wfn.org | NBC to air United Methodist spot on Sept. 11 anniversary

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

July 17, 2002  News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert7(615)742-54707Nashville,
Tenn.   10-71B{303}

By Nancye Willis*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS)-NBC-TV will air a special United Methodist Church
commercial twice on Sept. 11, during "Today" show coverage of the first
anniversary of the terrorist attacks on America.

The "Amen" spot was produced by United Methodist Communications' Igniting
Ministry office as a pastoral response to the events of Sept. 11. Its
message that "the people of the United Methodist Church are praying with
you" aired on the CNN network for three weeks after the terrorist attacks in
New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. 

The Rev. Steve Horswill-Johnston, executive director of Igniting Ministry
and a staff executive at UMCom, said the "Today" time slot and additional
placements on cable networks "continue our goal of raising awareness of the
United Methodist Church and inviting persons to attend a local
congregation."

"The opportunity to impact viewers widens with the anniversary of Sept. 11,
when all people will be considering emotional and spiritual healing," he
added.   

In addition to the NBC time purchased, Igniting Ministry's "Diversity,"
"Daughter Sleeping," "Rain" and "Love Letters" commercials will air
Wednesday-Saturday, Sept. 4-30, on 18 cable networks. They include the ABC
Family, A&E, BET, CNBC, CNN, CNN Headline News, Discovery, Fox News, Fox
Sports, HGTV, History, Lifetime, MSNBC, TBS, TNT, Univision, USA and Weather
Channel networks.

The ads are designed to reach people who are seeking answers to real-life
questions and to invite them to United Methodist churches to continue their
search. The airings coincide with "United Methodist Open House Month,"
established in 2001 with the debut of the denomination's TV advertising
effort 

During annual conferences this summer, many United Methodist bishops
encouraged congregations to set aside Sept. 8 for "Remembering 9/11"
services, in conjunction with proclaiming September Open House Month. The
request for the bishops' actions came from Igniting Ministry staff at UMCom,
which is providing worship resources including a sermon outline for
"Remembering 9/11" services.

"Open House Month, and especially 'Remembering 9/11,' allows United
Methodist churches to live out the promise of 'open hearts, open minds, open
doors' made by the television messages," Horswill-Johnston said.
"'Remembering 9/11' services provide their communities a place to gather to
remember the events and those affected by them, and to pray for wisdom,
comfort, healing, peace and recovery." 

The TV ads, radio spots and non-broadcast pieces make up one element of a
five-part coordinated effort.  The four-year media campaign, which also
includes matching grants, training, planning kits and a Web presence, is
intended to increase awareness and recognition of the denomination's basic
beliefs; to foster a positive feeling and willingness among non-church
members to visit a United Methodist church; and to renew a sense of
commitment among United Methodists. 

More information on Igniting Ministry, the spots schedule and "Remembering
9/11" resources is available at www.ignitingministry.org or toll-free from
the Igniting Ministry office at (877) 281-6535.
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* Willis is a writer and editor in United Methodist Communications' public
information and Igniting Ministry units.

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United Methodist News Service
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