DANVILLE -- An Episcopal church will show a national audience how new programs, such as a school and missions, can halt declining membership and bring people together.

The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany's members hope to enlighten viewers during a segment that was partially filmed Sunday. A three-member crew spent a couple of hours interviewing members and filming inside the historic Danville sanctuary.

Segment producer Gail Fendley said "Religion and Ethics" will air July 18 on PBS and features three distinct Episcopal congregations.

All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, Calif., blesses same-sex unions. Fendley said the congregation recently performed a marriage ceremony for two lesbian Presbyterian ministers.

Christ Church in Plano, Texas, severed its ties with the Episcopal Church after the denomination approved ordination of a gay bishop after the last national gathering in 2006. This congregation is under the leadership of the Diocese of Peru.

Fendley said Epiphany Church is building a school and establishing mission programs such as a recent trip to David, Ky.

Fendley has been hearing about Epiphany's outreach and its anticipated growth in Danville. Her brother-in-law is Jack Messer, co-headmaster of the school.

She said having that relationship makes it easier to build trust with a congregation when she is working on a project. She likes to visit churches she includes in segments to see how they are doing. Epiphany should be no different.

Senior warden Don Webb said the church has been able to attract people such as former Danville educators to help with the school.

"Something magical is happening here," Webb said.

Sam Colley-Toothaker, Epiphany's rector, said having the PBS film crew in Danville was a milestone.

He said it shows that Epiphany has been in a holding pattern and it either "needs to go or grow."

"The Episcopal Church has something to offer to this community."