New York, November 24, 2008 -- The National Council of Churches will present three one-hour specials in December on affiliates of the ABC, CBS and NBC television networks, and another special on ABC affiliates in early January. These specials, along with 12 others during the year, are presented on more than 300 local ABC, CBS and NBC stations through the auspices of the Interfaith Broadcasting Commission, made up of the U. S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the National Council of Churches, the Islamic Society of North America, the New York Board of Rabbis, and the Union for Reform Judaism. NCC’s Wesley “Pat” Pattillo serves as current president of  the IBC board.

Everybody Prays at Holy Etchmiadzen will premiere nationally on December 7 on local affiliates of the ABC TV network.  This documentary, produced for the NCC by the Armenian Church in North America, focuses on the historic role of the Armenian Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin which, since its founding in 303 A.D., has served as a beacon of tolerance and understanding between Armenians and their Jewish, Muslim and Christian neighbors. While navigating multicultural regimes including the Ottoman and Safavid empires, the church has hosted diverse leaders from the Chief Rabbi of Israel to the Chief Mufti of Syria, and from Popes to the Archbishop of Canterbury. Check your local ABC affiliate for
the exact time of broadcast in your area. 

The Voices of Christmas will air at 11:35 p.m. (the David Letterman time slot) on Christmas Eve on the CBS television network. This colorful holiday special features music and testimonies from a wide variety of faith groups related to the National Council of Churches – from Baptist, Lutheran, and Presbyterian to Brethren, Methodist and Orthodox -- in celebration of 100 years of Christian ecumenism in the United States. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, new general secretary of the Council, will be the host.  See this list for time and station your area.

Christmas at Cadillac Jack’s, a one-hour dramatic presentation, will air Christmas Day on affiliates of the NBC television network, a presentation of the National Council of Churches in cooperation with the Seventh-Day Adventist Church. Rose and Joe take an unexpected road trip in his ’56 Chevy looking for Rose’s long-lost daughter. Join them for a heartwarming holiday story of reconciliation and forgiveness. Joseph Campanella, Ruta Lee and Patty Cabrera star in this engaging Christmas drama. Check your local NBC affiliate for the exact time of broadcast in your area. 

Finding Hope in Recovery: Families Living with Addiction is set to premiere January 4 on ABC television affiliates. This special, produced for the National Council of Churches by Mennonite Media, examines the role that chemical dependency plays in family dynamics. While the tragic results are apparent, the program emphasizes that with emerging forms of treatment, recovery is possible, and through hard work, affected families can be restored to health and wholeness. Check your local ABC affiliate  for the exact time of broadcast in your area. 

Note: Some affiliates may broadcast programs after the scheduled dates. Check local listings.