A weekly publication of the historic Connecticut Conference is expanding to include readers and writers from Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The Starting With Scripture devotional is distributed each Monday by email and posted to the Connecticut Conference website.  Written by a different clergy and lay leader each week from the three conferences, the publication serves to kick off the reader's week with a reflection on a scripture reading for the following Sunday. Some of the devotional writings steer away from the scheduled lectionary to explore other topics the author deems worth considering. Each devotion closes with a prayer by the author.
 
In addition to the author's reflection and prayer, each edition includes Prayers of Intercession, either requested by people in the conferences or relating to current events in the news, and Prayers of Joys and Thanksgiving. These too may be requested by readers or added by the editor relating to some current event or season. Also included are prayers for specific churches. Church leaders are asked to share all these prayers with their congregation in any way they see fit.
 
Finally, the publication closes with a moment in history and a quote from Confucius that reads: "Study the past if you would define the future." These historical moments often focus on justice issues or other events from the past that offer insight into the current world.
 
"The Starting With Scripture devotion is a way for people to begin the week with a thoughtful moment, often providing some reassurance that the toils we face in the coming week are opportunities for us to live more meaningful and connected lives," says Drew Page, Digital Media Editor for the Southern New England Conference and editor of Starting With Scripture. "The prayers and historical moment further remind us that we are all connected, in the past, present, and future, across borders and geography, that we are all one body."
 
To receive the Monday publication of Starting With Scripture, subscribe here. All the devotions can be found on the CT Conference website and will soon appear on the coming SNEUCC website. Drew Page can be reached at drewp@ctucc.org.