wfn.org | Brazil, Violence Friendship Press Themes

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the 
U.S.A.
Contact: Mary Byrne Hoffmann (212) 870-2282; Fax: 
(212) 870-2030

FP6/5/97      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW ECUMENICAL RESOURCES FOCUS ON VIOLENCE IN 
SOCIETY
PUBLICATIONS ALSO TAKE CLOSE LOOK AT BRAZILIAN 
CHRISTIANITY

NEW YORK ---  "A Call to Hope," the theme of new 
1997 resources for mission education published by 
Friendship Press, "is a response to the pervasive 
violence that characterizes our world at the end of 
the 20th century," according to Roger L. Burgess,
Publisher.

     The new print and video resources will be used 
by congregations across the United States and 
Canada, Burgess said.  Ecumenical study topics are 
determined each year by the National Council of 
Churches' Program Committee on Education for Mission 
(PCEM), comprised of nearly 30 denominational 
representatives.

     "Obviously, the Committee and its Publisher 
must be attentive to the times, the issues that 
drive a socially conscious readership," commented 
Burgess.  "But as a publisher that serves 
communities of faith, our resources must also go 
beyond analysis of the issues to suggest solutions.  
That's why we have entitled the publications, A Call 
to Hope: Christians Living in a Violent Society."

     A Call to Hope resources include an adult book 
(Vera K. White) that examines how the thread of 
violence is deeply woven into such issues as power 
structures, justice, family life, relationships, 
media and ultimately, faith.  The book can be used 
for personal study, an adult or youth church school 
class, an ecumenical or interfaith discussion group, 
a community organization, a weekend retreat or 
planning sermons.  It contains Bible studies, 
worship resources, a listing of organizations that 
deal with violence, and a videography.

     In addition, Friendship Press has published a 
colorful children's magazine (author, Faye Wilson; 
illustrator, Gloria Ortiz Hernandez) and an 
accompanying teacher's guide (Faye Wilson) that 
encourages children to explore their own feelings 
about violence as well as their skills for resolving 
conflicts through stories and activities.  A 28-
minute video for adult study, Christian Faith in a 
Violent World (producer,Ted Yaple), models effective 
solutions by profiling three examples of Christians 
who are working to make positive changes in their 
communities.

     Brazil: A Gracious People in a Heartless System 
is the theme and title for the second set of 1997 
resources.  Burgess highlighted the task of 
Friendship Press to publish mission study materials 
that focus on a particular geographical area of the 
world each year.

    "We give our audience the opportunity to see the 
far reach and depth of mission work.  Living in the 
United States can often be an insular experience, an 
ecocentric perspective, that isolates and blinds us 
to other cultures.  Friendship Press makes the world 
`out there' come alive with a presentation of often 
difficult issues like poverty, hunger, tyranny, and 
despair.  On the other hand, we are equally diligent 
in bringing our audiences other worlds of song, 
music, art, and custom that offer a wonderful sense 
of the fullness of the human experience."

     The adult book (Zwinglio Dias and Joyce Hill) 
explores Brazil in all its complexity through an in-
depth analysis of the historical, social and 
economic factors that define contemporary Brazilian 
life.  Readers will savor the magnificent blend of 
cultures, religions and races that lend Brazil its 
"exotic" image.  At the same time, a balanced 
perspective will illuminate the shadow side of that 
diversity - racism and poverty that blight the lives 
of millions of Brazilians. The adult book is 
accompanied by a study book (Joyce Hill) that 
challenges readers to consider systemic changes that 
can relieve suffering.  The study book includes 
Bible references, Brazilian worship resources, 
music, recipes, and Carnival celebrations.

     Another element in the Brazilian resources is 
the very popular Map `n' Facts (Oxford 
Cartographers; text by Wilma Roberts) which 
Friendship Press produces for each geographical 
study.  The colorful 23" x 35" map illustrates 
topographical, climatic, and social characteristics 
of Brazil.  The reverse side displays eight panels 
surveying Brazil's history, peoples, Protestant 
missions, and industrial development.

     The fourth piece in the Brazil resources is a 
26-minute video, Brazil: A Faithful Response 
(producer, Jeannine Jones), that allows the viewer 
to walk the streets of  the favellas of Rio De 
Janiero - the "home" of  thousands of nomadic 
Brazilian children - and enter into the dichotomous 
worlds of the rich and poor in Ipanema.  Three 
denominations - Lutheran, Methodist and Presbyterian 
- and their mission work in Brazil are featured in 
this video.

     As related resources, Friendship Press 
introduces several excellent books.  Families Valued 
by Jack Nelson-Pallmeyer takes an intriguing look at 
the rhetoric around the family values 
controversy.and a startling look at America's lack 
of concern for the welfare of all children.  The 
father of three young children, Pallmeyer coins the 
phrase and the philosophy of social parenting as a 
mandate to  ensure the future of our young.

     In a special offering, Friendship Press also 
presents three resources on diversity and 
multiculturalism.  Cultural Diversity Fieldbook 
(George F. Simons, Bob Abrams,
and L. Ann Hopkins, with Diane J. Johnson, editors) 
ranges over the spectrum of opinion - conservative 
to progressive - about diversity in more than 100 
articles, interactive exercises, interviews, and 
essays. The Cultural Diversity Sourcebook (Bob 
Abrams and 
George F. Simons, editors) repaints the diversity 
landscape challenging the reader to think beyond 
accepted boundaries about issues such as class, 
gender, and race.  A companion piece to both books 
is the Cultural Diversity Supplement (L. Ann 
Hopkins, Bob Abrams, and George Simons, with Diane 
J. Johnson, editors) which contains new exercises 
and materials on issues covered in earlier works.

     Finally, Ronald Stenning puts the story of 
Church World Service (CWS) in a the context of world 
events in Church World Service: Fifty Years of Help 
and Hope.  Giving a keen sense of breadth and global 
scale to the organization's activities, this book 
tells the story of  CWS' continuing support of 
disaster response, community development and refugee 
assistance throughout the world.

     For more information on Friendship Press 
publications, please contact Mary Byrne Hoffmann, 
Marketing Director, at (212) 870-2282.  Review 
copies are available upon request.

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     In 1998, Friendship Press will publish 
resources on Indonesia and Refugees.
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