Church Publishing Incorporated

My Faith, My Life is a trusted confirmation curriculum for the Episcopal Church.

The Five Marks of Mission and what it means to be a disciple of Christ will be a focus of this updated version, which also models student-centered learning as opposed to teacher-driven instruction. For teen study and confirmation preparation, this book can serve as a curriculum for helping teens discover Scripture, church history, sacraments, the meaning and practice of prayer, and what ministry means in the lives of real teens today. A framework for small-group gatherings for each chapter is included as a new section in the back of the book.

A primer or refresher on the sacrament of Baptism for new parents, new members, and godparents.

This book is about preparing for Christian baptism in the Episcopal Church. While we may hear people say, “I was baptized a Methodist,” or “I was baptized Catholic, or “I was baptized Episcopalian,” people are not baptized into a denomination; they are baptized into the Christian faith. While various Christian denominations differ both their theology of baptism as it is understood and practiced in the Episcopal Church following the rite found in the Book of Common Prayer 1979.

“This short book is full of helpful information, solid history, sound theology, and thoughtful reflection. It is the perfect book to give to adults or to parents of young children seeking baptism through the Episcopal Church. I am happy that I will be able to offer this book to my students for their future use when guiding baptismal candidates. A truly welcome resource.”—The Reverend Dr. Nathan Jennings, associate professor of liturgics and Anglican studies, Seminary of the Southwest

Further the understanding of the role and duties of the lay eucharistic minister with this easy-to-understand manual.

This revised edition of the classic Manual for Lay Eucharistic Ministers offers practical guidance on everything a eucharistic minister or eucharistic visitor does. Eucharistic ministers help to administer the elements at the Eucharist, while eucharistic visitors bring those elements to members of the congregation who can't be present.
This guide, updated to include the new canons and procedures, also offers suggestions on how to prepare oneself spiritually to present the sacrament, what to do when visiting the sick or shut-in parishioner with the Eucharist, and how to prepare a sacred space in someone's home or hospital room. Appendices include rites, suggested prayers and guidelines, services for commissioning and sending forth Lay Eucharistic Ministers, and a bibliography. Beth Ely also traces the changing customs and canons of lay administration of communion from the early churches to the present, and discusses the riches and mystery of the Holy Eucharist through the centuries.

First exclusively Episcopal prayer book for youth

This prayer book designed for teens draws from the Book of Common Prayer, relevant prayers written by well known Episcopalians, and ancient prayers rooted in the Bible. New and original prayers are also offered, written by contemporary church leaders in the Episcopal Church, as well as by teens themselves, young adults and youth leaders. The book is structured in four parts:

• Daily Prayer. Including morning prayer, table blessings, and night time.
• Prayers for the Seasons of the Church Year. Blessing of a Christmas tree, prayer for Christ in my life for Easter, prayer for courage to share my faith, and more.
• Prayers for Daily Life. Before a special school event, before a sports event, before a test, being left out, bullying, dating, divorce, doubts, forgiveness, friendship, gratitude, grief, guidance, hope, motivation, peer pressure, pets, purpose, and more.
• Prayers for Important Events. Significant birthday, earning a driver’s license, Confirmation, beginning the school year, starting high school, applying for college, graduating high school, going to college, joining the workforce.

A comprehensive, easy-to-understand primer to the Episcopal faith for new members, inquirers, and Church members who are unfamiliar with its history, beliefs, and practices.

Written in accessible language and in a conversational tone, this introduction to the Episcopal Church is the ideal resource for adult parish study, newcomers, and others interested individuals. From an Episcopal perspective, the author explores the Church’s history, worship, beliefs, spiritual life, organization of the church, mission and outreach, and the way followers read and understand the Bible. Study questions accompany each chapter.

"Welcome to the Episcopal Church makes clear that the worship of God is the most important thing that can be said about us, and that worship is the source for everything else in our life together--our commitment to justice for all people, our mission to those who do not yet know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and how we should live out our lives in this very complex world.”—from the Foreword, The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold III, Presiding Bishop and Primate

From an Ivy-League university chaplain comes a profound collection of spiritual reflections designed for people everywhere, including recent college graduates, looking to find their “way” and their “why.”

“Who am I?”, “What is my purpose?”, and “What should I do with my life?” are questions that all of us find ourselves asking at some point or another. In this deeply transformative and lyrical book, Charles "Chaz" Lattimore Howard offers a helpful guide as we venture to answer these questions for ourselves, inviting us to slow down, to actually walk the journey of life, and to allow our path to reveal itself to us. From an enlightening conversation with a Jain college student about the principle of non-violence to a heartwarming episode coaching basketball to an anxious school-aged child, Chaz shares how everyday moments can help you discern your purpose in the universe. Bolstered with poignant anecdotes that follow Chaz’s journey as a priest, professor, student, parent, spouse, social justice advocate, and religious leader, Uncovering Your Path will fill you with renewed vigor, inspire introspection, and encourage you to find your place in God’s world.

Explores the joys and challenges of vestry service.

Created to meet the needs of pastors and church staff seeking gifts of appreciation for church members such as LEMs, lay members, choir and vestry members, and others. Each volume offers support, guidance, and education geared specifically to one particular group or ministry within the church. Individual meditations are based on quotations from the Bible, The Book of Common Prayer, or hymns from the 1982 Hymnal, and prayers specific to the needs of each audience. Designed with the church budget in mind, these affordable books acknowledge important passages and ministries in the life of the people of God.

This 30th anniversary edition presents the unique approach of Listening Hearts to the spiritual practice of discernment for a new generation.

Written to make the often elusive and usually clergy-centered spiritual practice of discernment accessible to all people, Listening Hearts features simple reflections and exercises drawn from scripture and from Quaker and Ignatian traditions. The seminal work in the Listening Hearts Series, this book has been a beloved resource for tens of thousands of individual readers, retreat participants, small groups, and church leaders listening for and responding to God’s call in their lives.

“With updated language, revised appendices, and added stories, Listening Hearts can impart the deep wisdom embedded in its pages to new generations of those who seek to answer the call of Jesus to ‘follow me’.” –The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church

From the winner of The President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award, a spiritual guide to restoring yourself from racial trauma and committing to the long work of dismantling racism.

In her work as Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, Meeks has fought tirelessly to shed light on racism and provide tools and experiences to enable faith communities to work to combat it. In this new book, she shares highlights and insights from her journey and offers a much-needed meditative guide for the weary and frustrated. By looking inward and at each other clearly, she argues, good people of all backgrounds can forge a long term and individual path to making a difference. With personal stories and thoughtful direction, she takes the reader on the trajectory from self-awareness to recognition of the past to a new and individual way forward.

Meditation topics include how to work through fear and rage, how stories can help heal, honoring your ancestors while looking toward the future, what it really means to love one another and the meaning of social justice.

The world is ever changing and so must the Episcopal Church to remain relevant to its followers. A grounded, necessary book on the Episcopalian faith in the 21st century.

In the Church’s Teachings for a Changing World series, two visionary Episcopal thinkers and church leaders team up to revitalize the currency, integrity, and scholarship of this series with fresh new voices and style; concise and clear enough for newcomers, yet grounded and thoughtful enough for seminarians and leaders.

In this foundational text for the Church’s Teachings for a Changing World, Law and Spellers explore seismic shifts in American life and the opportunities and challenges each presents to the church today. With a winning combination of passion, creativity, and wisdom, the authors call for a return to Episcopal basics and insist that faithfully engaging a changing world might be the most truly Anglican practice of all.

“This is the book I’ve been waiting for. The Episcopal way of following Jesus and being Christian may be one of the best-kept secrets in the Western world. Finally, someone has taken the light out from under the bushel. Let it shine.”—The Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of The Episcopal Church.

An accessible introduction to the Episcopal Church for general inquiries, use with new members, as a confirmation resource, and in youth and adult study groups.
A simple Q&A provides a quick, easy, and non-threatening way to learn―perfect for today’s busy lifestyle. Yet, with Episcopal Questions, Episcopal Answers, we’re also dealing with some of the most central and compelling elements of the faith.

Sample questions of the new work include: What do Episcopalians believe about the Bible? Why do Episcopalians practice infant baptism? Why does God permit evil and suffering? What are the sacraments of the Episcopal Church? Is it acceptable for a Bishop to question the Virgin Birth? Why is the Prayer Book so important to Episcopalians? What is the relationship between the Prayer Book and the Bible? What is the Anglican Communion? How did the Episcopal Church come to be? How are decisions made in the Episcopal Church?

A valuable, illustrated handbook for the server at all liturgical celebrations that details all the responsibilities and duties of the acolyte.

When serving at the altar, one is doing just this: actively assisting the celebrant in the worship of God. This manual is designed to described duties expected of a server. There are basic directions that apply, governed either by The Book of Common Prayer or tradition. The Handbook will assist you in learning the basic principles of serving.

“A no-nonsense book of clear and brief instructions.”—The Living Church

In the Church’s Teachings for a Changing World series, visionary Episcopal thinkers and leaders have teamed up to revitalize this series with fresh voices and style, making it grounded and thoughtful enough for seminarians and leaders, yet concise and clear enough for newcomers.

A leading thinker and vibrant presence at the intersection of church and world, Winnie Varghese explores the “what”, “how”, and “why” of Episcopal engagement with contemporary social issues. Like the master of the household in Jesus’ parable (Matthew 13:52) who “brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old,” Varghese leads readers to discover theological resources from generations past and how they help to guide our action around thorny issues like racial justice, gender and sexuality, economic disparity, definitions of “family,” the environment, and much more.

A revelatory, pragmatic, and beautifully rendered companion for the millions suffering from mental health issues

An invaluable resource for anyone struggling with anxiety, fear, or depression, The Art of Calm is a lifesaving and inspiring guidebook that empowers us to break free from the emotional bondage of mental illness. Bursting with deep personal insight and uplifting practical guidance, this remarkable and therapeutic journey begins by charting the author’s own devastating psychological descent—which included panic attacks so severe they landed him in the emergency room. When the medical system proved unable to provide sustained help, however, a floundering Roger Hutchison turned to his faith for guidance. The healing path God led him on was nothing short of miraculous, offering not only authentic spiritual renewal but also a profound sense of belonging in a world where he once only felt like a stranger.

Weaving these personal stories with thoughtful questions, journaling prompts, and a wide range of inspirational practices, Hutchison creates a self-help tapestry of compassion, vulnerability, and action. At the end of each chapter, a colorful variety of reflections and creative exercises—from photography, music, and meditation to cooking, hiking, and art— encourage readers to get up and discover a more centered and peaceful life. The result is an essential tool for finding tranquility in the midst of both inner and outer turmoil.

A leadership planner based on the bestselling A Failure of Nerve.

Nearly 25 years after the bestselling A Failure of Nerve first astonished the business world, Edwin H. Friedman’s groundbreaking wisdom is back – now in a fresh, agile framework designed with today’s leaders in mind. Combining essential excerpts from the beloved original with new and engaging prompts and exercises, A Failure of Nerve in 52 Weeks builds on the success of Friedman’s earlier work to provide readers with an insightful year-long resource for leadership planning and development.

Concentrating on the core tenets of A Failure of Nerve, this workbook will help readers recognize and reign in their own emotional reactivity, overcome a misplaced addiction to data, and develop a sense of self that will never be overrun by the loudest and least mature voices in the room. Each weekly spread is packed with quotes and exercises to stimulate self-reflection and features a week-long planner page designed with ample space to mark appointments, track goals, and map out one’s path to well-differentiated leadership. Whether you are a longtime fan or new to Friedman’s work, this versatile planner will provide the structure, guidance, and wisdom to help you grow into the courageous leader you aspire to be.

An exploration of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a model disciple and a Lenten devotional on faith.

But in Blessed Is She, Timothy Perry presents a Mary who belongs in Lent as much as in Advent, who shows what it means to die and live with the crucified and risen Jesus. Drawing primarily from the Gospel of Luke, this lovely book of devotions sketches a Lenten Mary who teaches us about being disciples. The result is a complex, inviting, strong character a disciple to be emulated by all Christians, especially during this holy season.

With a meditation for each day of Lent, along with reflection questions, this is a thought-provoking volume for private use or parish study.

Based on beautiful seasonal hymns, Crafton's daily meditations on faith, prayer, forgiveness, and healing for Advent and Christmas make an excellent companion for the season.

For centuries the words and poetry of our hymns have spoken deeply to us. Many people, in fact, find that what is heard in poetry and music sinks deeper into the soul than does ordinary prose. And so it is to the beautiful seasonal hymns that Barbara Cawthorne Crafton turns for inspiration for daily meditations during the great devotional seasons of the church year: Advent/Christmas.

Bestselling biblical historian Jean-Pierre Isbouts weaves the origin stories of Christianity and the Lord's Prayer into a reinvigorating and urgent rallying cry for unity in the modern church.

Modern Christianity is in the midst of a veritable schism along the fault lines of society's culture wars. Only if we understand the origins of this split can we find our way to unity. Though few may realize it today, Jesus’s ministry unfolded in a crisis very similar to the one society is now battling. In fact, were it not for the truly catastrophic conditions in early 1st century Galilee, his reimagining of the three quintessential virtues of the Torah – social justice; compassion toward one another; and an abiding love of God – would have likely failed to attract a wide following.

Brilliantly tracing Jesus’s vision for the “Kingdom of God” from its origin up through modern times, Dr. Isbouts leads us to a possible antidote for the fiercely partisan moment in which we find ourselves: the Our Father. Then taking readers on a historically exhilarating tour of the Lord’s Prayer, The Fractured Kingdom shows us why the only doctrine Christians agree on might be our last hope for forging a more equal, compassionate, and loving society. What results is an eminently readable and undeniably essential work that addresses some of the most pressing issues now confronting communities of faith around the world.

My Faith, My Life is a trusted confirmation curriculum for the Episcopal Church.

With this leader guide, leaders can create short, intermediate, and longer programs, including confirmation sequences of six, nine, or twelve-sessions, a retreat or similar short program, or a longer study that is integrated with other current programs over the entire academic year. Filled with prayers to begin and end each session, plus a variety of activities that tap into multiple learning styles and ways to interact with the congregation, this is a primary go-to resource for any youth leader. New material includes how to select, train, and support mentors, as well as how leaders can strengthen their own spiritual life.

Engage your children with fun activities as they learn about Anglican liturgy and experience a more meaningful worship.

With interactive puzzles, color-by-number, word finds, and more, this fun-filled activity book can help children ages 4-7 grow to a deeper understanding of Anglican worship life. From learning about the participants in the entry processional, to coloring the vestments of the priest and deacon, to identifying the amazing things our senses tell us about the Eucharist, this book is a treasure trove for kids and their families.

Forty one-page activities are followed by a four-page parent guide designed to promote parenting in the pews and offer tips for parents and other educators using these activities with children.

For centuries the words and poetry of our hymns have spoken to us of God. Many people, in fact, find that what is heard in poetry and music sinks more deeply into the soul than anything else. And so it is to the beautiful seasonal hymns that Barbara Cawthorne Crafton turns for inspiration for daily meditations during this great devotional season of the church year.

"I hope that you find yourself humming familiar tunes to yourself as you read, and that this condition persists for the rest of the day," writes Crafton. Those who have known the hymns forever as well as those who are new to these verses will find them, and Crafton’s meditations on faith, prayer, forgiveness, healing and more, an excellent companion for these important seasons of the year.

This perennial favorite proposes a sustainable framework to create a more stable and fulfilling work-life balance in an ever-busy, noisy world.

Always We Begin Again is the work of an attorney with a busy commercial practice who searched for a truly balanced life and found the blueprint for it in a sixth-century text. After discovering St. Benedict’s Rule, author John McQuiston II interpreted and restated the ancient system of spiritual living, enabling today’s reader to understand and make use of its remarkable insights.

While strict adherence to the Rule may be possible only in a monastic setting, its bedrock, the ordering of each day, is accessible to everyone who seeks an orderly structure to their bustling professional and personal life. The brief readings and meditations in this small book offer a bridge between a busy day and a moment of restorative and blessed silence.
“John McQuiston II takes the Benedictine rule and adapts it to the circumstances of contemporary life. McQuiston provides one of the practical tools available for the devout layperson who seeks daily Christian praxis within the strictures of a successful business of professional life.”—Publishers Weekly

Designed specifically for laity, this manual offers practical tips and theological underpinnings of this Eucharistic ministry.

In the Episcopal Church, the term Eucharistic Minister is used to denote someone who assists the priest with administering the Eucharist, often handling the wine. Ely offers historical perspective on this ministry, a theological overview, practical tips, plus an invitation to engage in the spiritual dimensions of serving one's local congregation as a Eucharistic Minister. She concludes the book with a chapter on how to establish this ministry in a local parish.

This self-study workbook helps confirmation students navigate The Book of Common Prayer to learn more about the Episcopal faith. Includes 10 study units with questions and page references corresponding to the Prayer Book. Topics cover the Old and New Testaments, church history, The Book of Common Prayer, sacramental rites, and more. Can be used for homework or classroom study to supplement any Episcopal confirmation program. Ages 10 - 13.

Funeral planning is one of the most challenging things a family or priest may ever do, whether it is honoring the death of a loved one or long-time member of the congregation. This simple guide explains the Episcopal theology of celebrating a life alongside grief, while offering practical guidelines and forms for planning and arranging funerals. All content is in accordance to the Book of Common Prayer (1979) and approved liturgical supplementary materials.

Imagine the hushed excitement and the vivid anticipation of a child on Christmas Eve. How much more intense that anticipation must have been for those who waited for the wonder of the very first Christmas. From the ancient prophets to the three kings, from the angel Gabriel to the stalwart Joseph, Katarina Katsarka Whitley imagines their astonishment and joy at the events unfolding around them.

In her inimitable style, Whitley places herself in the hearts and minds of the biblical characters–both real and imagined–who played a part in the Christmas narrative. She weaves stories, solidly based in Scripture, at once compelling and thought-provoking. The voices of her characters lead us closer to the Christ Child and deepen the meaning of the season of Advent for twenty-first century readers.

In an inspiring story about self-expression, quirky and artistic Joan harnesses the power of friendship and the bravery of her namesake, Joan of Arc, to embrace her creative nature.

What do an ancient teenage warrior and a modern-day aspiring elementary school artist have in common? Nine-year-old Joan is about to find out. In this empowering tale of friendship and self-affirmation, a young girl dreams of being an artist, but struggles to find the courage to share her dreams with others. Joan is so afraid to be laughed at or misunderstood that her friends have never even seen her drawings! But when a school assignment unveils the remarkable accomplishments of her medieval namesake, Saint Joan of Arc, young Joan must grapple with what it means to be brave, even if that means finding the courage to be yourself.

Lovingly rendered with lush illustrations and tender prose, readers young and old will be rooting for Joan to find her way. “Exactly the kind of story that kids need,” writes bestselling author Brian McLaren. “This could be one of those precious few books that parents read to their kids for generations to come.”

The first introductory and illustrated biography of the civil rights icon.

The untold story of Pauli Murray, activist, lawyer, poet, and Episcopal priest, who broke records and barriers throughout her life. Friend to Eleanor Roosevelt, colleague to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and student of Thurgood Marshall, Pauli Murray's life was nevertheless not always an easy one. Her commitment to fighting for the rights of women and all places her firmly in history. A celebration of her life and its significance, including the role of gender identity in her own journey. Deborah Nelson Linck's book introduces Murray to children ages 6 to 12.

A unique look at Christian biblical interpretation and theology from the perspective of Native American tradition.
This book focuses on four specific experiences of Jesus as portrayed in the synoptic gospels. It examines each story as a “vision quest,” a universal spiritual phenomenon, but one of particular importance within North American indigenous communities.

Jesus’ experience in the wilderness is the first quest. It speaks to a foundational Native American value: the need to enter into the “we” rather than the “I.” The Transfiguration is the second quest, describing the Native theology of transcendent spirituality that impacts reality and shapes mission. Gethsemane is the third quest. It embodies the Native tradition of the holy men or women, who find their freedom through discipline and concerns for justice, compassion, and human dignity. Golgotha is the final quest. It represents the Native sacrament of sacrifice (e.g., the Sun Dance). The chapter on Golgotha is a discussion of kinship, balance, and harmony: all primary to Native tradition and integral to Christian thought.

A delightful compendium of insightful, disarming, and sometimes funny reasons why Episcopalians are members of the Church.

"The Episcopal Church is a secret too well kept, " says compiler Louie Crew. "Many are starved for what we experience daily and too easily take for granted." With these words, Crew invited thousands of people online to participate in creating a list of reasons to be Episcopalian. Portions of that list, and many additional contributions, fill this charming, pocket-sized celebration of the Episcopal Church.

These 101 thoughtful, poignant, and sometimes humorous responses not only entertain but also teach about the Church's gifts. From the beauty of its prayer and liturgy, to its inclusiveness, and its reliance on Scripture, tradition, and reason in balance with one another, there is much to celebrate in the Anglican/Episcopal tradition.

101 Reasons to Be Episcopalianmakes the perfect gift for confirmands, newcomers, and anyone interested in dialogue about why we are Episcopalians.

Moving devotions for mothers, inspired by common milestones for young children

Moms, get ready to reclaim your grace with this tender collection of stories, vibrantly recounted by two women working to embrace God’s presence during their own parenting journeys. Each narrative reflection opens with scripture and concludes with a practice or questions to ponder, followed by a prayer. Spanning infancy to early childhood, The Beauty of Motherhood encourages mothers and caregivers to take a deep breath and find the holy in those everyday moments that inspire laughter, frustration, and awe.

Together, the authors explore an unflinching spectrum of parenting experiences, including growing pains, pregnancy, birth, weaning, body image, exhaustion, delight, comparison, vocation, friendship, and more. Readers will feel empowered to recall memories of God’s grace in their own journeys and be inspired to claim and share their own truths.

Busy parents will appreciate the short, engaging reflections that can be picked up and read between feedings, or use them to conjure up a brief oasis after a hectic day. A wonderful gift for baby showers, baptisms, birthdays, and Mother’s Day, The Beauty of Motherhood offers a warm and knowing embrace to mothers everywhere.

Seekers and church members today are rediscovering the power of many of Christianity’s ancient traditions, such as Evening Prayer. For many years now, in England, they have turned to the writing of Jim Cotter. In fact, the New Zealand Prayer Book’s Evening Prayer section comes largely from Prayer at Night’s Approaching.

In this paperback volume, meant to be treasured for a lifetime, there are prayers for the seven days of the week plus additional readings for the various liturgical seasons. Combining the best of the ancient phrases of the Christian tradition with contemporary images and language, Cotter's words encourage the reader to pray more deeply and experience God more fully.

A guide to a deeper understanding and richer relationship to the Book of Common Prayer, and a more profound faith.

In this guide for newcomers as well as lifelong Episcopalians, author Vicki Black helps readers navigate the currents of Anglican liturgy and discover its richness and beauty. As we use the Book of Common Prayer, Black says, “we discover we are not alone, and this liturgical current of worship, prayer, and praise will indeed take us where we want to go–union with the God we seek to love.”

Welcome to the Book of Common Prayer shows readers everything from where to find the Sunday collect to how to pray the Daily Office. But it’s more than a how-to. It offers history and background that help make the prayer book a more meaningful part of the worship life of individuals and congregations.

With thoughtful reflection questions, this is a perfect volume for parish study groups.

A journey through grief that has brought comfort to others for almost half a century.
John R. Claypool had been a pastor for almost two decades, ministering to others who suffered through the loss of loved ones, when the loss came home in the death of his eight-year-old daughter, Laura Lue.

This is the story of Claypool's own journey through the darkness, written through four sermons. The first was delivered just eleven days after his daughter's diagnosis of leukemia, the second after her first major relapse nine months later, and the third weeks after her death. The final sermon—a reflection on the process of grieving—was preached three years later.

In the Church’s Teachings for a Changing World series, visionary Episcopal thinkers and leaders have teamed up to revitalize the classic resource with fresh new voices and style, concise and clear enough for newcomers, yet grounded and thoughtful enough for seminarians and leaders.

In this volume, seminary dean and popular blogger Thomas Ferguson traces the history of Christianity, with a special focus on the rise of the Anglican Communion and the birth and continual rebirth of The Episcopal Church. Explore how we got here and where we might be going.

Ponders how the good news of Jesus Christ is made known in our world today.

The New Church’s Teaching series has been one of the most recognizable and useful sets of books in the Episcopal Church. With the launch of the Church’s Teachings for a Changing World series, visionary Episcopal thinkers and leaders have teamed up to write a new set of books, grounded and thoughtful enough for seminarians and leaders, concise and accessible enough for newcomers, with a host of discussion resources that help readers to dig deep.

This third volume introduces Episcopal theology with the question "Can you capture the good news of Jesus Christ in a tweet?" Author Jesse Zink thinks so: “You are loved with a love unlike anything else—now, go show that love to others. Huge oceans of meaning lie under each word, and his new book welcomes readers into those depths.

Each chapter takes a different aspect of Christian faith—God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, Creation and Humanity, Baptism, Church, Eucharist, Mission, and the Hope of the World to Come—and links history and tradition with real world experience.

Most Christians are familiar with the story told in Mark's gospel, from the fishermen leaving their nets, to the miracle of the loaves and fishes, to the political rumblings and the crucifixion. But no one knows who Mark really was or why this gospel was written or why it's charged with such a sense of immediacy.

For noted Jesus scholar Marcus Borg, reading Mark is like meeting Jesus again for the first time. Individual readers and parish study groups will learn about this earliest gospel from the perspective of an important Anglican theologian.

Conversations with Scripture is the umbrella title of the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars Study Series. Written in accessible language and sensitive to those who have little or no experience in reading the Bible, each book in the series focuses on exploring the historical and critical background, plus modern application of the texts. Other books in the series focus on the Gospel of John, Revelation, the Law, the Parables, and 2 Isaiah.

An authoritative priestly guidebook of the hows and whys of the Episcopal liturgy.

The definitive reference work that simplifies liturgical officiating and celebrating of the rites of the Episcopal Church. A Priest's Handbook explains the appropriate use of vestments, color, altar preparation, as well as gestures and movements during the various services. It also explores the particular prayer and liturgical options for the Holy Eucharist, Holy Week, Baptism, and other events in the Church's calendar. Sections on the use of the lectionary and the Daily Offices make this handbook truly comprehensive.

Fun activities that teach children and their families about the holy season of Lent.
These fun-filled activities for home, pew, or church school, help children ages 4-7 learn about the seasons of Lent and Easter. This book includes mazes, crossword puzzles, connect the dots, and more. 41 pages of activities and a 4-page parent guide designed to promote parenting in the pews. Includes family Lenten devotionals. Suitable for any Christian denomination that follows the liturgical calendar.

Written from a post-Christendom/emergent worldview, this books was born of a singular question asked in hundreds of ways: "What do we do to be faithful in this changed and changing reality?" Whether shaped by anxiety, a foretaste of coming changes, excitement, or energy at the prospects of witness and service the future holds, the question remains the same and the answers elusive.

Part one addresses church functions under categories of governance, modeling, collaboration, champion, catalyst, mission, covenant, disciple, change and leadership. Part two offers further explication of the functions, including books recommended for in-depth study, application ideas, and further exploration of themes.

“An exceedingly practical guide . . . a necessity for every congregation.”—Episcopal Life

This update of a classic guide on altar guild ministry offers a lively blend of liturgical history, sacramental theology, and practical hints. The authors combine how-to advice with creative ideas on preparing for the traditional liturgies and simpler, special-occasion services.

All the basics are covered—the altar guilds’ origins, function, and how they are organized, the sacristy, preparing the church for worship, decorating, cleaning, and setting the table, selecting and caring for vestments.

The
New Altar Guild Book also includes a thorough and creative section on
decorating the church, with suggestions for hangings, candles, and flowers. The
section on vestments covers their history, colors and meanings, innovative ways
of making and embroidering them, their care and storage.

Help young children understand and participate in the prayers, hymns, and responses of the Eucharist. Includes a step-by-step outline with illustrations suitable for coloring. (Ages 3-7 years)

A thoughtful meditation on the Stations of the Cross for followers who want a deeper understanding of the Passion and the meaning of Easter. With a helpful map, illustrations.

Every Friday in Jerusalem, Franciscan monks take groups of pilgrims down the Via Dolorosa, the road Christ may have walked on his way to the cross. Stopping at each of fourteen locations that mark events in the final days of Christ’s life, the pilgrims recall the Passion story and offer prayers for the world.

In A Walk in Jerusalem, The Rev. Canon John L. Peterson, Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, brings new life to this centuries-old ritual known as the Stations of the Cross. Illustrated with a map, 14 black-and-white photographs, and 14 pen-and-ink drawings, this helpful guide provides the appropriate episode of the Passion story along with a meditation and brief liturgy that apply that story to today’s world.

Designed for use on Good Friday or general devotions, A Walk in Jerusalem offers new insight into the Passion Narratives and encouragement to live as Christ taught.

“A very moving presentation of the Way of the Cross.”―Religious Resources International

Looking for ways to be strong yet tender, independent yet intimate, women today strive toward ever greater understanding of themselves, their relationships with family and friends, and their place in the world.

Written by clergy and lay women from all around the country, this compilation of prayers and poems is the collective wisdom of contemporary women who base their search for such understanding on the belief that all of life must be seen against the backdrop of a vital faith. Offered in a spirit of sharing and encouragement, these prayers and poems are as rich, intricate, and complex as the women's lives they represent.

Women’s Uncommon Prayers covers the full spectrum of emotions from desperate pleas for compassion in times of despair to quiet gratitude for the simple blessings of everyday living, to raucous praise during moments of celebration. These prayers touch on an amazing array of topics organized under the categories of identity, daily life, stages of life, spirituality, and ministry. Also included are comprehensive sections of seasonal and corporate prayers.

The revised and expanded edition includes new information, new teaching resources, and perspectives gained in the last eight years, as well as the General Convention resolutions of 2015.

Beyond Business as Usual is full of resources for forming the vestry as a learning community. It deals with the "soft" side of leadership that enables the pastor and vestry together to journey along the leadership path. Each chapter can be read and reviewed at a series of vestry meetings or as part of a vestry retreat, and includes questions for group and individual discussion. The book also contains resources for vestries, based upon different preferred learning styles, for the formation part of the vestry meeting or retreat.

The Rule of St. Benedict offers a rich opportunity to explore a grounded devotional practice, and this book’s fresh perspective will bring the Rule into your daily life.

Praying with Saint Benedict was written for the thousands of lay Christians who are drawn to the Rule of St. Benedict and desire to incorporate it into their daily devotional practice. Those who study the Rule aspire to apply the Benedictine values of community, hospitality, humility, simplicity, and prayer in their daily lives.

This unique book incorporates the passage of scripture that Benedict cites, three contemplation questions that facilitate lectio divina, and a concluding prayer. Unlike other commentaries on the Rule, the reflections here tend not to be historical or theological, but rather present personal, relatable thoughts and applications.

A rich collection of readings, from classic to contemporary authors and thinkers, for devotionals for Advent and throughout the year.

“Easter Day is the center and crown of the Christian year, but no season of that year provides us with richer material for meditation than Advent and the twelve days of Christmas.” So writes Christopher Webber in this thoughtful and inspiring collection of meditations from the most gifted Anglican writers of the past six hundred years.

Love Came Down draws on the best sermons, books, poems, and hymns by these writers, with a reading for every day in Advent and for each of the twelve days of Christmas. Writers include Christina Rossetti, R. W. Church, F. D. Maurice, John Donne, Jeremy Taylor, Madeleine L'Engle, Phillips Brooks, John Keble, William Temple, Thomas Traherne, William Law, Harriet Beecher Stowe, and many others. Brief biographies of the contributors are included.

A practical, illustrated guide that helps children and their parents prepare and have a deeper understanding of Eucharistic liturgy.

Written for grammar-school age children, this guide to the Rite II Eucharistic service presents the full text of the service from the Book of Common Prayer alongside commentary and cartoons that clarify the meaning of the words. Horton focuses on the "hows" and the "whats" of the service itself, in the belief that participation and information are, in the long term, the keys to Christian formation.

This practical manual will be useful to a wide variety of groups. Church school teachers and pastors can use this in Sunday school classes, or during the service itself to help children participate more fully. Parents and children will also find this a helpful tool as they explore Christian life together.

A powerful, prayerful, and practical guide teaches groups a whole new way of conducting meetings and reaching consensus.

Whether your group, committee or board is secular or religious, its members can now move beyond parliamentary procedure to a higher level using the model described here. Rooted in scripture, Grounded in God energizes and inspires.

Learn how to incorporate creative silence, imagination, intuition, attentive listening, scripture, and prayer into routine meetings, decision making, or working retreats. By opening up to new perspectives, discover that the first order of business is to become attuned to God’s presence within those assembled.

As members of the group become receptive to alternative viewpoints, they are opened to tap into the flow of divine wisdom and align with the will and mind of God. The results can be both spiritual and practical as they are put into action.

We need new perspectives and deeper connections to meet our current challenges.

To give us hope for a better tomorrow, we need to open up to fresh possibilities and insights. The experiences of Native people, some of which are told here in this Little Book, can provide avenues to deepen our faith and become a stronger community. These stories of abundance and generosity, of tending family and the land, remind us that we are all called to care for the gifts that God has given us. This kind of storytelling, which captures the imagination and inspires forward-thinking, is central to Native tradition— and to discipleship, as well.

This series of Little Books on Faith and Money is designed to foster conversations within congregations around certain principles and practices that nurture community and growth in the ongoing life of the church.

In John 1:48, Nathanael says to Jesus, “How do you know me?” Jesus replies, with a twinkle in his eye, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree.” Lent is a time to slow down and journey with Jesus through his life, death, and resurrection. Under the Fig Tree is a book of 46 drawings, photographs, and paintings inspired by Lenten themes, readings, and stories for each day of Lent and Holy Week. The images, like snapshots, are colorful, inspired, and rife with emotion. The reader receives an opportunity to reflect, slow down, and walk with Jesus as a friend and disciple, to sit with Jesus under the fig tree and talk, listen, and glimpse the face and heart of authentic love.

A collection of essays by top Episcopal thinkers on various topics, including faith and reconciliation.

The New Church’s Teaching series has been one of the most recognizable and useful sets of books in The Episcopal Church. With the launch of the Church’s Teachings for a Changing World series, visionary Episcopal thinkers and leaders have teamed up to write a new set of books, grounded and thoughtful enough for seminarians and leaders, concise and accessible enough for newcomers, with a host of discussion resources that help readers to dig deep.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry leads off this volume with a clarion call for Episcopalians to join the Jesus Movement. A team of the church's brightest stars follow up with reflections on the practice of ministry in light of the movement: Nora Gallagher on encountering the ”other,” Rob Wright on adaptive leadership, Broderick Greer on reconciliation, Anthony Guillen on new ministries, Megan Castellan on evangelism, and Kellan Day on ministry with young people. Michael Curry closes with a word on making the world whole. Christians have been following Jesus together for some 2000 years—these leaders help to illuminate how we follow him in our time.

Deepen the lay minister's knowledge of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and the various duties of this ministry with this guidebook to lay participation in the Eucharist and Offices of the Church.

From the winner of The President Joseph R. Biden Lifetime Achievement Award, a spiritual guide to restoring yourself from racial trauma with moving stories of historical significance, now in paperback.

In her previous work as Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, Meeks fought tirelessly to shed light on racism and provide tools and experiences to enable faith communities to work to combat it. A public speaker, expert in the media, and honored advocate of social change, she holds a unique place in the dialogue on dismantling racism. In this book, she shares powerful personal experiences that leave the reader breathless and profound insights from her lifelong journey through contemporary history and national events. She offers a much-needed meditative guide for the weary and frustrated, arguing that by looking inward and at each other clearly and with honesty, good people of all backgrounds can forge a long term and individual path to making a difference. With thoughtful direction, she takes the reader on the trajectory from self-awareness to recognition of the past to a new and individual way forward. 

Meditation topics include how to work through fear and rage, how stories can destroy but can also help heal, honoring your ancestors while looking toward the future, what it really means to love one another and the true meaning of social justice.

"Readers will be challenged and changed by this moving work.” —Publishers Weekly

An essential guide for navigating the challenges of fatherhood while building a foundation of faith, love, and values in your children.

Becoming a father is one of life's most profound joys and solemn duties. The path ahead will be filled with questions and self-doubt—am I ready for this? How do I nurture faith and values? Can I still pursue my dreams? What if I mess up? In The Spirit of Fatherhood, Larry Hagner provides fellow dads the wisdom and tools to navigate one of life's most epic and awe-inspiring adventures.

With insight forged from biblical study and over a decade of counseling experience, Hagner addresses nearly every aspect of engaged fatherhood. Discover guidance on building a warm, Godly home where children feel safe to grow. Learn how to correct with patience and grace. Find tips on instilling values that will serve your children for life. Hagner knows the struggles inherent to parenting and meets them with empathy, encouragement and practical solutions. While portraying this sacred calling, the founder of "The Dad Edge," the #1 podcast about fatherhood on Apple Podcasts, makes his lessons relatable through vulnerable stories, humorous anecdotes, and refreshing honesty. You'll come away feeling empowered, equipped and deeply connected.

Whether you're counting down to your first child or already have a full house, this book offers inspiration to deepen your faith and leadership. It's the perfect gift for dads aiming to ground their families in timeless wisdom and everlasting love.

The story of a former slave and America’s first Black Episcopal priest is an inspiring model for living a full life of service and love.

This book, appropriate for children but engaging enough for adults, begins by describing the reality of slavery during Jones’s life. Absalom Jones purchased his wife’s freedom before his own and dedicated himself to living the Christian faith. Through the difficulties and challenges of his time, he answered the call to serve the church and was ordained a priest and deacon to serve the first Black Episcopal Church in the United States.

The first Black priest in the Anglican Communion continues to be one of the most important historical figures in the Episcopal Church. As the church pays attention to its own sins of racism, this book offers encouragement, guidance, hope, and inspiration. Jones’s life is an example of what it means to follow Jesus through faithful, courageous, and selfless living of the way of love.

An all-inclusive, illustrated guidebook for the proper administration of an Episcopalian altar service.

This comprehensive, self-paced training manual presents all the information necessary for altar guild members to perform their tasks knowledgeably and well, describing in detail the behind-the-scenes preparations for the celebration of the Eucharist. In clear and easy-to-understand terms, the author explains the symbolism and use of liturgical spaces, sanctuary furniture, vessels, linens, vestments, crosses, candles, and many other features of the altar. Specific instructions on how to launder and iron the corporal, purificator, pall, and other linens are also included.

Fully illustrated, the manual offers a thorough explanation of the Christian year, the use of appropriate liturgical colors, and the particular functions required before and after high and low masses, baptism, confirmations, weddings, funerals, and other types of services.

Useful aids such as flow charts, checklists, self-test exercises, and a glossary of terms are incorporated to help altar guild members understand and properly use the information presented.

The breakout star of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding shares his views on being unabashedly Christian for the 21st century.

An expansion of his wildly popular sermon for the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2012, Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry gives inspiration and guidance on being bold Christians for a modern audience. Known for his positivity, fiery and magnetic speaking style, and Gospel-based knowledge, Bishop Curry is the go-to spiritual leader for today’s public life. He was the officiant for the funeral of President George H.W. Bush and Senator John McCain. The words of his sermon, which went viral, will energize followers of the Gospel or readers looking for bolder spiritual life.

“We need some Christians who are as crazy as the Lord. Crazy enough to love like Jesus, to give like Jesus, to forgive like Jesus, to do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God— like Jesus. Crazy enough to dare to change the world from the nightmare it often is into something close to the dream that God dreams for it. And for those who would follow him, those who would be his disciples, those who would live as and be the people of the Way? It might come as a shock, but they are called to craziness.”—from Crazy Christians

“Filled with wisdom, humor, and insight, Michael Curry’s Crazy Christians is one of the finest introductions to the great breadth of Christian faith I’ve ever come across. But be warned: this isn’t the staid, predictable, strait-laced Christianity too many of us were spoon-fed in Sunday school. Rather, Curry penetrates to the radical heart of the Christian gospel and invites us―indeed, dares us―to join the long line of those throughout history who have followed the rabbi of Nazareth.”—David Lose, Luther Seminary, Center for Biblical Preaching and Festival Homiletics

Roadmap, myth, or history? An accessible review of The Book of Revelation for today’s audience.

Conversations with Scripture: Revelation is the first book in the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholar Study Series. Written in accessible language and sensitive to those who have little or no experience in reading the bible, each book in the series focuses on exploring the historical and critical background, as well as how the biblical texts written centuries ago can still speak to readers today.

Frederick W. Schmidt, also the series editor, explores the approaches that have dominated the interpretation of John's Apocalypse and offers the reader an accessible means of understanding and evaluating them. With this grounding in hand, Schmidt explores how Revelation can shape our understanding of God, and nurture our spiritual lives in unexpected ways. Leaving behind left-behind theology, Schmidt offers instead an approach that allows this obscure, almost opaque text to speak to us anew about God, faith, hope, and justice.

For the fifteenth anniversary of its publication, this revised edition features a new introduction from the author on the state of the church and its “radical welcome” today, along with new reflections on how it continues to reshape the church.

This book is at once a theological, inspirational, and practical guide for congregations that want to move beyond diversity and inclusion to present a vision for the church of the future: one where the gifts, voices, and power of marginalized groups bring new life to the mainline church. Based on two years of work and over 200 interviews with people in congregations all around the United States—in urban, suburban, and rural settings—it asks the question: How do we face our fears and welcome transformation in order to become God’s radically welcoming people?

Each chapter introduces a particular congregation and the challenges it faced, and lays out the theological underpinnings of tackling fears head-on to embrace change as a welcome part of community life. This new edition features essays from Michael B. Curry, Mark Bozzuti-Jones, Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, and Mark Richardson.

First book addressing the concerns and issues of people of color in spiritual direction

“These essays speak of how we have incorporated our contemplative practices into our family life; our urban, non-religious background; how we have been nurtured in struggles for health and life through our contemplative prayer practices and our courage to survive and even thrive in the midst of dire circumstances. We speak of the unfolding bridge between faith and culture; our conflicts with an Interspiritual journey with a Christian foundation; our sexuality; our journey to healing and authenticity; and how we are taking this practice that began in the first centuries of the church with the desert mothers and fathers to the present and into the future with spiritual direction through the Internet across the world.” —from the Introduction

What would it be like to live the second half of your life with real enthusiasm?

Each stage of life is a “soul stage,” filled with its own promises, challenges and opportunities. With humor and a generous sharing of personal anecdotes drawn from over forty years in ministry, Chris Moore speaks to the challenges of adults attempting not only to survive but even thrive during the latter part of their journey. He gently encourages readers to draw inspiration and relevance from the vibrant personalities of the Bible, even as we navigate modern challenges.

Soul Stages is written for people who want affirmation that the second half of life presents different challenges and opportunities than the first but is no less fulfilling. Readers will be able to see transitions as opportunities for spiritual and emotional growth, rather than as problems to be solved.

Meditations addressing the spiritual needs of queer Christians.

A new look at ten selected parables of Jesus, that expands the scope of interpretation of each story to highlight God's extravagant welcome of all people. The perspective in the reflections is deeply personal and written to be used by both individuals and groups. Queer affirming churches, seminaries, and retreat centers will benefit from this resource as they continue to champion the flourishing of their queer siblings in Christ.

A presentation of a unique contemporary Eucharist infused with Celtic traditions.

Drawing together texts from Scripture, the mainstream Irish, Scottish, and Welsh traditions, and contemporary spirituality, A Celtic Eucharist is a vital liturgy that relates to the here and now while it fosters a connection to the past. The result is an original and striking service that prompts fresh appreciation of the Eucharist.

An optional Ceremony of Light is included for evening celebrations. A selection of alternative prayers and sentences allows for seasonal and pastoral variation, and helpful notes for celebrant suggest possible uses for this service. Easily adaptable to formal and informal settings, A Celtic Eucharist can be used in conjunction with other lectionaries.

Fun-filled activity book for kids ages 4 to 7 shows how to make an Advent wreath, help Mary and Joseph find their way to Bethlehem, and count the gifts the Magi bring to the Christ Child. Filled with mazes, crossword puzzles, connect-the-dots, and word searches. A great way for kids and their parents to focus on the true meaning of the Advent and Christmas seasons. An invaluable resource for families and Christian formation teams alike.

"A gold mine of Advent-related activities for children."
—The Living Church

A deeply inspiring clarion call for Christian women's empowerment in the face of pressure to choose between seemingly mutually exclusive options.

You can be lovely and fierce, broken but also whole, satisfied but also ambitious. Leadership-lifestyle blogger and inspirational TV personality, Caitlyn Scaggs draws from her eclectic background and Christian principles to offer practical insight and encouragement to women striving to lead a fulfilling and complete life. She champions a new approach—how to find balance between seemingly opposing forces and live out what you were created to do.

With inspirational stories from her life and career alongside those of others' she’s met along the way, Scaggs provides fellow women insight on how to thrive no matter where your individual path takes you. With her unique and powerful guiding voice, she shows women can boldly embrace all their dichotomies, even when facing obstacles or inner conflict. She encourages readers to contemplate the choices they feel torn between and live in the space between. She then urges a different approach to navigating personal and professional lives, with the goal of finding balance, purpose, and satisfaction.

Each chapter includes motivational call outs, practical takeaways and actionable steps that invite readers to apply the insight shared to their own lives. Scaggs writes with the modern Christian woman in mind, but her engaging style and thoughtful insight will also appeal to women of all faiths and backgrounds.

The Gospel According to Sam is a collection of “animal stories for the soul,” written by William Miller, a priest and storyteller with an earthy sense of humor and a southern sensibility that has you laughing out loud. Sam is Miller's Airedale, a lovable, "wounded healer" of a dog who survived a house fire that burned off his ears but couldn't extinguish his spirit. Sam becomes a vehicle for healing, humor, adventure, spiritual growth, and prayer for Miller and his friends, neighbors, and parishioners.

This book guides readers into conversation with Paul’s letter to the Romans.
The author helps readers listen to what that letter said to the people to whom it was written and to hear what it says to us today. Readers will bring their own reflections, personal concerns, and questions to the table as we let this letter challenge us with meaning—letting it read the reader.

The thesis of this book is that the letter has demonstrated transforming power to renew lives and the church through a focus on worship; a rigorous assessment of the human condition, especially the failure of human religiosity; a claim of transforming power in the ongoing life of Christ; an expansive vision of who is included in God’s life and love; a call to practical application and proclamation of the gospel.

Rooted in the teachings of progressive Christianity for today’s kids and parents

With accessible language, Bible stories, and connections to daily life, this book guides children and the adults who love them through the core teachings of Christianity. Kids have big questions about God and faith, and, while many of those questions don’t have one clear answer, Christians throughout the ages have given us helpful ways to think and talk about what we believe.

Each chapter includes simple spiritual practices and questions for reflection, either in solitary reading or through conversation between children and caregivers or ministers. It is oriented towards anti-racism, gender equality, economic justice, care of the environment, affirmation of LGBTQ+ folks, trauma-informed practice, and global citizenship.

An illustrated activity book for 8-11 year olds.

Water connects all physical and spiritual life. Besides being essential for life, water is the visible sign of Baptism, which calls us to serve others in the world. Having clean water for all God’s children is an act of justice, love, respect and a core value of what it means to be a Christian.

This illustrated workbook taps into multiple learning levels and offers a variety of ways for children to interact with this core value of our faith, making a direct connection for young people between their faith and daily life. It can be used in an educational or devotional setting at home, church, or school. Activities also connect clean water and the Millennium Development Goals.

A devotional for Advent and Christmas through the perspective of England’s foremost Christian spiritual mystic.

For generations, readers have found in the writings of Evelyn Underhill the guidance to help them deepen their own interior lives in the Christian mystical tradition. In this lovely volume, Anglican author and editor Christopher Webber has carefully selected inspirational passages from Underhill's most significant works, providing readings for every day of Advent and Christmas, and sharing the timeless treasure of Underhill's spiritual vision.

This is The Holy Eucharist: Rite One and Rite Two from the Book of Common Prayer according to use in the Episcopal Church in the United States as authorized in 1979 in large type font.

A classic best-selling manual on Episcopalian faith for lifelong followers, newcomers, and those wishing to sample and explore the beliefs and organization of the denomination.

The original Episcopal Handbook, published in 2008, was an instant classic and has been a best-seller ever since. Still providing helpful and insightful information about the Episcopal ethos with a certain amount of whimsy and complete accessibility, this revision maintains the best features of the original work, but adds an update and an expansion on the church today.

This revision highlights Episcopal diversity—including more women and people of color in the biographical material—and focuses more on Episcopal, rather than Anglicans. Additions to this edition include updated illustrations, an expanded glossary, and new sections on church governance, the origins of religious belief, and a capsule summary of church history.

The Handbook is suitable for use in Sunday school, confirmation classes, inquirer sessions—and for everyone from visitors to vestries.

This classic resource, first published in 1935, offers an enlightening overview of the Episcopal Church, including its fascinating history and lore, and information about the church year, buildings, symbolism, vestments and customs. The author also explores the Episcopal Church’s government, doctrine, and sacraments, as well as its view of the Bible and prayer, and moral law.

Biblical and poetic reflections on Lenten themes of salvation, forgiveness, sin.

A Practical Christianity: Meditations for the Season of Lent is a devotional book that challenges readers to take up “practical Christianity”—proposing Christian faith as something we do, not something we merely believe in. The starting point for Christianity lies within its practice, says the author, and not in the blind acceptance of a chunk of undigested doctrine.

The book samples fiction, poetry, art and music, combined with the wisdom of scripture and theology, to help pilgrims make sense of faith in the context of everyday life.

Shaw reconsiders the central doctrines of Christian faith through the lens of how we practice them. She explores five themes: dust, forgiveness, time, doubt and love—devoting a chapter to each. This thematic approach is a way of presenting (covertly, since it’s not revealed until the end of the book) the doctrines of Creation and Sin, Forgiveness, the Trinity, Salvation, and finally Love.

A bishop comes to visit a congregation for many reasons—a parish celebration, baptism, confirmation, or a pastoral visit. With black and white illustrations, this interactive book for children and families describes the ministry of a bishop, including symbols and apparel, in preparation for the visit and worship. Confirmands will find this book particularly helpful as it walks them through the liturgy of Confirmation. During the actual Confirmation rite, children will have a guide to follow along during the service, making this book serve multiple purposes for young and old alike.

Dementia changes everything—and not just for the person who receives the diagnosis.

Each of the 5.6 million Americans with dementia has one or more caregivers struggling to make meaning while watching their loved one’s personality vanish. The caregiver is sure to be changed—not only by the myriad tasks and responsibilities, but by the soul-searching questions: Dare I hope? Who’s to blame? What do I do with my anger? Where’s God in this? These questions of doubt, guilt, intimacy, depression, and acceptance are ultimately questions of spirit.

This book is distinctive: it directly addresses the spiritual needs of the caregiver. It invites the reader to explore his or her own spiritual journey rather than offering pre-determined answers. Appropriate, both for people with faith and people without religion, it encourages dementia caregivers to probe their spiritual questions along with a sympathetic author, one who walked her husband through early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Beyond the Scripture, this book delves into all other aspects of the Episcopalian service, from the vestments and gestures to the church calendar, that result in a deeper appreciation of the faith.

The perfect book for newcomers who are often confused by the worship service, Welcome to Sunday is also an excellent book for those who have been sitting in the pews without fully understanding what happens on Sunday morning.

Episcopal priest Christopher Webber takes the reader from the sidewalk outside the church, guides them through the service, and sends them out again when the service has ended. Webber explains the postures, the Christian year, the colors we use during various seasons, and all the elements in the Service of the Eucharist.

As in Webber's very popular Welcome to the Episcopal Church, the tone of the easy-to-read book is conversational, making it useful for parish study.

Kid-friendly, illustrated primer on the sacrament of the Eucharist.

Jennie Turrell walked into All Saints’ Chapel on Good Friday, when her three-year-old son stopped her in the darkened doorway and quietly whispered, “Uh-oh.” At that moment, she realized that changes in the physical space of the liturgy mattered to him. She had been whispering in his ear during liturgies since he was a baby, but it wasn’t until that day that she knew he had been taking it all in—sights and sounds—all of it. In spite of squawking at inopportune times, crawling in the side aisle or narthex when sermons ran too long, drawing on the bulletin, dropping the heavy Book of Common Prayer on his toes, or standing on chairs, her son was present, aware, and sharing in the Eucharist.

This is how her little book for little hands came to life. Her son was a “consultant” on the book from beginning to end. An engaging book for children, ages 2 – 8, to follow the liturgy and participate in ways that are appropriate for them.

Help for teens struggling to reconcile complexity in the world and faith in God.

From the pandemic to polarized politics to school shootings, kids today face a reality that inevitably can lead to a wonder about why. Bad Things, Good People, and God offers help to teenagers as they think through one of the biggest and oldest questions of faith--why bad things happen. With stories from the Bible, a side-eye to some of the “classic” attempts at figuring all of this out, honest talk about sin and suffering, and hope for making sense of it all, this guide allows readers to explore, wonder, curse, lament, and ultimately find a sense of peace around the question of evil.

Bestselling YA novelist Bryan Bliss turns his hand to a challenging topic teenagers don't want a simple answer for—they want to know what's at stake, how it affects the world, and what difference they can make.

New Episcopalians may be nervous about opening the Bible; others simply don't know how to begin. An often-overlooked gift of the Episcopal Church is that the texts and doctrines of the Bible are embedded in its prayers, liturgies, and creeds. Making that knowledge explicit and placing it in context can open the way for further and more in-depth study.

The old way of “being church” is being replaced by something new and beautiful for those with the eyes, ears, heart, and soul to experience it.

Prolific author Greg Garrett reminds Episcopalians of the many gifts that our tradition can offer a doubting and hurting world. He reveals a church that values intellect, beauty, diversity, and community, and promotes thoughtful engagement with questions of faith, ethics, and community. This church espouses a generous orthodoxy, welcoming left and right, mystic and doubter. It values education, social justice, and engagement with
literature and culture. And in opposition to the radical individualism espoused by most of American Protestantism, it offers the unique gift of a tradition shaped by English culture that believes the individual is a part of her or his community—not in opposition to it.

An easy-to-understand explanation of the liturgy in all its aspects for the uninitiated.

In this clear and concise work, respected liturgical theologian James W. Farwell provides a basic introduction to the liturgy of the Episcopal Church. He explains what happens when and why in straightforward terms for newcomers who have no prior knowledge of liturgical matters. The Liturgy Explained will be immensely edifying for veteran worshippers in the Episcopal Church.

Considering how essential fundraising is to ministry, many church leaders remain terrified of asking for or talking about money. Fearless Church Fundraising removes the terror from stewardship, urging leaders to focus on deep spiritual conversion and a clear, compelling mission before they design the pledge cards. In this rich resource part handbook, part workbook, part spiritual guidebook former monk and popular consultant Charles LaFond combines road-tested strategies and sample campaign documents with a spiritual director's sensitivity. The result is an irresistible, user-friendly text that promises to transform your ministry's fundraising and its spiritual life.

A theological explanation and practical handbook for those preparing for a diaconate in today’s church.

All too often the time spent as a deacon is seen simply as the prelude to priestly ordination. Yet the Bible defines three orders of ministry - deacon, priest, and bishop - each with its own distinctive characteristics and responsibilities. In Being A Deacon Today, Brown explores the three places where deacons minister (the church, the world, and at the margins), the three strands of their ministry (in liturgy, in pastoral care, and as catechists), and the three actions of their ministry (praying, loving, and remembering).

This book, excellent for classroom use and for transitional and permanent deacons, will restore a fuller understanding of the diaconal ministry and nurture deacons in their work and spiritual life.

The driving question: How do Episcopalians decide the right thing to do?

In volume five, Scott Bader-Saye, Academic Dean and Professor of Christian Ethics and Moral Theology at Seminary of the Southwest, examines the moral life through the lens of the Episcopal Church and its traditions. Beginning with an introduction to ethics in a changing world, Bader-Saye helps the reader move past the idea that we either accept cultural change as a whole or reject it whole, suggesting that we need to make discriminating judgments about where to affirm change and where to resist it.

Part I looks at distinctive aspects of the Episcopal ethos, noting that “ethics” comes from “ethos,” and so has to do with habits and enculturation of a particular people. Topics include creation, incarnation, holiness, sacrament, scripture, and “via media.” Part II looks at big moral questions: Who am I? Why am I here? What are good and evil? What are right and wrong? Part III examines how an Episcopal approach might shape a typical day by examining Morning Prayer and Compline as moral formation, in between discussing work, eating, and playing. Each part begins by analyzing cultural assumptions, asking what should be affirmed and what resisted about contemporary context, setting the stage for discussion in subsequent chapters.

Harmoniously blending actionable advice and spiritual insight, a renowned writing mentor gives women the tools they need to discover their voice—and themselves—on the page.

Step into an extraordinary voyage of self-discovery with Robin Finn's life-altering guide. Crafted with the female experience at its core, this transformative compendium unlocks the keys to individual expression within all of us.

Beginning with HEART, readers engage with an empowering space to reevaluate and dismiss self-limiting beliefs about personal worth. Transitioning seamlessly, SOUL offers a therapeutic haven fostering creativity, leading to PEN, a treasure trove imparting profound insights on showcasing work and appreciating personal value. Endorsed by accomplished authors, seasoned therapists, and esteemed physicians, Finn’s method is an essential companion for women yearning to reconnect with their voice and embrace their inherent worth. Novice or experienced writers alike will find a wellspring of inspiration, guidance, and empowerment. But even for those simply feeling voiceless, this book shines as a beacon, unveiling a path towards personal reawakening.

Inspired by the acclaimed program sharing its name, Heart. Soul. Pen. has already brought about a sea change in innumerable lives. Now, it extends an invitation to anyone on the transformative journey that is unlocking one’s true potential as a writer.