Thomas J. Reese from the Woodstock Theological Center in Washington, D.C., discusses the implications of votes by the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops to adopt guidelines for ministry to gay men and women, and to consolidate their national office.

To request a transcript of these reports, send an e-mail to schultzm@religionethics.org or go to the program Web site at http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics where the transcript and streaming video of each story will be available after 8:30 p.m. on Friday.

For information, contact:
Mary Schultz
Director of Communications
Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly
202-216-2394
schultzm@religionethics.org

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Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

 

New Online Social Network Launches Today!



CONTACT:
INFO@MEETFISH.COM
1-888-513-0053
WWW.MEETFISH.COM

On November 15, 2006, MEETfish.com entered the online social network waters. MEETfish.com allows users to post pictures, meet new friends, play music and introduce themselves to the world. There are several notable differences that separate MEETfish.com from the rest of the fish in the sea.

1. MEETfish.com is committed to providing a safer, family friendly environment for all to gather.
2. MEETfish.com is a project of EvangeNet, a subsidiary of the American Tract Society (ATS). (ATS is one of the nation’s oldest evangelistic communication ministries, producing over a billion gospel tracts since 1825.)
3. MEETfish.com is creating alliances with many other Christian churches, groups, radio stations, universities and para-church ministries.

EvangeNet manager Connie LeFlore reports, “While other online social networks, Christian or not, seem to want to do their own thing, MEETfish.com is different. Our goal is to truly bring the body of Christ together through the internet. This is the mission field of our day. MEETfish.com opens the doors for believers to share their faith to the whole world in a non-offensive way.”

Through MEETfish.com, other Christian organizations (Alliance Members) will be able to share their own ministry’s needs, goals and news information to their members under one roof. These Alliance Members will also be able to receive constant feedback and pertinent information from their users.

For more information, visit www.meetfish.com, or email info@meetfish.com. To learn more about becoming an Alliance Member, contact Connie LeFlore at 1-888-513-0053, or by email at alliance@meetfish.com. You can also go to http://www.evange-net.com/alliance/flash/index.html for a short Alliance Member presentation.

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About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

 

Revolutionary New Bible Takes Readers on an Unprecedented Visual Journey Through Biblical Times

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Diane M. Crawford
Independent Publicist
Diane.Crawford@tds.net
(615) 641-7928

NASHVILLE – Modern living couldn’t be more radically different than the ancient times conveyed in the Bible. Yet the message and wisdom contained within God’s Word from ages ago continues to stand the test of time, proving its importance and relevance in today’s world. In a demanding new culture where the adage “seeing is believing” rings true comes a revolutionary new Bible that allows readers to visually read their way through the Bible as never before.

The Holman Illustrated Study Bible is a virtual guidebook to the life and times of Scripture, vividly bringing the Bible to life. Replete with more than 1,000 four-color maps, charts, photographs, reconstructions, and supporting graphics strategically placed within the Bible where and when people truly need them, The Holman Illustrated Study Bible significantly raises the bar for Bible publishing. Pairing its special features with a portable size, comfortable 9½ point type, and multiple bindings to meet the desires of the most discriminating of consumers, The Holman Illustrated Study Bible is unparalleled in the industry today.

“The Holman Illustrated Study Bible is the most informative Bible ever created for daily use,” says Tim Jordan, Marketing Manager, Bibles & Reference, B&H Publishing Group. “It includes more maps, pictures, and help charts than anyone has dared place between the covers of a Bible to date. The Holman Illustrated Study Bible’s extraordinary extras packaged into an extremely portable format with competitive pricing, makes it the perfect study Bible of choice for seasoned scholars and novice readers alike.”

Once people get their hands on The Holman Illustrated Study Bible, they will be hard-pressed to ever view studying the Bible as ordinary again. Utilizing one of the top five best-selling translations on the market today—the highly accurate and remarkable readable Holman Christian Standard Bible translation (HCSB)—this innovative Bible helps readers understand the historical, geographical, and cultural contexts of Scripture that are vital to fully grasping God’s Word.

Visit B&H Publishing Group on the Internet at www.BHPublishingGroup.com.

THE HOLMAN ILLUSTRATED STUDY BIBLE
Available in hardcover, hardcover indexed, leather, and leather indexed formats
In-stores November 2006

Please contact Diane Crawford at Diane.Crawford@tds.net or (615) 641-7928 to request your review copy and/or to schedule an interview with a Holman Bible representative.

*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

 

Catholic parishes throughout the United States will conduct the 19th annual national appeal for the Retirement Fund for Religious on December 10

November 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Ginny Cunningham
412.441.2389
Email: g.ginnywrites@verizon.net

In 2005, this appeal, which is sponsored by the National Religious Retirement Office (NRRO) of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington, DC, distributed $22 million in Basic Grants to 525 of the nation's Catholic religious institutes.

"I'm deeply grateful for the response that this appeal has generated," says Sister Andrée Fries, a Sister of the Most Precious Blood of O'Fallon, Missouri, and executive director of the National Religious Retirement Office. That response is unprecedented in Catholic Church history in the U.S. and benefits elderly Catholic nuns, brothers, and order priests most vividly remembered by donors for their work in education and healthcare. "On behalf of all those faithful women and men who now humbly face the challenges of aging, I thank you," says Sister Fries.

The education provided by religious in earlier decades was free or affordable thanks to the lifelong dedication of religious who earned small stipends.

The total cost of living for the 37,000 women and men religious past age 70 throughout the U.S. totaled more than $925 million in 2005. Escalating health care costs dramatically affect religious' capacity to fund retirement, though most institutes engage in strategic planning, fundraising, and cost-cutting initiatives that enable care for frail, senior members.

Since 1988, this appeal has raised almost $500 million. As autonomous organizations, Catholic religious institutes are not covered by church or diocesan retirement plans. One out of every five institutes that provide data to NRRO can pay less than 20 percent of projected costs. More than 95 percent of donations are applied directly to the mission of the Retirement Fund for Religious.

####

View the Retirement Fund for Religious Annual Report at www.usccb.org/nrro

*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

 

Walden Media Announces Attempt to Break a World Reading Record with Charlotte's Web

BOSTON, MA - Walden Media is launching a nationwide attempt to break the Guinness World Record(tm) for the "Most People Reading Aloud Simultaneously in Multiple Locations." The event, "Break a World Reading Record with Charlotte's Web" will introduce Charlotte's Web to new fans, encourage longtime fans to read it again and build excitement for this heartwarming story in advance of the December 20 release of the new live-action film based on the beloved classic.

According to Guinness World Records(tm), the current record for the largest number of people reading the same piece of literature aloud, simultaneously, in multiple locations is 155,528 students from 737 schools throughout the United Kingdom. They read William Wordsworth's poem "Daffodils" on March 19, 2004.

On Wednesday, December 13, 2006 starting at 12 noon EST, longtime and new fans of Charlotte's Web will gather in schools, hospitals, libraries and community centers across the county to read a passage from the story that celebrates the moment Charlotte and Wilbur meet for the first time.

"Charlotte's Web has been a beloved family classic for more than fifty years," said Walden Media Director of Educational Initiatives, Eileen Hughes. "This passage marks the beginning of a true friendship, filled with loyalty, sacrifice, and miracles and is an important moment in a book that every child should read."

Walden Media and film partners Paramount Pictures, Kerner Entertainment Company, Nickelodeon Movies and publishing partner HarperCollins will join forces in this exciting event to highlight E. B. White's classic tale. Walden Media has set up a website for interested participants at www.walden.com. An instruction guide, a Charlotte's Web event guide, reproducible activity sheets, and registration forms will provide comprehensive information and tips to join this national attempt to break a world record.

This attempt is part of a national campaign by Walden Media to build awareness of Charlotte's Web. Walden Media has offered a "True Friends" writing contest for students in grades K-4, printed and distributed free classroom activity calendars, educational guides, movie posters and 109,000 copies of Charlotte's Web to librarians and classroom teachers across the country. In addition, an extensive web site offers PDF versions of the print materials, reproducible activity sheets, and online games for children.

A Paramount Pictures and Walden Media presentation of a Kerner Entertainment Company, Nickelodeon Movies production, Charlotte's Web is directed by Gary Winick, stars Dakota Fanning and features the voices of Julia Roberts, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, Cedric the Entertainer, André Benjamin, Thomas Haden Church, Robert Redford, Reba McEntire, and Kathy Bates. Charlotte's Web is a new, live-action adaptation of E. B. White's beloved classic, which is the best-selling children's paperback of all time. In Charlotte's Web, a very small pig finds that the most powerful force in the world is the bond of friendship. Wilbur, a pig and the runt of the litter, has a youthful manner that makes him seem naïve to the other animals in his new barn, but to Charlotte - the spider who lives in the rafters - he is a welcome friend. Their friendship is shown to be a lasting one when the other animals reveal that the pig's days are numbered. It seems that only a miracle will save Wilbur's life. A determined Charlotte spins words into her web in an effort to convince the farmer that Wilbur is "some pig" and worth saving. The film has been rated G by the MPAA and will be in theaters nationwide on December 20th, 2006.

About Walden Media LLC
Walden Media specializes in entertainment that sparks imagination and engages young people in the learning process. Producing both original works and adaptations of acclaimed children's literature, Walden Media projects are enhanced by comprehensive outreach and supplemental programs for teachers, librarians, and parents. Walden Media is a division of Anschutz Film Group (AFG).

Press Contacts:
Tara Shaffer
tshaffer@gracehillmedia.com
(818) 762-0000

Charlie Nelson
cnelson@gracehillmedia.com
(818) 762-0000

*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

 

$5,000 Scholarships to Working Journalists for College Courses in Religion

Nov. 15, 2006

Contact: Amy Schiska
614-891-9001 ext. 3

(Columbus, OH) - The Religion Newswriters Association invites applicants to its Lilly Scholarships in Religion program, which provides full-time journalists with up to $5,000 to cover the cost of college tuition, books, registration fees, parking and other costs.

The scholarships can be used at any accredited college, university, seminary or similar institution. Journalists can take any course they choose as long as it is in the field of religion.

Journalists previously awarded scholarships have taken courses covering a wide variety of courses including Islamic Movements, Church History, Religion and Violence, Japanese Buddhism, Evangelism and many more.

"This scholarship turned me from curious to informed. Before my class, I saw church history as interesting but not essential to religion editing. I've changed my mind," said Matthew Strozier, a reporter with The Stamford Advocate.

Jan. 1, 2007 is the next deadline for scholarship applications, which are reviewed quarterly by a committee of award-winning journalists. Scholarships must be used within three academic quarters of their award date and only full-time journalists working in the general circulation news media are eligible.

All journalists - including reporters, editors, designers, copy editors, editorial writers, news directors, researchers and producers - are eligible, regardless of whether or not they cover religion.

Religion Newswriters Association is the world's only journalism association for people who write about religion in the mainstream news media. The scholarships are offered through its non-profit arm, the Religion Newswriters Foundation, with generous funding from the Lilly Endowment, Inc.

Complete information about the Lilly Scholarships in Religion is available at www.RNA.org. For questions, call Amy Schiska at 614-891-9001 ext. 3

*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

 

PBS Documentary Puts Love on the Public Agenda

Two-Hour Special — December 13 on PBS
Anna Deavere Smith to Host


November 9, 2006 — In popular culture, one type of love — sexual romance — is prized above all. But there are many kinds of love that give shape and meaning to life, passionate connections that define what we value and who we are.

The Mystery of Love is a two-hour PBS documentary that puts love on the public agenda. It will air on PBS stations on Wednesday, December 13, 2006, 9:00 – 11:00 p.m. ET. Please check local listings.

Hosted by author, playwright and actress Anna Deavere Smith, the special is produced by the team that brought Joseph Campbell and the Power of Myth to PBS. Bill Moyers calls The Mystery of Love "as deep, tender, and ineffable as the subject itself, and as eye-opening, exhilarating, and beguiling as the first moment it happens to you.”

The Mystery of Love examines the many faces of love through in-depth, personal stories of marriage, family, friendship, divine love, altruistic love, brotherly love, the love between parents and children, and love of community.

The program also includes insights and commentary from leading authorities who have worked with the subject of love, including Rev. Dr. James A. Forbes, Jr.; Betty Sue Flowers, Ph.D.; Ethel Person, M.D.; Rabbi Alan Lew, and Frances Vaughan, Ph.D.

In a unique segment, The Mystery of Love explores love’s darker sides with Dr. James Hillman, world famous Jungian psychologist and author of A Terrible Love of War. Hillman discusses the feelings of community and brotherhood soldiers find on the battlefield. Of war, Hillman says, “The ecstasy can be the highest moment ever experienced, as many battle veterans say. That would make it in common with other kinds of passionate love: sexual love; divine love; mystical love. You become crazy, in a way, just as you do in a passionate affair. You break the rules; you break the bounds; you’re outside of yourself; you find a whole new personality in yourself. Maybe that’s a shadow of love.”

“Today we are inundated with negative, destructive, even violent news. I wanted The Mystery of Love to explore thoughtfully and from many angles those aspects of life which connect us to one another, rather than separate us,” says Executive Producer Joan Konner. “As a journalist, it seemed to me that the most important element of life — love, in its many manifestations — should be openly examined and addressed in the public square.”

KLRU-Austin is the presenting station. To bring the program and dialogue to communities and classrooms across the country, the Independent Production Fund is working with Active Voice and the National Council of Teachers of English on The Mystery of Love Community Engagement Project. Details, plus individual stories from the special and from viewers, are on the web site — www.themysteryoflove.org — developed by Interactive Knowledge.

Major funding for The Mystery of Love has been provided by the Fetzer Institute and marks the start of the nationwide outreach effort called the Campaign for Love & Forgiveness: Transforming Individuals and Communities. Additional funding has been provided by Southwest Airlines and the Betsy Gordon Foundation.

The Mystery of Love is written by Joan Konner and Christopher Lukas, who also served as Senior Producer. Executive Producer is Joan Konner. Alvin H. Perlmutter is Executive Director. The Mystery of Love is a production of the Independent Production Fund.

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Media Advisory: Executive Producer and writer Joan Konner and some of the program’s experts and participants are available for interviews.

Contacts: Baran Communications
Josh Baran – 212-779-2666, jcbaran@aol.com
Scott Tillitt – 917-449-6356, scott@antidotecollective.org

Website: www.themysteryoflove.org – for trailer and media materials.

*****
About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others.

The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

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About Religion Press Release Services
Religion Press Release Services distributes press releases, press advisories, photos and other stories on behalf of religious organizations, denominational offices, think tanks, watchdog groups, advocacy groups, coalitions, foundations, colleges, universities, seminaries, publishers and others. The organizations and/or individuals who submit materials for distribution by Religion Press Release Services are solely responsible for the facts in and accuracy of their materials. Religion Press Release Services will correct any errors brought to its attention.

Contact Us
To distribute press releases through Religion Press Release Services, contact Claudia Sans at csans@religionnews.com or 202-383-7870. For more information check out our PDF brochure.

Religion News Service, 1101 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20036 (202) 463-8777

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