wfn.org | Mosaic Fall 2002 Is 'Baptism: More than a Ceremony'

[News News <NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 9, 2002

MOSAIC FALL 2002 IS 'BAPTISM: MORE THAN A CEREMONY'
02-193-AW*

     CHICAGO (ELCA)   Baptism is the focus of the Fall 2002 issue
of MOSAIC, the video magazine of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
in America (ELCA).  Available Sept. 1, segments of the new issue
highlight the way laypeople and pastors view Baptism and the
responsibilities a congregation faces when someone is baptized.
     Hosted by Melissa Ramirez, associate director for news and
information, ELCA Department for Communication, the Baptism issue
includes discussions that define Baptism as a way of connecting
and committing to God.  As shown in the video, Baptism is
sometimes not taken seriously, creating a rift between the
baptized and the church.
     The Faith Television Network, a new 24-hour Christian
broadcast network, now offers the complete MOSAIC series.  The
network airs MOSAIC Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on the Dominion Sky Angel
Satellite Network No. 9708, available through most cable satellite
providers.
     The three MOSAIC segments in this issue examine the role of
Baptism today:
 + "More Than a Ceremony" follows up with an Arizona family whose
daughter was baptized four years ago.  After the family stopped
going to church, the congregation decided something must be done
to keep families at church and a new preschool was built to
bolster children's faith.
 + "Promise Made, Promise Kept" takes a look at a Chinese Lutheran
congregation.  Many one-time atheists convert to Christianity and,
with the help of an ELCA pastor, learn what Baptism really
signifies.
 + "A Talk with the Experts" includes exclusive interviews with
experts on Baptism.  They set out to prove that Baptism is more
than something to have "done" once a child is born.
     MOSAIC is produced and distributed by the ELCA Department
for Communication.  It is intended for educational use in a
variety of congregational settings including Sunday School
classes, adult forums, youth groups, women's and men's groups, new
member classes, church council meetings, committee meetings and
other organizational meetings.
     Each issue includes a user's guide, with a synopsis of each
segment and discussion questions.  MOSAIC is issued quarterly.
Annual subscriptions are available through the ELCA Department for
Communication.
-- -- --
     Specific information about MOSAIC subscriptions and the
contents of each issue are available on the World Wide Web at
http://www.elca.org/co.mosaic or by contacting the ELCA Department
for Communication by phone at 800/638-3522 ext. 6009.

Editors: Digital photographs that accompany each story can be
requested by e-mail to mosaic@elca.org or by phone.

*Amy Wineinger is a junior at Wartburg College, Waverly, Iowa.
This summer she is an intern with ELCA News and Media Production.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or NEWS@ELCA.ORG
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html