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The Thoughtful Christian |
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PPC puts religious lessons online
'Next-generation' adult-study resources are
digital, downloadable
by Evan Silverstein
LOUISVILLE — Feb. 1, 2006 –
Presbyterian officials have launched a Web site they describe as the "next
generation" in adult Christian study resources.
TheThoughtfulChristian.com offers lessons in theology and the Bible,
popular culture, spirituality, Christian living and contemporary issues that
can be downloaded (for a fee), printed, photocopied and emailed for use in
classes and retreats and for personal study and devotion.
The new site - officially called The Thoughtful Christian: Faithful
Living in a Complex World - is an imprint of the Presbyterian Publishing
Corporation (PPC), the trade-publishing arm of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.).
The online resource "represents the most exciting and innovative
publishing initiative PPC has undertaken in recent times," said David
Perkins, PPC's president and publisher. "I believe it will prove to be one
of the most creative programs in all religious publishing."
The studies consist of one to four sessions each. Every session is
designed to take 45 minutes to an hour. Each includes a three- to four-page
handout and a two- to five-page leader's guide with lesson plans and
resources. The site is meant to be ecumenical.
It already has more than 50 units on topics ranging from same-sex
marriage and the war in Iraq to a study of the popular book, The DaVinci
Code. Additional studies will be added each month, including
"rapid-response" sessions on news events.
The Thoughtful Christian was officially launched on Feb. 1 during the
annual meeting of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE),
which opened on the same day in St. Louis, MO.
The site has a fan in the Rev. Barbara Tesorero, of Sycamore Presbyterian
Church in Cincinnati, OH.
"Adult-education ... classes have always been a difficult animal to
corral," she said. "The Thoughtful Christian site offers the variety and
depth that our adult learners often seek. From stem-cell research to
Reformed spirituality, our class facilitators are sure to discover material
that will enable our adult learners to explore their faith on a variety of
levels."
Individuals, churches and other organizations have three options for
buying materials:
For subscribers who sign up by Sept. 30, 2006, the first-year cost will be
$250 and annual renewals will be $225. After Sept. 30, the cost will
increase.
Individual studies can be downloaded at a cost of $5 for one session, $9
for two and $12 for three. Each additional session beyond three costs $3.
For information log on to
https://www.thethoughtfulchristian.com/main/home1.asp to sign
up for updates. Or send an email to
feedback@ThoughtfulChristian.com
or write to The Thoughtful Christian, Room 2007, 100 Witherspoon Street,
Louisville, KY 40202-1396.
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Visit
our lively
new website! |
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GA actions
ratified (or not) by the presbyteries
A number of the most important actions of the 219th
General Assembly have now been acted upon by the presbyteries,
confirming most of them as amendments to the PC(USA) Book of Order.
We provided resources to help inform the
reflection and debate, along with updates on the voting.
Our three areas of primary interest have been:
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Amendment 10-A,
which removes the current ban on
lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender persons being considered as
possible candidates for ordination as elder or ministers.
Approved! |
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Amendment 10-2,
which would add the Belhar Confession to our Book of
Confessions. Disapproved, because as an amendment
to the Book of Confessions it needed a 2/3 vote, and did not
receive that. |
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Amendment
10-1, which adopts the new Form of Government
that was approved by the Assembly. Approved. |
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Some blogs worth visiting |
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PVJ's
Facebook page
Mitch Trigger, PVJ's
Secretary/Communicator, has created a Facebook page where
Witherspoon members and others can gather to exchange news and
views. Mitch and a few others have posted bits of news, both
personal and organizational. But there’s room for more!
You can post your own news and views,
or initiate a conversation about a topic of interest to you. |
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Voices of Sophia blog
Heather Reichgott, who has created
this new blog for Voices of Sophia, introduces it:
After fifteen years of scholarship
and activism, Voices of Sophia presents a blog. Here, we present the
voices of feminist theologians of all stripes: scholars, clergy,
students, exiles, missionaries, workers, thinkers, artists, lovers
and devotees, from many parts of the world, all children of the God
in whose image women are made. .... This blog seeks to glorify God
through prayer, work, art, and intellectual reflection. Through
articles and ensuing discussion we hope to become an active and
thoughtful community. |
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John Harris’ Summit to
Shore blogspot
Theological and philosophical
reflections on everything between summit to shore, including
kayaking, climbing, religion, spirituality, philosophy, theology,
politics, culture, travel, The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), New
York City and the Queens neighborhood of Ridgewood by a progressive
New York City Presbyterian Pastor. John is a former member of the
Witherspoon board, and is designated pastor of North Presbyterian
Church in Flushing, NY. |
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John Shuck’s Shuck and Jive
A Presbyterian minister, currently
serving as pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton,
Tenn., blogs about spirituality, culture, religion (both organized
and disorganized), life, evolution, literature, Jesus, and
lightening up. |
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Got more blogs to recommend?
Please
send a note, and we'll see what we can do! |
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