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| CT Educators Welcome Faith Practices |
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by Jeff Woodard
United Church of Christ Press Release
CLEVELAND (07/27/2010) -- Using distinctive practices of faith -- such as "Keeping Sabbath" or "Playing and Living Joyfully" -- with more than 600 activities in each to spark meaningful conversations, the United Church of Christ on July 15 rolled out Faith Practices, a comprehensive set of online resources designed to revolutionize the way congregations equip their members to talk about faith.
"It is accessible, easy-to-use content that appeals to volunteer and professional educators alike," says the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, the UCC's director of publishing, identity and communication. "It engages scripture, but enters that conversation by examining a topic in depth."
Topics-based conversation resonates well with UCC people, says Guess, because UCC members tend to embrace life experiences as windows to seeing God at work. "Faith Practices encourages us, literally, to 'practice our faith' by taking a particular topic, such as 'giving and receiving hospitality,' and looking at it from every angle," says Guess. "It's designed to help us practice and discuss our faith in daily life."
Citing changing times in the church, such a practical approach will "help us find a way to ensure that faith is growing in people's lives," says the Rev. R. Kenneth Ostermiller, project coordinator of Faith Practices and minister for curriculum development on the UCC's Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Ministry Team.
"When we thought this up, we had no idea that there would be this kind of interest, it's really taken on a life of its own." Sixteen UCC churches, the Minnesota Conference, the Massachusetts Conference and Defiance (Ohio) College have signed on as development partners for Faith Practices. "I am humbled, and I am amazed. But with these concrete ways to practice, we can come to a better sense of spiritual discipline."
Faith Practices' non-linear, activities-based approach can be used with a wide variety of age groups or church settings. Each practice was designed by a team of UCC writers from various churches across the country.
The first two practices -- "Giving and Receiving Hospitality" and "Keeping Sabbath" -- were ready for download on July 15. Two more practices -- "Living Stewardship" and "Playing and Living Joyfully" -- will be available by the end of August.
"These first four practices alone represent nearly 2,500 activities that can be utilized in our churches, with all age groups and different settings in mind," Guess says. "And four additional practices will be rolled out next year, with more to come after that."
"Faith Practices is a living curriculum that undergirds the best intent of the 'God is Still Speaking' movement in the UCC," says Guess, "because Faith Practices is designed to help us practice and discuss our faith in daily life. It gives us the tools and activities to become a voice for our Stillspeaking God."
Churches can also purchase the entire set of Faith Practices, or a select group of material best suited to their needs. Content may be downloaded at any time, and multiple members of a congregation can share one log-in and password.
For the Rev. Lori Keller Schroeder, a UCC minister serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church in St. Anne, IL, and a Faith Practices writer, the new resource offers a unique approach. "Faith Practices recognizes that many people don't believe and then act, but act their way into belief."
Congregations purchasing a subscription with a single purpose in mind -- such as using it for their church school curriculum -- might be pleasantly surprised, according to Aimee Jannsohn, sales and marketing associate for Pilgrim Press, the UCC's publishing arm. "They will be delighted to discover the multitude of ways it will add to the life of their congregation," says Jannsohn. "This additional value makes it that much more appealing, and reinforces their decision to make Faith Practices a part of their congregational life.
Says Guess, "In the end, our hope is that Faith Practices will help us become better Christians and have a broader understanding of how we can live and practice our faith in all that we do. Faith Practices are all around us -- if only we give ourselves permission to experience them."
Although unpublicized in its first week after the launch, Faith Practices sales have already exceeded $6,000.
Please visit the Faith Practices site for further details and ordering information.
