November 1, 2005

CHICAGO – The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and Starlight Home Entertainment, Inc., Los Angeles, will release "Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas" Nov. 15 on DVD. The one-hour, stop-motion animation special is the 2005 Aurora Award "Best of Show" winner and a 2005 Telly Award finalist.

"Through the magic of stop-motion animation, we follow Davey and Goliath on an exciting snowboarding adventure. During the 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 Communication Services.

A property of the ELCA, Davey and Goliath is a classic television series aired on commercial television in the 1960s and 1970s. The ELCA'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."

Snowboard Christmas first debuted on Hallmark Channel – through Faith and Values Media – in 2004. It is also the first new Davey and Goliath production in about 30 years and features significant advances in stop-motion animation technology, said the Rev. Eric C. Shafer, director, ELCA Communication Services. The DVD includes a behind-the-scenes bonus feature about the making of Davey and Goliath programs and "family portraits." It will be available in major retail outlets across the country.

Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas was produced by Premavision, Inc. (Clokey Productions), Los Osos, Calif., and executive produced by the ELCA.

ELCA, Starlight Release More Davey and Goliath Classic Television Episodes

The ELCA and Starlight released a new three-DVD set called, "Davey and Goliath's Holiday Spectacular." Each disc (volumes 2, 3 and 4) – "Learning About Caring for Others," "Learning About Forgiveness" and "Helping Each Other" – contains 18 classic, digitally re-mastered episodes. The set also includes three 30- minute Davey and Goliath holiday specials – "Halloween Who-Dun- It?" "Christmas Lost and Found" and "New Year Promise."

Earlier this year the ELCA and Starlight released volume one of Davey and Goliath classic television episodes. It includes a 30-minute restored Davey and Goliath special, "To the Rescue;" four classic, 15-minute episodes; and the 2003 Davey and Goliath documentary, "Oh, Davey! History of the Davey and Goliath Television Series" as bonus material.

ELCA, Scholastic Release Two New Davey and Goliath Coloring and Activity Books

The ELCA and Scholastic Inc., the world's largest distributor of children's books, published two activity paperbacks about Davey and Goliath – "Good Neighbors" and "The Winner." Each coloring book illustrates scenes from the classic Davey and Goliath episodes of the same names.

Earlier this year the ELCA and Scholastic published two story and two activity books, also based on classic episodes of Davey and Goliath.

"Davey and Goliath's Snowboard Christmas" on DVD, and Davey and Goliath story and activity books are available in retail stores and at http://www.daveyandgoliath.org/ – the ELCA's official Davey and Goliath Web site.

ELCA News Service