August 5, 2002, WASHINGTON, DC -- The Communication Commission of the National Council of Churches has planned a two-day series of events focused on electronic media during its 2002 fall meeting here September 23-24, at the National City Christian Church on Thomas Circle. 

Among the highlights will be an address by Federal Communication Commissioner Michael J. Copps during the 20th anniversary luncheon of the annual Everett C. Parker Ethics in Telecommunications event, sponsored by the United Church of Christ, one of the NCC's member communions.  At that luncheon, to be held Tuesday, September 24, awards will be presented to CNN anchor Judy Woodruff and civil rights leader Wade Henderson.

On Monday, September 23, NCC Communication Commission members will co-host a luncheon seminar on website promotion with the Washington chapter of the Religion Communicators Council, a national faith-based professional society.  Following the luncheon, NCC communication workshops will feature Sister Maureen Fiedler, host of the Washington-based public radio series, Interfaith Voices; and producer Bill Wolfe of the United Methodist-Presbyterian Church radio series, Passages.

On Tuesday morning, September 24, a legislative-issues breakfast with Senator Russ Feingold is planned, followed by two more NCC workshops, featuring Eric Shafer and Kristi Bangert of the Evangelical Lutheran Church-sponsored children's television series, Davey and Goliath; and Joop Koopman of Rainbow Media's MagRack, a new digital television delivery-on-demand feature being launched through cable systems.

The NCC's Programming and Electronic Media Committee will meet following the Tuesday luncheon.  The Committee serves as a clearinghouse for television programming on the national TV networks in a partnership with the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission.

Professional communicators working for church organizations and church-related ministries are invited to participate.  Information about registration is available from the National Council of Churches office of communication in New York City.  Call or e-mail Dee Glover at (212) 870-2227 or dglover@ncccusa.org.

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