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New Ad Planned For Advent

October/November 2005

The StillSpeaking Initiative has announced plans to develop a new 30-second television commercial that will air nationwide later this year, provided that churches and individuals, as well as national ministries, will offer $3 million to underwrite the advertising buy.

According to the national UCC office, the new commercial, created in both English and Spanish versions, will be unveiled publicly on Nov. 1. Ron Buford, coordinator of the UCC’s StillSpeaking Initiative, promises the new ad will be just as provocative as the “bouncer” ad that made national headlines last December.

“It is going to be edgy again and it will create a buzz,” Buford says.“There will be a buzz everywhere about it.” Buford, however, refuses at this point to discuss the ad concept in detail. “Tell people I'm being tightlipped about it,” he says with a coy smile.

Buford says that the time is now for the UCC to capitalize on the momentum it has built during the past 18 months and to increase its ever-expanding base of inclusiveness.

“What is so important about the StillSpeaking Initiative is that we have heard from so many of our members who have said,‘This makes me proud of my church and of who we are,’” Buford says. “People now know who we are, what we stand for and what we are trying to do. That is a new day in the UCC. To the people who are saying things about destruction and doom and gloom, we are focusing on the mission — helping people overcome alienation from God and communities of faith. We are sticking to that.”

Locally, the MACUCC is launching its Fall StillSpeaking training sessions: Extending an Extravagant Welcome. Tiffany Vail, Associate for Communications, suggests: “Take the StillSpeaking Initiative to the next level in your church by sending a team to these Fall training events.”

Still Speaking 202: Having a Heart for Your Mission Field
Learn practical techniques for understanding your church’s community, and find out how to help members of the congregation to have a heart for those who are not a part of the church.
Sat., Oct. 22, 9 AM - 1 PM
First Church in Marlborough,
Congregational

Still Speaking 301: Telling Your Faith Story with Richard Peace
Richard Peace is Professor of Evangelism and Spiritual Formation at Fuller Theological Seminary and a member of the First Church in Wenham Congregational, UCC. Peace has just finished his latest small group study guide entitled Holy Conversation, which seeks to help lay people learn how to talk about the gospel in natural ways. Follow-up training will be available with coaches.
Two dates & locations:
Sat., Nov. 5, 9 AM - 1 PM
Wollaston Congregational Church UCC, Quincy
Sat. Nov. 12, 9 AM - 1 PM
South Congregational Church, UCC, Springfield

These events are free of charge, paid for by church contributions to Our Church’s Wider Mission Basic Support and Fellowship Dues, sponsored by the Commission for Evangelism and Renewal and the Commission on Communication, Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ.