Reading Program 2006

THE PURPOSE

The purpose of the Reading Program is to encourage United Methodist Women:

• to expand understanding of and participation in God’s mission;
• to increase sensitivity to all human beings—their needs, interests, and concerns;
• to encourage critical thinking about issues facing humanity today;
• to grow in understanding of Scripture as it relates to Christian faith in contemporary life;
• to enhance self-knowledge and to act from that knowledge;
• to strengthen involvement in local and global Christian mission.

The Women’s Division recommends a diverse range of books with the intention of broadening exposure to a variety of concepts. The Division does not intend that United Methodist Women accept each word or idea contained within each volume. Some books you may agree with. Some you may not. Either is all right. At the least you know the Women’s Division cares and wants you to be a knowledgeable and caring Christian about the issues of the day.

Click to browse books for the 2006 Reading Program
Click to browse index for the 2006 Reading Program

ABOUT THE BOOKS

The Women’s Division Reading Program Committee chooses the books. Suggestions come from many sources. Three evaluators (local members of United Methodist Women) read each book before the committee reviews it.

Many considerations influence the decision to choose a book:

• the purpose of the Reading Program;
• the diverse membership of United Methodist Women;
• readability–print size and language;
• the approaches to issues, from familiar to new;
• the cultures represented;
• the suitability for children and youth.
• the relationship to Women's Division/UMW concerns.

The reading list includes large print and larger than average print books for persons who prefer or need large print. To make it easy for you to find them, they are in separate categories. (See pages 41-43.) The reading list continues the custom of providing books for children and youth. (See pages 43-49.

The books vary in level of difficulty, type of print, and in suitability for study/discussion.

You may send suggestions for Reading Program books to the

Women’s Division, General Board of Global Ministries
The United Methodist Church, Room 1502,
475 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10115;
e-mail: bathomps@gbgm-umc.org .
Please indicate title, author, publisher, date of publication, and price.

HOW TO SECURE BOOKS FROM THE READING PROGRAM LIST

ALL books on the Reading Program list are stocked at the Service Center. (See inside back cover for ordering details.). Note: Most books are available in September. Prices and availability are subject to change by publishers.

• Individuals may wish to purchase their own Reading Program books.
• The unit may purchase books for circulation among its members.
• Individuals might suggest titles to the local library.
• Several units might exchange their own “libraries.”
• A district and/or conference could purchase books for circulation.

HOW TO ORDER

Plan ahead . . . allow at least four weeks for delivery. Order online through this site or contact the service Center to request a Reading Program 2006 catalog.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

Any person who wants to participate in the Reading Program should follow one of the plans on page 4. When the necessary number of books and the appropriate magazines have been read, report your reading to your local secretary of program resources.

The secretary of program resources works with the executive committee to promote the program. She should:

• distribute this booklet;
• explain procedures and enroll individuals in the program;
• order copies of “Your Reading Program” (stock #05431, free for postage) so members can report the books they have read;
• secure books and circulate them among the members;
• use suggestions for action on pages 5-7 as a guide for choosing titles and mission response.

The Bible undergirds all Christian reading and that of the Reading Program. Everyone should read it without special credit. Response and New World Outlook are essential for our understanding of mission. They must be a part of the reading plan in order for credit to be given for participation in the program.

PROMOTIONAL IDEAS FOR LOCAL UNITS

1. Present brief reviews of Reading Program books at unit and circle meetings.
2. Capture interest by attractively mounting quotations from the books and posting them throughout the church. Include full information: title of book, author, publisher, date of publication, READING PROGRAM, UNITED METHODIST WOMEN with each quotation.
3. Develop displays, both in permanent bookcases and on portable tables, to encourage sales especially around holiday seasons and prior to vacation time.
4. Take Reading Program books as well as Response and New World Outlook to retirement/nursing homes. Read regularly to residents.
5. Highlight large print books (page 41), and books for the visually impaired (page 60).
6. Inform parents, grandparents and others with children in their lives that books for children and youth are available through the Reading Program. Be sure church school teachers know of their availability.
7. Start a reading group. Meet regularly to share and discuss the books your members are reading.
8. Display progress charts in a prominent place that show readers’ names, the books being read, and the reading plans being followed.
9. Honor those people who participate. Order Reading Program certificates (stock #1531, 25 for $4.00) from the Service Center to present to those who complete a reading plan.
10. Show special recognition to units/individuals who complete Plans III or IV.
11. Form an action team and take action on one of the issues or action alerts (see page 5 )

FOUR READING PROGRAM PLANS

Persons who wish to participate may choose any of the four plans. Participants should enroll in one of the plans and report completion of reading requirements to the local unit secretary of program resources.

PLAN I

• 4 books each year.
• 1 from each category.
• Selections from the 2002-2006 reading lists if not included in previous reports. (Including youth books.)
• Regular reading of Response.

PLAN II

• 10 books each year.
• At least 2 from each category.
• Selections from the 2002-2006 reading lists if not included in previous reports. (Including youth books.)
• Regular reading of Response and New World Outlook.

PLAN III

• 15 books each year.
• 8 books with at least two from each category.
• 7 additional books from any category.
• Selections from the 2002-2006 reading lists if not included in previous reports. (Including youth and children’s books.)
• Regular reading of Response and New World Outlook.

PLAN IV

• 20 books each year.
• 8 books with at least two from each category.
• 12 additional books from any category.
• Selections from the 2002-2006 reading lists if not included in previous reports. (Including youth and children’s books.)
• Regular reading of Response and New World Outlook.

THE READING PROGRAM LEADS TO ACTION!

For more than 100 years, United Methodist Women have been involved in mission that includes prayer, study, and action. The Reading Program is a study opportunity. But it can also lead to action. Here are a few suggestions if, after reading a book, you want to take action.

1. Pray. Books often raise concerns about people, countries and issues. Bring these concerns to God during your prayer time at home and at unit or circle meetings.
   
2. Suggest your unit have a program. There are many important topics covered by the Reading Program that your unit could explore further. After reading The Betrayal of Work (#1966), Shafted (#1917) or Southern Africa in World Politics (#1962), you could take part in the 2006-2007 study on Globalization: Its Impact on Our Lives. Read Women on War (#1961) or Blood Done Sign My Name (#1926) as a resource of the 2006-2007 study Shalom, Peace, Salaam.
   
3. Act. Many of the books on the Reading Program lists deal with issues such as racism, human rights, peace, the environment, concerns of women and children. You can follow up your reading with action!
   
   Suggestons For Action!
   • Write a letter to the President or your Congressperson about your concern.
   • Write a letter to the editor of your newspaper. Or write an article for your church newsletter.
   • Share your concern with your unit or circle. Determine what action you can take together.
   • Join the UMW Action Network to receive up-to-date legislative information. Contact the Washington Office at 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Room 530, Washington, DC 20002 or on the web at gbgm-umc.org/umw and use the link on the left to Action Network registration form to register online.
   • Look at the United Methodist Social Principles to see our church’s stand on specific issues. The Social Principles are in The Book of Discipline, or you can order a copy from Service Center (stock #3666, 50¢).
   
   Stay involved with United Methodist Women’s Campaign for
   Children: Phase III – Public Education. Learn about the advocacy
   issues for public school education:
   

• overall quality • funding • facilities • measures of success

• quality of teachers • special needs • security and safety

More suggestions for involvement are included in the hand-
book, Campaign for Children, Phase III - Public School
Education: Let’s Go Back to School! (#3223). Read Schools That
Do Too Much (#2208); Will Standards Save Public Education?
(#2210). Available from the Service Center.

Get involved with children in mentoring, tutoring and “Big
Sisters” programs: Write letters, or e-mail or call congressional
representatives regarding public education issues in your city
and state. Read The Miracles of Mentoring (#3549); Growing
Compassionate Kids (#3529).

Learn about the environmental concerns of our schools: Go
over the Checklist for a Healthy School. Contact the office of
Children, Youth and Family Advocacy, Women’s Division at 202-
488-5660; fax: 202-488-5681; e-mail: jtaylor@gbgm-umc.org.

Learn about the military recruiters and the No Child Left
Behind Act: Read The Book of Resolutions (2004): “Child
Soldiers,” ¶66, and “Social Principles, 2005-2008 ” ¶164, V Section I, on
Military Service. Learn about child labor issues and the RUGMARK program by reading The Carpet Boy's Gift (#1951), and by visiting www.rugmark.org. Go to www.stopchildlabor.org, which is the Child Labor Coalition's site. To see UMW involvement in these issues go to
http://gbgm-umc.org/umw/legistlative/labor.html or gbgm-umc.org/umw. For more information, contact the Office of Chldren, Youth and Family Advocacy, Women's Division at 202-488-5660, fax: 202-488-5681; e-mail.jtaylor@gbgm-umc.org.
If you are the parent of a high school student, talk to your
principal to make sure the school is aware of its responsibil-
ity to inform parents of the “opt-out” provision. Find out where
your state’s Department of Education stands on this issue and
determine if they are monitoring whether local secondary schools
are informing parents of their rights.

Put into action the Charter for Racial Justice Policies of the
United Methodist Church. Plan a joint unit meeting with a unit
of a different racial/ethnic background, using programs from
the Women’s Division Program Book; read Barefoot Heart (#1973); Dancing with Words (#1970); O Lord, Hold Our Hands (#1967); and When My Name Was Keoko (#1931).

• Develop biracial/cultural Koinonia groups.
• Actively encourage pulpit exchanges and joint worship services
on special occasions.
• Actively encourage support for equal employment practices in
the church and community.
• Have the local unit or church sponsor a refugee family.
• Actively promote the Quadrennial Emphasis on the Ethnic
Minority Local Church.
• Contact your conference Committee on the Charter for Racial
Justice Policies for further action plans.

Join the Action Campaigns of United Methodist Women by
going on the Women’s Division website: http://gbgm-umc.org/
umw/ to CAMPAIGNS. Some campaign issues include:

• Environmental/Health Concerns: Call for Staples to go Chlorine-
Free; read Crimes Against Nature (#1943); Nature's Way (#1944); The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight (#1930); This Organic Life (#1903).
• Economic Justice:Read Shafted (#1917); Southern Africa in World Politics (#1962); Spiritual Perspectives on America's Role as Superpower (#1909).
• Peace: Prayers for Peace Campaign for the whole Church; read
O Lord, Hold Our Hands (#1967); The Practice of Loving Kindness (#1918); Women on War (#1961); Paths toPrayer (#1900).
• A call for cutting military spending on the FY2005 budget and
increasing funds for education and jobs, housing and healthcare
for all: contact House and Senate Appropriations Committees;
read The Betrayal of Work (#1966) and Shafted (#1917).

1. Organize. You or your unit can contact the Office of Community Action to work on social action plans for your unit or church, and to obtain resources for community organizing. Call 212-870-3766; fa 212-870-3736; e-mail: SLee@gbgm-umc.org.

God bless you as you pray, study, act, and organize in Christ’s name.

Click to browse books for the 2006 Reading Program
Click to browse books for the 2005 Reading Program
Click to browse books for the 2004 Reading Program
Click to browse books for the 2003 Reading Program
Click to browse books for the 2002 Reading Program