Shaping Families Update - September 4

Sep 6, 2010

THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM - Families, Movies and TV. 
Media choices bombard families today more than ever before. And families must pay more attention to those choices. Rose Pacatte, a Catholic sister who works in media literacy and education, talks with Shaping Families this week about how families can begin thinking more mindfully about their media choices. Sister Rose has a deep passion for thinking about how media influences culture and how people consume it. 
Read transcript. Listen online.

BEST STRESS TIP:  How long do you think a company would survive if its workers rarely met to find out what everyone else was doing? Yet many families, with so much at stake, often go days without even sharing a meal. Mealtime is more than a social event. It's a vital means of communication—a time to make plans, vent concerns, express feelings, work out differences, and most of all show that you love, support and care for each other. The family meal is a bedrock of family stability and shouldn't fall victim to busy schedules. Take care of things on the home front first. Insist on a daily family repast. ** 

 A WORD OF PRAISE to use with a family member who needs encouragement this week: 
"Phenomenal!" 

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:  Quesadilla Pie
A tasty one-dish meal that the whole family likes from Jodi Nisly Hertzler. Quick and easy.

NEWS: 

• We welcome Bethel Mennonite Church of Mountain Lake, Minnesota as a new sponsoring congregation for Shaping Families. They join First Mennonite Church of Mountain Lake in supporting the program at 7:45 a.m. on station KDOM, 94.3 FM, in Windom. 
• Shaping Families "Potluck" speaker, Rebecca Thatcher Murchia, has added two bilingual children's books to her list of publishing credits: Mitchell Lane Publishers recently brought out What It's Like to be Marta, a Brazilian soccer player; the other is What It's Like to be Shakira, a Colombian singer and humanitarian who is held in high esteem in her country. There is more information about the books on rebecca's website at http://www.thatchermurcia.com/Websitebooklist.html

PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pastor Haresh Nag of Orissa, India, has written to Shaping Families producer Melodie Davis requesting prayer for families in India who have been disrupted by the rainy season and flooding. He says, “Due to heavy rain, floods have taken place [near to me]. So many people have lost their families and belongings. So kindly remember them in your personal prayer.” He is also working to start an orphanage and appreciates all prayers.

(If you have a prayer request, email to info@ShapingFamilies.com ) 

DONATE:  Shaping Families depends on the gifts of individuals, groups, churches and grants to operate. We appreciate your support.

NEXT WEEK on Shaping Families: 
Next week we explore how media has changed, and how that impacts our lives.. It’s nearly impossible to get away from it – so how can we work with it? How can families navigate the increasing media choices out there? What exactly are the perils as well as the possibilities of media your family? These questions and more in next week’s episode.

**From the book " 400 Ways to Stop Stress Now and Forever."  Used by permission.

Shaping Families Update - August 28

Aug 30, 2010

THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM - Adopting in Kenya. 
What does a young couple do when their dreams and plans for starting a family don’t work out? According to the Centers for Disease Control, it’s a reality that almost 12% of couples in the United States face. John and Glenda Leonard are one such couple. “[We] went through all of the testing and all of the intrusive medical procedures and still obviously were unsuccessful. And so that was really frustrating, and we were looking for a change,” said John. 

BEST STRESS TIP:  In your efforts to expose your child to every known activity, sport and pursuit on the planet, you may be guaranteeing them one thing. A stressed-out future. Regardless of what you tell them, rushing frantically from venue to venue sends the message that this is the way life proceeds. They'll inevitably follow suit. Start setting a different example now. Pare down activities so each one can be more richly and leisurely enjoyed. Build in more free, unpressured time that lets their imaginations take flight. Kids are notoriously overscheduled. And they hardly need to experience everything before adulthood, or what will be left? Removing that stress from their life and yours will leave everyone healthier and happier. **

A WORD OF PRAISE to use with a family member who needs encouragement this week: 
"Unbelievable Work!" 

RECIPE OF THE WEEK:  Cherry Delight.  
A simplified cheesecake recipe from Melodie Davis. Her mother called it "George Washington Pudding."

NEWS:  Dr. Natalie A. Francisco, the “Connecting Point” speaker on Shaping Families radio program invites anyone interested (and close enough to attend) to a October 8-10, 2010 “Women of Worth & Worship” (WOWW) Weekend Retreat at the Embassy Suites Hampton Roads Hotel, Spa & Convention Center. To find out more you can visit Natalie’s website at www.nataliefrancisco.com/wowwi/conference. Room reservations should be made as soon as possible. Online registration and tickets for conference workshops with powerful speakers and a community benefit concert featuring Vanessa Bell Armstrong will be available September 8th at Natalie’s church website, www.calvarycommunity.org/wow.

PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray for a Shaping Families listener concerned about her granddaughter who is no longer allowed to see her nor go to church. Pray for reconciliation and understanding. 

Pray for all those who have had trouble conceiving a child. Pray for peace and acceptance. Thank God for adoptive parents you know. Pray for children waiting on a family to adopt them. 

(If you have a prayer request, email to info@ShapingFamilies.com ) 

 DONATE:  Shaping Families depends on the gifts of individuals, groups, churches and grants to operate. We appreciate your support.

NEXT WEEK on Shaping Families: 
How can families navigate the increasing media choices out there? What exactly are the perils as well as the possibilities of media on your family? For the next two weeks Shaping Families talks about the role of television, music, and movies in family life.

**From the book " 400 Ways to Stop Stress Now and Forever."  Used by permission.

Shaping Families Update - August 21

Aug 23, 2010

THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM - Losing an infant
The death of an infant is one of the most painful experiences a parent can face. The loss of a child at any age is a tragic experience. Yet the loss of a newborn infant, hours, days, or sometimes months after their birth carries with it its own particular kind of grief. This episode provides encouragement and support for those who have been touched by the loss of an infant. Listen online. Read transcript.

Shaping Families Update - August 14

Aug 17, 2010

This Shaping Families Update is being sent electronically to those on our mailing list. If you're not signed up, you can do so here and receive this update each Monday evening in your mailbox.

THIS WEEK'S PROGRAM - Volunteer All Your Life.  You’re never too old to make a difference, say the guests on this week’s Shaping Families program. Four retirees discuss ways they are using their golden years as a golden opportunity to impact their communities and the world around them through volunteering.

These couples credit their passion for service not only to wanting to do something in their retirement years, but also from their upbringing in families that stressed the importance of charity. As a result, they have revolutionized their concept of what to do with their lives at the end of their careers. One person said, “If you’re thinking that retirement means you’re just gonna sit around and do nothing or you’re gonna vacation all the time or you’re gonna shuffleboard all the time, that’s not thinking correctly or preparing correctly.” Listen online. Read transcript.

BEST STRESS TIP: Studies have shown that hugs can reduce stress and tension appreciably. Obviously, some of us aren't overt huggers and may shy away from such a suggestion. (And granted, it may be more stressful to hug someone you dislike.) But if you can get past the initial awkwardness, you'll find a good deal of relief in the occasional squeeze. Your spouse, children, parents, and other loved ones are all good sources of hugs. Even a quick embrace between friends as part of a greeting eases tension. The best thing is, two people can benefit from one hug! That's a pretty efficient way to reduce stress. So hug early, and hug often. ** 

A WORD OF PRAISE to use with a family member who needs encouragement this week: "Wonderful!"

 RECIPE OF THE WEEK:  Curried Green Tomato Sauce.   Jodi Nisly Hertzler offers this recipe and a story about the year of the 52 tomato plants: “One year, in an attempt to find the perfect heirloom tomatoes, my husband cultivated 14 varieties from seed, and we filled our garden with 52 tomato plants. We knew it was too many, but we were on a quest. That summer, I canned tomatoes like I’ve never canned tomatoes. I had finally decided I was done with my preserving when a friend posted this recipe (which I’ve adapted slightly) on her blog. It was so different I had to try it. I love that it makes use of all those green tomatoes that don’t have a chance to ripen at the end of the summer, and it’s simply delicious.”

PRAYER REQUESTS: Thank God this week for volunteers who work in many ways to make your community a better place. Pray that God will provide opportunities for you to serve others this week.  (If you have a prayer request, email to info@ShapingFamilies.com )  

DONATE:  Shaping Families depends on the gifts of individuals, groups, churches and grants to operate. We appreciate your support.

NEXT WEEK on Shaping Families:  Next week’s topic is on losing an infant. You’ll hear from a mother who lost her daughter 17 hours after she was born. This episode provides encouragement and support for those who have been touched by the loss of an infant.

**From the book " 400 Ways to Stop Stress Now and Forever."  Used by permission.

Shaping Families Update - August 7

Aug 10, 2010

This Shaping Families Update is being sent electronically to those on our mailing list. If you're not signed up, you can do so here and receive this update each Monday evening in your mailbox. 

This Week's Program — Getting Along in Families
Ken Medema is a Christian musician, playing venues from 50 to 50,000. He has been playing piano since the age of five, has degrees in piano and voice performance and music therapy … and he has been blind from birth.

Best Stress Tip of the Week for Families — Cut Your Teens Some Slack.
When kids grow into teenagers, they begin to look every bit like adults. So we expect them to act like adults. And when they don't, which is often, it stresses the heck out of us. Ease up a little. Although they're sprouting up and filling out, and their voices are changing, they're still basically children! Else they'd be out living and working on their own, wouldn't they? Accept that your job isn't done yet, by any stretch, and there are many more years of patience and understanding to go through. Yes, give them more responsibility, let them enjoy a taste of adulthood, but expect that they'll make mistakes, express the most infuriating viewpoints, and do the most nonsensical things. They're works in progress. Think how confused and chaotic your adolescence was. It will help you stave off, or at least endure, the classic struggle between parent and teen. **

A word of praise to use with a family member who needs encouragement this week: "Outstanding Performance!"

Shaping Families Recipe of the Week:  La Madeleine Restaurant's Famous Tomato Basil Soup. After visiting a French café by the name of La Madeleine in Houston, TX years ago with her husband, Natalie writes that she fell in love with their tomato basil soup.  She writes, “It was the best I had ever tasted! After we could not receive the recipe from the staff there, my husband looked for and found it online, and we determined to make it ourselves. To my utter delight, it tasted exactly the same as the soup in La Madeleine’s restaurant!”

News: We welcome station KDOM in Windom, Minn. to our station line-up. KDOM broadcasts Shaping Families on 94.3 FM and 1580 AM at 7:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings and is sponsored by First Mennonite Church of Mt. Lake.

WDAC, 94.5 FM in Lancaster, Pa. has been airing Shaping Families since January, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday nights. Beginning this month the program will be sponsored by Philhaven and Lancaster Mennonite School. See a listing of all local sponsors.

Prayer Request: This week pray for your extended family, wherever they are. (If you have a prayer request, email to info@ShapingFamilies.com )  

Donate:  Shaping Families depends on the gifts of individuals, groups, churches and grants to operate. We appreciate your support.

Next week on Shaping Families:  “You’re never too old to make a difference.” So say the guests on next week’s program. Four retirees discuss ways they are using their golden years as a golden opportunity to impact their communities and the world around them through volunteering.

Shaping Families Update - July 31

Aug 2, 2010

This Shaping Families Update is being sent electronically to those on our mailing list - if you've signed up, you're reading the very first email edition in your mailbox. If you're not signed up, you can do so here and receive this update each Monday evening. 

This Week's Program — Taking Time For Family
Dr. Martin Marty’s life has been a full and busy one to say the least. He is not only a prolific author, speaker, and historian, but a passionate family man. While he has received many public accolades, he holds dear his roots growing up in the Nebraska plains, his commitment to his family, and the troop of children that he raised. Listen Online, Read Transcript

Best Stress Tip of the Week for Families — Parenting Shouldn't Be a Guilt Trip 
How we agonize over the raising of our kids! Are we firm enough? Too strict? Are we providing them with everything they need? Or are we spoiling them? Why do we always feel we can be doing a better job...we don't spend enough time with them...we're neglecting their needs? Regardless of how hard we're trying! And then, we have to compete with the Dad who gets his son into the pro team's locker room, and the Mom who hires a recording star to entertain at her daughter's birthday. Forget all that. Give them love, give them limits, listen to what they have to say, and instill in them—through your own example—a set of good moral values. Do that, and you'll never have cause to feel like an unworthy parent.
From the book " 400 Ways to Stop Stress Now and Forever."  Used by permission.

A word of praise to use with a family member who needs encouragement this week: "Clever!"

Shaping Families Recipe of the Week:  Spinach-Tomato Quiche

Prayer Request: Say a special prayer of thanksgiving for each person in your immediate family.  Take time this week to pray together as a family. (If you have a prayer request, email to info@ShapingFamilies.com )  

Donate:  Shaping Families depends on the gifts of individuals, groups, churches and grants to operate. We appreciate your support.

Next week on Shaping Families:  Ken Medema, musician and composer, is the guest on Shaping Families next week talking about his family’s decision to form a multi-generational household.  

Shaping Families Update - July 24

Jul 23, 2010

This Week's Program — Faith and Suicide
Everyone’s faith is shaken at some time in their life. Gail and Fred Fox never expected to face the shock of their son’s death by suicide. In the face of such tragedies, some people become stronger in their faith, while some become confused and give up on faith altogether. The pain and suffering in this world is a stark reminder that faith can be difficult at times. Listen Online, Read Transcript

Best Stress Tip of the Week for Families:
Due to an overall lack of time, there's a tendency for families to spend most of it together as a group... trying to cover all bases at once. Nothing wrong with that occasionally. But you also need to spend one-on-one time with your children, as well as your spouse, individually. There's a different dynamic at work when it's just the two of you. There's no competition for attention. Kids feel more special. And you can better understand each other's needs and address problems. Busy people often fear they're neglecting personal relationships and missing out on the intimacy that everyone needs. So make the effort to stake out periodic one-on-one time. It's important to you, it's important to them. From the book "400 Ways to Stop Stress Now and Forever."  Used by permission.

This Week’s Praise Word for Your Family: "Far Out!" 

Shaping Families Recipe of the Week:  Broccoli Salad

Prayer Request: Pray for listeners who have experienced suicide in their families.  (If you have a prayer request, email to info@ShapingFamilies.com )  

Donate:  Shaping Families depends on the gifts of individuals, groups, churches and grants to operate. We appreciate your support.

Next week on Shaping Families: Dr. Martin Marty, renowned Christian scholar, speaker, and weekly columnist for The Christian Century for many years. Dr. Marty shares a more personal side from his family life.

Shaping Families Update - July 17

Jul 19, 2010

This week's program:  The Bible and Suicide
What does the Bible say about suicide? And how has it been treated throughout Christian history? After their daughter-in-law took her own life, Lloyd and Gwen Carr went on a journey of searching both in their hearts and into the Bible. The Carrs share the personal and biblical insights they gained. Listen Online, Read Transcript

Best Stress Tip of the Week for Families:  Lose an argument

This Week's Praise Word for Your Family:  (A weekly word or phrase you can use with a family member who needs an encouraging or uplifting word.)  "That's incredible!"

Shaping Families Recipe of the Week:  Lemon Green Bean Salad

Next week on Shaping Families:   Faith and Suicide

Prayer Requests: (If you have a prayer request, email to info@ShapingFamilies.com ) 
• Pray for a listener and her adult son struggling with addiction issues. (Maryland)

Donate:  Shaping Families depends on the gifts of individuals, groups, churches and grants to operate. We appreciate your support.

Program Updates

Jun 4, 2010

WTOW in Washington, NC is now airing Shaping Families every morning at 6:15 a.m. The manager is very enthusiastic about the program and has been airing this “weekly” program on a daily basis; listeners in this near-coastal area of North Carolina have said they appreciate the program.  

WCYC-LP in London OH is airing at 8:30 a.m. on Sundays.

The Shaping Families program is aired on some stations at no cost, but most require a weekly fee. The two newest sponsored programs are in Millersburg, Ohio and Lewistown, Pa.  The program on WKLM, Millersburg airs at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings and is sponsored by the SpringHaven Counseling Center.

Shaping Families has been airing on WIEZ, Lewistown, Pa. since January. Beginning June 6 the program will move to station WMRF and air at 9 a.m. on Sundays.  It is sponsored by Allensville, Barrville, Locust Grove and Maple Grove Mennonite churches. 

If you’d like to hear Shaping Families on the radio in your community and are interested in sponsoring it, email info@ShapingFamilies.com and let us know of your interest.  A 30-second spot is available at the end of each program for your sponsor tag.

Recent Program Responses

May 28, 2010

Jim Shenk, Director of Development at Philhaven (a non-profit behavioral healthcare organization in Pa.) wrote, “I was moved to tears listening to the powerful story of forgiveness and hope that emerged from the rubble, pain and anger of the Oklahoma bombings. The content of Shaping Families is authentically rooted in real and difficult issues faced by families everywhere – and by Philhaven client families every day.”

Listener Sandra wrote, “You covered the many topics that aren’t ever covered anywhere else.  Great discussion starter.” And from Dorothy: “[Shaping Families] is a wonderful program, very helpful, it is helping me and my family. I look forward to it on Saturday.” Post your reactions to the program on our Facebook page, on our Your Turn section of this website, or write to us at info@ShapingFamilies.com.

Shaping Families Staff at RCC 2010

Apr 30, 2010

Shaping Families staff returned from the recent Religion Communication Congress 2010 held in Chicago, Ill., with some new interviews to share with Shaping Families listeners in the coming months. We’re excited about family-oriented interviews we collected with singer/composer Ken Medema; religious historian Martin Marty; Sister Rose Pacette who has done extensive movie and TV reviews; and Rebecca Randall, who works for Common Sense Media. Watch for news of these interviews later this summer at the Shaping Families website.

Discussion Forum Now Online

Apr 16, 2010

Listeners to the Shaping Families radio program can now leave comments, post questions, and interact with other listeners right from our website.

The discussion forum is found under the "My Turn" section of our home page.  You can leave comments as a "guest" or log in using one of your existing online accounts such as Facebook or Twitter.  It's easy and fun, so feel free to give it a try!

Three New Stations

Apr 3, 2010

Three new stations have begun airing Shaping Families.  They are KBCU-FM, North Newton, KS at 4 p.m. Fridays; WCTP 88.5 FM, Gagetown Michigan, airing on Sunday mornings at 6:45 a.m., WMGW 1490 AM, Meadville, Pennsylvania, Sundays at 7 a.m.  We appreciate the free air time these stations are offering.  If you live in these areas, please express your thanks to the station managers.

What do you think?

Mar 13, 2010

Now you can respond to each week's program, the My Turn speakers, Burton's blog, or tell your own story. Go to Your Turn and log into the comment section with your Twitter, Facebook Yahoo!, or OpenID account. You can also post as a guest or create a free Disqus profile and post from that. We'd love to hear from you! Let us know what you like, what bothers you, what story in your own life this week's program brings to mind or how you resolved a similar situation.

Mailings sent to 2,684 radio stations across the U.S.

Mar 6, 2010

An email and mailing of a program CD and brochure were sent out this past week to 2,684 radio stations across the U.S. We’ve already heard from stations in three large metropolitan areas, New York City, Denver and Phoenix expressing interest in airing the program. We invite you to contact stations in your listening area. One station manager commented that the program she screened was “very powerful” and meaningful in her own life. We’ll keep you updated here as new stations begin airing Shaping Families.  We need to purchase air time on most stations, so we would be interested in hearing whether your church or business might want to sponsor a program in your area. Contact info@ShapingFamilies.com for more information.

Woops! A Goof and a Fix

Mar 6, 2010

We found out this past week, much to our chagrin, that our ShapingFamilies.com email addresses were being blocked by spam filters in our system and never getting to us. Our sincere apologies if you tried to write to us and kept getting returns. The fault was on our end. Thanks to one persistent listener we were alerted to this problem as well as to the fact that our Current Offer form was also not working properly. Thanks to Mary for calling us with her questions about what she was experiencing. We have fixed both of these problems and welcome your calls or emails if there is anything else on the site that is not working for you, that you don’t understand, or that you think would be helpful to yourself or to other readers. Our web designer, Michael, did a wonderful job putting the whole site together in about six weeks which is a record time. Not all the bugs were worked out from the day we went live, obviously, but we’re constantly working to improve and upgrade the site. Thank you for your patience and your assistance as we continue to develop the Shaping Families Web site.

Mennonite Churches in Listening Areas

Feb 13, 2010

Podcast now Available

Jan 30, 2010

Now you can get the latest episode of Shaping Families automatically downloaded to your iTunes or iPod each week. Click here to subscribe.

New Station Added in North Carolina

Jan 23, 2010

Jan 21, 2010