Lenten Soup Kitchen

A church woman in Salt Lake City and the youth of her church held a “soup kitchen” for transients from early March through Easter Sunday. The youth prepared the meals, served them and “ministered” to people who came for food. Lots of folks leaving from one meal to the next showed up. No requirements or demands were made of the guests. Lots of love and food were given by the young people. It was an experience that deeply touched the youth and also filled their spirits. It definitely was a life lesson. They served some 4,500 meals. Other groups in the church joined in with the youth to complete this special ministry. What can your church be doing in these tough economic times?

Raising Monies for Hunger

A junior high school class and its teacher in Shueyville, IA got concerned about world hunger. They decided to help change the situation. The students sent emails to 300 missionaries and asked for recipes. This year-long project led to the creation of a special cookbook. The cookbooks were sold via person-person, email promotion, and through the church website. The funds from the sales during the Lenten and Easter seasons were used for world hunger programs. The huge undertaking was accomplished through the hard work of the junior highs, a dedicated Sunday School teacher and the prayers of the congregation. They also used the Presbyterian Church U.S.A. Mission Yearbook of Prayer and Study to learn about the work of the missionaries and the places fromwhere they had received recipes.

Hospitality for Church Visitors

A church in Kansas prepared its parking lot in a most interesting way. Members wanted to make sure that visitors would experience the hospitality of Christ from the very moment they approached the church. Committee members visited other churches to see how strangers would view the experience of coming to church for the first time. They returned with several interesting recommendations. One of ideas was to reserve parking places next to the door for the handicapped and visitors. They painted large green footprints on the parking lot, leading to various entrances with greeters. The footprints continue along the walls, making a visual trail to the worship center. They also stationed greeters at the entrance to the parking lot with umbrellas for rainy weather.

Using the Phone

A church in Rock Rapids, IA places a lot of emphasis on membership care. Part of their program involves every person active and inactive on the membership list receiving 4 phone calls. The calling committee probes two questions: “How is the world treating you?” and “How ware and God getting along together at this point?” This care by phone means that each person makes about 8-10 phone calls. The callers train and talk through various scenarios before doing the calling. They also offer to pray at the end of the call.

Stories of Hope and Faith on Passages

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.

These stories are being heard on our network of stations across the North America and into 16 foreign countries.

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:

Two 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.

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 the Kaiser Family Foundation Study on Young Media Use in their daily lives.

www.kff.org/entmedia/entmedia030905nr.cfm