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/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
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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
