CLBSJ Read-a-Thon 2024: Reading Audaciously!

Published 22 September 2024

This fall, CLBSJ is reading the Bible in solidarity with banned and controversial texts. Please join in and support our efforts to extend access to audacious biblical reflection!

Over the past few years, the number of books being banned has been on the rise, and at the same time efforts are underway to require that the Bible be studied in public schools. Too often it is the same groups pushing both agendas. CLBSJ supports studying the Bible, AND we support studying and engaging with all expressions that arise out of our cultural and political-economic contexts. Centralizing one while demonizing the other does not lead to understanding. Rather, we gain understanding by intentionally placing our communities’ texts in conversation with the Bible. Check out what we are learning here!

Join in! Support CLBSJ’s efforts to extend access to critical biblical reflection by making a donation and/or joining our Audacious Readers Team).

Making a Donation

This is our biggest annual fundraiser and each year we count on folks like you to be able to continue doing our work. Donations of any amount make a real difference in building our capacity to cultivate audacious readings. You can make a per-text challenge gift, or a flat donation. You can donate as an individual or as an organization. Click here to see options and make your gift!

Please note: the read-a-thon platform we use, RallyUp, will give you an option to give them a “tip.” This is optional. They will set the amount based on a percentage of your gift, but you can choose to adjust it as high or low as you like.

Joining as a Reader

Readers choose a controversial text to intentionally read alongside a resonant biblical passages, and share a reflection on what they learn. A “text” does not have to be in the shape of a book — it can be a poem, a podcast, even a work of art. A text is anything that documents and communicates culture and political-economic context. Below are a few examples:

Gale is reading The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi (book)
Betsy is reading Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult (book)
Amy is reading Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe (graphic memoir)
Dong is “reading” Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn by Ai Wei Wei (visual art)

For each one, we are asking: “How does this work relate to the Bible’s message? How does it help me hear that message in new ways?” Check out our learnings here and click here to share about your reading and get connected!