Media Links
Giving Voice to the Good News
Download a PDF of Media Links.
Living More with Less is not only the name of the 30th anniversary edition of a book by Doris Janzen Longacre, it’s a lifestyle goal for all of us personally here at Third Way Media and for our agency. We have valued placing a small newsletter/bulletin insert in your hands directly three times a year since 2003, but to cut mailing costs and save a few trees, we’ve decided to bring the print version of Media Links to an end.
We want to maintain this regular connection so you can continue to hear the stories of how people are touched through this media outreach, so we’ve created this online version. You can also download a print version. (See link to PDF above.)
New agency being formed
Message from the directors
Not only are we going paperless with this issue of Media Links, but more change is in the air. This change, too, is about doing more with less. Since January 2010, Third Way Media and Mennonite Publishing Network have had regular meetings and phone consultations to explore how to collaborate on an ongoing basis. The Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Publishing Network boards both voted in fall 2010 to move ahead with integration. The Mennonite Church Canada General Board approved this in December with Mennonite Church USA Executive Board approving it in January 2011. Plans have moved ahead for the new agency to be operational with a new name by July 1, 2011.
What does this mean in plain language? It means that two staffs and warehouse operations will combine in one location in Harrisonburg, Va., resulting in cost savings by not operating two large buildings, both of which had much vacant space. Since both Third Way Media and Mennonite Publishing Network have been involved in various forms of media and publication for many years and since the media landscape is moving to more and changing forms of electronic communication, it seems wise to consolidate, economize, and share synergies of two creative and production teams. It also means lots of plain hard, headachy work as we work at staffing, budget, legal paperwork, office space decisions and relocations, and a myriad of other details.
We ask for your prayers as this work continues. We ask for prayers for those in Scottdale, Pa. and beyond who are feeling a deep sense of loss to see the publishing agency for the Mennonite Church move from that location. We ask for prayers for staff members and their families who were granted severance packages and have to seek new jobs. The change is painful for many and we are deeply aware of that. We are pleased that Third Way Media has enjoyed a long connection with Mennonite Mission Network and its predecessor agencies, and they will continue to provide some support and services in partnership with the new combined media agency for a period of time. A new name will be announced later.
While we are realistic about the differences between the work and cultures associated with our two agencies and understand that we will have to develop new ways of working together, we are optimistic about our future as the media agency for Mennonite Church USA and Mennonite Church Canada.
We envision a new dynamic era in media and publishing on behalf of the Mennonite churches. You can help! This ministry needs your prayers, financial gifts and continued product purchases to grow and serve. As a nonprofit Mennonite agency, we will seek to tap new markets, denominations and individuals with our products, as our way of being a part of God’s missional work in the world. We want to reach a wide new world aching for community, for meaning, for God’s love, and for the Jesus way of peace.
Sheri Hartzler and Lowell Hertzler
Interim Co-directors, Third Way Media
Free DVD for donors. For your gift of $25 or more, you can receive a DVD of Choice videos on simpler living (see below) created by an Eastern Mennonite University video production class. Use it in small groups, Sunday school classes, environmental groups, or anywhere you would like to use a short video on the “Living More with Less” theme.
Donate online and to request your free DVD enter “Choice DVD” in the Order Notes box. Or call 800-999-3534 to give your credit card donation. Mention “Media Links DVD offer” to receive this thank you gift. You may also mail your donation to Third Way Media, 1251 Virginia Ave., Harrisonburg VA 22802. Your gifts are tax deductible if you itemize.
Living More with Less pages unveiled
In March, new pages on living simply appeared at Third Way Café. This is the first new section in several years, using some content from the updated Living More with Less book but also incorporating video/audio elements (with more to be added in the future). The new pages are called “Living More with Less,” and include a video gallery, a T-shirt design contest (until May 1, 2011), the Living Simply monthly column by Celeste Kennel-Shank, links, stories, ideas, and more. Get the Living Simply column sent directly to your e-mail by subscribing here.
Coming soon: radio spots and video shorts. We plan to add Choice radio spots to the “Living More with Less” web pages soon. These were originally created by David Augsburger and are delightfully recycled from 1980! Plus, we'll be adding Choice video shorts produced by video students of Eastern Mennonite University. Check the pages online frequently for additions, or sign up for the What’s New at Third Way Café subscription. Or “like us” on Facebook and you’ll be informed when new things are added.
“More with Less Tips” for Families on Media Usage
Since this newsletter is about media and technology, we’re sharing a few stories/excerpts from Living More with Less 30th anniversary edition (Herald Press, 2010) from the chapter on “Technology and Media.” We hope you may be able to put them to use in your family.
- Screen time, green time. Jewel Gingerich Longenecker of South Bend, Ind., and her husband, Fred, are intentional about how much time their children (ages 12 and 14) spend in front of a television or computer or other screen-driven technology. They strive for a balance of activities that involve technology and ones that don’t. Afternoon activities like TV, movies and computer games all fall under the category of screen time, which Jewel and Fred keep a close eye on. (Submitted by Laura Schlabach, Goshen, Ind.)
- Home free. We have tried to let our technology work for us (and not vice versa). We have decided that the computer and other technical equipment are only in our home office: at the end of the workday, the computer is turned off and isn’t turned on again until the start of the next business day. All electronic devices (computers, printers, TVs, etc.) use power even when they are not “on” (this is called phantom power use), so you can plug your various devices into a power bar, which you switch off when not in use and thereby save energy. (Submitted by Jane Synder, Waterloo, Ontario.)
- Facebook fast. Instead of giving up a sugary food or a favorite television series for Lent, Maya Kehr, 22, gave up Facebook. “This is the second year Maya has given up Facebook for Lent. [Facebook was] leading to vanity and also preventing me from paying attention to people around me, working at relationships in person in a more direct way,” Maya says. A student at Bethel College in North Newton, Kan. at the time, Maya found that Facebook can negatively affect social interactions in a college context, where there are plenty of opportunities for taking photos that eventually end up on Facebook. In addition to improving her efficiency in schoolwork, giving up Facebook led her to become more thoughtful about her interactions with friends and classmates, she says. (Submitted by Laura Schlabach, Goshen, Ind.)
For more tips and stories, see Stories & Ideas for Simple Living on our website.
A T-shirt contest on the theme of “Living More with Less” is under way! The winning design will be made into a T-shirt available for purchase at Mennonite conventions this summer in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Waterloo, Ontario.
The winner will receive a $50 gift certificate to MPN/Third Way, three free T-shirts printed with their design, and one copy of the Living More with Less book. In addition, the winner may purchase additional T-shirts at 50 percent off the retail price. Deadline is May 1, 2011. More information here.
Radio PSAs on grief and mental illness now airing
At least 70 radio stations across the United States are airing radio spots sent in February from Third Way Media. One station manager in Ashland, Ky. (WYHY-AM), said, “Very good quality and message. Glad to run these!”
Several listeners a week are calling for a free booklet on grief. States where stations are using the spots include PA, IL, MI, VA, NY, MN, CA, UT, NC, WA, FL,WI, AL, SD, CO, KY, IA, TX,, and probably many more we haven’t heard from.
If you’ve recently heard a radio spot from the Mennonite churches, we’d love to hear from you. Post it on Third Way Café’s Facebook page or write to us. You can also hear (or read the scripts) for these spots online: Glimpses of Hope (on grief) and Unsung: Family Voices on Mental Illness.
Shadow Voices to air on NBC this summer
Shadow Voices: Finding Hope in Mental Illness documentary will have a second run on network TV on NBC from June 12-July 24 at the discretion of local stations.
Traci Sims, who teaches a psychology course to undergraduate nursing students at an Atlanta-area university, has used this film for the past five years to supplement her lectures. Sims said the documentary helps her to explain complex concepts and terms such as stigma. Most of her students, who range from their early 20s to 30s, don’t have a good grasp of what it means, she said. Check Interfaith Broadcasting for a list of stations planning to air the program (after June 1). The documentary is also available on DVD for $24.95 at our store.
Shaping Families program now on 16 radio stations
For a full roster of stations, downloads of the programs, additional resources for families, and a free weekly e-mail update on the program, visit the Shaping Families website. We would love to have the program airing in your area. If you know of a station that would carry it, or if you could sponsor the program on the air or online at ShapingFamilies.com, let us know! or call 800-999-3534.
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