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Upper Room Ministries Celebrates the Twentieth Anniversary of Weavings

(Nashville, Tenn., September 11, 2006) –– When Weavings magazine rolled off the
presses this month, it marked the twentieth anniversary of the publication.

A journal of the spiritual life published by The General Board of Discipleship's Upper Room Ministries Division, Weavings began in September 1986 with a small number of charter subscribers. Today, the journal is read by nearly 30,000 readers.

Over the years, Weavings has included articles by Henri Nouwen, a Roman Catholic priest, spiritual writer, and speaker who was formerly on the faculties of Notre Dame, Yale, and Harvard; Archbishop Desmond Tutu, an Anglican bishop, Nobel Laureate, and peace activist in South Africa; and Hans J. Hillerbrand, a distinguished professor of history and religious studies and an expert in the theology of Martin Luther.

Since its inception, Weavings has won close to two dozen awards for content and design, including the 1998 Associated Church Press First Place Award for best special-interest magazine.

"This anniversary edition of Weavings calls into tension what it means to live in a post 9-11 reality, while trusting in the security of a God who is faithful and just," said the Rev. Karen Greenwaldt, top executive for the General Board of Discipleship.

While the first issue of Weavings explored "A Serious Call into a Devout and Holy Life," this month's twentieth anniversary edition explores the topic of "Security" in remembrance of the fifth anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Six writers weave together compelling essays that exemplify how Weavings is as relevant today as it was twenty years ago. Characteristically, these Weavings' authors grapple with the many security issues that people face today; acknowledging all life's ambiguities and tensions, they point readers toward realistic hope in a trustworthy and powerful God.

Articles include: "An Invitation to Insecurity" by Marilyn Chandler McEntyre; "Paradoxical Security: Trusting God in Fearful Times" by Robert C. Morris; "Like a Child at Home: Seeking Safety in Post-9-11 Washington, D.C." by Kathleen Henderson Staudt; "Night Prayer for Safety" by Pamela C. Hawkins; "Crossing Over to God's Side: Evelyn Underhill and the Problem of Security" by Stephanie Ford, and "And Justice Will Bring Lasting Security" by James McGinnis.

While United Methodists make up a significant portion of the readership, Weavings is widely read by people from many denominations. Pastors, laity, and small-group leaders find value in using Weavings as part of local prayer groups and Bible study.

Tom Carpenter, layperson and former executive with The United Methodist Publishing House, has been faithful in leading an ecumenical prayer group in his home, where members study Weavings and Spiritual Classics by Richard J. Foster and Emilie Griffin in tandem.

"I started using Weavings about twelve years ago; it has made us grow," he said. We're really devoted to Weavings. If it changes or is discontinued, I don't know what we would do."

Mildred "Micki" Carpenter, who participates in the group with Tom, is also inspired by Weavings. "Our prayer group that meets twice a month uses it each time we meet. We appreciate what John Mogabgab has done with Weavings. It is an inspiration for us all," she said.

"It [Weavings] has fed my soul as a person and a pastor. My congregation has benefited through me. They have heard sermons inspired by articles in Weavings," says the Rev. Mike Ripski, pastor of Belle Meade United Methodist Church in Nashville.

"Weavings is substantive without being academic; the articles are thoughtful without being so didactic that they lack inspiration," he said.

The Rev. Chuck Canterbury of St. Andrews United Methodist Church in Cullman, Alabama, uses Weavings to teach a Bible study called "Weavers' Class."

John Mogabgab

In addition, there was a "companion image of exploring how God's life and human lives are being woven together in love. And this weaving takes place precisely in the world."

"The way we were imaging the Christian spiritual life was and still is this weaving together of God and human beings here, now -- not in some sphere of experience or spiritual domain separate from real life," he said.

When asked what the biggest challenge has been, Mogabgab readily responds, "Strengthening the quality of the magazine. I sometimes think we have a good issue, but it's really up to the readers to determine whether what we have published is helpful," he said.

The magazine has had a tremendous impact over the years. Mogabgab remembers attending a large clergy gathering, where a clergy couple told him how reading Weavings had given them a whole new vision of ministry and led them to change the direction of their ministry.

Then there was the letter from a prisoner in a state institution. In it he related how reading Weavings had kept his friend from committing suicide. Readers have stated that Weavings encourages, informs, challenges, affirms, and accepts them. They add that the journal also reveals and illuminates aspects of their life with God that needs further exploration.

What the Future Holds

Over the next twenty years, Weavings will continue living into its name by presenting an ever-richer tapestry of authors from a variety of Christian traditions and racial-ethnic backgrounds.

The magazine also plans to provide readers with more guidance in spiritual practices, which will support people in their desire to live more fully what they are reading about in the pages of the journal. "We want to help readers weave together in their own lives the vision of the Christian life that Weavings presents and the actual daily struggles with which they live," says Mogabgab.

He foresees that Weavings could become a multidimensional ministry that would include a print product (the journal), an electronic offering (possibly an e-letter or web presence beyond what the journal now features), and a programmatic expression (already underway with Weavings Reading Groups and later perhaps also signature Weavings retreats).

Reflecting back over the twenty years of Weavings, Mogabgab concluded, "I want to express my profound gratitude to the General Board of Discipleship and Upper Room Ministries for the generous, sustained support they have given this ministry. I would also like to thank all our readers; they're really the ones who draw forth the themes and shape the way we approach each issue."

For more information about Weavings or The Upper Room, contact Sherry Elliott at 615-340-7250. To subscribe to Weavings, visit www.weavings.org or call customer service at 1-800-925-6847.

The General Board of Discipleship's mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, The General Board of Discipleship is located at 1908 Grand Avenue in Nashville, Tennessee. For more information, visit www.gbod.org, or call the Media Relations Office, toll-free, at 877-899-2780, ext. 7017.