wfn.org | Video series provides opportunity to talk about God

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

Jan. 6 1999	Contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{004}

By United Methodist News Service

People in the pews are used to hearing about God, and now a new video series
aims to get them talking about the Almighty as well.

"Talking About God" is a seven-part series designed to help people share
their faith, beliefs, stories and experiences. It was released Jan. 1 by
UMCom Productions, a video production and distribution unit of United
Methodist Communications. 

The series raises questions about God and provides responses from a variety
of people, including theologians, pastors, African-Americans, Africans,
whites, conservatives, liberals, a rabbi, a teacher of disabled children and
a Hispanic.  

Questions raised in the series are both intriguing and challenging, said
co-producer Pamela Crosby. "They make you curious about your own responses
and those of others." 

The series includes people from various faith traditions. United Methodists
featured in the series include the Rev. William Hinson, pastor of First
United Methodist Church, Houston; and the Rev. Janet Wolf, pastor of Hobson
United Methodist Church, Nashville, Tenn. 

Also included is former Methodist Bishop Peter Storey of South Africa;
controversial Episcopalian Bishop John Shelby Spong; Marcus J. Borg, an
Oregon State University professor who is known internationally as a Jesus
scholar; Burton L. Visotzky, a professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary
of America, New York;  and James Cone, renowned black liberation theologian
and professor of systematic theology at Union Theological Seminary, New
York.

"God is a best seller right now," said Peggy West, staff executive in charge
of video production at UMCom in Nashville. God and issues about God are on
people's minds, but "God needs to be on people's lips," she said.

Crosby said the closed-captioned series attempts to help people begin their
talks by asking questions such as "What's your experience of God?" "Who are
you to God?" and "How can believers live together?"

Responses from people featured in the series are provided in a montage of
reflections on each question. Each segment deals with several topics related
to the question posed in the program title. 

UMCom Productions has produced two series annually since 1985. The series
are released in January and September. The 1998 releases were "Curing
Affluenza," a popular six-part program in which prominent evangelist Tony
Campolo tells people how to simplify their lives, and "A Place to Pray,"
featuring Roberta C. Bondi, a professor of church history at Candler School
of Theology in Atlanta.

The "Talking About God" series, including a study guide, is available from
Ecufilm for $159.90 or $29.95 per program. Orders can be made through
Ecufilm's Internet site at  http://www.ecufilm.org or by calling (800)
251-4091. 

Ecufilm, housed at UMCom, is an ecumenical video distribution service. It
provides videos for worship services, study groups, Sunday School classes,
camps and retreats, and workshops. 

# # #

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/