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Program & Workshop Schedule
February 22 -- Brown Bag Lunch
The Anointed: Evangelical Truth in a Secular Age
Karl Giberson, co-author with Randall Stephens of The Anointed: Evangelical Truth in a Secular Age, will join us to talk about this important new book that explores intellectual authority within evangelicalism.
A recently retired physicist who taught at Eastern Nazarene College, Giberson is a leading voice in the science and religion debate. He will provide a thoughtful and engaging look at the American evangelicalism in the twenty-first century.
The work traces America's populist ideals, anti-intellectualism, and religious free market, along with the concept of anointing (being chosen by God to speak for him like the biblical prophets.) This led to a conservative evangelical leadership isolated from the world of secular arts and sciences.
Bring your lunch for a fascinating hour.
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Join us for lunch at noon.
Program begins promptly at 12:15.
Free.
Preregistration required.
March 14 -- Brown Bag Lunch
American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us
Nancy Ammerman, professor of sociology at Boston University and leading scholar of modern American religion, will lead a discussion on Robert Putnam and David Campbell's recent book, American Grace: How Religion Divides and Unites Us.
American Grace is a innovative study of American religiosity, in all of its paradox and complexity. Campbell and Putnam outline three "seismic shocks" that have profoundly shaped American belief and behavior since the 1960s. The current climate of deep religious polarization has disenchanted those seeking a middle ground. Yet we also live in a time of increasing interfaith understanding, especially on the personal level. While the culture wars continue, American people from every religious tradition are learning to live together with surprising tolerance.
Bring your lunch and join us at the table.
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Join us for lunch at noon.
Program begins promptly at 12:15.
Free.
Preregistration required.
March 17 -- Celebrating Your Church Anniversary with Wisdom and Style
If your church is planning to celebrate a significant anniversary in the next few years, this full day of workshops is a great place to get started. Take a look at the schedule below to see what we have to offer.
| Schedule of Events | ||||
| 9:30 | Registration and coffee | |||
| 10:00 | Welcome and opening worship | |||
| 10:30 - 11:15 | "Why the History of Congregational Churches is So Important — and Worth Saving" | |||
| Jeff Cooper | ||||
| Jeff Cooper is Professor of History at Oklahoma State University and has worked with the Congregational Library for many years on our church records reclamation project. With Jeff's help we have located some extremely important records in local churches and produced digital versions (shortly available for viewing on our website). | ||||
| 11:50 - 12:15 | "Do's and Don'ts for Anniversary Committees" | |||
| by a Panel of Veterans | ||||
| 12:30 - 1:00 | Lunch (included) |
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| 1:00 - 2:30 | Workshops | |||
| Worship that Honors the Past without Dwelling on It | ||||
| Mary Luti, Dean of the Chapel, Andover Newton Theological School | ||||
| Dr. Mary Luti is a historian, a former church pastor, and a teacher of worship at Andover Newton. She will lead a conversation about planning anniversary worship services that are fresh and creative as well as true to the historic Christian tradition. | ||||
| How to Write and Produce a History of Your Church | ||||
| Charles Hambrick-Stowe, Ridgefield (CT) Congregational Church | ||||
| Rev. Dr. Hambrick-Stowe is not only a historian of American religion, specializing in New England Puritanism, but also the author of the Ridgefield church's anniversary book. He will provide tips on researching and writing as well as layout and production of your own church's history | ||||
| Organizing an Oral History Project | ||||
| Karen Anne Zien | ||||
| Older church members have a wealth of information about your church, and they are all too rarely asked to talk about it. Karen Anne Zien will help you plan a solid project and conduct interviews that are both fun and informative. | ||||
| Records Management for Local Churches | ||||
| Jessica Steytler, Congregational Library archivist | ||||
| Jessica Steytler is the Congregational Library's resident expert on what to do with all those piles of paper in the church office. She will offer practical advice on saving and tossing, and on building and organizing your own church archive. | ||||
| Church Records Road Show | ||||
| Jeff Cooper and Ken Minkema, Jonathan Edwards Center | ||||
| Bring the old ledgers and letters hidden away in that closet, or the books and memorabilia in the basement, and these two experts on colonial history will provide an individual assessment of their historical significance. Jeff and Ken will also be available for consultations throughout the day. | ||||
| 2:30 | Final gathering and departure for optional tour of the Hancock-Clarke House on Lexington Green, led by Susan Rockwell | |||
Hancock Congregational Church, Lexington MA
$50, lunch included
Registration required.
April 4 -- Brown Bag Lunch
The American Board in the World: Bicentennial Reflections on the Organization's Missionary Work, 1810-2010
Join historians Professor Paul Burlin and Professor Clifford Putney for a discussion of their brand new book, The Role of the American Board in the World: Bicentennial Reflections on the Organization's Missionary Work, 1810-2010.
In 2010 the Congregational Library hosted a lively conference to mark the American Board bicentennial, a unique gathering of scholars and missionaries from all over the world.
The work includes many of the essays presented, covering a wide range of ABCFM history, from the first voyages to Hawaii to the establishment of schools in China, South Africa, and the Middle East. This is a great chance to catch up on the conference if you missed it and meet some of the participants!
Bring your lunch and a thirst for history.
12:00 - 1:00 pm
Join us for lunch at noon.
Program begins promptly at 12:15.
Free.
Preregistration required.
June 18-30, 2012 -- Historic Tour of England
"Retracing Our Puritan Roots"
If you love history and have a yen for travel, you are in luck! This coming June, Roger Burke and Jim Crawford -- both great friends of the Congregational Library -- will be leading a 12-day tour that will begin in Salem, Massachusetts, and end up in East Anglia. David Goss, a historian from Gordon College, will also provide lectures.
It’s kind of a backward pilgrimage, though with much nicer accommodations than they had in the 1630s. You'll get to visit London, Ipswich, and Cambridge -- all the Puritan sites plus a few other fun trips on the side, like the Viking remains at Sutton Hoo.
Download a flier (PDF format) to read or share with others.
For a more detailed itinerary, you can download this flier. (PDF format)
If you're interested, contact Olde Ipswich Tours by phone (877-356-5163 or 978-356-5163) or email (jean@ipswichtours.com).
Advance Event Registration
Advance registration is required for events with a program fee. For additional information or to register, contact us by phone at (617) 523-0470 ext. 230 or send an email to Megan Wheaton-Book to register.
Visit our donation page and click on the "Donate" button in the right column to pay the program fee online using PayPal. On PayPal please use the "Purpose" field to indicate the title of the class you are registering for.
To pay by mail, make checks payable to the Congregational Library and send it to us at: 14 Beacon Street, Boston, MA 02108.
Year-long Activities
Library Tour
We offer tours of our stacks and archive, which are otherwise closed to the public. If you're going to be in town, come on by and let us show you around. Join us for an introductory tour of the library, its history and services. Reservations are appreciated, but walk-ins are always welcome. Please contact Claudette Newhall by email or call 617-523-0470 ext. 229 to arrange the date and time for your visit. No charge.
Congregational Boston Walking Tour
Boston is a city full of history. If you're interested in the religious parts in particular, then this tour is for you. Explore the downtown area's rich and complex past on your own or guided by our resident historian. For details, take a look at our dedicated tour page.