Sacred conversations

In recent years Rev. Erica has challenged herself every February to get out of her personal comfort zone and read something that brings a new perspective and/or maybe makes her uncomfortable. She has sought to expand her own education about black history, recognizing that many voices and sources were left out of her education growing up. She believes this kind of work is best done in community, so she is inviting you to read along with her and engage in reflection and discussion – and see where it takes us!

This year she will be reading Newport Gardner’s Anthem: A Story of Slavery, Struggle, and Survival in Early America by Edward E Andrews, 2025 Cornell University Press. 

The author relies heavily on the newly digitized historical collections available through the Congregational Library and Archives in Boston – so it offers insight into our congregational tradition and history as well. 

If you would like to join Rev. Erica and others for discussion, please let Rev. Erica know you are reading also, and she will reach out to the group to figure out a mutually convenient time to meet to discuss the book. 

You can find a copy of the book wherever books are sold. 

You can hear an interview with the author here: 

Revolution 250 Podcast - Newport Gardner's Anthem

Rabbi Julius Rabinowitz from Congregation Beth Jacob, and Rev. Erica Avena are planning an interfaith Bible Study on the book of Joshua that will begin in the new year. 

How do Jews and Christians read this book? Is it history or prophecy? When people make appeals to the book of Joshua pertaining to the modern state of Israel, what traditions are they hoping to build on? What are the consequences?

We will be studying the book of Joshua. Everyone is encouraged to use a Study Bible for this journey.  If you do not have one, please see Rev. Erica. For additional background, please read the Rosh Hashanah 2025 sermon written by Rabbi Julius Rabinowitz and Rachel Havrelock's book The Joshua Generation: Israeli Occupation and the Bible Princeton University Press 2020. 

More details will follow shortly. All are welcome.

Several members of the congregation met with Pastor Erica to discuss the book, How To End Christian Nationalism by Amanda Tyler over several sessions.

You can learn more about the book and Amanda Tyler's work by watching the following YouTube video:  Amanda Tyler

In honor of Black History Month, Pastor Erica invited members and friends of the congregation to join her in reading The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together by Heather McGhee (2022).

You can watch a short video interview with the author here: Heather McGhee - "The Sum of Us" | The Daily Show

Heather McGhee has produced a podcast discussing the issues in the book. You can listen to it free on Spotify: Heather McGhee