Books

Exploring Worship in the Ancient-Future Church

by The Revs. Linda L. Grenz and Laura Rose

What is emerging worship? How can our congregation explore what it means for us. This resource focuses on mainline churches can learn from  the Emergent Church movement in the United States and the Fresh Expressions movement in England. One of us (Linda) is a priest in the Episcopal Church and the other (Laura) is a pastor in the United Church of Christ. So we will bring those perspectives into this resource.

NURTURING THE NEXT GENERATION

by Tracey Herzer and Nancy McLaughlin

This beautiful and practical little book is perfect for parents, godparents, grandparents or anyone who wants to talk about God with a child they love. It explores the history and theology of godparenting, and offers plenty of easy, helpful tips on how to be the best godparent ever!  A lovely keepsake gift and a handy guide to use for years to come.

A GUIDE FOR POST-MODERN PILGRIMS
SEEKING AUTHENTIC SPIRITUAL TRANSFORMATION

by Kevin Thew Forrester

“Kevin Thew Forrester’s Holding Beauty in My Soul’s Arms is a book for many, if not most, of us on the journey toward deeper spiritual formation. It offers a resting place, a reflective learning place where we may pause and savor at our own pace the riches of scripture, tradition, and reason as well as post-modern psychology, ethics, cultural studies, and systems theory. Familiar stories, presented in informative and provocative ways, take on greater vibrancy. Narratives of saints, ancient and modern, hold up reflections of human transformation. As we move into an unknown future, foundational theological questions about how we perceive ourselves and God are candidly and plainly opened up. It is in the doing of theology – reflecting upon our experience and that of wider communities – that we find nurture, insight and guidance toward Christian transformation.

by Heidi Clark

The 15-session study guide allows a group to work through each chapter of Jesus Was An Episcopalian in a simple 45-60 minute program. Each session can be a stand-alone program on a single topic or can be combined with other sessions to create adult forums, discussion groups or a confirmation or newcomer's class.  Each  session includes a short excerpt from the chapter which means participants don't have to have read the book, making it truly open to everyone, every week. Order now and download it immediately!

LITURGICAL EXPLORATIONS: COLLECTS, BLESSINGS,
LITANIES, PRAYERS AND EUCHARISTIC PRAYERS

by Kevin Thew Forrester

My Heart is a Raging Volcano of Love for You! provides liturgical texts to enrich our common worship. These resources bring the liturgy alive in exciting ways. Unlike our current collects, these collects are drawn from the day’s Scripture readings, giving them a connection to the day’s lessons and sermon. Kevin uses refreshing, contemporary language that makes ancient texts meaningful to today’s ears while emboding the church’s baptismal theology and the Anglican-Episcopal tradition.

by The Rev. Linda L. Grenz

Pocket Bible Guide will help you find what you need in the Bible. A quick and easy resource for novice and expert alike, it gives you: A short description of content of every book in the Bible An outline of the book A list of famous passages in each book Helpful aids to study the Bible Several Bible study methods A list of passages for finding help in the Bible Lists of people, places and key terms Timelines and maps.

SPIRITUAL PRACTICES FOR EVERYDAY LIFE

by Sister Barbara Jean Brown

Sister BJ introduces you to five spiritual practices that can be used for Lent or any time of the year: Spiritual Reading, Prayer of Attentiveness (Contemplation), Fasting, Works of Kindness (mercy) and Worship in Community and includes an introduction to the Triduum (Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and the Easter Vigil). You will find ways to participate in them to deeper your spiritual life. Each of the six chapters includes an introduction, practical steps and a list of additional resources. This book can be used as a Lent program or for personal use anytime of the year.

MEDITATIONS FOR LENT

by Anne E. Kitch

Most of us lead busy lives where time is precious and the space we reserve for the sacred is carefully delineated.  Yet every once in a while, the miraculous breaks in and, as if our blinders were removed, we can see the holiness of everyday life.  In this book, Anne Kitch offers short meditations about the day-to-day business of living and invites us to take time to discover the holiness of each moment we’re given.  Perfect for group settings as well as personal use by families or individuals, you’ll find many different ways to enjoy this book during Lent or anytime you want to remind yourself to see the sacred in each day.

CREATIVE METHODS OF HIV AND AIDS EDUCATION

by Phyllis Wezeman

An estimated 2.6 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2010 and about 1.8 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2009 (UN figures). In the USA, over 700,000 people are living with a diagnosed HIV infection and there are about 40,000 new diagnoses a year. Educating those who risk infecting themselves or other people is the best way to stop the spread of HIV and AIDS. People must be responsible for their own behavior. If the AIDS epidemic is to be stopped, people must understand the disease – its course, its nature, and its prevention.