Continued from above ...This planted seeds for conversations about the use of visuals on a more regular basis in worship. It wasn't about a second service that is contemporary but a traditional service with visual support and care to help in bringing the Gospel to those gathered for worship.

Planning on how and why we are doing this for enabling our congregation to become more vital in serving others broke open! Placement of a permanent screen in the worship center became a healthy discussion about reformed worship and the need for the cross to be front and center rather than a screen. So using a removable screen in various locations led people to agree on the permanent screen location and equipment was purchased. It was to the right of the cross and far enough away to not compete with cental themes for worship but able to be seen by everyone. This was a first step to creative worship and vitality that is now attracting those outside the church to see what is going on with this unique traditional church being creative in what it means to be sharing the Gospel in a traditional setting in new ways.

Models for Marriage

A pastor serving in San Leandro found that many young couples asked him to marry them without having any real models of happily married people. He interviewed married couples in the church with a digital recorder. The minister asked them very personal questions about love, sex, and marriage. He was surprised that most people were willing to share their story because it would help someone else. The clergyman would then make CD copies of the interviews for young couples he would be performing their wedding. He asked them to listen to it and bring their questions or comments to their next meeting. They would share some part of the stories that touched them in someway. These points would be discussed. This is a way at getting at the young couples concerns.

Stories of Faith and Hope

These stories are being heard on our network of stations across the North America and into 16 foreign countries. Passages/Survivors are heard daily and weekly on 500 radio stations! Interviews and music clips are used as a "public service" for listeners by the stations who broadcast the shows.

We are hearing from folks who are downloading stories to their Ipods and mp3 players for inspiration and sharing them with others! Some clergy and church leaders are re-telling these stories as inspirational moments.

The Passages programs featured here are a handful of over 3,000 stories that PMM has produced in over 25 years of providing PASSAGES & Survivors to radio stations as a gift from your Presbyterian, Mennonite, and United Methodist friends. For more information on PASSAGES e-mail us at pmm@passages.org

Executive Producer of Passages, Dennis C. Benson, can be reached at 616-510-0873.

"The Circle of Hope" is an historical drama of The Rev. John McMillan coming over the Alleghenies to do ministry to homesteaders like the Miller family here in western PA. The film produced in 1981 won a Wilbur Award from the Religious Public Relations Council. It is now available on DVD that can be used with new members classes or in discussing Church history. Contact us at PMM for more information at pmm@passages.org Watch the powerful grandmother scene in the media center below.

MEDIA LITERACY Note:

-New: Two recent studies led by RAND Health behavioral scientist Rebecca Collins examined the impact of TV sex on teenagers’ sexual beliefs and activities. The results supported the view that watching shows with sexual content may influence teen sexual behavior, but also found that some viewing effects can be positive.

Watching TV shows with sexual content apparently hastens the initiation of teen sexual activity.

Sexual talk on TV has the same effect on teens as depictions of sex.

Shows with content about contraception and pregnancy can help to educate teens about the risks and consequences of sex–and can also foster beneficial dialogue between teens and parents.

-Surveyed parents by the U.S. Census shows that more parents are taking control of the remote with children! In the TV viewing realm, about 67 percent of children 3 to 5 had limits on what shows they could watch, when they could watch and how long they could watch in 2003, up from only 54 percent in 1994. About 68 percent of children 6 to 11 years old had TV limits in 2003, compared with 60 percent in 1994. The change wasn't as great for children 12 to 17. Only about 44 percent of them had TV limits in 2003, compared with 40 percent in 1994.

-The Dept. of the U.S. Census reported recently that the daily use of media by Americans is projected to top 9 1/2 hours per day. Americans spend more time watching TV, listening to the radio, surfing the Internet and reading newspapers than anything else except breathing. This is why it is most important for people of faith to be critical thinkers in a media culture.

Media literacy is for everyone to use in evaluating media intake or consumption. For more info contact PMM at pmm@passages.org or (412) 323-1400 ext. 310/311.

How does TV viewing of violent cartoons impact young children? A recent study shows that there is a good possibility of attention deficit problems to the very young watching violent cartoons.

PMM's Mission Statement: In a world of confusing and competing messages, the Presbyterian Media Mission communicates a creative and compelling witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ through media.

To contribute to PMM's media ministry with a financial gift please call or e-mail our office at (412) 323-1400 ext 310 or pmm@passages.org For more information on making a charitable gift to media ministry!

Click on the link below to go to a page for viewing video clips from the 12 minute DVD produced by PMM for the Synod of the Trinity titled "Room At the Table."

www.syntrinity.org/home/announcements/DVD_2008/details.htm