If you set aside 20 minutes a day for 365 days, you'll read the Bible from cover to cover, says Reverend Kent Jackson.

Now, "Pastor Kent" and his United Methodist Church (Branford) congregation invite community members to join them in reading the Bible in a different way: like a novel. The Story is a 31-chapter, 31-week reading program.

Kent, who began his pastoral ministry here in July, is excited to bring the groundbreaking program not only to this congregation, but also to the shoreline.

"The Bible is central to our faith, but many people have trouble seeing its relevance to our everyday lives," says Kent

The Story covers the Bible in chronological order, with summaries to link areas where the lay reader may otherwise become bogged down. It condenses the Bible's 56 books and removes verse references "so you don't see strange numbers popping up," says Kent, smiling.

"It sometimes becomes a barrier for people. But what if they find, in reading through The Story, that it becomes accessible?"

By following a chapter each week, readers will travel from Genesis to Revelation. Kent's weekly Sunday sermons will relate the latest chapter covered to our lives today.

"It's scripture applied to life," says Kent. "It's the things that go on in our community and our world."

On Sept. 23, Kent kicked off the program with "Trouble in Paradise," a sermon based on Genesis. If you missed the first week, don't despair-just pick up a copy of The Story (free adult-version copies, while they last, are available for first-time visitors) and catch up, even if you can't get involved for many more weeks. The program will run through June 9, with breaks for celebrations including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.

"It's an easy read. Even if we're 10 weeks in, that's only nine chapters you've missed-one or two hours of reading," says Kent.

To accommodate a very enthusiastic congregation and any interested community members, United Methodist offers five mid-week adult discussion groups and a special group just for teens. Younger church members are studying The Story with young adults through picture-book versions (see photo at www.zip06.com/branford).

Kent and his wife, Anne, and their children, Adam and Hannah, arrived here from his latest pastoral ministry in Newburgh, New York. He also served congregations in Walden, New York; Richmond, Kansas; North Haven at Faith United Methodist from 1998 to 2001; and at Naugatuck United Methodist from 1994 to 1998. Kent played trumpet with Norwalk High School marching band (Class of '84) and received his master's of divinity from St. Paul School of Theology in Missiouri in 1994.

The Jacksons' new home, like United Methodist Church itself, is situated in Branford but just a stone's throw from the town lines of North Branford and Guilford. Kent says the church was intentionally built there, to welcome and serve people from as many communities as possible.

"The folks at this church are extremely friendly and welcoming. They're engaged in the church congregation with a strong desire to extend that to the community," says Kent, adding this congregation inspired to bring The Story to town.

"I had heard of it, and it was kind of in the back of my mind, even for churches I was serving previously?but the spirit hadn't moved me yet. Seeing how this church is hungry for Bible study, I really wanted the congregation to be able to meet and engage scripture. It's really going to unify us. We're all going to have this common experience, this foundation of The Story.

"I want the people of my congregation, and the surrounding shoreline communities, to realize the incredible love God has for them, and how their story is found in his story," says Kent.

United Methodist Church, Branford (811 East Main Street), invites all ages to join in experiencing The Story. Two worship services are offered Sundays (8:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.). Church school is open for pre-school through 6th grade. Sign up for adult mid-week groups or teen group after Sunday worship. For more information, call 203-488-0549 or email umcbranford@snet.net.