As (I hope) you’ve seen, the theme for Annual Meeting 2020 is Stories That Transform. This is maybe the most human, most exciting theme I’ve experienced over the last decade of annual meetings. Sharing stories, listening to the stories of others, crafting meaning and connecting events: these are the things that humans do. Over days, seasons, and lifetimes, these story activities form family, community, and culture.
So what better way to prepare for Annual Meeting and share ideas and experiences than a Southwest Conference Book Club! But here’s the rub… when you ask churchy, bibliophile people what they recommend to read, you can get overwhelmed. Take a deep breath and check out the recommendations below.
From Bill’s Reading Pile:
Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Bill Lyons is a serious guy. It’s no surprise that there are challenging reads on his shelf. Try any of these for a mind-expanding experience, leading to great conversations.
- White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism by Robin DiAngelo
Reading Guide - What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith
Summary - Charity Detox: What Charity Would Look Like If We Cared About Results by Robert Lupton
Executive Summary
Something interesting from Barb:
Associate Conference Minister Rev. Dr. Barb Doerrer-Peacock is a lifelong learner and a lover of narrative. She’s sharing this recommendation (and it’s in my To-Be-Read-Pile too!).
- Know Your Story and Lead With It: The Power of Narrative in Clergy Leadership by Richard L. Hester and Kelli Walker-Jones
On Karen’s Side Table:
When my family left middle Georgia to move to Arizona, the moving company’s notes said, “An unusual number of books for a house this size.” True story. Here’s your intrepid annual meeting coordinator’s reading suggestion.
- Long Story Short: The Only Storytelling Guide You’ll Ever Need
by Moth Grandslam Champion Margot Leitman
So get busy! Find your way to your local bookseller and crack the spine on one (or more) of these great books. Look for encouragement and discussion questions, along with ways to connect with others who are reading, via In the Loop and on the Southwest Conference UCC Facebook page.