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September 27, 2006

Dear HopeKeeper Leader:

We are putting together (a much-asked for, long-awaited) DVD about HopeKeepers and Rest Ministries! Many of you have even asked us if we have such a thing, and shared how it would have been especially helpful when you were presenting HopeKeepers to your church, or to be able to show during one of your first meetings.

I'm excited to say that I'm ready to take on this endeavor again (we did it in 1998 in my sparce little condo with hardly any furniture and a white sheet--long outdated.)

I hope you can help!

Lisa Copen
Rest Ministries Director

PS: No longer leading a group? Please email us to let us know. You're still welcome to participate in our DVD, even if you just want to tape yourself, or others who participated.

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SEND US ANY VIDEO and you will be entered to win a $150 gift certficate from THE COMFORT ZONE BOOKSTORE for your group!

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Here are details:

WHAT WILL THE DVD BE USED FOR?
It will be an overall presentation about Rest Ministries, but it will focus a great deal on HopeKeepers groups and personal testimonies.

HOW CAN I HELP?

1. Take a video camera to a HopeKeepers meeting (or you may even want to ask people who want to be involved to arrive 30 minutes early.)
2. Ask them the questions we have listed below. We'll accept anything from 2 minutes to 30 minutes of tape from your group.
3. Make sure that they sign a release form stating that they know the video will be used for promotional purposes and that they may have their comments used.
4. Send the videotape to us (whatever kind it is, VHS, small digital, DVD, etc.)--and the releases--by January 15th, 2007. (If you are having a Christmas event, you may want to do a bit of video of the event!). We'd appreciate an email letting us know it's on the way and I'll send a confirmation when it's received.

WHAT KIND OF CAMERA DO I NEED?
We'll take whatever you have, but the more recent the better. If you have the capability to burn the contents onto a DVD for us before sending it to us, that will help considerably, but few people may be able to do this (or if you're like me, I know our camera can do it but that's my husband's arena.)

DO I NEED A TRIPOD OR MIC?
We want to keep it as simple as possible, but we also want it to look sharp. So, no, you don't need anything fancy, but. . . if you have it, you can use it easily, then go for it. We will have a professional editing the video and sound quality, but if it's really bad (excessively jiggling, the children's choir practicing in the background, etc.) then we may not be able to use it.

WHAT IF NO ONE HAS A CAMERA? CAN WE NOT PARTICIPATE?
If you would like to ask the questions below and have them taped onto a basic cassette tape, we will try to use whatever we can. There will be times in the video that just a voice is used without a visual of the person, so it may be a good fit.

ABOUT THE TESTIMONIES:
These are the kinds of topics that we would like like testimonials on. Please note that people should pick a topic (in advance, even a minute or two) that they would like to answer and then have them say it in a complete sentence. Such as, "One of the reasons I think HopeKeepers is really important is. . ." We're not looking for perfection or "actors," so tell people to just act normal. If they feel like they've "messed up" they can start over. Remember, all the tape will be edited so we can take anything out. Sometimes it helps to let them walk away for a couple of minutes and then come back.

ABOUT USING NAMES
We will be using first names only, not last, by putting the person's name on the screen. If they want to say their name and their illness, that's great, if not, that's okay too. We'll have a variety so whatever they feel most comfortable with. (If they say their name, have them state it before answering their question, and then pause. We will be using it in TEXT on the screen, but not the actual video where they say it. Feel free to mention your church name- in fact, we'd love it! And... we'd LOVE to have your pastor or church leadership contact person add any comments too!

"QUESTIONS" TO ASK PEOPLE ARE.. For me, HopeKeepers means ___ --OR-- HopeKeepers has provided me with ____ When I heard that my church was starting a HopeKeepers group I thought/felt ___ The best part of being able to fellowship with others who live with chronic illness is ___ When I was diagnosed with ___ (optional- can say "a chronic illness") I felt really ____. It's been a journey. Knowing an organization like Rest Ministries is out there _____. I think it's important that an organization like Rest Ministries exists because ___ One time that our HopeKeepers group really made a difference to someone was ___ I think it's hard to live with illness because ___. Rest Ministries helps with this by ____ Rest Ministries web site is really helpful because ____ By getting the daily devotional I've ____ Having an illness that is invisible is ____. One of the ways Rest Ministries (or HopeKeepers) has helped is me ___ Since I've started attending this HopeKeepers group I've ____ I think every church should have a HopeKeepers group because _____ If someone came to me who was just diagnosed with a chronic illness and asked for resources or advice I would tell them____ I think that there is a real need for HopeKeepers groups and an awareness of the challenges those with chronic illness face within the church because____ (Leader) I decided to start a HopeKeepers group because ____ and I've seen God use it in ways such as _____. (Leader) One of the biggest challenges of leading a HopeKeepers group can be ___ but ___. (Leader) If someone asked me if they should start a HopeKeepers group I would say ____. (Pastor/church leadership) When ___ told me that s/he was interested in starting a HopeKeepers group I thought ____ (or I was skeptical because____). Through this group I've seen ____

* Have an idea of your own? Go for it? The above comments will help lead you to see what we're looking for but feel free to share your own thoughts. Remember, however, that this will be a short video with many people, so be concise and share your various thoughts in brief "clumps" so that we can choose which to use more easily. Think "sound bite."

Here are 3 more things you will need-- All will be posted at http://www.restministries.org/pro-hkdvd.htm

• The form to include with your tape
• Consent forms signed by those who participate
• A copy of this flyer to bookmark in case you lose it

Please send me any questions and I will post them with answers for everyone at:
http://www.restministries.org/pro-hkdvd.htm

Thanks, friends. I really wish I could just jump on a plane with a video crew and do a tour to meet all of you. Maybe someday! I appreciate you helping me with this! I REALLY CAN'T do this without you so your help means a lot!

Lisa Copen