Stillspeaking Magazine

I've watched the new UCC web ad, The Language of God, enough times that I've paused it and looked closer at each image in the ad. I've recognized a few people, but have really wondered about the story behind the pictures

Yesterday the debut edition of the UCC's new Stillspeaking Magazine arrived at my house.

This is the kind of magazine that makes you notice it. It is beautiful. It would be the most picked-up any doctor or dentist office because it is simply so appealing. It invites you, right away, to have a look.

And inside it is just as visually beautiful. But there's more. The stories are compelling, inviting, throat-tugging, and challenging.

And they tell the story behind many of the pictures in the new UCC web ad, The Language of God.

Please get, read and share this great new magazine.

* I'd love to see a digital version of this magazine. I'd hope that it would be included in my current subscription, but as a new subscriber I'd think that 1/2 - 2/3 of the regular subscription price would be fair for a digital-only version.

The Language of God

The United Church of Christ launches it's new internet ad today -- and it's here!

From the Coordinator of the Stillspeaking Ministry, Felix Carrion:

We offer this praise because we cannot remain silent about the many, many ways God speaks. Here is a God big enough to welcome all people. Here is a God that speaks through human families and relationships of all shapes. Here is a God that speaks through a young person on a skateboard defying the laws of gravity and displaying heart. Here is a God that speaks the language of protest and poetry and presence. Here is a God that speaks through song and dance, hugs and kisses, hopes, laughter and joy. Here is a God that speaks through prayers and choirs and preachers and those who held and hold dreams, still.

Still stillspeaking

When the United Church of Christ is in Grand Rapids at the end of June for our General Synod, new ads from the stillspeaking ministry will also be there!  There'll be ads in the airport, on billboards, in print, on television and even on a bike-powered billboard!  

The UCC's director of communications, J. Bennett Guess, has this to say:

"In recent years, we've come to understand that General Synods are not just a time to gather, worship and celebrate internally as a church family, but it's a great evangelistic opportunity to tell the UCC's story to the widest possible audience, to share our unique identity with others, and to invite them to learn more about us and to visit our local churches."

I'll be there -- and I'd love to get a chance to ride the billboard-bike!

Letters from Leavers

Fuller Theological Seminary students Tim Bower and Jason Loftis have launched a website as part of a research project a Theology & Culture class they are taking. The site invites people who have left church membership to send "Dear John" letters to the church.
It's something very similar to the focus groups the United Church of Christ met with in 2003-04 as we were developing television commercials for the stillspeaking initiative.
I hope the site helps initiate healing. I hope those who have left come to really experience God's unconditional love and extravagant welcome from a church community. I hope everyone who visits lettersfromleavers.com gains new understanding simply by listening.

(There -- I did it again . . . ht to marko)

communion

I put together a UCC inspired commercial about who is welcome at the communion table. Take a look!