Short stuff

Kindred Productions, the publishing arm of the Canadian MB Conference, announces a new book in the Word Wise series. The Bridge of Grace is a study in Romans written by Gaylord L. Goertzen, pastor at Ebenfeld MB Church, Hillsboro, Kan. Word Wise is interactive study material for individuals or small groups designed to help people get into the Word, challenging them to integrate the truth of Scripture with their contemporary situation.

—Kindred Productions

The Radicals, a film produced in 1989 by Sisters and Brothers that tells the story of early Anabaptists Michael and Margaretha Sattler, is now available in DVD in English, as well as in both Spanish and Portuguese sound tracks. The film is based on Myron Augsburger’s Pilgrim Aflame, which focuses on the critical issue of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.

—Mennonite World Conference

Canadian Mennonite Encyclopedia (CMEO) is now online. Several years ago the Canadian Mennonite Historical Society concluded that a published update of the Mennonite Encyclopedia (ME) would be cost prohibitive. An editorial committee was formed in 1998 to lay the foundation for an electronic alternative. Courtesy of Herald Press, the CMEO has added a cross-section of entries from the earlier Mennonite Encyclopedia in addition to numerous institutional and biographical articles that have been added as new information. Approximately 100 new entries are added each year. Accessing information about Mennonites electronically has filled a vital information need. Over 1,000 people access CMEO daily.

—news release

Seventeen, the long-time magazine for teenage girls, has initiated a monthly section on faith. The section features interviews with Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. Editor Atossa Rubenstein says, “This is what [young women] are interested in, and no one else is talking to them about it.”

—Evangelical Press News

Doc, a TV show created by Christian writers Dave and Gary Johnson about a doctor from Montana who goes to New York City to practice medicine, is now into its fifth season. Reviewer Gene Edward Veith says, “The show has no explicit sex or violence but it does have explicit Christianity.”

—Evangelical Press News

Touched By an Angel, the TV show starring Roma Downey and Della Reese as a pair of angels dispatched from heaven to inspire people on earth, has released its first season on DVD.

—Evangelical Press News

The Parents Television Council has released its second “State of the Television Industry” report. It reveals an overall increase in adult language in every time slot. Adult language during “family hour” increased by 94.8% between 1998 and 2002.

—JCTV news release

Gather ’Round: Hearing & Sharing God’s Good News is the new children’s Sunday school curriculum available Fall 2006 from Mennonite Publishing Network and Brethren Press. It replaces Jubilee: God’s Good News. It will include teaching materials for children, youth, multi-age groups and a parent/caregiver’s group. All groups will study the same Bible content at the same time.

—Christian Marketplace

Eternal War: Shadow of Light is the latest addition to video games aimed at Christians. It allows players to smite at will, and take down demons while assuming the role of an angel named Mike sent to save a suicidal teen. The target audience is Christian teens to twenty somethings who’ve never picked up a Bible. Other popular Christian games on the market are Ominous Horizons and Catechumen. These games “employ violence,” writes Jamie Dean, and send confusing messages about Christianity.

—Evangelical Press News

Iraq: Emerging Voices, a video produced by MCC in 2003, won a CINE Golden Eagle Award this spring. The 21-minute video features interviews with Baghdad residents after the invasion of Iraq.

—MCC news release