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1. Author/Speaker/Pastor/Convener Doug Pagitt and Singer-Songwriter Lynn Bailey Witty
I first became aware of Doug almost 20 years ago. He was part of a gathering of “young leaders” who were interested in grappling with some of the same questions I had about church, Christianity, and community. Since then, we’ve bumped into each other every few years and I’ve been inspired by his work - writing, speaking, facilitating his church (Solomon’s Porch), and other creative endeavors. We connected again a couple of times last year and decided his latest book (Flipped!) offered the right opportunity to collaborate. You can learn more about Doug here: www.dougpagitt.com
A few years before I became aware of Doug, I met Lynn Bailey, who eventually became Lynn Bailey Witty! Lynn is an accomplished creative wildfire - singing, songwriting, painting, acting, and more. Friday night, she'll share some new and some familiar material in an ideal, intimate setting for live music. You can learn more about Lynn here: www.lynnbaileywitty.com
2. Free book, Free food and Free laughs
When you invite friends over, you don’t charge them for food, right? Well, consider this an evening with friends - readings, music, light refreshments, conversation. Feel free to bring your favorite libation or sweet treat. We’ll have a copy of Doug’s book for you, a sort of “Thanks for coming” gift.
Laughter at a church? “Organized religion” is an oxymoron. Whoever came up with that term had apparently lost their sense of humor. We’ll have fun together. Doug has a great sense of humor and I laugh a lot when I’m with him.
3. Learn About Doug’s book Flipped!
So, yes, we’re a church, which means different things to different people. Truth be told, we’re not all that excited about the word sometimes. On the other hand, most of us are quite “wooed” by Jesus. Some of us are entering a season of curiosity and “faith”, some of us are exiting a collection of bad ideas we’ve inherited. Mostly, we want to "learn to love well” and find being with others who want to “learn to love well” is important.
Doug’s book takes some stories from the Bible and “flips” them in a way that might not have been considered widely. I’ve found the book to be accessible, even inspiring, to both my friends who have a very specific way of reading and interpreting the Bible and others who are just curious, even skeptical. I like that. We all need each other, right?
4. Meet Fun, Thoughtful People
Friday nights can be weird. We want to “do something” but we’re so often so tired we want to just stay home. Plus, we’re New Englanders. We only pretend to like people. Ok, maybe that’s not fair. We just believe in “keeping it real” and appreciate others who do as well. We want to have conversations about things that matter, but have trouble finding places…spaces…to do that. On Friday night, I expect you’ll meet some people who want to “keep it real"... be honest and talk about things that matter…and have fun at the same time.
5. What Else Are You Going to Do?
Seriously. Try something new. Get out. Worst case scenario? You get a free book, hear some live music, and still have time to hit Union Street afterward.
Email me if you want to learn more: sean[at]fbcnewton[dot]org
See you Friday
7p in the Chapel at FBC
848 Beacon Street
I first became aware of Doug almost 20 years ago. He was part of a gathering of “young leaders” who were interested in grappling with some of the same questions I had about church, Christianity, and community. Since then, we’ve bumped into each other every few years and I’ve been inspired by his work - writing, speaking, facilitating his church (Solomon’s Porch), and other creative endeavors. We connected again a couple of times last year and decided his latest book (Flipped!) offered the right opportunity to collaborate. You can learn more about Doug here: www.dougpagitt.com
A few years before I became aware of Doug, I met Lynn Bailey, who eventually became Lynn Bailey Witty! Lynn is an accomplished creative wildfire - singing, songwriting, painting, acting, and more. Friday night, she'll share some new and some familiar material in an ideal, intimate setting for live music. You can learn more about Lynn here: www.lynnbaileywitty.com
2. Free book, Free food and Free laughs
When you invite friends over, you don’t charge them for food, right? Well, consider this an evening with friends - readings, music, light refreshments, conversation. Feel free to bring your favorite libation or sweet treat. We’ll have a copy of Doug’s book for you, a sort of “Thanks for coming” gift.
Laughter at a church? “Organized religion” is an oxymoron. Whoever came up with that term had apparently lost their sense of humor. We’ll have fun together. Doug has a great sense of humor and I laugh a lot when I’m with him.
3. Learn About Doug’s book Flipped!
So, yes, we’re a church, which means different things to different people. Truth be told, we’re not all that excited about the word sometimes. On the other hand, most of us are quite “wooed” by Jesus. Some of us are entering a season of curiosity and “faith”, some of us are exiting a collection of bad ideas we’ve inherited. Mostly, we want to "learn to love well” and find being with others who want to “learn to love well” is important.
Doug’s book takes some stories from the Bible and “flips” them in a way that might not have been considered widely. I’ve found the book to be accessible, even inspiring, to both my friends who have a very specific way of reading and interpreting the Bible and others who are just curious, even skeptical. I like that. We all need each other, right?
4. Meet Fun, Thoughtful People
Friday nights can be weird. We want to “do something” but we’re so often so tired we want to just stay home. Plus, we’re New Englanders. We only pretend to like people. Ok, maybe that’s not fair. We just believe in “keeping it real” and appreciate others who do as well. We want to have conversations about things that matter, but have trouble finding places…spaces…to do that. On Friday night, I expect you’ll meet some people who want to “keep it real"... be honest and talk about things that matter…and have fun at the same time.
5. What Else Are You Going to Do?
Seriously. Try something new. Get out. Worst case scenario? You get a free book, hear some live music, and still have time to hit Union Street afterward.
Email me if you want to learn more: sean[at]fbcnewton[dot]org
See you Friday
7p in the Chapel at FBC
848 Beacon Street