Dear friends in Christ,

I’ve repeated a million times, “Forward Movement is not a publishing company. We are a discipleship company.” Sure, we publish and sell books, but our mission is to inspire disciples and empower evangelists. Sales is one way we fund our mission, and publishing is one part of our mission.

We publish lots of books on topics of discipleship and evangelism. But we also offer digital resources and courses. We work, often with others, on conferences, such as Rooted in Jesus. I hope our offerings are helpful to you and your church. Do not hesitate to contact us and let us know!

Much of what we do is offered free of charge. Sometimes we subsidize the cost of resources to keep them affordable. Every year we donate more than 100,000 pieces of literature to people who are incarcerated, to people in the military, and to those who are hospitalized. Sales certainly help us, but it’s not the only way to fund our ministry.

I’d like to invite you to support the ministry of Forward Movement in two specific ways. First, if you are buying books, please consider buying them directly from us or from your local independent bookstore. Lots of Episcopal congregations and dioceses have bookstores, and your purchase there supports them and us. If you buy from us directly, that also supports our ministry. If the best thing for you is to purchase from some of the major online websites, we certainly want you to do that. But know that we see less money from those sales, which means less funding for our ministry.

Second, if you would like to see a vibrant Forward Movement continue to work in inspiring disciples and empowering evangelists in the Episcopal Church and beyond, please consider a generous gift. We have a balanced budget, but with more support, we could offer more resources. We’d love to do that.

It is a great joy to proclaim the Good News of God in Jesus Christ in our work at Forward Movement. I’m grateful for all the support you’ve already given, and I thank you in advance for all you and your church can do to help us reach more people.

Blessings to you all.

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

Today’s Flash Sale: For the Beauty of the Earth

God saw every living thing that was made, and indeed, it was very good. -Genesis 1:31

Dance along with the wind of God, be bathed in the primal waters, and look with awe and wonder on the myriad creatures God has made. Spend a day, a week, a month, or the whole year basking in the wonder of both fruit and flower, night and day, and everything thing that creeps upon the good earth. You are part and parcel of the very good creation God has made.

Join watercolor artist Kathrin Burleson and diverse voices from across The Episcopal Church in exploring the wonders of Creation and the beauty of the Creator. Burleson’s Creation-inspired watercolors offer inspiring visualizations that enhance the book’s 365 daily meditations, written by authors across the church and across the country.

Regular: $20
Today: $15

*Discount is valid until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Dear friends in Christ,

I’m on the other side of the world at the moment, in the midst of a vacation. When we travel for vacation, we tend to go far away. There are lots of reasons for this, but one of them is that I find the sheer difference from my usual routine to be invigorating and refreshing.

I love the stimulation of new tastes, new sites, new smells, and new sounds. Photography is a hobby of mine, and I love photographing the places and people of the world. (See my Flickr album here.)

Encountering cultures different from my own is always a blessing, though it can be challenging for me at times. I’ve loved worshiping with Anglicans around the world, seeing what bits of Anglican Christianity have been adapted to the local context. Churches around the world have without exception been welcoming, seeing me as an Anglican sibling.

Of course, one doesn’t need to go so far away to get the benefits of a journey. We can worship in a church that’s new to us. We can visit a nearby town or a part of our own city that we don’t know well. We can even invite strangers to dinner.

As I read the Gospels, it seems that Jesus and his followers were always on the move. They did not shrink back from encounters with strangers or even hostile people. Jesus’ ministry can be seen as a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. Our own lives are meant to be pilgrimages too, as we grow into the full stature of Christ.

It’s lovely to be home. I certainly count on quiet time at home, as well as the company of long-time friends. I also find time away—whether it’s near or far—to be essential in my spiritual journey. Encountering what’s outside my immediate sphere is a gift in its own right, but it also helps me appreciate what is familiar.

What journeys are you taking?

Yours faithfully,

Scott Gunn
Executive Director

Today’s Flash Sale: Inwardly Digest

Have you ever wondered if there was some kind of guide to living a deeper, richer spiritual life that seamlessly incorporated scripture alongside the wisdom of the Church? There is—and you can find it in a pew rack near you! The Book of Common Prayer is more than a service book; it is a map to a deeper relationship with God, a framework for developing a more intentional and rewarding life of faith.

Scholar Derek Olsen explores liturgical spirituality and how the prayer book serves as a repository of Christian wisdom and spiritual practice stretching back to the beginnings of the Christian movement. Focusing on three key elements—the Calendar, the Daily Office, and the Eucharist—he discusses the spiritual principles behind them and provides clear, practical, easy-to-follow explanations of the services. These patterns of life laid out in The Book of Common Prayer serve as a guide to the spiritual life, so that we might connect back to the God who calls each of us by name and that we might love as God loves us.

Regular: $22
Today: $16.50

*Discount is valid until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Dear friends in Christ,

I’m writing this from the mountains of Colorado, where I’ve come to spend a few days learning from clergy colleagues. It’s an incredibly beautiful setting, and I’m learning a great deal about how to be a leader in the missionary church.

On Monday, when we arrived, one of the first things we did was sort out the WiFi password. All of us were quick to check emails and stay connected with our families and churches and so forth. Then, late afternoon on the first day, a close lightning strike took out the internet. And because we’re in the mountains, there’s not much of a mobile phone signal.

I’m not going to lie, the prospect of being disconnected was a little unsettling.

But you know what? This has turned out to be a blessing. I think we’re all paying a bit more attention to the speakers, because it’s not so easy to be distracted. In the lodge where I’m staying there’s absolutely no signal whatsoever, so when I walked up to go to bed, there was quiet peace. Often I read for a bit, catch up on social media, or send a few emails. Last night, I went straight to sleep.

I didn’t choose to unplug, but I’m grateful for this time. Avoiding the distraction of the internet has helped me focus on the folks here in a different way than I might have otherwise. And I’m noticing the beauty of this place in ways that I might have missed.

I’ve written about this before. The internet is a great blessing, I think. We can connect with people, learn all sorts of things, and share the Good News of God in Jesus Christ. But it also has some downsides.

Maybe I’ll try unplugging a little more often. It might help me plug in to new things.

Have you tried unplugging for a bit? What was it like? Does online life bring us closer to Jesus, or does it take us away from him? Plenty to ponder.

Scott Gunn

Executive Director

 

P.S. I’m grateful to my friend Emily Mellott, who suggested this topic as she walked by when I was standing near a meadow trying to think of a topic—in the one place where there’s a good signal.

Photo by Scott Gunn, taken in Colorado

---

Today’s Flash Sale: Faith Confirmed

In our journey through life, we often face big questions: What is the meaning of life? Who is God? Why do people die and what happens after death? Throughout the ages, Christians have turned to the Bible and to the Church for answers.

Faith Confirmed is an introduction to Episcopal beliefs and practices and is a perfect primer for those preparing for confirmation in the Episcopal Church and for all those who want to know more about the essentials of the faith.

Each section of the book contains:

• • a clear and accessible explanation of what Episcopalians believe
  • stories and illustrations to unpack these beliefs
  • thought-provoking questions and a Bible study
  • prayer and suggested prayer topics for the week

 

Regular: $18
Today: $13.50

*Discount is valid until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Dear friends in Christ,

I’m writing from Cincinnati where today promises to be another scorcher. It sure seems like the cool weather of fall is a world away. And yet, we’re only a couple of weeks away from the change. One of my friends already has sent his children back to school. Others will be getting their backpacks ready soon. At Forward Movement, our summer “half-day Fridays” come to an end with the start of September. The point is, you’d better enjoy the last couple of weeks of summer life!

Whether or not the start of September makes much of a difference in your home, it does make a difference to lots of people. This time of year is one of those times when plenty of people think of finding a new church. Is your church ready for an influx of guests?

We at Forward Movement offer lots of resources to help guests learn more about the Episcopal Church, but it’s not just about having a fresh pile of books and pamphlets. Now is a great time to check your signage, make sure your website is up to date, and clear away clutter in the hallways and entries.

I frequently hear that we need to provide a clear path for guests. How do they learn more? How do they get involved? How are they invited into membership? For small and large congregations, it’s a challenge, though the challenge is different. Larger congregations with loads of programs need to provide a roadmap (“Start here, this is next, and finally this is how to become members.”). Smaller congregation won’t have a dizzying array of programs, but they still need to provide a path. Here the solution is probably an individual meeting between guests and either lay leaders or clergy.

Our church is slowly shrinking, and one of the reasons is that we don’t always do a good job of inviting people through our doors. And when they arrive, we’re not often good at welcoming and connecting them into ministries. Check out Invite Welcome Connect, including the book Mary Parmer wrote to help with this process.

Savor the last lazy days of summer, but make time to think about how your church will welcome guests. Lots of people are yearning for a community with purpose. They’re waiting on you to invite them and to offer them a place.

Yours faithfully,

Today’s Flash Sale: Note to Self

Winner of a 2019 Illumination Book Award for Spirituality!

Discover what God has written onto your heart. What do you want for your life? Who do you want to be in your life, and how do you want to live? We humans need reminders, and when it comes to making a consistent effort to be better people, it’s important to have constant reminders. A “Rule of Life” is an ancient method for building soul memory, and offering reminders to ourselves of the person we hope to be—it is a practice of training your mind and soul to be kind and good.

Creating your own rule of life is grace that only you can offer to yourself, helping remind you to live the life you desire, and the life God wishes for you. Join author and Episcopal priest Charles LaFond as he guides you through the wisdom, creation, and application of your own Rule of Life.

Regular: $18
Today: $13.50

*Discount is valid until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Dear friends in Christ,

Last week, I wrote a bit about mercy and grace. Perhaps because I mentioned a news article of some interest, or perhaps because mercy and grace are entirely countercultural, I noticed that last week’s Forward Today was shared quite a few times. So I thought I would return to the topic of mercy.

We don’t tend to talk about mercy too much. We talk about things to which we are entitled. We talk about fairness. In some sense, fairness is crucial. Women and men should be paid the same rate for the same work, for example. People should have access to the same jobs regardless of their race. Fairness and justice are important markers of ensuring that people are able to flourish as the people God has made them to be, so we should never turn away from our need to work for justice.

But what about mercy? The scriptures are full of stories of God’s mercy toward humanity. Despite our continual rejection of God’s way, God still loves us. Justice would demand that we be punished for our error, but God chooses mercy.

The Gospels in particular are filled with ways in which Jesus Christ manifests mercy. Jesus offers healing to people without first ensuring they “deserve” it. Jesus is endlessly patient and loving with his followers, who never quite seem to get it. And, in the end, Jesus forgives even those who put him to death.

We are meant to love others as Christ loves us. So we too should manifest mercy. What would it be like to focus on being merciful? In small ways, we could be generous with that driver who sneaks up and wants to cut in front of us on the road. We could be quick to forgive those who offend us with minor slights. In bigger ways, we could rethink how we treat refugees and prisoners. We could find ways to help those who struggle. We could always begin not with the question of “what is fair” but rather ask “what is merciful?”

Often when I attend Rite I services of Holy Eucharist, we say the Prayer of Humble Access from page 337 of The Book of Common Prayer.

We do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord whose property is always to have mercy. Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.

Some people don’t like this prayer, maybe because it reminds us we’re not all that special. Because of our continual rejection of God’s love, we probably don’t deserve God’s infinite love, if God’s focus were only on justice. But as the prayer reminds us, God’s property is always to have mercy. I love this prayer because it reminds me that God is merciful to me, and in response to God’s love for me, I pray for strength to share God’s love and mercy with others. There’s nothing I can do to make God love me less or more.

Even if your church doesn’t use this lovely reminder of God’s mercy, you can say the prayer on your own any time, especially before Holy Communion. If we pray for mercy, we might just find ourselves being merciful. We might find ourselves changing the world, one life at a time—beginning with our own.

Yours faithfully,

Image by samdessordi.

Today’s Flash Sale: Gifts of God for the People of God

Worship can be a powerful way to encounter the living God. Our stories intersect with God’s story as the gifts of God are celebrated and shared by the people of God. Episcopal priest Furman L. Buchanan explores and reflects on each element of Holy Eucharist, the service most often held on Sunday mornings. Moving from the first spoken word of the service—blessed—to the last phrase—Thanks be to God—Buchanan explains the theological and scriptural elements of the service, helping newcomers and longtime members alike gain a deeper understanding of this gift of God.

Buchanan also shares his own stories, connecting pivotal life experiences with the words and actions of Holy Eucharist. Thoughtful questions at the end of each chapter invite readers to reflect on their own stories and how they connect with God’s story of love and life.

Regular: $15
Today: $11.25

*Discount is valid until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time

Dear friends in Christ,

I saw a news story this week which could serve as a parable for our times. It’s almost biblical, or maybe it is just that.

It seems that in a certain school district, parents have accrued some debt for not paying the bill for their children’s lunches. That school district has notified parents that it will use the court system to get its money, including, if necessary, taking away children from their parents and placing them in foster care because the parents have neglected their children’s right to food.

In response to these harsh threats, a local man offered to donate money to the school district to wipe away the debt, totaling around $22,000. Surprisingly, the school district has refused the gift, saying that the parents need to pay the debt themselves. (By the way, the school district also explored giving the affected children inferior food for lunch, but was told that such action would not stand up to legal challenge.)

Of course, on a practical level, using the court system to solve anything is expensive for all parties. So one would think the opportunity to avoid the courts—setting aside all questions of morality—would be appealing to a cost-conscious school system. And one notes that the school system is serving a poor community, because starting next year, they’ve qualified for funding to give all children free lunches.

If this were a parable, a preacher might ask some of these questions: What are families being charged for school lunches anyway, in a land of such abundance? Why would a school district choose a harsh solution when a low-cost and merciful solution is available? Why as a society are we so averse to canceling debt? What motivated the man to offer to pay the lunch debts off?

We know at least one answer to the last question. The man grew up poor, and he received free lunches as a child. Feeling grateful, he wanted to “repay” that kindness.

In our culture, we want to make sure people “get what they deserve.” But Christians of all people should know better. Our first impulse should always be mercy, as we know that God merciful to us.

I think if we were able to receive the gift of God’s grace, we would find it easier to offer mercy and grace to others. Because the thing is, I don’t deserve God’s love, and neither do you. No one does. We can’t earn it, and we aren’t worthy of it on our own. And yet God loves us all.

God loves you. God loves me. And God loves the people we don’t like very much or that we’re afraid of. God loves the children whose lunch bills are overdue, and God loves the school officials who want to send kids to foster care because their parents didn’t pay a bill.

Grace isn’t fair. And that’s the beauty of it. Let us all seek to love others as God loves us. Extravagantly. Boldly. Unfairly.

This kind of love changes us, it changes our church, and it will change our world.

Scott Gunn

Executive Director

 

Image: 12th century mosaic at Hagia Sophia, photo taken by Scott Gunn

Today’s Sale: Acts to Action

Jesus’ first disciples and modern-day Christians face the same question: How do we share the good news of Christ that we have experienced with the people we meet in the course of our daily lives? The Book of Acts details how the early disciples overcome the challenges of spreading the gospel in the midst of failing institutions, theological differences, and widespread uncertainty. With a focus on Acts Chapter 8, editors Susan Brown Snook and Adam Trambley and contributors from across the Episcopal Church discuss how these lessons from Christ’s earliest followers apply to the mission Jesus still gives us today: to be his witnesses in our churches and neighborhoods and to the ends of the earth. The authors explore essential elements of church mission, including worship, proclamation, loving and serving, repentance, and knowing the community. Framed by reflections from church leaders Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows and Gay Clark Jennings, the book provides encouragement and practical suggestions to help individuals and groups move from Acts to action.

Regular: $16
Today: $12

*Discount is valid until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time