News of Note
PCUSA produces disaster
response TV specials
The Layman, August 26, 2010
In the coming weeks more than two dozen NBC network affiliates are scheduled to air “Coming Home: Hurricane Katrina 5 Years Later,” a documentary produced by the Presbyterian Church (USA)’s Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and presented by the National Council of Churches.
The program begins airing on NBC affiliates Aug. 29 as the country recognizes the 5th anniversary of the most devastating hurricane in United States history. It follows the aftermath of the storm and the efforts to rebuild the Gulf Coast communities it affected.
The series is available to NBC affiliates for free, but they have to request it from the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission. A trailer for the program is available on YouTube.
PDA also is advertising a documentary entitled “Kepulihan: Stories from the Tsunami,” which is scheduled for broadcast in November via ABC network affiliates. The one-hour program follows three victims of the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which killed approximately 230,000 people. The tsunami documentary trailer also is available online.
A PDA brochure encourages Presbyterians to contact their local affiliates to request that the programs be aired in their communities. David Barnhart, who has spoken at PCUSA events about documentary filmmaking as ministry, directed both films.
Initiative targets unchurched
Hoping to bring back some of the millions who have fallen away from attending worship services, the Back to Church Sunday campaign already has helped American Christians distribute more than 1.2 million invitations.
Scheduled for Sept. 12, National Back to Church Sunday targets the country’s unchurched, and the churched who are failing to extend an invitation to worship. To assist churches and individuals in the effort, organizers are offering online resources, a free “reDiscover Church” equipping booklet and a kit to prepare for Back to Church Sunday. There’s also an online invitation form that can be sent to family, friends and neighbors.
Some of the surprising statistics the Web site offers include:
- Only 20 percent of Americans are regular attendees.
- 82 percent of the unchurched are likely to attend church if invited by a trusted friend or relative.
- Only 2 percent of church-going people invite someone to church in a given year – in other words, 98 percent of church-goers never extend an invitation in a given year.
- Half of the current U.S. population would be candidates for a Back to Church Campaign.
The annual observance is organized by Outreach Inc., a church communications resource provider. For more information, visit www.backtochurch.com on the Web.
A life-saving outreach
Coinciding with National Suicide Prevention Week, Sept. 6-12, Outreach Inc. plans to use its faith-based film “To Save a Life” to reach the hurting and lonely across the country.
The initiative encourages churches, families, pastors, teachers, coaches, mentors and teens themselves to invite their friends to watch “To Save a Life” with them. The goal is to show the film in more than 10,000 locations and try to reach every teen in America.
Viewers are then challenged to take action by planning events or reaching out to those who are hurting.
Since its release in January, according to the film’s makers, “To Save a Life” has impacted thousands by tackling subjects that teens confront each day, including depression, suicide, bullying, teen pregnancy, cutting, substance abuse and body image.
“To Save a Life” was released on DVD and Blu-ray Aug. 3. The film is rated PG-13 due to mature thematic elements involving teen suicide, drinking, drug use and sexuality.
For more information about “To Save a Life Week,” visit www.tosavealifeleaders.com/tsalweek on the Web.