wfn.org | New 'Davey And Goliath' Special To Air On Hallmark Channel

[NEWS@ELCA.ORG]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

December 7, 2004

New 'Davey And Goliath' Special To Air On Hallmark Channel
04-231-MRC

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Hallmark Channel will broadcast "Davey and
Goliath's Snowboard Christmas" -- a new one-hour, stop-motion animation
television special from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
(ELCA) -- on Dec. 19 at noon (ET/PT), with an encore broadcast on Dec. 26
at the same time slot.	The program is the first new Davey and Goliath
production in 30 years.
     "Through the magic of stop-motion animation, we follow Davey and
Goliath on an exciting snowboarding adventure.	During this adventure,
Davey learns some dazzling snowboard maneuvers and some very important
lessons about the real meaning of Christmas, and about understanding and
respect for people who are different than he is," said Kristi S. Bangert,
director for marketing and interpretation, ELCA Department for
Communication.
     Davey and Goliath is a classic television series starring Davey
Hansen and his talking dog, Goliath.  Aired on commercial television in
the 1960s and 1970s, Davey and Goliath is a property of the ELCA.  The
church's mission with Davey and Goliath is to bring "moral and religious
faith-based values to a new generation of children in lively and engaging
ways."
     No Davey and Goliath story would be complete without "Davey falling
into trouble, even after being cautioned by Goliath, his faithful
companion and conscience," Bangert said.  "Snowboard Christmas is no
exception.  Davey messes up big time in this story.  Not only does he get
himself into a very dangerous situation, but also his two new friends, Sam
and Yasmeen.  Maybe not even Goliath will be able to save the day this
time."
     "Davey falling into trouble has been the case for every Davey and
Goliath storyline, as well as the important role Davey's parents play,"
Bangert said.  Davey's parents are very secure in their understanding of
God's love for children -- a message illustrated in every episode.  The
message is conveyed not only to children but also to adults who learn
about love for fellow human beings, she said.
     Snowboard Christmas is the first new Davey and Goliath production in
30 years, which features significant advances in stop-motion animation
technology, said the Rev. Eric C. Shafer, director, ELCA Department for
Communication.
     A unique quality to the special is "the theme of oneness among
Christianity, Judaism and Islam.  Davey, a Christian, meets Sam, who is
Jewish, and Yasmeen, who is Muslim.  It is unique in itself for a church
group to be doing such a production," Shafer said.
     "We are very excited about the re-launch of the Davey and Goliath
property, which is now celebrating its 45th anniversary," said Ava Odom
Martin, director for public media, ELCA Department for Communication.
     "Baby Boomers, teens and tots will be engaged and find something
appealing with the all-new family special.  We are especially excited to
be involved with the Hallmark Channel through Faith and Values Media for
the world premiere broadcast, and we hope that 'Davey and Goliath's
Snowboard Christmas' will be a traditional family favorite for years to
come," Martin said.
     Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas was produced by Premavision,
Inc. (Clokey Productions), Los Osos, Calif., and executive produced by the
ELCA.  The program is being presented on the Hallmark Channel through
Faith and Values Media.
_ _ _

     Information about Davey and Goliath is available on the Internet at
http://www.daveyandgoliath.org -- the official Davey and Goliath Web site
maintained by the ELCA.  Images of "Davey and Goliath Snowboard Christmas"
are available at
http://www.daveyandgoliath.org/media/snowboard.images.html on the
Internet.

     A media kit containing news releases, images and more is available
upon request.  Please contact John Brooks, director, ELCA News Service, at
773-380-2958, or Melissa Ramirez Cooper, associate director, 773-380-2956.

     Licensing opportunities for Davey and Goliath are available by
contacting the ELCA's licensing agent Mark Bannon, Animation Content, East
Granby, Conn., 860-413-9270.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news