etc faith books (Experience, Tradition, Culture) are

arranged for six gatherings of a group of ten or so

for growing in faith exploring the intersections of

• individual personal experience and history,
• the faith tradition, including sacred scripture, church teachings and history, and
• the culture in which we live our faith.

Each etc faith book provides

• a suggested traditional Christian song,
• scripture passages to be read aloud while group members follow in their own bibles,
• narrative exploring a theme and/or the scripture passages,
• questions to assist reflection and discussion in the group,
• and a closing prayer.

Most groups meet for 60 or 90 minutes weekly for six weeks.

All etc faith titles are also designed with the individual seeker-learner in mind.

IDJC PRAYER books  draw heavily on

• the monastic traditions of praying the psalms,
• the lectio divina way of praying with sacred scriptures (lek-see-oh div-'ee-nuh),
• and the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola,

all designed for an individual's time with God,

respecting the basic question for spiritual direction:

LORD, how do you want me to spend time with you?

          or Identity (ID) Jesus Christ,

          or, according to some parish teens: I dig Jesus Christ.

Dear Friends,

Like every parish priest I know, it is my honor to see written on people's faces the desire to draw closer to God.

Whether in a small parish or in one like a megachurch, the Lord calls us into groups of faithful, and where even two or three (or more) are gathered, there he is in our midst (Mt 18:20). Hearing and telling faith stories and listening to the Lord in private prayer are key to maturing in faith.

Thank you for considering these titles for your parish, your faith-sharing group, or in your personal relationship with God.

All God's blessings,

Rev. Steve Wolf

Pastor

Immaculate Conception Church

Clarksville, Tennessee

etc@idjc.org