LONGWOOD, FL-In the city of Richmond, California, crime-related press has become old news, but at least one resident, author Isabel Emerson, hopes to do something about it-in the form of uplifting plays and sketches. For nearly a decade Emerson served as Program Manager for LEAP, the Literacy For Every Adult Project, under the division of the city's public library department. Her program benefited many adults in the city. It also connected Emerson to the Girls' Club and the Progressive Baptist Missionary Educational District, giving her the opportunity to perform her short skits and original plays for them. Now Emerson's works are compiled for the first time into one volume. "I have seen many lives changed," says Emerson. "The skits either motivate you to stay on the road where you are traveling, change the road you are traveling on, or testify about your journey." Through this book, Writings From the Heart, Emerson is determined to generate optimistic news for her city.
Churches are looking for ways to take their retreats and special programs to a higher level. Like a powerfully delivered message or sermon, short plays and sketches can make the Scriptures come alive. Writings From the Heart (August, $8.99, 1-59781-450-4) is a collection of short plays that can be utilized for special days. Each play can be performed by children, youth, young adults, and/or adults. The plays are written to encourage, challenge, and motivate the reader to move to another level in their Christian walk.
Each play can be performed in any size auditorium and does not require expensive props. The scripts are written in a style that allows for easy memorization by performers and ready understanding of the core message by the audience. These original sketches are rooted and grounded in Scripture. Emerson has an upcoming book-signing scheduled for Saturday, October 22, from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Maple Hall Community Center in San Pablo, California.
Isabel Emerson graduated from Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science. She was raised in Richmond, California. At the age of twelve she performed at the National Baptist Convention and discovered her love of religious drama. Working as a program manager for an adult literacy program and over the drama ministry for her church, she realized that drama is an excellent tool to help people understand the Scripture. After writing sketches and plays for special days at her church, her church mentors encouraged her to put her first book together.
Xulon Press, a part of Salem Communications Corporation, is the world's largest Christian publisher, with more than 3,900 titles published to date. Retailers may order Writings From the Heart through Ingram Book Company and/or Spring Arbor Book Distributors. Salem Communications is the country's leading Christian communications company with interests in radio, Internet, and magazine publishing.
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2007