The Word

A look at religion and the lives it changes.

October 13, 2003

Professor Lipton's Class Section 12.

Listen to the entire broadcast.

October 13, 2003 Headlines Reporter Chris Karmiol

Open Auditions for A Christmas Carol
Madison Square Garden hosted open auditions for the holiday favorite, Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. The play is in its 10th and final season. Reporter Maureen Farrell

Change with Tradition
The Taiwan Union Christian Church was started by a small group of Christian Taiwanese immigrants who wanted to hold on to the Taiwanese tradition. After 32 years, however, the second generation is preparing to lead the church. And they are struggling to balance change with tradition. Reporter Kathy Young

My Big Fat Greek Commute
Although Washington Heights no longer has a large Greek community, it still has a thriving Greek Orthodox church. This is largely due to commuters from outside of New York City. Reporter Anne Lilburn

Winning Souls
Two women bring the gospel to Queens Bridge Community Houses, the nation's largest housing project.
Reporter Timothy Puko

The Holy Father, The Mother Tongue
A Williamsburg, Brooklyn church has a weekly Sunday mass in Lithuanian, drawing people together from the tri-state area. Members come to pray and connect with their heritage. Reporter Jessica Herling

No Más
A Pelham Bay Church recently decided to eliminate a Spanish language mass due to a decline in popularity. Although over one-third of the parish is Hispanic, Spanish is not the first language of many church members. Reporter Richard Edson

The Passion
Professor Mary Boys of Union Theological Seminary discusses the controversy surrounding Mel Gibson's movie The Passion. Reporter Bobby Zeliger

A Call for Atonement in Brooklyn
At a press conference, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz announced that individuals responsible for vandalism at a synagogue on Yom Kippur, a day of atonement in the Jewish faith, would atone.
Reporter Maureen Farrell

Baby Boomers
At one time Union Temple in Brooklyn boasted a membership of almost 1,100. While urban flight in the 1970s decimated their numbers, Jewish baby boomers are now returning to provide a religious foundation and a sense of cultural identity for their children. Reporter MiHi Ahn

Changing Face of the Mormon Church
While many may think of the Mormon Church as a Utah-centric, white-centric church, Chinese, Korean, Filipino and Latino members at a branch in Flushing represent the changing face of the church.
Reporter Tony Lin

Wiccan Worship
Wicca, a branch of paganism, wants to be taken seriously as a religion. And wiccans are working to fight misperceptions. Reporter Jessica Carsen

October 13, 2003 News Update
Reporter Jessica Herling

New York City celebrates Columbus Day
While many celebrated Columbus Day in New York City at the annual parade, others went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art for its first Monday, holiday opening.
Reporter Anthony Lin

Different in Language, United in Faith
The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Brooklyn has grown to accommodate the needs of ethnic groups in the neighborhood. The Basilica offers services in English, Spanish, and Chinese, and provides a link between the ethnic groups in Sunset Park.
Reporter Sinziana Demian

One Congregation, Six Continents
Fourth Presbyterian Church in the Bronx hosted an International Dinner to celebrate the world community of faith represented in the congregation.
Reporter Jeannine Miller

A Community of Faith
The Steinway Reformed Church is working to fill its pews again by reaching out to the new immigrants in the community. Although the neighborhood has changed, this church tradition traces its roots to Steinway's original German and Italian immigrant factory workers.
Reporter Nathan Collins-Jensen

Satellite Mosques
Two storefront mosques recently opened in Harlem to handle the overflow from the Masjid Malcolm Shabazz Mosque.
Reporter Chelsea Swett

Gander Thurman
Gander Thurman, director of Special Projects at Tibet House in New York, discusses the rise of Buddhism.
Reporter Jessica Carsen

Stepping Out on Faith, One Day at a Time
Thousands of addicts are turning to religion to help them to get clean and to stay clean.
Reporter Chris Karmiol

The Mission in Brooklyn
Brooklyn Bishop Nick DiMarzio greeted parishioners after his first Sunday mass at The Parish of Our Lady of Help Christians in Midwood, Brooklyn. He promised healing to the members of the congregation.
Reporter Bobby Zeliger

Hibernians
Irish Catholics are using The Ancient Order Of Hibernians to promote Irish culture in the Catholic church and the Green Point Brooklyn community.
Reporter Ryan Smith

The Language of Faith
At one church in Queens, Korean immigrants are using English language services to keep the second generation connected to the faith. Although the church has separate English language and Korean language services, English language services attract younger members.
Reporter Bhavna Kaul

A Blessing for the Animals
In honor of the feast of St. Francis, the congregation of St. Andrews Catholic Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn took a day to remember the parish pets.
Reporter Sheila Green

The Cast and Crew

Executive Producer: Chelsea Swett

Managing Editor: Sheila Green

Editors: MiHi Ahn, Anne Lilburn

Hosts: Jessica Carsen, Bobby Zeliger

News Writers: Jessica Herling, Chris Karmiol

Reporters: Maureen Farrell, Tony Lin

Senior Producer: Nathan Collins-Jensen

Producers: Kathy Young, Ryan Smith, Bhavna Kaul

Control Room: Sinziana Demian

Webcaster: Jeannine Miller

Studio Director: Timothy Puko

Broadcast Producer/ Control Room Board Operator: Richard Edson

Advisors: Rhoda Lipton, Tony Dec, Barbara Guidice, Wendy Bryan