Odyssey Networks Appoints The Rev. Eric C. Shafer as SVP of Philanthropy and Faith Community Relations
MEDIA ADVISORY, Oct. 26 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Odyssey Networks, the nation's largest coalition of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith groups dedicated to building bridges of understanding among people of faith through media, has appointed The Rev. Eric C. Shafer to the post of Senior Vice President for Philanthropy and Faith Community Relations. Shafer is expected to start his newly created position on January 1, 2010. As Odyssey's Senior Vice President, Shafer will be responsible for fundraising activities and relationships with US faith groups.
Shafer has recently resigned as the Senior Pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Lansdale, Pennsylvania effective December 31, 2009. In his letter to the congregation announcing this new call, Shafer notes that he has "long been both interested in the intersection of faith and media and committed to an interfaith approach to peace and justice in our world. This new position gives me the opportunity to work full time in these areas."
Before coming to Trinity in March of 2006, Shafer served nearly 14 years as Director of Communication for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) at its churchwide offices in Chicago. While at the ELCA, Shafer was responsible for a successful national advertising campaign and the return of the children's stop-motion animation program Davey and Goliath to television. Shafer has also served as an assistant to the Bishop in the Northeastern Pennsylvania Lutheran Synod and as pastor of Holy Trinity Memorial Lutheran Church in Catasauqua, Pennsylvania.
Shafer presently serves on Odyssey Networks Board of Trustees representing the ELCA. He is also vice chair of the board of the Good Shepherd Home and Rehabilitation Hospital in Allentown and member of the Muhlenberg College Board of Observers. He serves as chair of the Religion Communicators Council's Wilbur Awards which recognizes excellence in communicating religious issues, values and themes in the public media. He has previously served as an advisor to the Lutheran World Federation Council, on the board of directors and executive committee of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA and on the Muhlenberg College Board of Trustees.
"Working together with religious communities to create change is more crucial to this world's future than ever, and so to have on board someone with as much experience and energy and enthusiasm for this as Eric, makes this one of the most important signings Odyssey Networks has made" said Nick Stuart, President & CEO of Odyssey Networks. "It shows Odyssey's commitment to working with the faith communities of America through media to really make a difference, and to have someone spearheading this who is as widely respected and admired as Eric Shafer really opens up the horizons for what we can achieve together."
Odyssey Networks is the nation's largest coalition of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith groups dedicated to producing and distributing media that builds bridges of understanding and promoting peace, tolerance and issues of social justice. Established in 1987, Odyssey Networks is a service of the National Interfaith Cable Coalition, Inc. For more information visit www.odysseynetworks.org
