Spirit Connection November 2004 Compilation
–DVD
Nov.7,2004: Lead 2004
Nov.14,2004: The United Church Observer –175th Anniversary
Nov.21,2004: Clergy in Politics
Nov.28,2004: Beyond the Beads of Hope – Mozambique
Spirit Connection
December 2004 Compilation (VHS)
Dec.5: Beyond The Beads of Hope: Tanzania
Dec.12: Beyond The Beads of Hope: Moving Forward
Dec.19: Christmas Carols
Dec.26: Architecture of Worship
Short History
of Global Relationships in The UCC (VHS)
The Rev. Chris Ferguson,
former Executive Minister of Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit of the General Council Office of the United Church
of Canada, shares his perspective on this vital topic.
Healing at Lac Ste
Anne
Every July, over 40,000
Aboriginal people journey to Lac Ste Anne in northern Alberta. It's the largest
Native pilgrimage in North American, and it's over a century old. Recent lawsuits
over residential school scandals weigh on the Oblate missionaries who own the sacred site.
The religious order may go bankrupt and lose the site just when its healing powers are most needed.
This documentary is a campground tapestry of colourful characters and Catholic and Native faith, amidst the hope to
heal old wounds.
Glimpses of
the Spirit- Lent Compilation (VHS & DVD)
Profound theological reflections and insights from people
of faith across Canada and from around the world. These gems of wisdom pack an
emotional and spiritual punch that will provoke some lively discussions in study groups or individuals pondering the season
of Lent. The four programs will deal with the following themes: Reconciliation, Hope, Eco-Theology,
and HIV/AIDS.
Spirit Connection-January/February
2005 CompilationJan. 16, 2005
Deaf Ministry
In this program the United Church looks at ways to answer the needs of the Deaf and hearing-challenged members of
its congregations. Program includes a profile of Helen Bickle, lay pastoral Deaf
minister.
Jan.23,2005 – The Money Show
Show Jesus talked a lot about money but the subject still makes church people cringe!
Here is a show all about money, what our theology says, and how to move beyond guilt to start a meaningful discussion
about giving.
Jan. 30, 2005 - Community Ministries & The Tsunami Response
Community ministry is a vital part of what The United Church of Canada is all about.
This is where day-to-day justice work, advocacy, and attention to specific local needs are addressed in very practical
ways. Also in this show, interviews with national staff Gary Kenny and Margaret
Sumadh about the United Church special appeal for tsunami relief, and with ecumenical chaplain Ralph Wushke.
Feb. 06, 2005 - Listen: A Journey of Social Justice
Moved by the news stories of the fishing crisis in Newfoundland and its effects, particularly on the young people there,
a group of Ontario teens wanted to do something to show their solidarity. Their
congregation rallied around and raised money to travel to Newfoundland. This
is the tale of their encounter with a social issue that has altered the face of a province.
Spirit Connection-December
2004 Compilation (DVD)
Dec. 5: Beyond The Beads of Hope: Tanzania
Dec. 12: Beyond the Beads of Hope: Moving Forward
Dec. 19: Christmas Carols
Dec. 26: Architecture of Worship
Lord’s
Prayer (VHS & DVD)
The Lord's Prayer may be the best known and best loved prayer in history. And
yet this prayer that Jesus himself gave us is almost mysterious in its simplicity. In
The Lord's Prayer: Entering into God's Country, author Walter Wangerin, Jr., explores the petitions and the structure of the
Lord's Prayer. Wangerin sheds light on what the Lord's Prayer reveals about God's
nature and our own nature, and on how we should live in relationship with God and one another.
Divided into eight segments covering each phrase of the Lord's Prayer, this video uncovers new meaning in this cherished
prayer.
Legend of the
Three Trees (VHS & DVD)
The Legend of The Three Trees is a timeless retelling of the classic folktale of three distinct trees, each with its
own hopes, dreams and aspirations. We follow a beautiful olive tree blossoming
in the valley, a knotty oak tree clinging to the shore and a strong pine standing high on the mountainside. They each dreamed of becoming great-perhaps a majestic treasure chest, or a magnificent sailing ship or
maybe the tallest tree in the forest.
But their dreams didn't seem to come true. Disappointed and dejected,
the trees despair about their existence until they each finally interact, in their own unique ways, with Jesus Christ in His
birth, ministry and ultimate sacrifice. In these experiences, they learn that
God has a special purpose for each of them in His kingdom.
Resurrection
(VHS)
The resurrection of Jesus is proclaimed in this deeply moving video narrated by acclaimed actor, Jim Caviezel.
This new Scripture translation of John 20.1-31 combines scholarly integrity with award-winning cinematography and direction.
Experience the transformation from sorrow to joy in this contemporary approach to a traditional text.
Zoned for Slavery:
The Child Behind the Label (VHS)
Zoned for Slavery: The Child Behind the Label is a 23 minute video produced about child labor in garment production.
Creative Conflict
in the Church (VHS)
Kim McMillan, a human relations consultant from Salmon Arm, BC explains the "PINCH theory" for dealing with conflict
in organizations like the church. A good resource for conflict resolution - Conflict
is not necessarily negative but can be a catalyst for change.
Hidden Face
of Globalization (VHS)
In the global economy, corporations demand enforceable laws-intellectual property and copyright laws-backed up by
sanctions to protect their products. However, when we ask these same companies,
"Can't we also protect the rights of the 16-year-old who made the product?," the companies respond: "No. That would be an impediment to free trade!" So we live in
a society where the label, the trademark, the logo, the product-are all protected, but not the human being who made it. This is morally and ethically wrong.
From Tears to
Hope (VHS)
A view of life in Rwanda. The Rwandan genocide that began in April 1994
was one of the 20th century's worst examples of mass murder. Most of those who
survived are women; the vast majority are widows. Their lives today are an unusual
blend of tears, at having lost their loved ones, and hope, as they rebuild their communities and their country.
East Timor:
Birth of a Nation
After 500 years of foreign rule, first by Portugal, then by Japan during World War Two, and then by Indonesia for the
past 25 years, finally the East Timorese can proudly say they have a constitution, they have a national parliament; they have
a government; diplomatic relations with other countries, they can engage in normal trade with the rest of the world; and be
part of the international community. Jose Ramos Horta includes discussions of the involvement of the Catholic Church in East
Timor's struggle for freedom. Also includes an interview with Sergio de Mello,
the United Nations Special Envoy who was killed in the bombing of the UN headquarters in Baghdad in August 2003.
Dare To Be
In 2005, The United Church of Canada is 80 years old. We think this is
an occasion worthy of commemorating! You are invited to participate in a year-long
celebration in 2005.
Our theme for the year is Dare To Be and we have ideas of how you might want to mark the occasion. You might reminisce or plant a tree or have a party or give a gift.
You might also want to use the short video called Dare to Be, available in March as part of many of your activities.
Throughout the year we will be adding new ideas and stories from congregations, so visit our web page often. Share your activities with the wider church by sending stories and pictures to:
Financial Stewardship
3250 Bloor St. West, Suite 300
Toronto, ON M8X 2Y4
American Prophet
– William Sloane Coffin (VHS, DVD)
For half a century, the Rev. William Sloane Coffin has stood as a force for progressive religion in America and in
the world.
Both a tribute to his remarkable life and a prophetic call to the nation, William Sloane Coffin: An American Prophet contains the wisdom of a man facing the end of his courageous life who has carried
on a lover's quarrel with America. With powerful messages on terrorism, faith,
politics, and hope - engagingly delivered as only William Sloane Coffin can - the documentary concludes with a testimony to
his legacy of justice and love, given by his friends; Arthur Miller, James Carroll, Susannah Heschel, and Robert and Sally
Benton.
Thirst (VHS)
"Thirst" is a remarkable film. The looming freshwater crisis is the greatest
environmental and human rights crisis of our time. Not surprisingly, the move
is on by powerful corporations and governments to commodify and cartelize the world's water supplies for power and profit. Thirst is the story of the assault and the fight to stop it.
Global corporations are rapidly buying up local water supplies. Communities
suddenly lose control of their most precious resource. Thirst, a character-driven
documentary with no narration, reveals how water is the catalyst for explosive community resistance and globalization.
A piercing look at the conflict between public stewardship and private profit.
Spirit Connection
– March/April 2005 Compilation (VHS & DVD)
March 27: Arts & Spirituality
April 3: Native Issues
April 10: Websight: Connection Youth for Global
Justice
Spirit Connection
– April/May 2005 Compilation (VHS & DVD)
April 17, 2005 – Community Ministries
April 14, 2005 – Colombia: Weaving Hope
May 1, 2005 – Health and Wellness
It’s a
Girl’s World (VHS & DVD)
It's a Girl's World is a documentary about social bullying - specifically
how girls use their power to hurt each other - presented as films, a radio program and a website, with support materials for
parents and educators.
It's a Girl's World takes us inside the tumultuous relationships
of a clique of popular 10-year old girls. Playground bullying as captured on
camera shows a disturbing picture of how these girls use their closest friendship to hurt each other - with shunning, whispering
and mean looks - to win social power within the group. By comparison, the tragic
story of a 14--year old girl who killed herself after enduring months of rumors and verbal threats is a stark reminder that
social bullying can spiral out of control.
It's a Girl's World shatters the myth that social bullying among
girls is an acceptable part of growing up.
Don’t
Sit on Your Stuff
Peter and Andrew figure out that they shouldn't "sit on their stuff" as they enact a familiar parable. This leads us to a discussion of what to do with our own "stuff" - our time, money and talents. Musicians Joel and Aimee Pakan of Tangled Blue also bring fresh twists of interpretation to two stories
of giving and grace: the story of Mary washing Jesus' feet with expensive perfume, and the parable of the widow who gave all
of her money at the temple. A youth groups tells how they learned to give of
themselves when one member had cancer. (21 min)
Beyond the News: Money
This video is divided into ten discussion segments (55 min. version) followed by a 23 min. condensed version. Does talking about money make you uncomfortable?
Is our money
disconnected from our faith? Take the challenge to honestly discuss how we view
and use money.
The ten segments are:
1.Money: How is our thinking about money influenced by society and family?
2.To Be Blessed: Is having a lot of material things a sign of God's blessing?
3.The Call: In what ways does following Jesus change my life?
4.To Be A Steward: Does stewardship mean careful spending or talking risks?
5.Security/Idolatry: Where do we find security? Do investments deny our
security in God?
6.Wealth/Enough Is: Do we need everything we can afford?
7.Production/Consumption: How does following Jesus affect our choices about what we eat, what we wear, what we do for
recreation?
8.Poverty: What excuses do we use to protect ourselves from the suffering in the world?
9.First Fruits/Giving: Why limit titheing to 10 percent?
10.Teaching Children: How do we teach children to understand the difference between needs and desires?
These are followed by the shortened version which omits numbers 7 & 10.
Beyond the News: Homeless
Beyond the News: Homeless-ness is divided into 4 segments and is to be
used to stimulate discussion.
1. Homeless
2. Changing Realities
3. Shelter
4. Doing your Part
Each segment is separated by five seconds of black screen, where you may stop the video and allow time for discussion. Use the questions suggested in the study guide, ask for comments from the viewers
and use questions of your own.
Rhythms of Peace
This video is divided into two sections. The first section is hosted by
Mr. Fredd (35 min). The second section (21 min) has the same stories, but without the Mr. Fredd introductions. The four stories
are :
Eye for an Eye - what would happen if we really took an "eye for an eye" to resolve conflict.
Tea for Everyone - even though they drink different kinds of tea, people can still be friends.
Rhythm Makers - about a rhythm band in full swing.
The Sun and the Wind - the classic fable of the sun and the wind arguing over which is stronger.
Rhythms of Peace
2
Rhythms of Peace 2 has stories, music and poems for children ages 8-11. Has
two versions. The first is with Mr. Fredd introducing the stories (39 min). The
second is just the stories (26 min).
Contains:
Strength of the Wolf - a lesson in co-operation
The Girl - encourages empathy for those who are different
Power of a cookie - story without words where a girl learns that making friends takes persistence.
Someone else decide - song by folk singer John McCutcheon illustrates the importance of asking for help when you disagree
with someone.
Canoe Journal - stories of peacemakers are interwoven with a canoe building project.
Rhythms of Peace
Around the World
Third in the Rhythms of Peace series, Rhythms of Peace around the world is a 39 minute video featuring a delightful
mix of music, fiction and straightforward mini-documentaries for 8-11 year olds. Host
Mr. Fredd helps children explore ever-widening circles of peace. There are 2
stories from each country.
Bulgaria:: Sticking Together - A Bulgarian Gypsy girl gets help from her friends to overcome her aunt's prejudice.
Give Peace a Chance - Children at a peace camp on the Black Sea find ways to form friendships and heal hurts from conflicting
ethnic groups.
Cuba: Cuban Surprise - Follow a vibrant youth choir around picturesque Havana and as they go to a children's crusade
in the United States.
Vamos - Join the Generacion con Proposito choir as they sing of filling
the world with peace.
Jamaica the Box - A story without words where we see how giving, leads to more giving.
Talking Hands -Deaf children experience the pain of prejudice but have found ways to cope and peaceful resolutions
