Here you will find descriptions of videos that have been added to the
Maritime Conference AVEL collection since May of the current Church year.
At a special ceremony at the opening of the 1989 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, seven First Nations men in their fifties entered the stadium in war canoes.
• Niigaanibatowaad: Front Runners
Three new dvds at AVEL from the Simple Living Network. Of interest to all who are thinking about how to participate in walking gently on the earth (Stewardship Groups, Common Life Groups, Senior Youth Groups, Women’s and Men’s Groups……)
• RADICALLY simple
• The Ecological Footprint
• $imply Enough
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It is never too early to book your Christmas programs from AVEL. Just call 506-364-1990 or email your request to avel@marconf.ca or order online.
Here are a few titles that may interest you. |
One dvd with two wonderful children’s stories:
Go Look in the Manger -30 min
Based on a true story, Go Look in the Manger is a wonderful tale of a Christmas gone by. Colorful illustrations, new and familiar songs, and a nostalgic setting are sure to make viewing this original story a holiday tradition. To eight-year-old Ricky Meyer, the Christmas of 1966 is a wonderland filled with snowballs and manger scenes. Desperate to impress his teacher and classmates with a memorable "show-and-tell," Ricky strikes a deal with his mother which jeopardizes his Christmas. When he plays "King of the Hill" with his best friend, the promise he made to his mother is the last thing on his mind. The promise is broken and Ricky will have to face the consequences on Christmas. But at church on Christmas Eve, Ricky hears the story of the greatest Christmas gift ever, the gift of Jesus. Find out what Ricky discovers when his forgiving mother tells him to "go look in the manger."
Candy Makers Christmas 30 min
"Only the finest will be accepted," cheers the candy maker......as he mixes and stirs and twirls his latest creation. "Only the finest for the king." And as he walks into the snowy night, August is certain that he has made the perfect Christmas present for the royal family. But an accidental encounter in front of the Cathedral teaches August that the only truly perfect Christmas present is the gift of Jesus. August learns a lesson in love and humility as his candy cane becomes a popular Christmas reminder for people throughout the world. Children of all ages will enjoy finding the symbolism of the candy cane in this tasty tale of Christmas discovery. The Candy Maker's Christmas is sure to be a holiday classic.
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Three Christmas Classics -- on one DVD!
Christmas Is - 22 min-- An animated classic about Benji, a disappointed little boy who must play the second shepherd in the school play -- again. Disappointment turns to joy when a daydream transports him and his lovable pooch, Waldo, back to the first Christmas. There the second shepherd shares with them the angels' message -- that Jesus is born in Bethlehem! (22 minutes)
The City That Forgot About Christmas – 22 min-- The story of a woodcarver who lived in a village that had forgotten about Christmas. When he taught the children of the town about the birth of Jesus, the uncaring village was filled with the joy of Christ. This animated favorite features the voices of Sebastian Cabot, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Louis Nye. (22 minutes)
The Stableboy's Christmas 27 min-- This award-winning dramatic special finds 10-year-old Tammy traveling back in time to the first Christmas in Bethlehem and witnessing the little stableboy's act of unselfish love when he gives the Christ child his pet lamb. Tammy then realizes how sharing presents with others is a way of sharing God’s love at Christmas. (27 minutes)
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Barrington Bunny (DVD; Children; 8 mins)
Barrington Bunny hasn't been included in anyone's Christmas Eve Celebrations. He's alone - the only bunny in the forest - and he wants to share Christmas with someone. How can he escape his loneliness and isolation? Through this animation classic, Barrington helps viewers discover the value that each individual holds and the place that each creature fills as a member of a larger family.
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A Fruitcake Christmas (DVD) Grades 1-6, 60 minutes
It's Christmastime in the garden and Hermie and his friends are hustling and bustling to prepare for the big day. But more than anything, they all eagerly anticipate the crowning moment of the holiday season: the arrival of Grannypillar's scrumptious fruitcake. Suddenly, Christmas is hijacked when Iggy and Ziggy Cockroach-the greediest bugs in the garden-steal Grannypillar's fruitcake. How will Christmas survive?! But deep in the hearts of the youngest of hearts, the true meaning of Christmas shines through. Hailey and Bailey, through an act of unheard of generosity, together remind the garden that the celebration of Christmas is nothing about fruitcake, but about God's gift to us.
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Martin and the Heavenly Tree (DVD) Ages 4-8, 23 minutes
When his father becomes sick, Martin's has to change his plans for an outdoor Christmas celebration in a sudden, yet creative way. Will he be able to give his family his special Christmas present? Children will enjoy this tale of the origin of the Christmas tree, set in Germany in the early 16th century. This beautifully illustrated story of the "tree that points to heaven" is sure to be a Christmas favorite. Vision Video
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The King is Born (DVD) Ages 3-8, 30 minutes
Beginning with Gabriel's announcing God’s blessed plan for Mary, this animated video brings all the elements of the timeless story of Jesus’ birth to life. Journey with Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and witness with the shepherds the humble birth of the Savior. Includes chapter access and a sing-along song. Vision Video
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The Story of the Selfish Giant (DVD) Ages 4-8, 30 mins
A grandfather uses Oscar Wilde's timeless tale, The Story of the Selfish Giant, to unlock the true meaning of Christmas for his granddaughter. As the selfish giant learns in this story of love and sacrifice, God's unselfish gift fills us with joy. Children of all ages will be enchanted by this charming story and its strong Christian message. Original artwork and music are sure to make this a holiday favorite for years to come. Vision Video
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The Lion & The Lamb (VHS) Grades 1-6, 24 mins
Christopher Reeve and Amy Grant relate this touching story of how an escaped lion and newborn lamb teach a brother and sister the true spirit of Christmas. The Lion & the Lamb is a heartfelt holiday classic that promises to captivate viewers. Animated.
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Jacob’s Gift (VHS) 30 mins. Gr. 1 and up
Hoping to win a contest whereby the winner gets to help build the new synagogue, Jacob comes up with a great idea. But with his father’s inn overflowing with guests, Jacob is pulled away from the project by his duties to his family. In the end, Jacob sacrifices winning the contest to do a kindness for a family with a newborn baby and in the process learns an important lesson about giving.
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Veggie Tales: The Star of Christmas (VHS) Preschool/Primary; 45 mins
It’s 1880’s London, and Cavis Appyhart and Millward Phelps (Bob and Larry) are putting the finishing touches on their first Christmas musical – “The Princess and the Plumber.” Filled with spectacle and more electric lights than London has ever seen, Cavis is convinced his impressive show will “teach London to love!” Unfortunately, a church Christmas pageant staged by little Edmund Gilbert (Junior Asparagus) is opening the same night, right down the street, and features the “Star of Christmas” – a priceless artifact that hasn’t been seen in 80 years! Just how far will Cavis go to make sure his show opens on top? Find out in this hilarious, action-packed adventure which teaches that it’s the true story of God’s love that shows us how to love one another – at Christmas time and throughout the year!
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Bedbug Bible Gang Series: Christmas Show (25 min. ea.; for ages 3-6)
This series filled with animation, cartoons, and pup-pets. Children will love to follow the Bedbugs as they share their favorite stories.
Christmas Show: The bedbugs have been busy learning their lines for their biggest show of the year, a show all about Jesus’ birthday! You’re sure to enjoy hearing the bedbugs tell the stories of Mary’s Surprise, The Wise Men, The Shepherds of Bethlehem. Get ready to laugh and sing.
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Uppity Women of the Bible
Uppity Women of the Bible is a four volume DVD-based series featuring Hebrew Bible professor Dr. Lisa Wolfe. Combining careful scholarship with humour and fresh insights, Dr. Wolfe presents just what your group needs for lively, thoughtful discussion of Ruth (7 sessions), The Song of Songs (6 sessions), Judith (6 sessions)and Esther (6 sessions). Developed for adult study groups, each session ends with discussion questions so that participants—with or without a trained facilitator—can understand and explore the issues raised by the stories of these often misunderstood Biblical women.
Volume 1: SONG OF SONGS
Explore the mysterious, beautiful, and alluring Song of Songs, at times referred to as Song of Solomon, in this six-session study led by Rev. Dr. Lisa M. Wolfe. As she navigates this intricate and sometimes puzzling book, Dr. Wolfe combines deep scholarship with a charming enthusiasm for the text. She poses some of the central questions surrounding Song of Songs. Who wrote it? What sort of people are the main characters? Is it based in history, mythology … or both? As you enter into the world of the lovers Ra‘yati and Dodi, you will have plenty of opportunities to laugh and even blush, right along with Dr. Wolfe. Uppity Women of the Bible: Song of Songs invites you into the adventure of re-reading and re-imagining this powerful and intriguing work of poetry and literature.
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Volume 2: RUTH
In seven engaging sessions Rev. Dr. Lisa Wolfe takes you on an enlightening journey through the Book of Ruth. This is a lively and thoughtful examination. Dr. Wolfe considers the vulnerability of widows and the difficult situation of foreigners in biblical times. She explores themes of loyalty, bitterness, courage, poverty and seduction. What really happened on the threshing room floor? Combining humor and careful scholarship, this study invites you to re-read the book with new insight and understanding for all its characters, especially the intelligent, confident – even uppity – heroine Ruth.
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Volume 3: JUDITH
This fascinating volume examines the story of an Uppity Woman who took things into her own hands – including the head of a brutal warrior chief. Rev. Dr. Lisa M. Wolfe takes you on a tour of the Book of Judith, posing provocative questions along the way. Judith, from the Koine Greek version of the Hebrew Old Testament, reads like a historical novel rife with warfare, lust, espionage and intrigue. This six-session volume takes you from a mythological battlefield and a besieged city into the studio and psyche of the Baroque painter Artemesia Gentileschi. Dr. Wolfe’s style is a refreshing balance of careful scholarship and a genuine love for the story of this amazing woman.
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Volume 4: ESTHER
Enter into an exotic and fanciful Persian kingdom complete with a dim-witted king, a defiant queen, an egotistical lieutenant and a loyal uncle. With lavish banquets, extreme beauty treatments and dangerous liaisons at every turn, can the beautiful and courageous Esther avert disaster for her people? All this occurs in a Biblical book where God is never mentioned. Rev. Dr. Lisa M. Wolfe digs deeply and lovingly into this complex story that ranges from slapstick farce to Shakespearian tragedy. Uppity Women of the Bible: Esther is presented in six sessions. So grab your Purim gragger and your hamantaschen – if you don’t know what those are, you’ll find out in session two – and join Dr. Wolfe for this fascinating study of power, corruption, violence and courage.
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FIRST LIGHT: Jesus and the Kingdom of God
Join pre-eminent New Testament scholars Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan on location throughout the Galilee and Jerusalem. First Light is a 12-session DVD and web-based study of the historical Jesus and the Kingdom of God. Participant Guide written by John Dominic Crossan:
"It is all I have to say about Jesus after half a century of study--in succinct summary."
Filmed in High-Definition throughout the Galilee and Jerusalem.
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Central Queens United 2007
This DVD is of the Central Queens United Church of Canada, A Service of Celebration, Worship Service, Dedication Sunday, September 16, 2007. Filmed at Hunter River, Prince Edward Isalnd, the Rev. Barbara Wagner presides at this dedication service, with Austin Jagoe, Roland Easter, the Rev. Cliff Moase, Rev. Don MacQueen, and Eric Tusz King taking part. Special Music was provided by Brad Trivers, Susan Andrews, Melanie and Kriss Taylor, Rising Tide; and Sara Weeks along with members of the Choir. Organist was Christine Belanger.
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The Adventures of Carlos Caterpillar
9 DVD programs, 25 minutes each (children 3-8)
-tells the growing up story of Carlos, an ever-curious little caterpillar who often finds himself in one predicament or another. Helped by his Uncle Pedro, a butterfly with a lifetime of experience behind him, Carlos learns many lessons that will help him through his own little journey of life! These entertaining adventures are done in full 3D animation with great music and Latin flavor.
#1, Colossal Tales (Being Yourself) -- A new student in town spells competitive trouble for Carlos and Sluggy and catapults our hero into a tangled web of deception and lies. The resulting inflation of egos leaves Carlos in a very, very uncomfortable position -- about six stories up in the air!
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#2, Topsy Turvy (Responsibility) -- What right-minded caterpillar wouldn't want to squirm out of his chores only to do what he wanted to all day! In fact, this would make the perfect world!... Or would it? When all of the town's residents mysteriously slack off their responsibilities to pursue rap careers, professional leapfrogging and marital arts, Carlos alone is left to face a near disaster.
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#3, No Prize Surprise (Appreciation for what we have) -- Ah, money! What can't it buy? Carlos has a gleam in his eye for a cool gadget just like Sluggy's: an airborne intergalactic Bugopolisaucer with hurl hover capacity and accessory parts! So why does his dad put up a fuss when he asks for the money? A blunder of the mouth boomerangs back to Carlos knocking him for a loop and bringing him to his senses as to the real treasures he possesses.
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#4, Litterbug (Care of the Environment) -- While the rest of their schoolmates participate in cleaning their school grounds, Carlos and Antonio give everyone the slip and head out for a day of fun in the sun at the local beach. Little do they realize, however, that while they are away, their busy friends experience an earth-shattering event as giant-sized objects begin to pelt the town!
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#5, Buggy Bigbucks (True Value of Friendship) -- When Carlos finds a lottery ticket and wins what he thinks is a large fortune, his life suddenly takes a new twist! Sluggy becomes his new best friend and teaches him the ropes of the rich life! All seems well until Carlos finds out that his winnings are not as much as he had expected and that being liked by others has little to do with money.
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#6, Ultrabug (True Heroism) --The peaceful town of Mogan is disrupted by the sudden appearance of a costumed duo of super-heroes: Ultrabug and Wonderbug, his faithful helper! Unbeknown to these masked “heroes,” their well-intentioned capers result in a series of mishaps causing some of the town residents to set up a trap for their capture.
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#7, Bug-A-Boo (Safe Viewing) -- Carlos and his friends are off to a weekend of fun on a school camping trip! But the outing takes a twist as a dare to watch a series of “scary movies” sets the imagination of the student bugs awhirl. Suddenly the fun adventure doesn’t seem so fun after all. Additionally, a plan by Sluggy to embarrass Carlos by showing him to be a “scaredy bug” backfires in a big way!
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#8, Batter Chatter (The Dangers of Gossip) -- When a pie competition is announced, the bugs all get right to work, each hoping that they’ll be the one to bake the winning pie. When Carlos spies Lety meeting with the local chef, and suddenly Fleacia’s famous family pie recipe goes missing, he jumps to a far-fetched conclusion which spreads like wildfire.
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#9, Buggy Breakup (The Importance of Teamwork) -- Things are going just peachy when all the bug students begin to work together on a school float to collect food for a charity event. However, everything starts to go awry when they lose sight of the goal and begin to compete against each other, thanks to Sluggy’s subtle pairing of each bug against the other. Meanwhile, he is secretly creating his own float, a tribute to his own greatness!
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Communicating for Peace DVD
5-session design; study guide, downloadable internet resources
This DVD is a first - an educational resource for faith-based and secular peace advocates and journalists about the importance of telling stories. Being equipped to communicate for peace means knowing how to listen, see and speak in ways that contribute to conflict resolution and to creating the conditions for sustainable peace. This resource will help you take on that challenge.
Supporting resources are available for download at: http://www.waccglobal.org/en/resources/peace-dvd-resources.html
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DreamThinkBeDo DVD [curriculum for Sr. Youth]
An overview of progressive Christianity for young adults, DreamThinkBeDo features the insights of over twenty-five theologians and teachers at the top of their game. Each of the twenty self-standing sessions contains a 20-minute DVD segment drawn from the critically acclaimed LtQ2 series -- updated with connecting narrations, graphics, and music to engage your young adults. Bundled in four five-session modules, each session is divided into convenient and easily navigable chapters. Use the DVDs and downloadable participant guides as is or take advantage of the flexible format to customize the material for gatherings ranging from small groups to retreats to enhancing worship. However you slice it, DTBD is rich with the material you've been looking for in a format that will connect your young people with the best in today's theological thought.
| DREAM (Vol. 1) |
THINK (Vol.2) |
BE (Vol. 3) |
DO (Vol. 4) |
1. Faith as Journey
2. Stories of Creation
3. Reconciliation
4. Jesus
5. Risk |
1. Thinking Theologically
2. Taking the Bible Seriously
3. Evil & Suffering
4. Violence
5. Rapture
& Revelation |
1. A Kingdom
without Walls
2. God’s Vision
3. Prayer
4. Creativity
5. Mystery |
1. Incarnation
2. Compassion
3. Politics
4. Passion (Paul)
5. Resurrection |
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Story of Stuff (The) DVD 20 min [for youth and adults]
From its extraction through sale, use and disposal, all the stuff in our lives affects communities at home and abroad, yet most of this is hidden from view. The Story of Stuff is a 20-minute, fast-paced, fact-filled DVD that looks at the underside of our production and consumption patterns. The Story of Stuff exposes the connections between a huge number of environmental and social issues, and calls us together to create a more sustainable and just world. It'll teach you something, it'll make you laugh, and it just may change the way you look at all the stuff in your life forever.
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Choosing Our Future: Senior Students in Conversation with Jean Vanier
This 8-session Bible Study Kit is intended for young people ages approximately 14 to 17. It introduces youth to Jean Vanier, an inspiring Canadian spiritual leader and humanitarian who is both a magnet and model for young people today. The Choosing Our Future DVD-ROM contains a 17 minute video conversation with Jean Vanier and students, Jean Vanier’s On Becoming Human audio clips (16 short clips), and downloadable PDFs of the On Becoming Human teacher’s guide and questions for students.
The Bible Study Kit includes: 1 Leader’s Guide, 8 sets of 20 wallet-sized quotation cards,
(1 set for each of the eight sessions), 1 Choosing Our Future DVD-ROM
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Embracing Aging: Families Facing Change DVD, 58 min
Change and getting older is inevitable. So how can we make it the best it can be? In this documentary, viewers will meet six families and hear from experts and “wise ones” who share insights on aging, housing choices, facing illness and cooperating as siblings in the care of aging parents. Residents of a cohousing community for those older than 55 offer attractive alternatives for the aging years. As viewers see other people dealing with aging, they will find new perspectives and models of communicating and making decisions on aging and will become more comfortable and equipped for their own aging. Closed-captioned with optional English and Spanish subtitles; includes discussion guide. Mennonite Media.
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Gaining a Heart of Wisdom: Finding Wisdom in the Autumn of your Life DVD, 36 min, Study Guide included
While growing older has its downside, it also has advantages. Jim Miller draws upon the wisdom of respected writers and sages as well as his own training in gerontology to offer a balanced and affirming look at elder adulthood. His 10 paradoxical principles of healthy aging include, “As you learn to let go, you will gain,” “Your time of decline is a time of ascent,” and “In the fading light you can see better than ever.” Photography from nature encourages viewers to look inward as well as outward.
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What’s God Up To? Bible Stories Through New Eyes - Amy-Jill Levine DVD, Study Guide - 6-session study
For many, Bible stories are the food that sustains them, but have you ever wondered why God would put a tree in the Garden of Eden and then tell Adam and Eve not to eat its fruit? Or what God was up to when he ordered Abraham to kill his son Isaac? What do these stories teach us? In What’s God Up To?, provocative and popular biblical author Amy-Jill Levine asks edgy questions about familiar Bible stories, causing them to lose their familiarity so we can consider them anew. One of Levine’s colleagues said if she offered a course about the phone book, 50 students would sign up. You’ll see why as you discover the David and Bathsheba story from Uriah’s point of view and revisit the story of Jesus’ encounter with the Canaanite woman from her perspective. UMCom Productions.
• The Temptation in the Garden
• The Sacrifice of Isaac
• David and Bathsheba
• The Prodigal Son
• The Canaanite Woman
• Jesus with Mary and Martha
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Experiencing Ecological Christianity 9 Group Sessions - Faith Formation Curriculum for Adults.
Based on the bestselling book Darwin, Divinity, and the Dance of the Cosmos by Bruce Sanguin, Experiencing Ecological Christianity invites participants to focus on the ecological crisis. According to Bruce Sanguin, Today, there is nothing more critical than a compassionate response to the plight of our planet. The church must be at the forefront of shifting human consciousness away from an ethic of domination for economic gain, and toward a spirituality of awe. Experiencing Ecological Christianity comes on DVD which includes:
Leader’s Guide by Tim Scorer (1 printed copy accompanies the curriculum)
Participant Handbooks (3 printed copies included)
Images for projection
Video clips of mentor and guide, Bruce Sanguin
1 copy of Darwin, Divinity, and the Dance of the Cosmos by Bruce Sanguin
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Niigaanibatowaad: Front Runners DVD and study guide; 47 mins
At a special ceremony at the opening of the 1989 Pan Am Games in Winnipeg, Manitoba, seven First Nations men in their fifties entered the stadium in war canoes. One of them held the Games torch. In 1967 when Winnipeg first hosted the Pan Am Games, ten outstanding athletic teenage boys were chosen to run 800 kilometers over an ancient message route with the Games torch. When the runners arrived at the stadium, they were not allowed to enter with the torch. Instead, a non-Aboriginal runner was given the honour.
Thirty-two years later, the province of Manitoba issued an official apology. Nine of the ten men chosen for the 1967 Pan Am games torch run were from residential schools. Niigaanibatowaad is about the segregation of the Aboriginal athletes and the despair and abuse suffered in the school system. Niigaanibatowaad: Front Runners is a story of survival, hope, reconciliation and a dream for a new beginning that transcends hatred and racism.
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Three new dvds at AVEL from the Simple Living Network.
1. RADICALLY simple DVD, 35 minutes
Jim Merkel, author of Radical Simplicity, leads by example on the path to simple and sustainable living.
In the face of looming ecological disaster, many people feel the need to change their own lifestyle as a necessary step in transforming our unsustainable way of life. But it's the first step that is often the most intimidating. In RADICALLY simple, we join engineer and author Jim Merkel as he presents his views on sustainable living in public presentations and workshops at his home. These meetings, which revolve around discussions on global economics and resource consumption, show Merkel leading by example. He demonstrates that a radically simple lifestyle - while at times intimidating - is not only possible but extremely satisfying. Scenes of Merkel fetching water from the woods, constructing an outhouse by hand, and using a solar cooker illustrate not only his ingenuity, but his total commitment to reducing his ecological footprint. Always encouraging, never judgmental, Merkel inspires audiences to take their own first steps on the path towards sustainability.
RADICALLY simple is a practical, personal answer to 21st century challenges that will appeal as much to "cultural creatives" and students as to policymakers and sustainability professionals.
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2. The Ecological Footprint DVD, 30 minutes
Accounting For A Small Planet
Dr. Mathis Wackernagel introduces the Ecological Footprint, a resource accounting tool that measures human demand on the Earth. Humans are the most successful species on the planet. But our growing economy is placing unprecedented demand on the planet's limited ecological resources. How can we assure our future well-being? "We can choose to live on a depleted planet or we can choose to live on a rich, biologically diverse, more stable planet" proposes Dr. Mathis Wackernagel, co-creator of the Ecological Footprint. He suggests that an essential step in avoiding depletion is to track ecological assets, allowing us to make more informed choices. In just thirty minutes, the film paints a picture of our current global situation: for the first time, humanity is in "ecological overshoot" with annual demand on resources exceeding what Earth can regenerate each year. For Wackernagel, "Sustainability boils down to how we can all live well, how we can all have great lives, within the means of one small planet." He concludes on a hopeful note, showing how a new organization, Global Footprint Network, is partnering with government agencies, businesses, universities and NGOs to support the use of the Ecological Footprint and to help turn this vision of a sustainable future into reality.
DVD version: Includes both the U.S. Version (in acres) and the World Version (in hectares). Both can be accessed by chapter. DVD-ROM portion of the disc includes three Footprint Reports and two flyers.
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3. $imply Enough DVD, 71+ minutes, plus Study/Action Guide
Straight Talk From Tony Campolo & Shane Claiborne On Simple, Just Living
Segments on Lifestyle, Food, Celebrations, Stuff, Money and Justice. Ideal for group or individual use -- especially for young adults.
"Alternatives for Simple Living has done it again, bringing together two of the most important voices the 21st Century church has to offer. Tony Campolo and Shane Claiborne, two of my dearest friends, are modern day prophets from different generations echoing the radical message of Jesus of Nazareth-a message still transforming lives and changing the world over 2000 years later. This is a conversation you do NOT want to miss." -- Jim Wallis, Author of God's Politics & President of Sojourners/Call to Renewal
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SPIRIT CONNECTION - 40th ANNUAL - WORLDFEST 2007 WINNERS: Disc 1
DVD [3 programs on one disc]
1. A New Face: St. James United Church, Montreal (October 22, 2006) 28:30 min
For nearly 80 years St. James United Church in Montreal has been hidden from Ste. Catherine Street West by other buildings, which blocked the Church from public view. In the last few years the rundown stores and offices in front of the Church have been removed, revealing the now-restored and beautiful face of St. James. The re-emergence of the congregation as ''the Church in the heart of the city, with the city at heart.'
2. Beyond Grief (December 10, 2006) 28:30 min
The journey from grief and loss to healing is a personal one, but it can also be shared, particularly when a person is part of a nurturing community of faith and friends. In 1990, Father Michael Lapsley, then a university chaplain at the height of apartheid in South Africa, received a letter bomb which not only caused severe physical and emotional damage, but also changed the course of his life. The Rev. Jamie Holtom tells of an unimaginable loss and his courageous path to recovery.
3. Caring for Waters: One Drop at a Time - (April 9, 2006) 28:30 min
On this program we visit two water projects: a sand dam in southern Kenya used by the Masai herders who populate this arid region and a rainwater collection project in a slum north of Nairobi, where 250,000 people live in shacks perched precariously on the hillsides. Both are funded by Church-based partners.
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SPIRIT CONNECTION - 40th ANNUAL - WORLDFEST 2007 WINNERS: Disc 2
DVD [2 programs on one disc]
1. Christmas at Metropolitan United Church (December 18, 2005) 28:30 min
Join us for the joy that is Christmas in a musical celebration at Metropolitan United Church in downtown Toronto. Familiar carols performed by the senior and youth choirs, the carillon, the Metropolitan Silver Band, and the handbell choir are a resounding and uplifting addition to the season.
2. Waiting for a Solution (February 19, 2006) 28:30 min
For refugees in Kenya, life is very difficult. Some live in organized United Nations camps, while others without rights or legal status in the country migrate to the cities in search of jobs. This program follows a group of United Church young people as they get a first-hand look at the work of National Council of Churches in Kenya and other Church agencies, with and on behalf of refugees in their country.
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MASSEY LECTURES 2008: PAYBACK (CD)
Audio: 5 CDs – 60 min. each
The most prestigious and eagerly anticipated non-fiction series of the year teams up with legendary poet, novelist and essayist Margaret Atwood to deliver a surprising look at the topic of debt. It’s a timely subject for our current period of economic upheaval, caused by the collapse of a system of interlocking debts. In her wide ranging, entertaining, and imaginative approach to the subject, Atwood proposes that debt is like air — something we take for granted until things go wrong. And then, while gasping for breath, we become very interested in it. Payback is not about practical debt management or high finance, although it does touch upon these subjects. Rather, it is an investigation into the idea of debt as an ancient and central motif in religion, literature, and the structure of human societies.
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Advent Calendar on DVD: A Christmas Countdown for December DVD
Ever wonder why we celebrate Christmas the way we do. Why do we give gifts, hang mistletoe, decorate Christmas trees? How did Santa, Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer, and The Nutcracker become Christmas traditions? Learn the origins of these and many other Christmas traditions on this single DVD the whole family will enjoy. 25 mini-documentaries (each between 3-4 minutes) take viewers on an entertaining yet informative journey through the Advent season. Extras include an advent coloring book in PDF, scripts for all 25 days of December in PDGF, daily Bible reading in your choice of four translations in PDF, original Christmas music and The Christmas story found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, narrated with photos.
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Nativity: The Art and Spirit of the Creche DVD 30 min.
Here is an uplifting and fascinating Christmas special. After the cross, the Nativity scene is Christianity's most recognized symbol. Its history, art and spirituality have been embraced by cultures around the world for nearly two thousand years. This video unites theologians and collectors with an astonishing and beautiful array of nativity scenes collected from across the globe.
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One Christmas DVD with two wonderful children’s stories:
1. Go Look in the Manger -30 min Based on a true story, Go Look in the Manger is a wonderful tale of a Christmas gone by. Colorful illustrations, new and familiar songs, and a nostalgic setting are sure to make viewing this original story a holiday tradition. To eight-year-old Ricky Meyer, the Christmas of 1966 is a wonderland filled with snowballs and manger scenes. Desperate to impress his teacher and classmates with a memorable "show-and-tell," Ricky strikes a deal with his mother which jeopardizes his Christmas. When he plays "King of the Hill" with his best friend, the promise he made to his mother is the last thing on his mind. The promise is broken and Ricky will have to face the consequences on Christmas. But at church on Christmas Eve, Ricky hears the story of the greatest Christmas gift ever, the gift of Jesus. Find out what Ricky discovers when his forgiving mother tells him to "go look in the manger."
2. Candy Makers Christmas 30 min-- "Only the finest will be accepted," cheers the candy maker......as he mixes and stirs and twirls his latest creation. "Only the finest for the king." And as he walks into the snowy night, August is certain that he has made the perfect Christmas present for the royal family. But an accidental encounter in front of the Cathedral teaches August that the only truly perfect Christmas present is the gift of Jesus. August learns a lesson in love and humility as his candy cane becomes a popular Christmas reminder for people throughout the world. Children of all ages will enjoy finding the symbolism of the candy cane in this tasty tale of Christmas discovery. The Candy Maker's Christmas is sure to be a holiday classic.
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Three Christmas Classics -- on one DVD!
1. Christmas Is - 22 min-- An animated classic about Benji, a disappointed little boy who must play the second shepherd in the school play -- again. Disappointment turns to joy when a daydream transports him and his lovable pooch, Waldo, back to the first Christmas. There the second shepherd shares with them the angels' message -- that Jesus is born in Bethlehem! (22 minutes)
2. The City That Forgot About Christmas – 22 min-- The story of a woodcarver who lived in a village that had forgotten about Christmas. When he taught the children of the town about the birth of Jesus, the uncaring village was filled with the joy of Christ. This animated favorite features the voices of Sebastian Cabot, Charles Nelson Reilly, and Louis Nye. (22 minutes)
3. The Stableboy's Christmas 27 min-- This award-winning dramatic special finds 10-year-old Tammy traveling back in time to the first Christmas in Bethlehem and witnessing the little stableboy's act of unselfish love when he gives the Christ child his pet lamb. Tammy then realizes how sharing presents with others is a way of sharing God’s love at Christmas. (27 minutes)
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Parables of Jesus DVD 58 mins
Here are seven short dramas portraying the parables of Jesus through the lens of Bible times. They are stories that never grow old! In these videos you will see the Bible come alive, understand the customs and culture behind the parables, and feel the impact of Jesus' message.
The seven stories are as follows:
The Good Samaritan
The Unmerciful Servant
The Treasure and the Pearl
The Lost Son
The Midnight Visitor
The Dinner
The Manager
A wonderful resource for Bible study, small groups and Sunday school.
Special Features: Director's commentary for each story; Scene selections; A PDF study guide
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Experiencing Jesus: a 10 Session Program for Adult Groups
An experiential study to accompany Marcus Borg’s most recent book, Jesus, in which he leads the reader on a journey to discover who Jesus was, what he taught, and why he still matters today. As participants in the study give themselves to the ten sessions they will experience the masterful way that Borg uncovers a Jesus they may never have known before: a religious revolutionary, a Jewish mystic totally centered in the reality of God, and a movement initiator who opened a path of personal and political transformation.
This 10 session curriculum includes:
• 132 page leader’s guide
• 10 full-colour poster visuals
• 12 Participant booklets (extra Participants booklets are available in sets of 6)
• 1 DVD featuring new video clips of Marcus Borg
• 1 copy of the source book Jesus: Uncovering the Life, Teachings and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary
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Experiencing the Bible Again for the First Time: 10 Group Sessions-Faith Formation Curriculum for Adults
"Experiencing the Bible for the First Time by Tim Scorer is a perfect partner for Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, by Marcus Borg. This study provokes inquiry, welcomes questions, engages the imagination and encourages listening for and discovering the word in the other. Engaging the three centres of learning, head, heart, and gut, participants encounter and engage the biblical story and tradition and make meaning in their own lives toward transformation. This resource will enhance spiritual formation, and birth new energy, ideas and possibilities."
- Susan Burt, Coordinating Editor of Seasons of the Spirit.
This curriculum (the first in the series) includes:
• 1 leader’s guide (160 pages)
• 12 participant handbooks
• 10 posters integrated into the session materials
• 1 source book: Reading the Bible Again for the First Time by Marcus Borg
• 1 DVD featuring new video clips of Marcus Borg
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If the World Were a Village [DVD; 24 minutes long]
Based on the award-winning book by David J. Smith, If the World Were a Village is a wonderful introduction to the realities of our global situation. It delivers an important metaphor; imagine the whole world as a village of just 100 people...
If the World Were a Village tells us who we are, where we live, what languages we speak, what religions we practice and more. So come and learn about our global village. What you find may surprise you! Narrated by popular Canadian jazz singer, Jackie Richardson.
Teachers guide included.
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A Peacock in the Land of Penguins - dvd; 4.5 min; animated
Ministry in changing times is a challenge every church and church group is experiencing. Running only 4 ½ mins long, this delightful DVD is a creative way to remind us that in every challenge lies an opportunity waiting to be uncovered. “Follow Perry as he makes his journey from the Land of Learning to the Land of the Penguins and ultimately the Land of Opportunity. This short animated story echoes one that is unfolding each and every day in organizations all across the country- how to build a culture of creativity and capture the talent, energy and commitment of all.”
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Renewal: Stories from America's Religious-Environmental Movement – dvd; 90 mins
[The RENEWAL Project - Across the nation, people of faith are standing up for the environment. Evangelical Christians are fighting mountaintop removal, a coal mining process that is decimating Appalachia. Muslims are supporting sustainable farming. Jews are helping children experience the bond between nature and spirituality. Interfaith Power and Light is mobilizing people of all faiths in a religious response to global warming. For the first time, the combined energy of these diverse activists is the driving force behind a feature-length documentary, entitled RENEWAL. Veteran film producers Marty Ostrow and Terry Kay Rockefeller have crisscrossed the country to capture these exciting stories of people whose passion and deep moral commitment are making a difference in a time of grave ecological threats.]
The DVD Renewal presents 9 separate stories or can be shown as a full length 90-minute documentary.
Crime Against Creation
In the mountains of Kentucky and West Virginia today's mining practices are literally removing the tops of mountains to extract coal to feed American power plants. The natural environment is being decimated, while burning the coal fuels global warming. Evangelical Christians have participated in an interfaith tour to bear witness to this devastation and to begin organizing against the practices that are destroying the land and polluting the waters of Appalachia. (11:20 mins)
Going Green
In New Jersey, GreenFaith, an interfaith coalition helps houses of worship make their buildings more environmentally sound and the members of their congregations more spiritually in tune with becoming better stewards of Creation. From workshops that invite people to explore their personal impact on the environment, to implementing recycling and composting, on up to the installation of solar panels, congregations in New Jersey are making remarkable strides. As GreenFaith's Executive Director says, "The hardest thing about taking action is sometimes just taking the first step."
(14:30 mins)
Food for Faith
In Chicago, which has a growing and diverse Muslim community, the interfaith organization Faith in Place has supported the development of Taqwa. Taqwa supplies organic meat to the Muslim community and everyone else who wants to support sustainable farming. This chicken, beef, and lamb is "Eco-Halal." The animals are humanely raised, fed an organic diet, and slaughtered in accordance with Islamic law. During the holy month of Ramadan, Taqwa members extend their tradition of charity to insure that poor communities can also eat this healthy and environmentally friendly meat.(15 mins)
Ancient Roots
In rural Connecticut, two programs offer unique opportunities for Jewish environmental education. At the Teva Learning Center, elementary school children encounter the natural world as they explore the woods, learn where their food comes from, and take responsibility for waste. At Adamah, a three-month environmental leadership training program, a small community of twenty-somethings engage in organic farming, sustainable living, and contemplative spiritual practice. These future leaders of the Jewish community offer an inspiring model to the Teva students. Together they are renewing the ecological wisdom inherent in Judaism and building a genuine commitment to tikkun olam, healing the world.(17:30 mins)
Compassion in Action
Buddhists in the San Francisco Bay area are working to save trees by encouraging greater use of recycled paper, especially by major magazine publishers. Their organization, Green Sangha, combines meditation and environmental education to promote non-confrontational forms of action emphasizing the interconnectedness of everyone and everything on the planet.
(11mins)
Eco-Justice
In coastal Mississippi, pollution from the chemical and petroleum industries has for decades caused elevated levels of disease - nervous disorders, asthma and cancer - in African American and other poor communities. Then, the flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina made these medical problems even worse. Now, through their churches, citizens are finding inspiration to conduct their own health surveys, to demand accountability from industry and to insist on action by government officials. (11:30 mins)
Sacred Celebration
The remaining historic farmland in the South Valley of Albuquerque, New Mexico is being rapidly devoured by commercial and residential development. Under the leadership of Franciscan Sister Joan Brown, this community of Hispanics, Native Americans, and Anglos is fighting back. During the festival of San Ysidro, patron saint of agriculture, they gather to consecrate the land that nourishes them and bless the waters that help the crops grow. Religious ritual and sacred celebration become a seedbed for their effective environmental action. (9:30 mins)
Interfaith Power and Light
While much of the religious-environmental movement is local, Interfaith Power and Light (IPL), with over 20 state affiliates, has grown to national proportions. The affiliates help people of faith reduce their use of fossil fuels and increase their reliance on renewable energy in all aspects of their lives. At their annual gathering in Washington, DC, IPL leaders lobby Congress for legislative reforms to bring America into line with energy policies to reduce pollution and reverse climate change. (9:30 mins)
Nature Meditations
Seven visual poems of the natural world (6 mins)
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Focus Your Vision [another excellent program from Dewitt Jones of the popular dvd, Celebrate What’s Right With The World]
How can we find our direction, our purpose? When we combine our energy and passion with our focused visions, we give ourselves direction and power. Dewitt Jones's newest release, Focus Your Vision, encourages us to develop our visions and turn them into reality. When we connect with our visions, and in doing so, release our passion; we have a better understanding of who we are, what we stand for, and where we are going. Dream the dream, find that extraordinary vision, and keep it in focus.
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Living the Questions 2.0
LtQ2 is the revised and expanded version of Living the Questions, the popular video & internet-based small group exploration of progressive Christianity featuring premier religion voices of our day. Comprised of 21 sessions, LtQ2 may be offered in sequence or as three independent flights of seven units each: Invitation to Journey, Reclaiming the World and Call to Covenant. Like its prequel, LtQ2 includes downloadable and printable leader and participant guides with weekly readings and discussion questions. Each session may be conducted in one hour or expanded to include a meal and personal sharing. The 20-minute video segments include conversations with leading voices of faith, sermon and lecture clips, digital stories illustrating aspects of an evolving faith, and concrete spiritual practices and disciplines.
The flexible DVD and resource materials can be used in variety of class, retreat, and other formats.
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Crude Awakening - A film by Basil Gelpke & Ryan McCormack DVD
Our civilization's addiction to oil puts it on a collision course with disaster. Compelling, intelligent, and highly disturbing, the film visits with the world's top experts and comes to a startling but logical conclusion our industrial society, built on cheap and readily available oil, must be completely re-imagined and overhauled. The world's oil supplies are peaking and the crisis of global shortage looms; we are running out of oil and we don't have a plan.
[DVD; 2006, Switzerland, Languages: English 85 min.]
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Manufactured Landscapes - A film by Jennifer Baichwal DVD
Manufactured Landscapes is a feature documentary on the work of internationally renowned artist Edward Burtynsky. The film follows him as he travels through China photographing the evidence and effects of that country's massive industrial revolution. The Three Gorges Dam, factory floors a kilometre long and the breathtaking scale of Shanghai's urban renewal are subjects for his lens and our motion picture camera. Shot in Super-16mm film, the documentary extends the narratives of Burtynsky's photographs, meditating on human impact on the planet without trying to reach simplistic judgements or reductive resolutions. In the process, it shifts our consciousness about the world and the way we live in it.
[DVD, 2006, Canada, Languages: English 90 min.]
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Refugees of the Blue Planet - Directed by
Hélène Choquette/Jean-Philippe Duval DVD
Each year, millions of people the world over are driven to forced displacement. From the Maldives to Brazil, and even closer to home, here in Canada, the disturbing accounts of people who have been uprooted are amazingly similar. The enormous pressure placed on rural populations as a result of the degradation of their life-supporting environment is driving them increasingly further from their way of life. The Refugees of the Blue Planet sheds light on the little-known plight of a category of individuals who are suffering the repercussions of this reality: environmental refugees. They are constantly growing in number and often have no legal status, even though their right to a clean and sustainable environment has been violated.
In French with English subtitles.
[DVD, 2006, 53 min]
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