This week as Back to School energy unfolds across the nation, Auburn invites to go beyond calendar planning for the year ahead and seize the reflective and introspective possibilities of this back to school season. Our Auburn Web site is rich with possibilities to help you teach and preach in your work troubling the waters and healing the world.

Plan Your Week
The end of August is an opportunity to begin to plan for the year ahead but don’t miss the opportunity to learn from the Jewish tradition of using the end of this last month as a time of introspection and stocktaking -- a time to review one's deeds and spiritual progress over the past year. For Jews this is in preparation for the upcoming September "Days of Awe" of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur and for other traditions it can be a time of introspection for leadership.

Auburn’s Coaching initiatives are a continued source of renewal and strengthening for religious leadership. Let this new season inspire you to go further in your work as a bold and resilient leader. Click here to learn more about Auburn as a resource for your work.

Auburn Religious Leader of the Week
Looking for a way to be inspired as you plan your message this week?  Auburn celebrates the voice of Muslim activist Daisy Khan for her fearless work bridging religious divides in developing mosque and community space in downtown New York City.  Click here to watch this interview.

Documentary Resources
Consider using documentary storytelling and develop a multifaith documentary series to help your community for further in bridging religious divides. Auburn recommends Hiding and Seeking as an outstanding film to examine Jewish life amidst a fascinating storyline of the struggle of family and faith. Click here to learn more. Bonhoeffer is an outstanding film to help communities engage further in how a life of Christian faith is called to live out justice and click here to learn about this film. And Auburn recommends ChangeTheStory.net as an excellent resource for learning more about the Muslim faith and current myths that surround faith in Islam. Click here to use this documentary resource. 

Auburn has compiled links to outstanding resources that can help you in your yearlong planning. Click here to learn how to develop a personal learning plan for the upcoming year. Does this back to school season send you or someone to your community directly back to school? Here are some great tips for those beginning their religious education. Click here for more. And here’s a way that you and the community can support these students and the important care of the work they are doing.

Let Auburn continue to be a resource to you. Contact Auburn’s Associate for Media and Education, the Rev. Kellie Anderson-Picallo with any questions.