There is something deeply gratifying about receiving a physical, hand written card or letter as appose to an email or social media text comment. Maybe it’s the 44 cent stamp? Maybe it’s the pen or pencil on actual paper? What ever it is, I like it. Thanks to all those who have written and shared your memories and ordered a DVD copy.

This documentary, “Seminex, Memories of a Church Divided” began back in 2003 when I was producing a documentary about the origins of the ELCA. Not being a Lutheran, the Seminex story was new to me then and we included Seminex as an important part of the larger story which covered the three predecessor bodies (ALC, LCA and AELC) the Commission for a New Lutheran Church, the Constituting Convention in Columbus, Ohio and much more.

At the time, I thought the Seminex story would make a great documentary. Of course, other things got in the way and the project did not immediately materialize. In 2007 I resigned my position as Associate Director of Communication and MOSAIC producer in the ELCA Department for Communication and launched my own production company. One of my clients, the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago asked me to record material for two separate theological conferences that included Seminex faculty and student reunions. This gave me an opportunity to record many of the interviews seen in the documentary. From there, I went on my own and recorded interviews with several scholars and a trip down to the Concordia Historical Institute in St. Louis. I half expected my request to review materials would be met with rejection. Just the opposite happened. The folks at CHI were warm, open and most helpful. This project would not have been possible without them.

Once again, the project stalled. I recorded a few interviews here and there. Then, this winter, things finally slowed down and I began to dust off the media drives that contained all the raw material. Over 1 terabyte of data! Shortly after the new year, the project was ready for release.

Order a DVD of the full, 42 minute documentary today for $19. Send your check to:

Tim Frakes Productions Inc.
2 South Park Ave
Suite 2C
Lombard, Illinois 60148

and I will personally ship you a DVD.  Include your shipping address.

On February 19, 1974, students and faculty at the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s St. Louis Concordia Seminary marched through the campus – out the doors of an institution, church body and well established educational system – and into self-described exile. This story begins in the 19th Century when a new method of Biblical interpretation known as the “historical-critical method”, tore many Protestant churches apart. Were Adam and Eve real people? Was Jonah actually swallowed by a fish? Or, did ancient authors reflect their own historical situation when addressing the people of their time and place?

For Missouri Synod Lutherans, the full impact of these theological debates and culturally conservative verses more modern world views came to a head decades after other church bodies had divided and drifted apart. The debate ruptured the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod at a time of vast American cultural and social upheaval: Viet Nam, the Civil Rights movement and Watergate.

For many students, faculty, administrators and Lutherans throughout North America, the events in St. Louis took a personal toll. The walkout would divide families, split congregations and have a lasting impact on the future of the church.

Interviews include John H. Tietjen, Herman Otten, Gerhard Bode, the grandson of Jacob Preus, author and historian Jim Burkee, and dozens of Seminex faculty and students.

The post Seminex Letters Pour In appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

Order a DVD of the full, 42 minute documentary today for $19. Send your check to:
Tim Frakes Productions Inc.
2 South Park Ave
Suite 2C
Lombard, Illinois 60148

and I will personally ship you a DVD.  Include your shipping address.

On February 19, 1974, students and faculty at the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod’s St. Louis Concordia Seminary marched through the campus – out the doors of an institution, church body and well established educational system – and into self-described exile. This story begins in the 19th Century when a new method of Biblical interpretation known as the “historical-critical method”, tore many Protestant churches apart. Were Adam and Eve real people? Was Jonah actually swallowed by a fish? Or, did ancient authors reflect their own historical situation when addressing the people of their time and place?

For Missouri Synod Lutherans, the full impact of these theological debates and culturally conservative verses more modern world views came to a head decades after other church bodies had divided and drifted apart. The debate ruptured the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod at a time of vast American cultural and social upheaval: Viet Nam, the Civil Rights movement and Watergate.

For many students, faculty, administrators and Lutherans throughout North America, the events in St. Louis took a personal toll. The walkout would divide families, split congregations and have a lasting impact on the future of the church.

Interviews include John H. Tietjen, Herman Otten, Gerhard Bode, the grandson of Jacob Preus, author and historian Jim Burkee, and dozens of Seminex faculty and students.

The post Seminex: Memories of a Church Divided, A Documentary by Tim Frakes appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

The AVH is an important pillar in the Palestinian health system and is widely acknowledged in governmental and church circles for its excellent treatment and care. The hospital recently sent voluntary medical teams to Gaza to help treat the injured in the conflict

Join us for stories of hope, faith and courage.
– George Abu Saadah is alive through kidney dialysis.
– A mobile diabetes clinic takes healthcare into villages.
– A world-class soccer field brings joy to children.
– Red Nose Clown Doctors lift the spirits of children receiving life-saving cancer and kidney treatment.
– Vocational Training in East Jerusalem and Ramallah prepares Palestinian youth for meaningful jobs.

For more information, check out this blog post from the Lutheran World Federation.

The post Healing in a Holy Land: New Broadcast Documentary, ABC7 Chicago appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

This is a video I produced for Mark Brown and the Lutheran World Federation Jerusalem‘s Augusta Victoria Hospital. There is an urgent need for elder care and palliative medicine in Palestine and Israel. Augusta Victoria Hospital is responding to that need by building a 120-bed facility for elder care and palliative care on the east side of the hospital. This facility will help both patients and their families cope with the difficulties of their circumstances.

The post Planned Elder Care Facility at Augusta Victoria Hospital, Jerusalem appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

Amidst the conflict and tragedy currently taking place in Gaza, Augusta Victoria Hospital and the Lutheran World Federation Jerusalem continue to provide on-going care for Palestinians. One example is the first mobile diabetes clinic to serve the southern part of Palestine. The mobile clinic is equipped with a diabetes clinic, eye clinic, and a foot care clinic.

The post Augusta Victoria Hospital Mobile Diabetes Clinic appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

This is a video I produced for the Lutheran World Federation Jerusalem and Augusta Victoria Hospital. AVH and the LWF work hard to ensure the rights of patients in the West Bank and Gaza to access health care. Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem provides specialty services that are not available anywhere else in Gaza or the West Bank.

The post Serving Gaza, AVH Efforts to Ensure Access to Healthcare appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

This is a video I produced for Mark Brown and the Lutheran World Federation Jerusalem. Each week the Red Nose Clown Doctors come to Augusta Victoria Hospital to help lift the spirits of young patients there receiving life-saving treatment for cancer and kidney failure. Augusta Victoria Hospital provides many specialty services to West Bank and Gaza patients

The post Laughter is the Best Medicine, Augusta Victoria Hospital Jerusalem appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

Augusta Victoria Hospital’s Mobile Mammography Unit Promotes Early Detection of CancerVimeo

This is a video I produced with Mark Brown for the Lutheran World Federation’s Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem. Meet some of the Augusta Victoria Hospital staff and partners in the West Bank who are working together to promote early detection for breast cancer. The Lutheran World Federation‘s Augusta Victoria Hospital has been operating a mobile mammography unit in the West Bank since 2010.

The post AUGUSTA VICTORIA HOSPITAL’S MOBILE MAMMOGRAPHY UNIT PROMOTES EARLY DETECTION OF CANCER appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

Here is a video I produced with Mark Brown this spring at The Lutheran World Federation‘s Augusta Victoria Hospital in Jerusalem. This video tells the story of 12-year-old Amer Abu Laila, a cancer survivor treated and cared for at AVH. Amer shares his hope for all patients.

The post AMER ABU LAILA TELLS HIS STORY appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.

The post Soccer on the Mount of Olives appeared first on Tim Frakes Productions.