wfn.org | UCC - Faith Practices, a comprehensive educational tool for churches, now available

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

Faith Practices, a comprehensive educational tool for churches, now  available

> Written by Jeff Woodard
> July 20, 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 UCC 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, Ill., 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.