Massachusetts Conference Edition
Return
to main page
Read
National Edition
Read the UC News Spotlight E-Newsletter
Return
to main page
Read
National Edition
Read the UC News Spotlight E-Newsletter
January/February 2005
The Massachusetts Conference recently announced a Conference-wide reading initiative, co-sponsored by the MACUCC Ministry Team (composed of members of the executive staff, program staff and the Pastoral Excellence Team) and the Massachusetts Bible Society. “Massachusetts Conference Reads” – coordinated by Associate Conference Minister in the Western Area the Rev. Dr. Peter Wells and Associate for Church and Ministry Concerns Ann Plumley – is an opportunity for members to study and consider faith foundations together.
Inspired by the many book clubs cropping up in local communities, the Massachusetts Conference Ministry Team has developed a pilot program to assist thought-provoking, community-building, respectful and faith-building discussions. Most of these discussions will happen in local churches as members, friends and community residents become immersed in the chosen book. The team is hoping this experience will inspire larger conversations also – perhaps among churches in a region.
The inaugural book, The Heart of Christianity, by Marcus Borg (HarperCollins, 2003), was selected by the Ministry Team of the Massachusetts Conference after discovery of numerous favorable reviews and positive reactions from church groups that read it immediately after publication. Churches throughout the Massachusetts Conference are invited to read and discuss The Heart of Christianity and to join with others in conversations about ways to view the Christian tradition and the Christian life.
“We expect the discussions provoked by The Heart of Christianity to be lively,” explains Ann Plumley. “We certainly don’t expect all UCC readers to agree with Marcus Borg – not all of the Conference’s Ministry Team do – and we’re not looking to have discussion groups drive toward uniform answers to the questions Borg raises and the faith frameworks he presents. Indeed, that would be contrary to the polity and faith traditions that underpin the United Church of Christ.”
“This is a pilot program,” continues Plumley. “It is in this spirit that we invite members to join “Massachusetts Conference Reads” this winter and early spring. We hope this programming idea catches on, and we welcome feedback, ideas and resources for subsequent selections.”
More information – including a collection of resources, study guides, and publicity aids and a “chat room” discussion space – is available on the MACUCC web site at www.macucc.org. The Massa-chusetts Bible Society is making the paperback edition available at a deeply discounted price, and can be contacted through a link on the MACUCC site.
Contact macuccreads@macucc.org for more information.