What would you like to know about St. Joan of Arc? Do you have a story about our parish or of general interest that you think others would like to hear? For story ideas, contact Jeff Rholl, jeff@stjoan.com.

SJA Launches Cable TV Project

The germ of an idea has started to sprout and grow, and ironically, it started in the Daisy Room of the Parish Center. When Paul Rozycki placed a notice in the St. Joan of Arc weekly bulletin, inviting people to a meeting about a cable TV show, he wasn't really sure what would come of it. But by the end of the meeting, a long list of ideas was created, and a plan of action was established.

Paul Rozycki with newborn son River

Why would St. Joan of Arc be interested in starting a TV show? Rozycki thought, why not? He feels we need to respond to what's happened in the media; we need to provide people with alternative views on religion and politics. In terms of religion, radio and TV is overrun with fundamentalist programming, and that programming is often closely tied to and funded by right-wing political organizations. Rozycki found himself listening to Christian radio while delivering pizza and it was then that he became aware of how right-wing media is shaping our culture.

What pushed Rozycki into action was something the late Senator Wellstone said to Bill Bradley when Al Gore was smearing him during their presidential campaign. Bradley didn't want to do anything about it. Wellstone told him, "You have to respond, if you don't respond people will believe it."

Rozycki felt that St. Joan's needs to respond to the fall/redemption theology that is all over the media. All we're hearing is "God made us flawed and he's ticked off." That faction believes that the purpose of religion is so that we learn to believe in Jesus - and only Jesus- so that we are saved (i.e. go to heaven.)

According to Rozycky, "There is no media that affirms the purpose of religion as encouraging us to a higher spirituality through community, through a deeper joy in all of creation, through the healing power of love, through a comprehension of the divine in and about us all."

Rozycki believes that he could broadcast a life-affirming message from the Bible that can stir us to action. God is not an angry and vengeful God that some fundamentalists would have us believe. St. Joan's message is accepting and non-judgmental, like Christ's message. We need to send a truly Christian perspective where people are not excluded.

Actually, his idea started as a radio show, but Rozycki found that the possibilities were limited. KFAI is the only station to allow public programming, and they are not in short supply of programs. The proposal and approval process was going slowly. Then one Sunday Rozycki heard a homilist suggest that, based on the success of the SJA website, St. Joan’s ought to consider a cable TV program. (Who says God doesn't speak to us in concrete terms?)

After a small amount of research, he found that cable TV is more accessible, and St. Joan's would have more control over content. Initially, it seemed like just matter of supplying tapes, and the local access channel would broadcast them. Paul also found out that the once the show is produced, other cable stations would be more willing to air it. He jumped on it, putting the invitation to meet in the bulletin.

The response was great. Of the dozen or so people who showed up, most were connected to the video/TV industry in some way. Producers, writers, actors, musicians and videographers have brainstormed at two meetings so far, and confirmed that Rozycki's idea for a TV show was a good one. Is anyone surprised that our congregation is filled with so many gifted people from all industries and walks of life?

People came to the meeting out of a sense of passion, out of a sense of, "My God, something needs to be said here. We're being drowned out by right wing think tanks and fundamentalists. We need to put our understanding of truth out there, a theology that represents St. Joan's, our approach to church, Christianity and community."

Among the ideas for a show, many were found in the weekly bulletin. Topics for shows or segments include any number of St. Joan's programs that are being done; there are amazing people doing amazing things. Homilists like Kathy Kelly, the Palm Sunday presentation, a program on Housing Sunday that would show what people at St. Joan's are doing in the housing ministry. We can get political: show what happens to individual people as public policy shifts, what happens when a shelter closes. We can do programming that exposes the lie in the notion that there is such a thing as a "self-made" person, and that those who are not doing well are to blame for their own circumstances. Programs could highlight music events like Cabaret and other concerts. The topics will continue to flow and grow.

Two members of the group have met with the director of the Minneapolis Television Network to explore the possibilities for programming. Some equipment and studio time is available at MTN, but there would definitely be a need for the committee to occasionally provide some personal equipment. MTN also requires new members to take classes on video production. Everyone in the room was ready and willing.

Michele Jansen is a free-lance audio/video producer and multimedia project manager, who also works as an on-call announcer for KBEM-FM, Jazz 88. In other words, a jack-of-all-trades for the new millennium. She and her family, husband John, teenagers Mick and Lauren, have been members of St. Joan of Arc for 12 years. She is also a happy member of the choir, and has volunteered for various activities at St. Joan's including the Faith Formation Advisory Board.

Another meeting is planned on Wednesday, May 21st, at 7PM in the Daisy Room of the Parish Center. If you're unable to make this meeting and are interested, or if you simply have any questions, call Paul Rozycki at (612)824-2293. Or drop him an email: pbsroz@msn.com Get your ideas sprouting!