This is a once-off email promotion for the advanceWORD materials. To be removed from the FaithFutures Foundation mailing list, please see the note at the bottom of the page.

Looking forward to Sunday with advanceWORD

Meeting during the week to reflect together on the readings set for the next Sunday's services can have immense value. This is especially so for people with responsibilities to preach or to lead worship, as well as musicians, readers and stewards. But it is also true for people with no special role in the next week's service. They all find their worship is enhanced.

The advanceWORD materials have grown out of direct experience with these groups and are prepared in the belief we can best hear what the Spirit is seeking to whisper into our hearts when we listen together. While designed with small groups in mind, they can also be used privately, for personal reflection and preparation. The notes cover readings from the major lectionaries: ECUSA, RC and RCL. This makes them especially suitable for ecumenical discussion groups. More >>

The materials are prepared each week by Dr Gregory C. Jenks, the founder and Executive Trustee of FaithFutures Foundation. An Anglican priest in Brisbane, Australia, Greg also serves on the Board of Directors for the SnowStar Institute of Religion in Canada. He is a Fellow of the Jesus Seminar and was formerly Associate Director of Westar Institute in Santa Rosa, California. Greg has taught biblical studies in Australia, the Middle East and North America and has several years experience moderating online discussion groups with a focus on the significance of biblical studies for faith today. Author | Intro to advanceWORD | FAQ & Subscription Information | Sample Notes | Email us for a Free Trial

MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION (US$2.50 pm)*

ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION (US$30.00 pa)*

* Alternative payment options

FaithFutures Foundation is a grassroots response to a widely perceived need for new ways to express and explore the sacred knowledge that we have inherited from the past through our various religions and spiritual traditions.

Writing from within the Christian tradition, FFF Advisor Marcus Borg recently described the root issue as follows:

Borg's observations reflect one of the basic impulses driving this project: the need to re-conceive our religious traditions so that they can continue to serve as instruments of meaning and justice in human society. That can be a painful process and it may provoke negative responses from those still attached to traditional forms of religion, but it strikes some of us as an essential task.

A second conviction underlines the formation of FaithFutures Foundation. We are convinced that the task of re-shaping our religious traditions is a collective responsibility. That belief explains the decision to structure the organization of the Foundation around cooperation circles in which people collaborate in extending human knowledge and adapting our religious practices in the light of that new information. More >>

This is also an interfaith project. The collective character of the process of integration and renewal extends beyond traditional religious boundaries. FFF welcomes the contributions that people from different traditions can offer one another in re-shaping their own personal and collective religious practice. Those who come from one of the Christian traditions gain important insights as they hear how others perceive and experience Christianity. Authentic information on other faith communities and forms of religious practice can also open up new possibilities for the renewal of one's own tradition.

The following defining themes have been identified as central to the Foundation's mission:

• Scientific and historical research (including historical Jesus studies and the physical and social sciences where relevant to religion);
• Human cultural and intellectual development (including the major world religions, other spiritual traditions and secular philosophy);
• Compassion and justice (including the domains of economics, politics, world peace, spirituality and the arts).

Join FFF ...

Membership of the Foundation is open to individuals and groups that subscribe to the Foundation's vision and mission, but ownership of the Foundation is vested in groups that register as Cooperation Circles. These CCs can also access some published materials from the Foundation at no charge beyond their annual membership contribution.

Money matters ...

The Foundation is funded by gifts from its members and friends, as well as by proceeds from sales of publications and subscription payments. The trustees have adopted a policy of allocating 10% of all receipts (other than gifts to specific purposes) to a special fund for grants to other groups and individuals.

FaithFutures Foundation has IRS approval as a 501c3 organization, allowing US-taxpayers to claim a tax deduction for gifts to the Foundation.

Public financial reports are posted on the Foundation's web site each quarter.

Our wish list ...

The Foundation's overheads during its first 18 months have been minimal. To achieve our mission we need to upgrade the web site services to provide better support to our growing network, and we also need to raise funds for the research and innovation grants to local groups and creative individuals. The immediate priorities are outlined on the FFF web site.

We appreciate your courtesy in receiving this once-off mailing. Your privacy matters to us and we respect your right to be removed from our distribution list at any time. Simply send an email to remove@faithfutures.org. More >>

Study Guide to
Marcus J. Borg,
Reading the Bible Again for the First Time.

More >>