Social Media - workshop

Here's information on a half-day workshop on social media that could be extremely helpful for Christian leaders who want to understand how young people interact through the web.

Organised by the Chartered Institute for Public Relations (CIPR) they ask "Are you up to speed with the fast moving developments in social media such as blogs, podcasts, wikis and Web 2.0? The CIPR has recently issued guidance on how the wider communications community should handle social media.2" - and the the Workshop on Social Media explains their newly issued guidance. You can book from the link.

Cyber-church on the conventional airwaves

Listen out for BBC Radio 4's Sunday Worship this coming Sunday, 15 April, at 08.10. If that's too early to be sentient, thank Heavens for the "listen again" facility on the bbc.co.uk website!

making its mark

Blood Diamond (earlier post): this one seems to be showing the really positive potential of arts and media ...

When you least expect it, cinema transcends its role as escapist entertainment and manages to spark debate and even change the world. [given a ten out of ten rating in this review!]

And maybe Amazing Grace - even given the variety of views - will manage to get us thinking and acting too.

dangerous diamond scandal (more)

See Cherry's comment on this and her information on Greg Campbell's book. The book synopsis on Amazon says "the consequences of overlooking this African tragedy are both shockingly deadly and unquestionably global".

modified loook

broadcast & believe

CMT friend, Mark Rudall, has prompted memory of a song by John Bell that helpfully expresses the faith dimension of broadcasting the Christian message. John Bell introduced this at the Churches' Media Council conference in 1999.

It says lots, very eloquently. Let it speak for itself ...

1. O God, by whose express command
all that exists first came to be,
whose will, transmitted silently,
gave birth to land and sky and sea,
we ask your guidance to fulfil
our craft, creativeness and skill.

2. O Christ, with simplest eloquence,
you came that all might understand
the gospel, through the common touch
in human speech, of human hand.
Help us discern and make our choice,
words in which all can hear your voice.

3. O Holy Spirit, by whose power
confused disciples found their nerve,
and preached, with such convincing joy
that countless converts thronged to serve,
inspire our faith till we conceive
how best to broadcast and believe.

4. Equip us, Holy Trinity,
to show your purpose for our day,
and shape our message to affirm
the gospel truth and life and way.
Yet always let our finest word
be one of love for you, our Lord.

(c) John Bell

Oh - and it's to the tune of ‘Eternal Father, strong to save’

when diamonds cut the wrong way

The new Leonardo di Caprio film Blood Diamond is causing a stir ... and it's a powerful example of film medium illuminating a cause ~ as did "The Constant Gardener" ~ and how positive social action can be stirred by the arts.

Seems the blood diamonds issue has for 10 years been the passionate concern of a small London-based organisation, Global Witness, who provided the spark for this new Oscar-nominated movie. The film's director Ed Zwick said the people behind the charity are "the real heroes of the conflict-diamond story". Global Witness have a very informative website on all this.

Amnesty International USA has joined forces with Global Witness and the film to mobilise awareness. You can even get a red 'blood diamond/clean diamond' bangle from Amnesty.

book for April by tap-dancing novelist

Iris Lloyd, one of the CMT Trustees, is about to publish her first novel - "Bron : Part I - Daughter of Prophecy".

As everyday life in the settlement (Byden, on top of the Berkshire downs) is revealed, so are the dark secrets at the pagan Temple - love and lust, mystery and menace.

What happens when a Christian pilgrim turns up? Find out more on Iris's website. And if you get the book (from Amazon) when it's published, do come back to this blog and post your review as a comment.

Best wishes to you Iris - hope the launch goes well.

what grabs you? [please vote!]

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help is at hand

The main thrust of CMT’s current work is to increase the capacity of the local church to engage with the media. This is through media training, and through encouraging individuals, groups and churches to take exciting initiatives for which small grants are available.

Churches in the Thames Valley area can get their stories to the media via CMT's free online news release service.

The Unauthorised Version was set up with the help of the Jersualem Trust.