Contact: Cal Samra, The Joyful Noiseletter, 269-324-0990, joyfulnz@aol.com

PORTAGE, Mich., Feb. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- The best way to deal with hard times is with faith and humor, say the editors of "The Joyful Noiseletter," newsletter of the Fellowship of Merry Christians.

"Churches are keenly aware that more than a few of their members are hurting because of hard times--from job losses, stock losses, debt, and home foreclosures," the editors observed in JN's March issue.

"Churches can help in many ways, but lest we forget, the Great Depression of the 1930s gave birth to many of America's greatest humorists and comedians, and many of them were devout believers, both Christian and Jewish. Will Rogers, Red Skelton, Bob Hope, Jimmy Durante, Jack Benny, Joe E. Brown, George Burns and Gracie Allen were only a few of them.

For 24 years, the nondenominational "Joyful Noiseletter" has provided pastors and church newsletters of all Christian faith traditions with a monthly supply of clean jokes, reproducible cartoons, one-liners, inspirational stories, and joyful Scripture references.

JN's many prominent contributors include pastor/humorists, health professionals, hospital and military chaplains, comedians, lay humorists, clowns, and 16 of the finest Christian cartoonists, including Bil Keane, creator of "The Family Circus," and the late Johnny Hart, creator of "B.C."

Many have appeared in churches to bring them much-needed laughter and to lift the spirits of congregations.

"The Joyful Noiseletter" has won awards of excellence from the Evangelical Press Association, the Associated Church Press, and the Catholic Press Association.

The article quoted G.K. Chesterton, the great English defender of Christianity, as saying, "You will have mirth or you will have madness... Angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. Never forget that the devil fell by force of gravity."

For more information, check out JN's web site: www.joyfulnoiseletter.com; email us at: joyfulnz@aol.com; or write to The Joyful Noiseletter, PO Box 895, Portage, MI 49081-0895.