CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Augsburg Fortress, the publishing house of
the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), announced the
release of two new children's ministry resources featuring Davey
and Goliath, characters from the classic television series for
children, according to a release from the Minneapolis-based
publisher.
The resources are "Davey and Goliath's Circus Spectacular,"
a 2005 Vacation Bible School (VBS) program, and "Davey and
Goliath's Devotionals," a quarterly devotional magazine created
for families.
Davey and Goliath is a stop-motion animated 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.
"These new offerings are a part of our effort to bring
children learning that lasts throughout the year," said Sue
Hinton, senior editor, Children's Resources, Augsburg Fortress.
"We are planning to feature Davey and Goliath in three successive
VBS programs, so this learning will build from year to year for
kids."
Davey and Goliath's Circus Spectacular
Following up on the success of "Davey and Goliath's Camp
Creation," a VBS program this year, Circus Spectacular gives
children an opportunity to experience Bible stories through an
interactive combination of music, art, snacks, games, worship and
drama, the ELCA publisher said.
Friends Cisco and Jonathan join Davey, his sister, Sally,
and Goliath under God's Big Tent.
Circus Spectacular begins each day with a group worship
celebration. Participants engage in Bible study before they go to
five different activity sites: Bible Story Spotlight, Circus
Crafts, Goliath's Games, Trapeze Treats and Davey's Drama. Daily
themes and Bible stories are reinforced through hands-on
activities and games. Each day ends with worship.
The Davey's Drama activity site features an interactive
video and puppet experience, aimed at helping participants learn
to apply the gospel to real life, the news release said.
Davey and Goliath's Devotionals
Themes in the Davey and Goliath VBS programs are reinforced
through Davey and Goliath's Devotionals, formerly titled The Home
Altar.
Through the rest of 2004, Davey and Goliath's Devotionals
help children ages five to10 years old experience faith lessons
through Bible-based activities and games. Each issue is in a
flexible weekly format that helps family members share faith
stories with each other featuring the television characters, the
release said.
"These new Davey and Goliath resources from Augsburg
Fortress complement newly announced children's books by
Scholastic, Inc., and the coming 'Davey and Goliath's Snowboard
Christmas' television special, all to bring the important
messages of Davey and Goliath to a new generation of children,"
said the Rev. Eric C. Shafer, director, ELCA Department for
Communication. "These messages are God's love for children and
the wisdom of parents."
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Information about Augsburg Fortress and Davey and Goliath
VBS materials is at http://www.augsburgfortress.org on the Web.
* Deborah Erickson is marketing communications director for
Augsburg Fortress Publishers, Minneapolis.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
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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
