Video Licensing for Hamilton Conference United Church Congregations

October 9, 2007

TO: Official Boards, Church Boards and Councils in Hamilton Conference

FROM: Debbie Johnson, Conference Minister for Faith Formation and Leadership Development

For the third year in a row, Hamilton Conference is pleased to offer you the opportunity to obtain a Video License at great cost savings for your church!

You need a video license:

Ö         If you show movies or clips from movies/tv programs for public viewing

Ö         This includes in your church school, youth groups, study groups, worship or family evenings

Ö         It doesn’t matter whether you own or rent the movie/clip

Without a video license you are breaking current copyright laws.

We have negotiated a video licensing agreement with Criterion Pictures and Audio Ciné Films Inc.(ACF) who have licenses for most of the major distributors including Paramount, Universal, Alliance Atlantis, New Line Cinema, Miramax, Disney, Veggie Tales and many, many more!

The combined cost for both companies to cover congregations in Hamilton Conference will be $1.11 per person plus GST based on average Sunday attendance as reported in the 2006 Year Book.  The license will be in effect from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008.   Hamilton Conference handles the administration to keep the costs low.

There are many creative ways that you can use movies in your congregation – legally! If you are interested in registering your congregation for the license, then please contact Barbara Hampson (bhampson@hamconf.org) or (905-659-3343 ext. 226) and an application form will be sent to you directly.  Upon receipt of your completed application form and cheque payable to Hamilton Conference for the licensing fee, you will be enrolled in the program.  All applications are to be returned to the Hamilton Conference office no later than Thursday, November 29, 2007.

It is our hope that the availability of this licensing arrangement will be one more tool that supports your ministries in creative and just ways. If you have any questions about this program, please contact Debbie Johnson @ (905) 659-3343 ext. 223 or email at djohnson@hamconf.org.