ELCA NEWS SERVICE October 19, 2009 Eric Shafer, ELCA Pastor, Named Senior Vice President of Odyssey Networks 09-231-JB CHICAGO (ELCA) -- Odyssey Networks, New York, has appointed the Rev. Eric C. Shafer to the post of senior vice president. Shafer is a former director of the Communication Services unit of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He is expected to start his newly created position on Jan. 1, 2010. As Odyssey's senior vice president, Shafer, 59, will be responsible for fundraising activities and relationships with U.S. faith groups, according to an Odyssey news release. Odyssey describes itself as "the nation's largest coalition of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith groups dedicated to building bridges of understanding among people of faith through media." The company uses television, the Internet and theatrical releases to distribute content. Shafer has served since 2006 as senior pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Lansdale, Pa., from which he resigned effective Dec. 31. In his letter to the congregation announcing his new position, Shafer noted that he has "long been both interested in the intersection of faith and media and committed to an interfaith approach to peace and justice in our world. This new position gives me the opportunity to work full time in these areas." Shafer is a 1972 graduate of Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pa. He attended Hamma School of Theology, Wittenberg University, Springfield, Ohio, where he earned a master of divinity degree in 1976. Muhlenberg College and Wittenberg University are among 28 ELCA colleges and universities. Hamma is a predecessor of Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio, one of eight ELCA seminaries. Prior to arriving at Trinity Lutheran Church, Shafer served nearly 14 years as the ELCA director for communication. While in his churchwide position, Shafer was responsible for a successful national advertising campaign and the return of the children's stop-motion animation program, Davey and Goliath, to television. Shafer also served as an assistant to the bishop in the ELCA Northeastern Pennsylvania Synod and as pastor of Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church in Catasauqua, Pa. Shafer presently serves on the Odyssey Networks board of trustees representing the ELCA. He is also vice chair of the board of the Good Shepherd Home and Rehabilitation Hospital, Allentown, and a member of the Muhlenberg College Board of Observers. Shafer is chair of the Religion Communicators Council's "Wilbur Awards," which recognize excellence in communicating religious issues, values and themes in the public media. He has previously served as an advisor to the Lutheran World Federation Council, on the board of directors and executive committee of the National Council of the Churches USA and on the Muhlenberg College board of trustees. --- Information about Odyssey Networks is at http://www.odysseynetworks.org/ on the Web. For information contact: John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or [log in to unmask] http://www.elca.org/news ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog