The Minneapolis Star from Minneapolis, Minnesota • Page 8

TheMinneapolU Star Friday, July 20, 1979 Willmar Thorkelson I. I I titWIdil mm Faith needs money to move FCC to give television license I -4 i-iN it a John D. Sewall sees the new effort he is spearheading as possibly the last chance to get a family, Christian-oriented television station for the Twin Cities' area. An application for the right to operate such a station on the ultra high-frequency Channel 29 was filed in late 1976 with the Federal Communications Commission. Since then, the applicant, Faith Broadcasting Network led by Rich Life, an evangelist who was its president, sought to qualify for an FCC license by raising $1.3 million for the first year on the air.

In late 1978, Life announced that the goal had been reached with contracts for air time and donated equipment, together valued at $1 million, and a $300,000 eration. He referred to a statement from the Faith board saying that "the board of directors and the Lifes have felt that God was showing the Lifes new direction and moving them to pursue other fields of endeavor." It said the Lifes" "gave a stout-hearted push in FBN's beginning days" and "were helpful in the raising of needed contractual commitments for our first year's programming as well as other events that came along the way." Sewall confirmed reports that some of the fund-raising events arranged by Life were less than successful, but he did not blame Life for this, noting they had the board's approval. For example, Faith lost more than $2,000 on a rally in the Minneapolis Auditorium in October 1977, at which President Carter's sister, Ruth Carter Staple- loan commitment from a local bank. s- 'II Supporters of the proposed million-watt station now have been told that this is not enough that, to qualify, about $1.8 million in cash must be raised to cover startup costs. Sewall, who early this year replaced Life as Faith Broadcasting ton, was a featured speaker and for which she was paid $2,000.

Faith barely made expenses on two or three other events. Sewall, 42, has spent about 15 years in commercial broadcasting. He has worked for a dozen radio and TV stations, most recently at WCCO-radio and TV. He also has been a producer of audio-visuals, including a taped dramatized version of the King James New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs. i IP- Faith) into two groups, Sewall said.

Sewall said the reason the FCC has taken so long in assigning Channel 29 is that never before has it had to decide between applicants for subscription pay TV and "free" televison. He said the FCC Is now developing hearing rules to cover such situations. At last count, Sewall said, there were 12 Christian television stations operating in this country with applications for 20 to 25 more before the FCC. The Minneapolis-St. Paul area, he has been told, Is the largest television market area in the nation without a Christian television station.

If the FCC grants Faith a license, Faith would like to have its initials in its call letters, possibly WFBN, Sewall said. The station could go on the air about eight to 12 months after the license is granted. He said Faith would offer "good wholesome programming for the whole family." Included, he said, would be local and national church ministries, situation comedies, full-length motion pictures, children's and adventure shows, talk shows, community involvement programs and "newscasts that feature good news." Faith has contracted with the Christian Broadcasting Network to carry at least 21 hours a week of its programming, including "The 700 Club," a nationally syndicated talk show with Pat Robertson. (The CBN has given a transmitter to FBN and 3M has donated video-tape recorders). Sewall said several local churches and organizations have contracted to buy time on the proposed station, including North Heights Lutheran Church, the Bloom-ington Church of God, the Fridley Assembly of God, Evangel Temple and Midwest Challenge.

He said the station would seek to "serve the entire body of Christ" and would not limit its spiritual presentations to the charismatic point of view. He also emphasized that station would not have "pulpit to pulpit" programming, but would offer "a very exciting TV alternative." Gov. Al Quie said he is supporting efforts to get the station on the air. "I believe that FBN will add much to the richness of life in Minnesota, providing a strong family orientation to television programming," he wrote. Sewall declined to elaborate on why Rich Life and his wife, Nancy, no longer were part of the Faith op Network president, said the organi zation had engaged a new attorney in Washington who found that in a I I 1 contested hearing it is necessary for an aoDlicant to have liquid assets.

Life miIfM fell Star Photo by Storml Gretner SUpleton Under his leadership, Faith is producing a 1 -hour televison show that will be shown on commercial TV stations in the area beginning in September. "In the very improbable event that the FCC does not grant FBN our broadcasting license, we still shall be a viable production company producing life-changing, Christ-centered programs out of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area to a lost and dying world," Sewall wrote to supporters of the proposed station. Besides Sewall, members of the FBN board are Thomas Blake, vice-president; Dr. Jack Cooper, Robert Nelson, Karen Nelson and Al Palmquist.

Palmquist is a Minneapolis police officer engaged in an evangelistic and anti-drug ministry called Midwest Challenge. FBN will give a progress report on its activities at a meaning "cash in the bank or a line of credit backed up by guarantees, letters of pledge support, and so forth." Competing with Faith Broadcasting for the license for Channel 29 is Bufford Television of Minnesota, part of the Bufford Group of Tyler, Texas. A license for Channel 23, the other UHF channel the FCC set aside for commercial television In this area, was granted in 1969 to Viking Television St. Paul. Tower location problems have delayed Viking's going on the air.

Both the Viking and Bufford interests are seeking to offer subscription TV as well as the normal commercial variety on the two UHF channels. Because the FCC has permitted only one subscription TV station in an area and because of tower location problems, there have been some discussions into the possibility of combining the three groups (Bufford, Viking and John Sewall shows needs for TV station family fellowship gathering, called "Faith Frolics," from 1 to 5 p.m. July 28 at Minnehaha Park. It will feature entertainment by the FBN band, "Sweet Black church anchored in its people's past church as "essentially liberation, reconciliation within its own communities and helping its congregations to face outward toward the larger world. "The critical thing for the black church," he said, "Is to embrace its own emerging theology of liberation, to strengthen Its links with the mother country of Africa and to find genuine sources of renewal." The black theologians attended a conference at St.

John's University in Collegevllle sponsored by the university's Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research. Its purpose was "to reflect on the meaning of faith in God from the viewpoint of the black experience." lacks staff and "the capacity to respond to a lot of needs." Ervln Smith, of Methodist Theological School, Delaware, Ohio, said that while the black church has problems, it is "holding its own and attendance has generally been Increasing. He said one of Its strengths is "the witness it gives to America as a whole." Its main weakness: "that blacks do not have sufficient financial resources." Archie Smith Jr. of the Pacific School of ReligionGraduate Theological Union, Berkeley, said the black church always has played the role of "adapting." Smith, an American Baptist, said he sees the task of the black Paris, an American Baptist minister, said the church's main weakness is, largely, never having enough resources to accomplish its goals. Curtis Herron, pastor of Zion Baptist Church, Minneapolis, described the black church as "alive and lively" and "still the most significant institution in the black community because it is the only Institution totally owned by blacks." "It still has the potential to give spiritual direction to its members and to help them interpret the meaning of events of history and contemporary life," be said, adding that attendance is "very strong." But he said the black church has done sustaining black people In their sense of powerlessness and at the same time providing a sense of hope for the future." Hoyt, a minister of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, said the church's main weakness stems from its powerlessness its Inability to heal the wrongs of society that impede blacks' progress.

Peter Paris of Vanderbllt University Divinity School, Nashville, said the strength of the black church lies in its dual role an agent of both social cohesion and social change. "It has been the moral foundation for the black community at large, not Just for those who are members of the church," he noted. church is "very Involved In the liberation of black people." Its strength, he said, is that "it is a community church anchored in the history, theology and heritage of black people an institution that can be mobilized under black leadership to deal with special problems affecting blacks, such as unemployment." While the black church has an Increasing number of young people at seminaries. It still needs more trained leaders, said Roberts, who is a minister of both the American Baptist and Progressive Baptist Conventions. Thomas Hoyt, also of Howard University, said he feels the black church is "doing what it always Most black people still look to the "black church as the most important institution in their lives, according to several black theologians who attended a conference this week in Collegevllle, Minn.

They said in interviews that the black church, despite some weaknesses, generally is strong and, in some areas, growing. It has a record number of seminarians preparing for the ministry. The black church is a term used by blacks to refer collectively to predominantly black congregations in all denominations. J. DeOtis Roberts of the Howard University School of Religion in Washington, D.C., said the black ft.

u.o. ip win ue snuii ay: Concordia's Hyatt leads LCMS drive to raise $40 million unances slim pope will visit Twin Cities Hyatt Wlgfleld Dr. Gerhardt W. Hyatt, president of Concordia College. St.

Paul, has been chosen to lead a special $40 the church's 1 1 a.m. service and will be greeted at a reception after an 8:15 p.m. concert. Bishop Wsyne K. Clymer, head of the Minnesota Area of the United Methodist Church, is in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of the U.S.

delegation to a special conference on refugees. He was invited by Vice President Walter MondaJe. The bishop is president of the United Methodist Committee on Relief, which aids refugees. Arnold R. MlckeUon, general secretary of the American Lutheran Church, has been elected to the board of managers of the American Bible Society.

Dr. Nathan Bailey, a past-president of the Christian and Missionary Alliance and of the National Association of Evangelicals, died in Nottingham, England, oj' injuries sustained a car accident near there July 10. He was 69. leaders In their effort to bring the pope to Minnesota. John W.

Hemak, president of the Polish society, is distributing a list of reasons for a papal visit to Minnesota. It notes that the state capital is named for the pope's namesake, that Minnesota has more communities named for saints than any other state, and that Minnesota has many Polish connections. Both of Minnesota's senators Rudy Boschwltz and David Durenber-ger have mothers of Polish descent, it was noted. Music The Cathedral Church of St. Mark, 519 Oak Grove has begun construction of a columbarium or sepulchral vault In an unexcavated area of the church's undercroft.

Two rooms are being built there-one providing 252 niches for interment of ashes of cremated persons and the other, a small chapel to be used for meditation and memorial services. The project, which will cost about $205,000, also Includes paving of the entire undercroft and providing access to it from the cathedral's tower room and, parish house. Brooks Cavin Is the architect and Sonny Miller the contractor. More than 2,000 persons are expected to attend an international convention of Stonecroft Ministries being held Saturday through July 28 at the Radis-son South Hotel, Bloomlngton. Attending will be members of Christian women's clubs, couples clubs and Village Mission churches.

Speakers will Include Helen D. Baugh, Mary E. Clark and Dr. Stephen F. Olford.

The National Church Conference of the Blind will sponsor a four-day Bible and fellowship conference beginning Monday at the Leamington Hotel. About 200 persons are expected to attend. Rabbi Daniel Zemel, ordained in June at the Hebrew Union College, Jewish Institute of Religion, has joined the rabbinic staff of lemple Israel, 2324 S. Emerson Ave. Another member of the temple staff.

Rabbi Stephan F. Barack, recently was elected president of the Minnesota Rabbinical Association. Chances that Pope John Paul II will visit Minnesota on his proposed tour of the United States now appear remote. The National Catholic News Service, in a report from Washington, D.C., published today by the Catholic Bulletin in St. Paul, said planners of the pope's U.S.

tour are ''proceeding on the assumption" that It will be much shorter than originally anticipated, perhaps only a few days. This. It was noted, would sharply reduce the number of cities the pope could visit. Although there was still no formal announcement, the news service said it had learned that both the United Nations and the White House had been informed that the pope would arrive in this country the first week in October. Today's report came after a group of Twin Cities area Polish-American leaders set in motion plans to circulate petitions among Minnesota Catholic parishes to urge the pope to come to Minnesota.

The group, meeting under auspices of the American Polish Society (Polska Centrala), decided to enlist the help of two prominent U.S. cardinals, John Krol of Philadelphia and John Cody of Chicago, and Vice President Walter Mondale and other church and political The annual Catholic Appeal of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis has reached 97 percent of its $2 9 million goal. The total. $2,309,361, is the greatest amount raised since the appeal began in 1969.

Proceeds are used to fund the archdiocese's programs in education, religion and charity. Meanwhile, another archdiocese campaign seeking $1,850,000 Is under way to finance construction of the Leo C. Byrne Residence for Retired Priests. It will provide 25 apartments for priests and will be built at Cretin and Summit avenues, St. Paul, adjacent to St.

Paul Seminary. Rabbi Barry Starr of Beth El Synagogue, St. Louis Park, has been appointed director of recruitment at Jewish Theological Seminary, New York City. The congregation Is planning an "All-Starr Weekend July 27 and 28 in his honor. It will include a service July 27 at which Starr will give his final sermon and a dinner and open house reception July 28.

Workshop on contemporary church music, 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday at the College of St. Catherine, St. Paul. Concert by Danniebelle Hall, soul gospel singer, 7:30 p.m.

next Friday at the Jesus People Church, 805 Hennepin Ave. Hall formerly was lead singer with Andrae Crouch and the Disciples and recently was nominated for a Grammy Award for her album "He Is King." Musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," 9:30 a.m. Sunday at North Como Presbyterian Church, 965 W. Larpenteur Rose-vllle. Concert by Discovery, a group of 16 Church of the Nazarene college students, 10:50 a.m.

Sundav at First Church of the Nazarene, 1501 W. 54th St Concert by Dave and Barb Anderson, 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sunday at Abiding Savior Lutheran Church, 8211 Red Oak Drive, Mounds View. million fund-raising drive for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS). Proceeds from the appeal will be used mainly for missions and higher education.

The drive was authorized by the recent LCMS convention in St. Louis. Hyatt retired In 1975 as chief of U.S. Army chaplains with rank of major general and worked with the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Foundation in St. Louis before being elected president of Concordia in 1976.

In an appearance before the convention, Hyatt said he is confident of the drive's outcome, but he spoke of the need for a higher self-perception and better morale in the LCMS. He said the campaign will be conducted for no other reason than to show "love for our Lord." The Rev. Rusirll Wlgfleld, campus minister at Southern Illinois University, has been named chaplain at Maca-lester College, St. Paul. He will succeed the Rev.

Kris Holmgren who resigned after one year because she found "a lack of commitment to the chaplaincy and my work." Wlgfleld, a Macalester graduate and a former assistant chaplain at Macalester, will assume the chaplaincy at Macalester Sept. 1, according to Dr. John B. Davis Macalester president. Davis, In announcing Wigfleld's appointment, said "Macalester nurtures and values Its Presbyterian heritage.

The return of Russell Wigfleld symbolizes this college commitment. He Is well qualified for the tasks of the chaplaincy and he has our whole-hearted support." Wlgfleld said his own background has helped give his chaplaincy work an ecumenical thrust. Wigfleld, a native of St. Paul, noted that he grew up as al.u-theran, studied and graduated from the Yale Divinity School, which has a Congregational background, aiid ha worked as a youth director for a St. Paul Methodist church.

He was ordained In 1953 at a Presbyterian Bkmt Oline r-i Dr. Lelth Anderson, pastor of Wood-dale Baptist Church, 7101 S. Nicollet Richfield, recently returned from a trip to the Orient with his wife, Char-leen, will report on the trip at a service at 7 p.m. Sunday at the church. LUTHERAN i 9:30 A Sunday School mm MORNlKlG WORSHIP 9:00.

10 00, 11 ond 12 o'clock ABNORMAL" Postor Youngdahl, Preaching CHURCH SCHOOL 10:00 and 1 1 00 A.M. 3 and ILa tXnoiav.S. CONSTRICTED BY THE CALENDAR PaftorJamtiF Fngk pnochtng KRSI AM, KTIS FMiMPLS. 7.00 PM TONGUE TALK ftnfor Stanley 5. Olten prtochmg July 29 Choir Concert and Rcption Honoring Mr.

Mn. Jamti P. Dovm Mtfc St. between James Three clergymen were honored recently by the Northeast Senior Citizens' Resource Center for their activities In behalf of the center. They are the Rev.

Richard Stelter, the center's director; the Rev. Ron Hume, board chairman, and the Rev. Bob Lyga, board secretary. Two pastors observing the 50th anniversary of their ordinations will be honored Sunday at Calvary Lutheran Church, 7520 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley. The two, the Reva.

Joe Flotten and Adrlea Olson, will assist at 000 ggn rAsros Pool YmmoHohl Horlon N. Robbini, Carl O. Ntlion laurtl V. lir.db.rg, Mark P. Witwrg Craig E.Johnton Dirttlor olMulk Or Robert Stroking1 Orgamtl Marvin ftutM irst Covenant Church David I.

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