Title: Rick Steves to Host ELCA Video on Martin Luther
ELCA NEWS SERVICE
January 29, 2001
RICK STEVES TO HOST ELCA VIDEO ON MARTIN LUTHER
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CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Popular television host and travel writer, Rick
Steves hosts the video "Opening the Door to Luther" which will be
released March 1. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)
Department for Communication produced the video as an introduction to
Martin Luther, the 16th century German theologian who set out to reform
the Catholic Church and wound up launching the Protestant movement.
A recognized authority on European travel, Steves has hosted
television programs for Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) stations and
the cable Travel Channel, authored guidebooks, taught travel classes
across the United States, written newspaper and magazine columns,
appeared on radio and television talk shows, and managed his "Europe
Through the Back Door" travel business.
"Opening the Door to Luther" is a special production of MOSAIC,
the video magazine of the ELCA. Steves went with the MOSAIC crew on
location in Germany -- from Eisleben, where Luther was born, to
Wittenberg, the university town where Luther taught and preached. The
video follows the events of the Reformation through Worms, Erfurt,
Eisenach, Marburg and Augsburg.
"My basic idea was to create an entertaining educational tool for
Sunday schools," said Tim Frakes, MOSAIC producer. He said he produced
the video for an adult audience with an interest in the Lutheran church
but little or no knowledge of Luther's life and influence.
Peter Rummel, videographer for Steves' PBS show "Travels in
Europe," was the principal camera operator.
Steves is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lynnwood, Wash.
"I'm as Lutheran as can be," he said, "but, when we considered this
project I was surprised at how little I actually knew about the life of
Martin Luther and the events of the Reformation."
"I write travel guidebooks and lead tours all over Europe, and I
know very little about eastern Europe, because, for a long time, it's
been off the tourist path. Now it's wide open," said Steves.
"We came home with a video that will, in half an hour, really
teach a lot -- not only about Martin Luther but about what was going on
in Europe 500 years ago, when Copernicus, Columbus, Machiavelli and
Michelangelo were all doing earth-changing things. Of course, Martin
Luther was part of that same class," he said.
Steves has hosted two other video projects for the ELCA: "Weaving
a Global Neighborhood," a 20-minute program on Papua New Guinea for the
ELCA Division for Global Mission; and "In the City for Good," a 20-
minute program for the ELCA's Vision for Mission about the work of six
urban congregations in the Los Angeles area.
Aid Association for Lutherans (AAL) funded part of producing
"Opening the Door to Luther." AAL is a fraternal benefits society based
in Appleton, Wis.
-- -- --
Photos, scripts and other information about "Opening the Door to
Luther" are available at http://www.elca.org/co/Luther/ on the ELCA Web
site.
Rick Steves maintains information about his projects at
http://www.ricksteves.com/ on the Web.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask]
http://listserv.elca.org/archives/elcanews.html
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