In anticipation of the November arrival of its second edition, the StillSpeaking Magazine is promoting a 72-hour-only sale of a six-issue subscription, along with a complimentary copy of the premiere edition, for only $20.

"As we prepare to mail out the next issue in a couple of months, we want to make sure all would-be subscribers are actually on the list," said the Rev. J. Bennett Guess, publisher.

The "Labor Day Free for Fall" promotional price, good only until Friday afternoon, Sept. 10, is nearly half off the standard $39 rate.

"Right after Labor Day, many people are getting organized for fall and deepening their attention to church life, perhaps after some distractions during summer," Guess said. “If you’ve been thinking, ‘I’m going to subscribe’ then now is the perfect opportunity. It’s nearly half the price, and we’re throwing in an extra copy of the first issue for free.”

The second issue promises to be as stellar as the first, if not more so, says the Rev. Gregg Brekke, the magazine’s editor.

“Not only have we assembled stories as amazing as we did six months ago, but we’re finding that this magazine is a beautiful venue to share powerful stories and photos of how God is touching and changing lives through the United Church of Christ. After the first issue, my inbox was full of submissions and suggestions for future issues. There’s a lot of excitement for a print publication with this explicit purpose in mind.”

The upcoming issue features a cover image of the Rev. Luis Gonzales, pastor of UCC-related TOX Ministries in Phoenix, Ariz. Gonzales’ journey into the UCC is one of those profiled.

The 88-page StillSpeaking Magazine is published twice annually in Spring and Fall.  The premiere issue debuted in April on the occasion of the Rev. Geoffrey A. Black’s installation as UCC general minister and president. At the time of its launch, Guess said it was the UCC’s goal to create a new type of print publication — one that was substantial and attractive enough that people will not only read it, but display it and pass along to others.

About 4,000 households have subscribed thus far, and more than 10,000 individual copies have been purchased by local churches to share with visitors, especially those new to the UCC.

The reviews have been enthusiastic.

"StillSpeaking Magazine doesn't just tell the story of the United Church of Christ – it paints a picture for us," said Vicki McGaw, a subscriber from Lakewood, Ohio, responding to her experience of the first issue. "Its layout and photography pulled me in like 'Look' and 'Life' magazines did in my childhood.”

The Rev. David Greenhaw, president of the UCC’s Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, also praised the first issue.

"It reflects a desire for diversity, and it doesn't pull punches on the social agenda,” he said. "It'll be a lightning rod because of that, and that's good. I think it's a great initial effort."

Order your six-issue subscription, starting with the upcoming issue, for only $20 — before Friday, Sept. 10.