What are we doing?

In the Upper Room is committed to serving as a platform for guiding and inspiring young people in their educational and creative development. Our goal is to reach out through our program, which airs on local television and to invite students to participate in a series of contests that we have developed called, “U R Future Artists.”

Why are we doing it?

In the Upper Room has a very diverse team of talented, dedicated and passionate individuals, who believe that children are our greatest resource and that they should be both challenged and rewarded in order to have balanced educational and living experiences.

How are we doing it?

Co-host Shaana Easter will be working with students entering the performing arts category and Co-host Michael Riley will be working with students entering the visual arts category. Each month, In the Upper Room members will select one winner from each of the two categories.

What are the Rules?

• Performing arts – Write to In the Upper Room and tell us what you like about acting, singing or dancing.

• Visual Arts – Create a drawing or painting of any subject. Students may use any media (i.e., pencil, crayon, water colors, chalk, etc.). Size no larger than 8 1/2” x 14”. Originality will be strongly considered in judging submitted artwork.

• Deadline for Submissions – Contests begin on the first Sunday of each month. All entries must be received by the second Saturday before 6:30 PM.

• Winners will be notified via U.S. mail, email or phone.

What do I win?

• Performing and Visual artists will receive one-on-one coaching sessions with Shaana Easter and Michael Riley, which will be filmed and shown on In the Upper Room (Consent form must be signed by parent or guardian)

• Winners will appear as guests live on In the Upper Room and will be awarded a certificate of achievement from In the Upper Room.

• Every child will receive acknowledgement for their participation in the program and will hear his / her name mentioned on live television.

Submit Entries to:

Via U.S. Mail: UR Future Artists, 2800 West 3rd Street, Wilmington, DE 19805
Email: intheupperroom03@aol.com
Website: www.itupperroom.com

In the Upper Room appreciates your active participation in our television program, as you are an important part of our community outreach ministry. We are absolutely committed to continuing to raise the profiles of the positive people and organizations in our community.

How many of you realize that there is strength in numbers? Why are we reaching out to you so urgently? We are not reaching out to you for notoriety or vanity. We are reaching out to you because we believe that outreach without reaching out is just a stretch.

Don’t just take it from me. Watch In the Upper Room with Shaana Easter and Michael Riley and become familiar with our guests and witness true diversity and positive promotion in action.

Appearing on In the Upper Room may not make you a media mega-star overnight. However, you are guaranteed to reach thousands of viewers by having an opportunity to present your talent, motivation and message to the masses.

In the Upper Room airs on the first Sunday of EVERY month during the premium time-slot of 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM on local Comcast Channel 28. In months when there are five Sundays, we also air on the fourth Sunday. Twice as nice!

Our first season as the new hosts and producers of In the Upper Room is coming to a close and we just want to thank you for all of the love and support that you have shown our program.

In the Upper Room has a rich and diverse heritage that includes our founder, the late Sister Dottie Neal and former hosts and producers, Anthony and Terri Carter, who both continue to play valuable roles in the operation of our non-profit, community-oriented television outreach ministry.

The benchmarks of In the Upper Room include: dedication, fairness, open-mindedness, quality, inclusion and originality. At In the Upper Room, we believe that participation is a prerequisite for victory and success.

You can see the best from In the Upper Room. Don’t have Comcast? No problem. Visit us online at http://itupperroom.com or watch online at http://youtube.com/intheupperroom. Send us an email at intheupperroom03@aol.com.

Thank you and God bless.

Shaana Easter and Michael Riley - Hosts / Producers
In the Upper Room Television Program
Wilmington, Delaware

Founders’ Day 2009

The River of Life Church

Congratulations to a great friend of In the Upper Room, Bishop Greg Davis and his lovely wife, Co-Pastor Kim Davis and founding members of The River of Life Church on celebrating
“Founders’ Day 2009!”

Please join us in recognizing the “Kingdom Work” being done in the body of Christ at “The River,”
where life flows.

November 15-24, 2009 at The River of Life Church - 1201 N. Vanburen Street / Wilmington, DE

Tonight’s program on In the Upper Room was one for the books. How many times have we heard people hype something or another as the greatest event ever? Too many times, right? Well, allow me to report that tonight was truly something special on In the Upper Room.

For starters, Fred Fistzgiles was in the house to make sure everything on the back end was running smoothly. One can never fully appreciate all of the subtleties involved with producing and directing a live television broadcast. Fred makes it all look so easy. However, I know differently. Fred is definitely a friend and blessing to In the Upper Room.

In the Upper Room is the most diverse program on Comcast 28, bar none! Our format covers every genre imaginable. From Rock and Roll, to Hip Hop, all the way up the political and corporate ladder – We bring them all to you In the Upper Room.

Our November 1, 2009 program line-up included talent and personalities from both the public and private sectors. Video clips from tonight’s program will be uploaded shortly to our television channel on YouTube at www.youtube.com/intheupperroom. Meanwhile, to learn more about In the Upper Room or Shaana Easter and Michael Riley, visit www.itupperroom.com.

Special thanks to our guests and colleagues:

• Cory and Dan from Still Moon Servants (Live Rock Performance that was off the charts)
• Scott Spencer (Democratic Candidate for Congress)
• Dequilla “Dee” Hurford (Planned Parenthood of Delaware)
• Malik Harris (People of Color Conference)
• The Control Room and Camera Crew at Comcast Studio
• Anthony and Terri Carter (Carter’s Family Photos)
• Fred Fistzgiles (Studio 22 Media and Production Company)
• Last but not least, YOU (Our dedicated and loyal viewers)

Most of us have encountered bullying at some point in our lives. Either we were the bully, the target of the bullying or a witness to someone else being bullied. Whatever the circumstances, there are no winners when it comes to bullying.

Bullying comes in many forms. It might appear by way of the tough acting kid who takes all of his classmates’ lunch money, or maybe it shows up as the so-called popular girls ganging up on the shy studious one who happens to wear braces and glasses.

Bullying does not end after graduation. No, it can follow a life-long pattern that endures far into adulthood. One can find bullies in his or her neighborhood, workplace, social club and unfortunately, bullying can even be found in one’s place of worship in the form of preachers or church officials who shame or pressure people into giving more than they can afford.

Some basic characteristics of bullies are as follows:

1. They have a strong need to dominate and subdue other people and to get their own way
2. Are impulsive and are easily angered
3. Are often defiant and aggressive toward authority figures
4. Show little empathy toward others who are victimized
5. If they are males, they are physically stronger than other males in general

One thing the bully and the target of bullying have in common is that they both need help.

If you would like to share your insights into bullying or what can be done to help both the bully and the target of the bullying, please join our forum and post your thoughts here for others to read and to learn from your experience.

On October 4, 2009 In the Upper Room was joined by special guest Jordan Ricks, who was featured in the September 2009 Issue of Reader’s Digest. The article in Reader’s Digest focused on Jordan’s heroism in helping to save a woman from an on-coming train. That event was just one of many moments in Jordan’s transformation.

On In the Upper Room Jordan opened other doors to his inner self and shared more details about the journey that has shaped his personality and led him to pursue his current path as a student and motivational speaker.

He talked about the time he was stabbed five times, including once in the heart and pronounced dead. He also acknowledged realizing that God has given him another chance at life for a reason.

Although only twenty-two years old, Jordan Ricks has a mature perspective on the value of appreciating each day and living life to the fullest with purpose and a sense of gratitude. Speaking of a purpose, Jordan is currently working on his book “Life is Precious” which is sure to educate and inspire all who reade it.

In the Upper Room is proud to have met this young man and encourages you to purchase a copy of his book when it hits the shelves. Also, please contact Jordan if you would like to engage him as a motivational speaker to address your organization or group. To contact Jordan please email him at onmyjob23@aol.com.

While still committed to serving their local audience In the Upper Room has reached out to include people from all walks of life. The philosophy behind this approach is that all people are connected and that everyone has a purpose and a story to tell.

In the Upper Room is on the cutting edge when it comes to highlighting their guests and promoting worthy causes. There is certainly something very unique about this local program.

One of the things that sets In the Upper Room apart from most of the other local programs is their ability to reach out and touch so many people by utilizing all available resources and technologies.

Although the program airs on local Comcast Channel 28 once monthly, In the Upper Room is actually a 24/7 operation. In the Upper Room also supports and promotes other local programs by making the bulk of their television time available to other leased access producers.

In the Upper Room is passionate about offering the best information and opportunities to their audience and to each of their guests.

In the Upper Room is taking local leased access television production to the next level.

For those households that do not subscribe to Comcast Cable Vision, In the Upper Room makes their television segments available to viewers on their Internet website itupperroom.com and also on their Youtube channel at youtube.com/intheupperroom.

To learn more about In the Upper Room, please visit www.itupperroom.com. You can contact In the Upper Room via email: intheupperroom03@aol.com or call (302) 494-0231 or (302) 588-1493.

1. If you are anywhere near a camera, assume it is on and recording every word and action.
2. Don’t wear stripes; they dance around on the screen and are distracting.
3. People shouldn’t judge you by your appearance, but they will.
4. If you do or wear anything distracting on TV, people will remember that and nothing you say.
5. Every TV anchorman, soap opera actor, sitcom star and talk show host is made up and groomed for TV. Unfortunately, this is the audience’s standard of comparison when they are watching you.
6. Don’t look at the camera unless there is no reporter or host around to speak to.
7. It is easier talking to a human being than it is talking to a hunk of metal.
8. Don’t lean back in your chair; you’ll look short and fat.
9. Don’t sit up perfectly straight; you’ll look stiff and nervous.
10. Do lean forward 15 degrees into the camera; you’ll look taller, leaner, and more confident.
11. If you lean forward, your double chin will disappear and you will appear to have a stronger jaw line.
12. Do keep moving your head.
13. Do move your body a little.
14. Do move your hands–whoever told speakers not to use their hands was not given accurate information.
15. Don’t move your hands above your face, below your chest or wider than your shoulders.

Breaking News - Wilmington, DE
by Michael Riley

In the Upper Room and friends recently completed filming a clever comedy titled, “The Corporation” which represents their entry for the Fringe Wilmington Festival short film competition. Actors included In the Upper Room co-hosts, Shaana Easter and Michael Riley, along with former co-hosts Anthony and Terri Carter. Also joining the cast were Jennifer Roman, Paul Harris and two funny and fantastic young lads. (Videography by Carter’s Family Photos, Inc.)