December 7, 2004

CHICAGO - Hallmark Channel will broadcast "Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas" - a new one-hour, stop-motion animation television special from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) - on Dec. 19 at noon (ET/PT), with an encore broadcast on Dec. 26 at the same time slot. The program is the first new Davey and Goliath production in 30 years.

"Through the magic of stop-motion animation, we follow Davey and Goliath on an exciting snowboarding adventure. During this adventure, Davey learns some dazzling snowboard maneuvers and some very important lessons about the real meaning of Christmas, and about understanding and respect for people who are different than he is," said Kristi S. Bangert, director for marketing and interpretation, ELCA Department for Communication.

Davey and Goliath is a classic television series starring Davey Hansen and his talking dog, Goliath. Aired on commercial television in the 1960s and 1970s, Davey and Goliath is a property of the ELCA. The church's mission with Davey and Goliath is to bring "moral and religious faith-based values to a new generation of children in lively and engaging ways."

No Davey and Goliath story would be complete without "Davey falling into trouble, even after being cautioned by Goliath, his faithful companion and conscience," Bangert said. "Snowboard Christmas is no exception. Davey messes up big time in this story. Not only does he get himself into a very dangerous situation, but also his two new friends, Sam and Yasmeen. Maybe not even Goliath will be able to save the day this time."

"Davey falling into trouble has been the case for every Davey and Goliath storyline, as well as the important role Davey's parents play," Bangert said. Davey's parents are very secure in their understanding of God's love for children - a message illustrated in every episode. The message is conveyed not only to children but also to adults who learn about love for fellow human beings, she said.

Snowboard Christmas is the first new Davey and Goliath production in 30 years, which features significant advances in stop-motion animation technology, said the Rev. Eric C. Shafer, director, ELCA Department for Communication.

A unique quality to the special is "the theme of oneness among Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Davey, a Christian, meets Sam, who is Jewish, and Yasmeen, who is Muslim. It is unique in itself for a church group to be doing such a production," Shafer said.

"We are very excited about the re-launch of the Davey and Goliath property, which is now celebrating its 45th anniversary," said Ava Odom Martin, director for public media, ELCA Department for Communication.

"Baby Boomers, teens and tots will be engaged and find something appealing with the all-new family special. We are especially excited to be involved with the Hallmark Channel through Faith and Values Media for the world premiere broadcast, and we hope that 'Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas' will be a traditional family favorite for years to come," Martin said.

Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas was produced by Premavision, Inc. (Clokey Productions), Los Osos, Calif., and executive produced by the ELCA. The program is being presented on the Hallmark Channel through Faith and Values Media.

Information about Davey and Goliath is available on the Internet at http://www.daveyandgoliath.org/- the official Davey and Goliath Web site maintained by the ELCA. Images of "Davey and Goliath Snowboard Christmas" are available at http://www.daveyandgoliath.org/media/snowboard.images.html on the Internet.

ELCA News Service