SPCK Publishing

'With their diverse skills and experience, self-supporting ministers are a gift to the Church. John Lees' challenging volume celebrates the importance and dedication of volunteer clergy, offering practical guidance on their development and support, so SSMs may contribute creatively and strategically to the demands of a changing world.'
The Rt Revd Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London

Self-supporting ministers are wonderfully non-standard. They are deployed in a wide variety ofways and have a range of motivations, working patterns and training needs. Sometimes underused or overworked, they may feel unrecognized and under-supported. As the Church turns increasingly to its volunteer minsters, however, there are encouraging signs that SSMs are being given more creative opportunities than in the past.

'This handbook is full of sound common sense... [it] is both an encouragement and a challenge in the task of re-imagining ministry today.'
Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter

A full-text keepsake baby Bible featuring illustrated pages to record all the precious moments and blessings in your baby's first few years. This is the perfect gift for welcoming a newborn baby, a baby shower or a special gift for a christening, baptism or dedication.

Beautifully designed pages throughout the Bible provide space to record family members, birth details and baby's milestones from first measurements and first tooth to first steps and first words. Celebrate the blessings as your baby grows and treasure the special events and occasions of their life's journey.

Features include:
Presentation page for gift-giving
24 designed pages placed throughout the Bible to record memories
Ribbon marker for easy referencing
Complete text of the New Living Translation anglicised version

The New Living Translation is a clear and easy-to-read version that is accessible to children as they grow either to be read to or begin to read themselves. The NLT's guiding principle is to render words and phrases as simply and literally as possible when that approach yields an accurate, consistent and natural English text. The result is a translation that is accessible, exegetically accurate and powerful, making it ideally suitable for families to use.

'If poems were gifts, and in many ways they are, children will find plenty to absorb and amuse them in this bulging stocking of an anthology.'
Roger McGough

From traditional verses by Christina Rossetti and William Blake to modern classics by Julia Donaldson and Benjamin Zephaniah, this heart-warming Christmas anthology will delight children and adults of all ages.

All the wonders of the season are captured in 100 Best Christmas Poems for Children. Perfect for reading aloud with all the family or for children aged 8-12 to read to themselves, there are verses that will encourage you to reflect on the Christmas themes of joy, hope and peace for all the world, while also savouring the festive fun of everything else that Christmas brings - from the opening of the first Advent window to the tidying away of all the decorations on Twelfth Night.

Edited and introduced by beloved poet Roger McGough, this enchanting children’s poetry book make a wonderful gift and keepsake and will be cherished by all who read it. Children will gain an appreciation for language and storytelling as the magic of Christmas is brought to life by this anthology that they’ll return to over and over again each year.

For girls who want to know where we can find our true value, beauty and purpose.

Are you looking for a book that challenges us to question where we've got our ideas about beauty and identity from? Are you looking to find the identity God created you for?

We learn that our value doesn't come from our grades, our body shape, our past, or the number of likes on our latest social media post.

We girls know what it's like to feel inadequate. Despite our best efforts, we constantly compare ourselves to the models in magazines, the selfies we see on Instagram, and even our closest friends.But we're worth so much more than what we tell ourselves.

'More Than Just Pretty' teaches us about our value that doesn't come from our grades, our body shape, our past, or the number of likes on our latest social media post. We're so much more than just pretty. We're pretty funny, pretty kind, pretty ambitious, and all round pretty great. And it's time we knew it as written in 'More Than Just Pretty'.

Join Jessie and discover even more about who you are, and who you're created to be.

'Lively, fresh and innovative retellings, these fabulous tales of the young Joseph are an absolute delight.'
Alexa Tewkesbury, children's author

Joseph used to live on a farm in the land of Canaan with his dad, stepmothers, eleven brothers and lots and lots of cows! His jealous brothers sold him as a slave and now he lives in Egypt.

After Mrs Potiphar lied about him, Joseph has been thrown into prison, with only his imaginary cows to keep him company. Soon he's joined by a butler and a baker, who used to work for Pharoah. The butler and the baker have strange dreams. Can Joseph work out what they mean?

'Read this book, and then rethink everything else.' Danielle Strickland

'A feast of insight and reflection on what just leadership should look like.' The Rt Reverend Dr Jonathan Gibbs

'This book will change the way you lead.' The Rt Reverend Dr Emma Ineson, Bishop of Penrith

'A book that should be on the shelves of every leader today.' The Reverend Will van der Hart

From #MeToo scandals to revelations of spiritual abuse atrocities in the Church, we've watched too many leaders let us down. What went wrong for these leaders? And more importantly, how can we get it right?

Just Leadership offers advice and guidance to empower leaders everywhere to make a difference and answer the call for a fairer, more transparent, more equal society. Drawing on their combined decades of experience in leadership and safeguarding, Justin Humphreys and Simon Barrington explore what it means for a leader to be just, and provide practical ways improve your leadership skills and create a just and open environment.

Across the world, there is a heart cry for justice – but often the fight is too focused on the wider cause, bypassing conversations about individual leaders across our churches, organisations, charities and communities.

Just Leadership is for every leader - whether you are in Church or other Christian leadership, business or professional leadership or even a leader within your local community - who wants to build their skills and start leading the way to a better future.

This hugely heartening book on hope will galvanise readers into looking at the world and the challenges we're facing in a new way.

It gathers together a fantastic range of lively, up-and-coming writers who are willing to dig deep. Here they write passionately about what gives them hope, in reflections including Seeds of unity, A beautiful and messy awakening, Kingdom diplomacy across faiths, A vision for hope in politics, Wild paths of peace and Hope in suffering.

Wild Bright Hope urges us not only to embrace a more hopeful perspective, but also to consider how we ourselves might play a full part in bringing in the kingdom of God.

'Deeply grounded, practical and real.' Margaret Silf, author and spiritual explorer

Isn't a deep prayer life only for religious specialists?

In this introduction to the spiritual life, Gemma Simmonds shows that everyone can find prayer a rewarding experience. She explores the story and prayer tradition of Ignatius of Loyola, together with the contribution of the seventeenth-century Yorkshire woman, Mary Ward.

A guide for Lent and the rest of the year, The Way of Ignatius helps us to pray with the Scriptures in an imaginative way. To aid reflection and discussion, there are questions at the end of each chapter.

'In this wonderful book, Gemma Simmonds explores the method of prayer developed by St Ignatius in a way that makes this profound approach to prayer accessible . . . I highly recommend this book.' Ian Mobsby, Anglican priest, writer, speaker and Prior, Wellspring New Monastic Community, Peckham, London

'If you are looking for insightful and encouraging spiritual reading, you have found your book! . . . Gemma Simmonds invites us to be pilgrims in the company of Jesus, Ignatius and Mary Ward.' Kevin O'Brien SJ, author, The Ignatian Adventure: Experiencing the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius in daily life

Maybe Jesus was joking, the disciples didn't know what they were doing and the New Testament is a lot funnier than you might think.

You would think it weird if someone suddenly ascended into heaven, right? Reading between the lines, do we detect a touch of rivalry between Peter and John? And surely the lack of parables in the latter's mystical tome is simply crying out to be redressed...

In this sparklingly witty book, BBC sitcom writer James Cary gives us a new and liberating way of looking at the gospel as he entertainingly relates it to a modern context, with references ranging from Charles Dickens to The Vicar of Dibley. Cheerfully playing around with the text, he takes the Bible seriously but allows us to laugh at our own petty vanities and foibles - and be enlightened in the process.

The Gospel According to a Sitcom Writer is ideal for anyone wanting to liven up their Bible reading and looking for new ways to be thrilled by this sacred text. It's also perfect for priests, pastors, youth leaders and all those involved in ministry and giving sermons, as James Cary shows using comedy and humour is a brilliant way to communicate the gospel.

Warm, funny and full of brilliant insight and Christian humour, The Gospel According to a Sitcom Writer will make you laugh out loud and shake your head in awe. You'll never read the Bible the same way again.

Advent is celebrated when the year is becoming darker and colder, moving into the death and dormancy of winter.

Before we can greet the coming of the light, we need to engage with some themes that are challenging and occasionally fearful. Like the Magi who travelled a long distance to search out and adore the infant Jesus, and who took some wrong turns on the way, we too have a journey to undertake before we find that we have

'Walked haphazard by starlight straight
Into the kingdom of heaven.'
U. A. Fanthorpe, BC:AD

Haphazard by Starlight is a companion volume to Janet Morley's bestselling Lent book, The Heart's Time, which delighted readers with its thoughtfully chosen selection of poems and its biblically sensitive commentaries.

Here, the reader is given an opportunity to engage in a pilgrimage of the heart, through Advent and Christmas to the feast of the Epiphany. Each day - from 1 December to 6 January - offers a poem (sometimes explicitly Christian, often not) and an accessible commentary that is both critically informed and devotional in intent.

The poets represented include Rowan Williams, Elizabeth Jennings, Edwin Muir, Philip Larkin, Jane Kenyon, Gillian Clarke, George Herbert, T. S. Eliot, Sylvia Plath, Emily Dickinson, Waldo Williams, P. J. Kavanagh, Ruth Fainlight, William Blake and many more.

Readings for Funerals is a perceptive collection of Bible quotations, poems, hymns and prose, offering consolation and comfort to those bereaved. It helps them to express their thoughts and feelings and make them more confident in planning a funeral service and dealing with clergy.

Featuring the writing of, amongst others, W. H. Auden, Simon Armitage, Wendy Cope, T. S. Eliot and Joyce Grenfell, it is suitable for use at secular funerals, celebrations of a life and church services.

This book follows the style of the highly successful Readings for Weddings which has sold over 7,000 copies.

Travelling in his early years with his artist father in the United States, France and England, Thomas Merton prided himself on his worldly accomplishments. His year at Clare College, Cambridge, was indulgent, and although Columbia University to which he went next suited his temperament better, it did nothing to assuage his restlessness.

Gradually Merton recognized his need for faith and became a Catholic. With his baptism he began entertaining thoughts of monasticism but his desire to enter the priesthood in a Franciscan monastery came to nothing, and he remained a lay teaching member of the order for some time. However, when he was twenty-seven he made a retreat to a Trappist monastery in Kentucky. This momentous experience convinced him that the silence of the Cistercian Order was what he craved.

The Seven Storey Mountain tells the story of Merton's search for faith and peace in a world which first fascinated and then appalled him. It is written with the profound insight of a man who has seen himself clearly.

'The Seven Storey Mountain is a book one reads with a pencil so as to make it one’s own.'
Graham Greene

'A remarkable book, a classic of its kind, written in a vivid, rich and alert style which ranges from crisp vernacular to passionate eloquence, full of picturesque incident and passing at times into religious ecstasy.'
The Times Literary Supplement

'A book which may well prove to be of permanent interest in the history of religious experience.'
Evelyn Waugh

The Song of Songs is a short, beautiful but currently neglected book of the Bible. Whilst acknowledging it's fascinating portrayal of human love and longing for love, this unusual book explores the possibility of drawing on the mystics and the poets to read the book at a more profound level as a resource for contemplative prayer.

Aims to present the Song of Songs as a resource for contemplative prayer. From its recorded beginning before Christ, this biblical poem was widely, and in fact exclusively, interpreted both by Jews and Christians as a hymn of God's passionate love for his chosen people.

The Song of Songs is however a mysterious book, and the more modern reading of it as a celebration of human erotic love has largely displaced this older interpretation. Here, the author presents a contemporary mystical reading, with reference to some later Christian poetry, including John Donne, George Herbert, Gerald Manley Hopkins, and R. S. Thomas.

'Be encouraged by Bishop Emma's advice and inspired by her wisdom and humour.' JUSTIN WELBY, ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY

Counting things is very much on the table at the moment. But what is the theology around notions of ambition and success? Why do they sit so uncomfortably in a Christian context? After all, growth is not the preserve of big business when viewed through the lens of the story of God and his people. So, we need to ask, what is right about ambition for the Christian leader? And what were Jesus' views?

Inevitably (because everything interesting is paradoxical), success and failure are close bedfellows. The single most successful event in the history of humankind - the victory of love over sin and death - looked very much like one man, naked, shamed and abandoned by most of his followers, hanging on a cross.

If we keep a vision of the Kingdom of God at the centre of all we do, we cannot go far wrong. This lively and liberating book includes a brilliant take on Jesus' teaching in 'The Beatitudes for Ambitious Leaders'. Here Emma Ineson describes key spiritual dispositions that will enable us - whether in the church or living out our vocation elsewhere - to do just that.

'The most important bits are here!'
Jeremy Vine

Highly readable and filled with dynamic illustrations, The Bible in a Flash is the perfect children's Bible to introduce young readers aged 8-10 to God's Word.

This abridged version of the NLT Children's Bible will take children on an expedition through the most famous Bible stories from Genesis to Revelation, so they can see how the story of the Bible fits together. The clear, easy-to-read New Living Translation text is ideal for primary school aged children beginning to read by themselves, or for families to read together with younger children at bedtime or story-time.

The Bible in a Flash is composed entirely from the words of the Bible itself, and also features biblical poems, prayers and teachings. Children will gain new insight into how many familiar Bible stories make up one seamless tale from creation to the end of time, enabling them to engage with faith and church in a fresh way.

With fun, energetic illustrations from Becka Moor bringing to life beloved Bible characters and scenes on every page, this is a children's Bible that will captivate a new generation of readers as they discover the amazing Bible stories that can be read a bit at a time - or all the way through in a flash!

'Read this for the chapter on Hillsborough alone' JEREMY VINE

'Makes a powerful plea for the "earthing" of God's vision of justice' BARONESS HALE

'A plentiful source of comfort, strength and, most importantly, hope' ANDY BURNHAM

For twenty-five years, Bishop James Jones has been working on the frontlines to try and create a more just and merciful world. In Justice for Christ's Sake, he reflects on the work he has been a part of and the ways in which justice and faith go hand in hand.

With touching honesty, he tells of his time as a Bishop and his role on three key independent panels into matters of national conscience - including chairing the panel that investigated the Hillsborough Disaster of 1989, when ninety-six Liverpool football fans tragically lost their lives. All the dimensions of justice that James has experienced - environmental, social, racial, political and judicial - are vividly conveyed, as he offers up the lessons he has learned in his search for a better, fairer way to live and how the answers might be found in the teachings of Jesus.

Justice for Christ's Sake is a remarkable and fascinating Christian memoir, that offers a unique perspective on some of the most significant inquiries of the last three decades. It is a book that encourages us all in our longing for justice, with insight born from first-hand experience, and will leave you with a better of understanding of events that have shaped conversations on justice in Britain.

Most of us long deep down for a fairer world, however selfishly we may act on occasions. James Jones reassures us that we are not alone and that we can all be part of the fight for justice for Christ's sake.

'Sister Wendy’s deep and insightful commentaries are utterly unique. You will want this splendid book for yourself but also to give to others.' Delia Smith

Hailed by The New York Times in 1997 as 'the most unlikely and famous art critic in the history of television', Sister Wendy Beckett went on to present numerous TV documentaries and published over thirty popular books on art history and appreciation.

Shortly before she died in December 2018, and nearly thirty years on from her first book, Sister Wendy was working with SPCK on an anthology of her all-time favourite paintings. The result is this enthralling collection, which will delight her many fans all over the world while also inspiring a new generation of art lovers as they develop their understanding of the depths and subtleties of some of the world's greatest works of art.

Ten silly Santas
At the north North Pole
One Santa cracked the ice
And fell down through a hole.

Find out what happened to the nine other silly Santas in this brand-new, fun-filled collection of Christmas poems for children.

Written by one of the nation's favourite children’s poets, Ten Silly Santas captures both the joy and the angst of the Christmas season - making you laugh out loud while also prompting you to quietly reflect on the mystery that lies at the heart of it all.

'Great poems. Lovely book!'
Charlie Mackesy

This is a book for all preachers (of any denomination), be they ordained, readers, students preparing for a preaching ministry, or lay people called on to deliver a sermon from time to time.

In his introduction, David Day describes the ambivalence in churches about preaching. He goes on to help preachers construct and deliver addresses that draw the practice closer to the high theology we hold of the sermon as the 'word of God'. The author believes that the best and most effective preaching is biblical, and several chapters focus on how to draw our message authentically from scripture. He also gives plenty of practical help on the craft of preaching. And in doing so, he is courageous enough to expose some of his own sermons as examples of good or (occasionally) bad practice, as well as sermons from fifty or so preachers who are equally brave in offering their own efforts.

'David Day is a superb communicator. His style is economical, vivid, subtle and clear, and he uses those gifts to help others discover their own voice.'
Anvil

'This is perhaps the best book I have ever been asked to review. It is practical, packed with relevant exercises, clear, non-technical and often very funny.'
The Reader

A delightful retelling of the story of Daniel in the Lions' Den, especially for under 5s.

It features full-colour photographic spreads of the characters from the award-winning Big Bible Storybook.

This board book is perfectly sized for small hands, with short text for a parent or carer to read to the child.

The book of Acts recounts the birth of the Church and the ministry of the earliest disciples. It is arguably one of the most exciting books in the New Testament; it tells of a shipwreck, a prison escape and political squabbles.

The book of Acts also occupies a place of critical importance in the New Testament. The Gospels tell us about the earthly ministry of Jesus of Nazareth while Acts continues the story of the people who believed in him. It thus bridges the gap between the Jesus of history and the Jesus of faith. It is an immensely valuable historical record of the early Church, a rich source of theological wisdom and a powerful testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit.

In this helpful guide, the section-by-section commentary draws out the historical, theological and pastoral significance of the biblical text. There are also four theological essays that highlight the relevance of the book of Acts today. Clear and helpful maps and study suggestions at the end of each chapter make A Commentary on Acts ideal for students on Biblical Study courses, and for anyone wishing to learn more about this thrilling New Testament book.

Florence Nightingale is remembered in history for the part she played in nursing wounded soldiers during the Crimean War and is often credited as the founder of modern nursing.

In this brand new introduction, Lynn McDonald explores the social, political and religious factors that formed the original context of her life and writings such as her faith in a secular world, the Crimean War and the founding of a new profession, before considering how those factors affected the way she was initially received before turning to the intellectual and cultural 'afterlife' of Florence Nightingale.

Part One: The History (What do we know?) This brief historical introduction to Florence Nightingale explores the social, political and religious factors that formed the original context of her life and writings, and considers how those factors affected the way she was initially received. What was her impact on the world at the time and what were the key ideas and values connected with her?

Part Two: The Legacy (Why does it matter?) This second part explores the intellectual and cultural 'afterlife' of Florence Nightingale, and considers the ways in which her impact has lasted and been developed in different contexts by later generations. Why is she still considered important today? In what ways is her legacy contested or resisted? And what aspects of her legacy are likely to continue to influence the world in the future?

The book has a brief chronology at the front plus a list of further reading at the back.

In the third book in the series, Joseph finds himself in Egypt and is sold to a very important man called Potiphar.

Potiphar is very busy and his servants are very lazy - as a result his house is a mess! With the help of his ever-helpful cow companions, Joseph soon takes charge and has things spick-and-span in no time.

There's only one problem - and that is Mrs Potiphar, who is jealous of Joseph. What scrapes will Joseph get into next?

A valuable resource for clergy and those looking to study the words from the Eucharist this book tackles the questions and meanings behind the language of Common Worship.

Popular author Paula Gooder and liturgical expert Michael Perham come together to bring wisdom and insight to the words so familiar to many.

The book takes the shape of the texts as they are found in Common Worship and includes brief reflections on each section.

'The Peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and the love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.'

The Book of Common Prayer, with local variations, is still used in churches inside and outside the Anglican Communion in over 50 countries and in over 150 languages.

The Rise and Fall of the Incomparable Liturgy is the first study to trace the evolution and reception of the BCP, from the Elizabethan settlement of 1559 to the Royal Commission report of 1906, when work on a new prayer book was begun.

Written by a world authority, here is an illuminating and highly readable account of the ascent and decline of a world classic, which still informs our common language as well as much of the great literature of the past four centuries. It will appeal not only to students of liturgy but also to general readers interested in history, literature, theology and cultural studies.

The New Living Translation is an authoritative version of scripture, rendered faithfully into today's English by an international team of over 90 leading biblical scholars.

The translation conveys the message of the original texts in clear, contemporary language. Its guiding principle is to render words and phrases as simply and literally as possible when that approach yields an accurate, consistent and natural English text, thus preserving literary devices, metaphors and word choices that give structure and provide meaningful connections between different passages.

The result is a translation that is both exegetically accurate and idiomatically powerful, making it eminently suitable for both private and public use.

Features:
- 8.15 point More Pro font
- Two-column layout with 12mm margins
- Printed laminated gloss binding
- Lay-flat binding
- Soft tone, debossed cover
- White paper with printed endpapers and ribbon

This clear and practical approach will enable anyone to read the Bible better.

Tackles the key questions that people ask about the Bible. Courteous and humorous style helps break through preconceptions. Explains all its references (and, indeed, how the Bible is referred to).

Suitable for individual use or in study or book groups Bible reading for everyone - that's what this book offers! It will speak to those who already read the Bible but find themselves asking why; and to those who don't read the Bible but would like to if only it weren't so strange.

It explains what the Bible is, offers an overview of what is found in it, and addresses questions people ask, such as: Does science disprove the Bible? Why is there so much violence in the Bible? What does the Bible say about sex?

The author also presents an account of reading the Bible in the context of a life of faith and suggests how the Bible might be integrated with a life of prayer.

Starting in the first century with St Paul and ending in the twentieth with St Oscar Romero, Rowan Williams invites you to reflect with him on the lives and legacies of twenty great Christians - saints, martyrs, poets, theologians and social reformers.

Their stories and writings have profoundly influenced his own life and thought, and this sequence of short reflections is sure to sharpen your theological vision and cast a fresh light on what it means to live and breathe the gospel.

Included among these 'luminaries' are Augustine of Hippo, William Tyndale, Teresa of Avila, Charles Dickens, Florence Nightingale, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Simone Weil.

Let these brilliant meditations light your way as you follow the footsteps of the faithful who have gone before.

With an introduction by Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh, The Way of a Pilgrim presents one of Russia's greatest spiritual classics of Christian truth in prose of genuine beauty.

In The Way of a Pilgrim, an unknown pilgrim describes his wanderings through mid-nineteenth century Russia and Siberia, from one holy place to another, in search of the way of prayer.

R.M. French's superb translation conveys the charm of the original text, as well as brilliantly communicating the spiritual truths of the gospel. In the much-loved sequel, The Pilgrim Continues His Way, the narrator shares more of his story, as desire burns within him to discover deeper experiences of prayer, and to draw closer to the heart of God.

At a time when there are often as many adults as young people preparing for confirmation, the concept of notes written in adult language, which the younger candidate can grow into, is particularly appropriate for today's needs.

The growing number of adult study groups, working through mutual questioning within group discussions, will find it helpful to have these clear succinct notes about the content of Christian belief and practice.

Few books have been more influential in confirmation preparation than Hugh Montefiore's 'Confirmation Notebook', written while he was vicar of the University Church in Cambridge.

After five editions, with nineteen printings of the fifth edition alone, the notebook is now in a handy pocket-sized format that includes space at the end of each chapter for notes. Existing chapters have been updated and, in most cases, enlarged, while new chapters have been added on 'Common Worship', Christian festivals and fasts, Christian responsibilities, Christian behaviour, and the Christian view on sex and marriage.

A practical book that outlines (at a lay level) current thinking on child development and spirituality, and brings them together to propose effective ways to work with children in the church.

This book engages with the ideas of Godly Play, an approach developed by Jerome Berryman in the US and gaining ground and enthusiasts among those involved in faith development here, and puts them into a UK context.

The grounding in theory and the case histories from the author's own work fill out a rounded picture.

Explore a comprehensive book that connects child development theories with spirituality, providing insights and methods for nurturing children's faith in church environments.

'Martin's book is the delighted exclamation of someone who has learnt - is learning - to swim in the ocean that is Orthodoxy: "Come on in; it is lovely here!"' Andrew Louth

Until now, there has been little in the way of an accessible guide for those who seek to become or live as Orthodox Christians. A new convert himself, Martin Dudley is familiar with the questions, feelings and challenges that arise.

He explains that, to grasp Orthodoxy, we must think and act as the Orthodox do. This involves suspending the Western analytical tendency and allowing free rein to the synthetic tendency, which enables us to detect a unity and perceive, however dimly, the interaction between the parts and the whole in relation to God and the Church.

The author draws on a wealth of material, from the Church Fathers to straight-talking Mother Thekla, to explore the essentials of belief. He provides guidance on participating in the Liturgy, the requirements for fasting, confession and Orthodox prayer.

In celebrating the culture of Orthodoxy - shaped by many different ethnicities and languages, gloriously expressed in art, music and literature - this volume fully conveys the rigour and joy of becoming and being Orthodox.

Spend a month in the company of Julian of Norwich, with sixty-two reflections to enrich your mornings and evenings.

Julian of Norwich was a fourteenth-century mystic whose writings vividly convey the love of God and his presence in suffering.

These 62 readings help you bookend the day with deep contemplation.

'According to her vision of God, he . . . has always been imparting unconditional love.' - Janina Ramirez, from Julian of Norwich: A very brief history

'This series helps us to be properly nurtured by the living, radical Christian tradition of faith.' - Mark Oakley, author and Dean of St John's College, Cambridge

In a world where the Church is faced with declining attendances, financial constraints and a shortage of clergy, is it possible to release a new vitality and energy?

According to Robin Greenwood, if, as a Church, we can let go of the idea that we are marginalized, we can become much more confident, boldly discovering diverse and holistic ways of re-imaging the Church.

When faced with diminishing congregations, instead of looking for someone to blame we can ask: 'What is there which is hopeful and fully alive, speaking of the liberating power of God? What can we offer to people and society who are searching for meaning in daily work and relation-ships?

There exists within the Church a damaging split between clergy and laity, with laity being seen as somehow inferior. What is needed is to recapture the original concept of laity as being 'all God's people' or the royal priesthood of all believers.

In this book, Robin Greenwood argues that in the Local Ministry movement every Christian person has a gift to offer. Everyone in their particular charism, and integrated with everyone else, is set free to do what is necessary for the Church to be Church. The Local Ministry movement gives a freedom to explore the many connections between faith and life, emphasizing how to have a sense of well-being, celebration, hope and enjoyment. It is in working together in a collaborative ministry that it is possible to halt the decline and renew the Church.

'Carefully edited, this beautiful little volume is a rare gem . . . highly recommended for anyone seeking new inspiration in prayer.' The Reader

Such is the far-reaching influence of the modern mystic Evelyn Underhill that she is commemorated liturgically by the Church of England on 15 June. Her best-known book, Mysticism, was widely read in the first half of the twentieth century and her work continues to have great impact on the theology of contemporary spiritual writers, such as Richard Rohr.

Between 1924 and 1938, Evelyn Underhill compiled two personal prayer books for use when conducting spiritual retreats at Pleshey (the retreat house for the diocese of Chelmsford). The prayers were carefully selected and include quotes from a variety of theologians and writers in Christian spirituality, as well as her own very rich, metaphorical and theologically deep prayers.

These collections are now available for the first time.

Is it possible to be a Christian and a feminist?

The hot topic of feminism has been well documented and debated in mainstream media and yet, as Christians we come to the conversation from a slightly different vantage point. For starters, we have the benefit of a personal relationship with our creator plus the ultimate handbook in the Bible to work out what is right and just when it comes to equality. So why do many Christians feel the Bible presents a barrier rather than a boost when it comes to championing equality between the sexes?

Lauren Windle draws upon her years as a journalist to weave together a wide range of voices on a subject that society has been wrestling with but, in the Church, few are brave enough to probe too deeply for fear of what they might find. This book isn't here to tell you what to think. The views it presents are intended to inform, not form, your opinion on key topics, including: defining feminism, the lessons we teach boys, female preachers, a woman's place in the household, beauty standards and #ChurchToo.

Notes On Feminism features contributions from several high-profile women:

- Writer and model Katie Piper on true beauty
- Olympian Abigail Irozuru on women's bodies
- Comedian Cassandra Maria on why people think women aren't funny
- Author Tiffany Bluhm on why people don't believe women
- Journalist Delphine Chui on why she isn't a feminist.

If feminist stirrings feel like a barrier to your faith, let Notes on Feminism help you unpick the confusion and ongoing debate, while keeping God at the centre.

What are clergy for?

In this lively and provocative volume, Alan Billings argues that they serve the mission and ministry of the Church, which is to make God possible.

In each new era, how to carry out this mission effectively will vary, as the Church seeks to respond to changes in society and culture, but it is likely to involve clergy in a refocusing of their ministry.

Part 1 of Making God Possible looks at recent cultural shifts and the challenges they present to Christianity in the twenty-first century.

Part 2 explores some of the models of ministry which have been found in the Church in the past and which continue to exercise an influence: classical (the parson); evangelical (the minister); catholic (the priest), and utility (the social activist and personal therapist).

The author skilfully draws out those things of lasting importance and value in each model that might contribute towards the renewal of the ordained ministry today.

A short guide to the origins, structure and values of the Churches of the worldwide Anglican Communion.

Paul Avis explains and clarifies the history and theology involved, and introduces concepts in a structured way, making the book clear to those who may be coming to these issues for the first time. It is also an invaluable aide-memoire and reference tool for the specialist, presenting a clear outline of the structure, form, function, disposition and beliefs of the Church.

The 2nd edition is more up-to-date in its examples and refers to developments such as Fresh Expressions, women bishops and the Anglican Covenant, and is also more reader-friendly, with questions for reflection or discussion and suggestions for further reading.

But Where Are You Really From? is a thought-provoking book about identity from CEO of Christian Aid, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi. Through telling the story of her experience as a Christian black woman with Zambian heritage, born and living in the UK, she explores issues of race and culture and how it feels to be judged on skin colour when identity is made up of so many things.

Until we share and make time to listen to a diversity of stories, dangerous assumptions will persist. This little book offers a challenge to those assumptions and polarising perceptions while celebrating the universal connections we all share. Read it, and discover a new perspective on identity, humanhood and hope.

But Where Are You Really From? is a book for anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the current race and cultural transformation that is happening across the world today. A powerful story from the voice of a successful black woman, navigating the search for identity against a backdrop of faith, humanity and hope that needs to be heard.

AWARD: CRT Biography of the year 2025!

'The late South African president Nelson Mandela once famously declared, "It always seems impossible until it is done." His words could easily have been applied to the life of Rose Hudson-Wilkin... there is a genuine exuberance in her narration that is both contagious and inspiring.'
THE MOST REVD MICHAEL B. CURRY, XXVII PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, from the foreword

The Girl from Montego Bay is the autobiography of trailblazer Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Britain's first black woman bishop, who has been right at the heart of a changing nation for over forty years.

As a student, Rose had a poster over her desk that read: 'Do not go where the path leads. Instead, go where there is no path and leave a trail.'

And she does! Offering eye-opening insights into her humble and challenging beginnings in Jamaica, Rose charts her call to train as an evangelist at the Church Army College in London, where she met her future husband, Ken. Captivatingly open to the nudging of the Spirit, Rose simply has a go at everything that comes her way. The discrimination she's faced, due to her gender and minority-ethnic background, is very real. Yet Rose's infectious energy and humour shine through stories of her beloved Hackney, the ten years she ministered to (sometimes wayward) colleagues in Parliament, and her joy at playing a major role in the Coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla in 2023.

Rose discloses that if there's one thing she would like to see change in her lifetime, it's that accomplishments like hers stop being 'firsts' and simply become normal.

Appointed MBE in the 2020 New Year Honors for 'services to young people and the Church', and listed in the 2020 and 2021 Power list of the 100 the most influential people in the UK of African/African-Caribbean descent, Rose discloses that if there’s one thing she would like to see change in her lifetime, it's that accomplishments like hers stop being 'firsts' and simply become normal.

Some Daily Prayers for Church of England People - the product of decades of parish ministry - hits the spot in many crucial areas.

Laid out in a way that makes a daily pattern of prayer possible and sustainable, it has a wealth of common-sense teaching about faith and the practice of it, and an imaginative and catholic selection of material.

Over 100,000 copies sold since first publication, and a perfect confirmation present.

'I cannot recommend this book too highly. It could be used as a gift to any kind of enquirer and searcher with complete confidence.'
Andrew Hawes, Warden, Edenham Retreat House

'A publishing phenomenon [that has] occupied the Church Times best-seller lists for many weeks.'
Church Times

The Malines Conversations are often described as a precursor to the theological dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion initiated after the Second Vatican Council.

The fruit of a friendship between a French priest and an English aristocrat, Cardinal Mercier's initial invitation in 1921 to a group of thinkers from both communions led to several rounds of discussion focused on issues that have long divided Catholics and Anglicans.

Since 2013, an informal and international group of Anglican and Catholic friends, known as the Malines Conversations Group, has been meeting annually for discussion and fellowship.

This volume represents the fruit of some of these conversations. The informal nature of the group allows for wide-ranging interrogation of diverse topics. The discussions acted as a kind of theological laboratory, enabling us to explore afresh some of the issues at stake both between and within our churches.

This volume of essays includes contributions from sacramental theologians, liturgists, ecclesiologists, historians and philosophers. Most are actively involved in Christian ministry.

Interspersed throughout are very short reflections from other theologians and Church leaders who have participated in the conversations as guests over the last decade.

In the words of Rowan Williams' epilogue, the hope and prayer of the contributors is that 'this celebration and exploration of the heritage of Malines [might] give us again the grace of being surprised by the gift of Catholic communion.'

'This book is electric. Meg Warner has that rare knack of using personal story to bring the biblical story to life... It makes for compulsive reading.'
Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury

You may think you know the story of Joseph, but this book will make you think again! It invites you to think deeply about Joseph’s character and how he responds to the traumatic events that threaten to overwhelm him. Lacing her commentary with telling anecdotes from her own life story, Meg Warner shows how a deeper understanding of Joseph's story can help you develop the vital quality of resilience: the will and the strength to endure life's hardships and rise above the effects of trauma whenever it may strike.

'With characteristic deftness, disarming honesty and exegetical skill, Meg Warner makes the story of Joseph a parable for our lives and times.'
Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, London

'A great read for individuals, this book is also an invaluable resource for groups.'
Liz Boase, University of Divinity, Australia

In this exhilarating book, John Pritchard reclaims the narrative power of the gospels by retelling well-known stories in vivid, imaginative language, and showing us how our own stories fit into the Christian story and can be transformed by it.

He takes key narratives like the visit of Mary to Elizabeth, the parable of the rich fool, and the Last Supper, and helps us to be part of them.

We are given the opportunity to see the people involved more clearly, not least of all Jesus himself - and so to consider whether we might live our own lives a little differently.

An ideal resource for anyone concerned to communicate the Christian faith in a lively, contemporary style, Living the Gospel Stories Today will prove no less helpful as an aid to personal meditation and group discussion.

'Two thousand and twenty years after the birth of Christ, we remain the children of the Christian revolution: the most disruptive, the most influential and the most enduring revolution in history.'
Tom Holland

It is often observed that no historical figure has had a greater impact on the world than Jesus Christ. Why is that? And what difference does his impact make to the world today?

It is also often said that Jesus was a 'revolutionary', and numerous books have appeared in recent years claiming just that - from the wild and sensational to the serious and respectable.

This book, written by influential authors reflecting a diversity of expertise and points of view, considers the claims that continue to be made about Jesus, whether by believers or nonbelievers.

Contributors:

Julian Baggini
Philosopher, journalist and co-founder of The Philosophers' Magazine. Author of The Godless Gospel: Was Jesus a Great Moral Teacher? (Granta 2020).

Terry Eagleton
Distinguished Professor of English Literature, Lancaster University. Author of Radical Sacrifice (Yale 2018).

Robin Gill
Emeritus Professor of Applied Theology, University of Kent. Editor of the journal Theology and of The Cambridge Companion to Christian Ethics (CUP 2011).

Amy-Jill Levine
University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies, Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Science. Author of The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus (HarperOne 2006).

Tarif Khalidi
Professor of Islamic and Arabic Studies, American University of Beirut; formerly Professor of Arabic and a fellow of King's College, Cambridge. Translator of The Qur'an (Penguin Classics 2013),and author The Muslim Jesus (Harvard 2003).

Nick Spencer
Senior Fellow, Theos, London Author of The Evolution of the West (SPCK 2016).

Joan E. Taylor
Professor of Christian Origins and Second Temple Judaism, King's College London. Author of What Did Jesus Look Like? (Bloomsbury 2018).

Rowan Williams
Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge and 104th Archbishop of Canterbury (2002-12). Author of God With Us: The meaning of the cross and resurrection - then and now (SPCK 2017).

A. N. Wilson
Novelist, journalist and broadcaster. Author of The Book of the People: How to read the Bible (Atlantic 2015).

An essential feature of successful counselling is the ability to listen and respond well to the information being given in an interview.

In this book, the author shows how this ability may take away the need for leading and advising, creating a counselling encounter that is constructive and helpful.

Leaders, whether clerical or lay, teachers or managers, doctors or social workers, frequently see their role as one of communication, but in the excitement of communicating, forget that theirs are not the only important voices.

The primary purpose of this book is to emphasize the necessity of learning to listen as well as to speak, and to respond to what is said and what is omitted.

'In this wonderful book, John Pritchard draws you into twenty of Jesus' most important questions, which ring as true today as ever they did. I loved it.' PAULA GOODER, CHANCELLOR OF ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL, LONDON

We usually think of Jesus as preaching and teaching, but throughout the gospels he is often asking questions - searching enquiries, that disarm the hearers into responding unreservedly and provide some of the most profound lessons in the New Testament.

But what were the questions that Jesus asked? And how can we learn from them today

Twenty Questions Jesus Asked explores just that. Over four distinct sections, John Pritchard explores twenty of Jesus' conversations by imagining the experience of those being questioned and reflecting on their significance for us as modern Christians.

With contemporary stories, questions for reflection and prayer exercises, Twenty Questions Jesus Asked is a brilliant book for both individual and small group use. With his characteristic grounded thoughtfulness, John Pritchard guides us through Jesus' questions and helps us better understand the lessons he was trying to impart, so that we can grow as disciples and apply Jesus' wisdom to every day life.

'An enjoyably pacey read.' Times Literary Supplement

'Eloquent... brilliant and very moving.' Paul Cartledge, Emeritus Professor of Greek culture, University of Cambridge

'On the morning of 6 October 1536, a frail scholar was taken from a dungeon in the castle at Vilvoorde, just north of Brussels. Armed guards kept the crowds at bay as he was led through the streets of the small town. He was to be burned. The funeral pyre, a wigwam stack of planks surmounted by a cross, was ready. Gunpowder would be thrown on the wood to encourage the flames. He was allowed a few moments of prayer. As a priest, prayer had been the keystone of his faith. After the brief pause, he walked up the steps to be tied to the cross. As he waited for the flames, he called out, "Lord, open the King of England's eyes!'

'This was William Tyndale, the man whose translation of the New Testament and much of the Old Testament was to bring about more profound changes to the English-speaking world over the next five centuries than the works of any other man in its history.'
From Chapter 1: Innocence and genius

This 14-month diary has a clear, spacious week-to-view layout, beginning with Sunday, that offers plenty of room for keeping track of appointments while still being a convenient pocket size that's easy to carry around. It also features two ribbon markers to keep your place throughout the year.

Beginning in December 2025 and running to January 2027, Church Pocket Book and Diary 2026 covers the entirety of the approaching Advent season. It also has the titles for all the Sundays throughout the church calendar and the dates of festivals to correspond with the Common Worship calendar, lectionary, and The Book of Common Prayer, making it an essential purchase for clergy and churchgoers wanting a Christian diary.

This little pocket diary includes pages at the back for personal memos, to-do lists, contact details, addresses, and telephone numbers alongside the complete Common Worship Calendar and Lectionary readings for Advent 2025 - Advent 2026 and includes the BCP scheme.

With information on every UK Anglican Diocese and those in the Republic of Ireland, plus the names and addresses of all major Christian societies, charities, and organisations covering all mainstream denominations, the Church Pocket Book and Diary 2026 is ideal for ministers and congregants needing to stay organised on to go.

This edition of the Church Pocket Book and Diary 2026 features a durable hardcover that will last you all year, and two matching ribbon markers.

'Jesus was a pest to the Romans and a threat to the religious leadership, so they threw him on to the rubbish dump. Little did they realize that it was like trying to put out a fire with petrol. The whole world exploded.'

With characteristic style, John Pritchard takes us on pilgrimage to the Holy Land, as he unpacks the five great events that made Christianity - Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost.

We explore:

What happened?
What did it mean?
What does it mean for us?
Absorbing, immediate and full of stories, this volume offers deeply considered theology, brilliantly communicated to connect with life as we actually experience it.

'Vividly elucidates the familiar but often not-quite-understood beliefs at the centre of the Christian faith.'
Dominic Barrington, Dean of Chicago

Praise for John Pritchard:
Rowan Williams on God Lost and Found: 'Unusually honest... superbly well focused.'
Justin Welby on Living Faithfully: 'A very good book by an exceptional leader... takes one back to the face of Christ and the realities of Christian discipleship.'

'Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: "I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he will endure forever."' (Daniel 6.25-6)

The book of Daniel tells the story of four teenage friends, born in the tiny state of Judah about twenty-six centuries ago, who were captured by Nebuchadnezzar, emperor of Babylon. Daniel describes how they eventually rose to the top echelons of imperial administration.

Although forced to live in exile, Daniel and his friends remained faithful to the one true God. But they did not simply treat their devotion to God as a private matter; they maintained a high-profile witness in a pluralistic society highly antagonistic to their faith. That is why their story has such a powerful message for us. Society tolerates the practice of Christianity in private and in church services, but it increasingly deprecates public witness. If Daniel and his compatriots were with us today they would be in the vanguard of debate about the role of religion in public life.

What was it that gave that ancient foursome, Daniel and his three friends, the strength and conviction to be prepared, often at great risk, to swim against the flow?

Who needs the Old Testament?

It might be a literary classic, but what relevance does it have today?

How much of it can we believe anyway?

Katharine Dell invites you to rediscover the appeal of the Old Testament for the twenty-first century. In doing so she deftly refutes hard-line attacks by writers such as Richard Dawkins; she firmly critiques the atheistic agenda of those scholars who seek to undermine the Old Testament's historical grounding; and she helpfully reassures those within the church who express doubts about its usefulness as a resource for Christian life and thought.

Written by a world expert, this book will help many, both inside and outside the church, to gain a more informed appreciation of the different kinds of literature contained in the Old Testament, and a more nuanced understanding of the developing vision of God to which they witness.

It's taken 27 years for Sophie Lee to feel comfortable in her skin. This the real-life story of one woman's courage in rising from the ashes as she learns to discover that true beauty is more than skin deep in a society that so often tells us otherwise.

When twenty-three-year-old Sophie Lee was booked to perform at a huge event in Chicago, she thought it was a dream come true. Little did Sophie know it was about to become her nightmare, when a dramatic fire-dancing accident left Sophie with life-changing injuries. The model faced years of operations and recovery to treat the keloid scar that developed on her face and neck. Having worked as a model and dancer, the idea of being disfigured was terrifying.

But long before the accident, Sophie had faced bullying because of her Chinese heritage. At every stage of her life, Sophie has been forced to muster her strength and push back against those who said she wasn't good enough.

This bold memoir is a demonstration of the healing power of resilience, kindness and family. Sophie encourages us all that it doesn't matter how we look or where we're from, we're all beautiful in our own skin.

Inspired by her own story of overcoming adversity, Katie Piper's The UnSeen is a publishing collection that sheds light on the untold stories of hope that deserve to be heard. In My Skin is the second book in Katie Piper's UnSeen series, also featuring Down Syndrome Vogue-cover-girl Ellie Goldstien's book Against All Odds.

When the whole army of Israel is too scared to fight a giant, will young David be any braver? David must draw on his experience of seeing off the Hairy Beast to deal with a far greater foe.

In this retelling of the familiar story of David's encounter with Goliath, children are taught that any problem can be overcome if we approach it with courage, self-belief, and faith in God.

It is a tale which encourages us to read between the lines of what the Bible tells us about David's early years. The light-hearted and beautifully illustrated pictures will delight parents and children alike, regardless of religious conviction.

The Kingdom of God has been a major concern of New Testament scholars for many years. What did it mean to Jesus? What does it mean for Christian belief and practice today?

'To understand what was meant by the Kingdom of God' writes Margaret Barker in the Introduction, it is necessary to recover what remains of that hidden tradition of the holy of holies and the high priesthood... Recovering the original Kingdom . . . enables us to glimpse again the original vision. We see . . . the complexities of the Kingdom that explain what it became in later Christian teaching.

The Hidden Tradition of the Kingdom of God shows how the variety of beliefs about the Kingdom, and the related problems of eshatology, all derive from Temple traditions about the holy of holies. This inner sanctum was the Kingdom in the midst, the Unity beyond all change and decay. It was the state whence the Lord came forth, and where the faithful would go, to see him in his glory. We live in a time when politics, and also geopolitics, are enormously affected by passionate arguements over ehat it would mean to establish the "Kingdom of God" on earth.

Anybody with an interest in the outcome of those arguements should pay close attention to Margaret Barker's insightful and thought-provoking investigation of the background and context in which the first Christians spoke of the Kingdom. Bruce Clark, Religious Affairs Correspondent, The Economist.

Packed with riches yet highly accessible, The Heart's Time is at its core a series of short, resonant poems for each weekday of Lent and Easter.

It will appeal to existing poetry lovers as well as those who want to start exploring how poems can be a resource for our spiritual lives, whether or not they are written with a consciously Christian intent.

Poets often address subjects our culture seeks to avoid, and poetry demands that we 'slow down to the heart's time' in order to discover deeper levels of meaning than at first appear.

Janet Morley offers her own skilful and reflective commentaries on a fascinating themed sequence of both familiar and unexpected poems, including works by Margaret Atwood, St Augustine, Charles Causley, E. E. Cummings, Emily Dickinson, Carol Ann Duffy, Ruth Fainlight, U. A. Fanthorpe, Robert Frost, Seamus Heaney, George Herbert, Elizabeth Jennings, Denise Levertov, Roger McGough, Adrienne Rich, Christina Rossetti, R. S. Thomas and Rowan Williams.

The last decade has seen dramatic advances in artificial intelligence and robotics technology, raising tough questions that need to be addressed. The Robot Will See You Now considers how Christians can respond to these issues - and flourish - in the years ahead.

Contributions from a number of international experts, including editors John Wyatt and Stephen Williams, explore a range of social and ethical issues raised by recent advances in AI and robotics. Considering the role of artificial intelligence in areas such as medicine, employment and security, the book looks at how AI is perceived as well as its actual impact on human interactions and relationships.

Alongside are theological responses from an orthodox Christian perspective. Looking at how artificial intelligence and robotics may be considered in the light of Christian doctrine, The Robot Will See You Now offers a measured, thoughtful view on how Christians can understand and prepare for the challenges posted by the development of AI.

This is a book for anyone who is interested in learning more about how AI and robots have advanced in recent years, and anyone who has wondered how Christian teaching relates to artificial intelligence. Whatever your level of technical knowledge, The Robot Will See You Now will give you a thorough understanding of AI and equip you to respond to the challenges it poses with confidence and faith.

In the second book in the Young Joseph series, Joseph's brothers grow more and more jealous of their favoured brother.

They come up with a cunning plan to take Joseph down a peg or two by throwing him in a well to give him a fright. Eventually they sell him to passing slave traders but that's not the end of his story

'My eyes were opened to text after text.'
Rico Tice

'Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith. He was even called the friend of God.' (James 2.23)

Abraham is the only character in the Bible to be described as a 'friend of God', and John C. Lennox shows us why. Throughout the Bible, Abraham is seen as a pivotal figure in God's plan of salvation, and, in Friend of God, Professor Lennox helps us to see through the mists of the past to the real flesh-and-blood man with all his strengths and weaknesses.

This study guide to Friend of God is packed with thought-provoking suggestions for private reflection or group discussion, drawing out the many ways in which the story of Abraham can teach us how to live faithfully in a world of religious doubt and scepticism today.

How can I hear God's voice?

What plans does God have for me?

How can I do his will if I don't know what it is?

These are questions that have plagued Christian for centuries and continue to haunt Christians as they plan their futures and try and discover their vocations.

This Is Our Calling aims to help searching Christians to trust God that his plan for them will become clear in time but also help them to discover a little more of what that plan may be.

The authors, almost all of whom write from their experience as parish priests, discuss the great themes of Christian doctrines and the narrative patterns of the Bible to show how God might be calling each and every one of us today. They have written for anyone who are exploring a sense of calling and are looking at their futures in terms of vocation and discipleship.

Each chapter has a particular vocational theme, such as evangelism and discipleship, and provides various avenues to explore and questions to discuss.

- Ever wonder if there was light after Dark Ages?
- This history of the Church from the 15th to the 18th centuries is explored with insight and inquisition
- Starting with the aftermath of the Reformation, this book is a must for knowing the Church's roots

After a historiographical and interpretative introduction, the book falls into two parts, both referencing the 'Invisible Worlds' of the title, and representing different angles of vision on aspects of early modern belief that today seem particularly strange and disturbing, even to believing Christians.

The first five chapters consider the intellectual and cultural consequences of the Reformation's assault on established beliefs about the afterlife, and the experience of souls there. They show how debates about the existence of purgatory, and related matters such as the nature of hell-fire, acted as unwitting agents of modernization, but also provided scope for ordinary people to practise a kind of vernacular theology.

The second part looks at deeply-held beliefs around angels, ghosts and fairies, and how these were re-appropriated and reimagined when cut from their traditional theological moorings.

Ali Green offers a theology of women's priesthood from a Christian feminist perspective.

She suggests a feminist reconfiguration of the Eucharistic Prayer and demonstrates how the symbolism of the liturgy allows for new interpretation informed by women's experience. She gives new insights into liturgical symbolism and the sacramental significance of the woman priest.

"Ali Green opens up new frontiers in the debate about the theology and significance of women's ordination." Professor Tina Beattie, Roehampton University.

A collection of intercessions to accompany the Church of England Common Worship Lectionary, years A, B and C, all in one volume.

Each petition includes a focusing bidding with some dots to indicate where intercessors may address specific concerns, a gathering sentence and a responsory. The intercessions are compatible with the traditional areas of church, political governance/world concerns, neighbourhood, sick and deceased. As the author has drawn primarily on the gospel for inspiration, the prayers will be relevant however many readings are used in a given service.

The Revd Ian Black is Vicar of Whitkirk. His first book, Praying with the Calendar of Saints and Holy Days, was published by SPCK in 2005.

'Many assume that living with dementia is one long term steady decline. Jennifer's insightful book debunks that myth.' - Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Society

Jennifer Bute was a highly qualified senior doctor in a large clinical practice, whose patients included those with dementia. Then she began to notice symptoms in herself. She was finally given a diagnosis of Young Onset Dementia in 2009.

After resigning as a GP, she resolved to explore what could be done to slow the progress of dementia. The aim of this practical book is to help people who are living with dementia and to give hope to those who are with them on the dementia journey.

Jennifer believes that her dementia is an opportunity as well as a challenge. Her important insights are that the person 'inside' remains and can be reached, even when masked by the condition, and that
spirituality rises as cognition becomes limited.

'The observant physician shines through in Dr Bute's book, while her practical advice reveals the resourcefulness of an inventor. Alzheimer's disease has surely met one of its toughest ever adversaries!' - Peter Garrard, Professor of Neurology, University of London

This book, written by experts in the field, explores the role of the youth minister by looking at a range of metaphors, such as 'flawed hero', 'visionary architect', 'party planner' and 'guardian of souls'.

Each chapter takes one of these metaphors as a central theme, offers biblical and/or theological reflection on this aspect of youth ministry, explains the relevant theory and the necessary skills, uses real-life stories from practitioners to bring the metaphor to life, summarizes the key principles and values, gives questions for reflection and makes suggestions for further reading.

Are Artificial Intelligences the Future's False Gods?

In God, AI, and the End of History, renowned author and Oxford mathematician John Lennox explores the explosive intersection of artificial intelligence, biblical prophecy, the Antichrist, and the end times.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology advances at an unprecedented pace, many experts are asking: Could AI - or Artificial Super Intelligences (ASI) - one day dominate the world?

Unlike other books on AI or biblical prophecy, Lennox breaks new ground by connecting the rise of superintelligent machines with the apocalyptic visions recorded in Revelation. He warns that future developments in AI could deceive billions - just as foretold in Scripture - engineered by the one Jesus called "the father of lies," and whom the apostle John identified as "the Antichrist."

This compelling, deeply researched book offers a unique Christian perspective on AI, ethics, and eschatology, challenging readers to rethink how Jesus' final message to his followers may speak directly to our rapidly changing technological world.

If you're questioning AI and curious about what the Bible, prophecy, and emerging technologies reveal about end-time events, this is the essential guide you've been waiting for.

A merchant is hosting the most fantastic feast, but everyone he invites seems to have the most unbelievable excuse! Who will he find instead, and most importantly, how will he fit them all round the table?!

The Fantastic Feast is a lively retelling in rhyme of a classic Bible parable for kids, showing the amazing generosity of God, from award-winning author Bob Hartman.

The Parable of the Great Banquet is wonderfully retold in this fun and quirky picture book for 3-5 year olds. With Bob Hartman's characteristic entertaining wit, The Fantastic Feast is the perfect way to introduce this classic Bible story to kids in a way that's accessible and easily understood.

Vibrant illustrations from Mark Beech bring this Bible story book to life, and kids will love joining in with the fun and memorable rhymes on each page. The clear, simple text is ideal for adults to read aloud with young children just starting to learn their letters.

The Fantastic Feast is a picture book that children and parents alike will adore and as part of the Rhyming Parables series is the perfect follow on from Bob Hartman's Rhyming Bible. It is also a brilliant story time resource for KS1 teachers, Sunday School teachers and those involved in children's ministry. Kids will learn about the parables in a memorable, engaging way, and gain a new understanding of the incredible generosity of God.

If we are all made in the image of God, 'fearfully and wonderfully made' as the psalmist puts it, what does that mean if we can't see, or can't walk; if we can't hear, or can't speak?

How can we be said to share in God's unconditional love if we are humiliated by epileptic seizures? If we can't remember our own name because of the ravages of dementia? Or if the only response of which we are capable is a smile? How can we truly be a valued and valuable part of the Body of Christ here on earth - the Church?

This rich resource book for church leaders, congregations and small groups challenges us to get to grips with what the Bible says about disability - and what the Church could do in response. Themes of understanding, inclusion and interdependency are explored through discussion, prayer, worship, hands-on activities and listening to the authentic voices of disabled people.

The Grace-filled Wilderness connects contemporary encounters of wilderness with the traditional themes of Lent and Jesus' journey to the cross.

Magdalen Smith invites us to consider a series of subjects that are double - edged - they can bring us life or, if we handle them in the wrong way, drain life from us.

Our appetites, our identity, our work, our sense of freedom and our struggles with anxiety and pain are explored in connection with what it means to be a follower of Jesus.
Six full weeks of readings help us to move gradually from wilderness to grace, until, finally, we encounter the miracle, hope and joy of Easter.

'On every page of this Lent book, there's an invitation to journey which is as enticing as it is challenging. I found myself wanting to venture into the wilderness out of choice and not simply circumstance, and the adventure left me seeing, feeling and sharing in God's grace.'
Jo Wells, Bishop of Dorking

Ellie loves sleepovers with Aunt Miranda, who is the best cook in the world! After breakfast, they like to feed the birds - but what about the squirrels? They're hungry too!

At the baker's, Ellie loves all the tempting cakes on offer - but what about the children who don't have enough to eat? They're hungry too!

At the park, Ellie loves to feed the fluffy ducklings - but what about the older ducks? They're hungry too!

A lovely book to help children think about caring for animals and wildlife, and sharing what we have with those less fortunate than ourselves.

'[Cottrell’s] love of the work of the artist Stanley Spencer (1891-1959) has relentlessly deepened over 20 years, and he expresses it here with a spiritual breathlessness that is infectious and transformative.'
MARK OAKLEY, CHURCH TIMES

In this devotional book, Stephen Cottrell reflects on five paintings from Stanley Spencer's Christ in the Wilderness series.

These paintings give us startling insight into Jesus' own vocation and self-understanding of his ministry. They show his great love for the earth, for the whole created order and for all creatures within it.

For Christians, the wilderness is a place of discovery. By dwelling in the wilderness of these beautiful and provocative paintings, Stephen Cottrell encourages us to refine our own discipleship and learn again what it means to follow Christ.

This book is excellent reading for Lent but can be enjoyed at any time of year. It includes full-colour illustrations, making it a lovely gift book.

This collection of Celtic writings brings alive the language and images of the Celtic tradition.

The basic theme is that of celebrating the seasons of life: the wonder of creation, New Year, Easter, Harvest, the daily toil, being alone with God, baptism, marriage, family, reconciliation and peace. Pat Robson also outlines the history of Celtic Christianity, and offers short biographies of those who influenced the growth of Celtic spirituality, from St Anthony to King Arthur.

Pat Robson also outlines the history of Celtic Christianity, and offers short biographies of those who influenced the growth of Celtic spirituality, from St Anthony to King Arthur.

The Revd Canon Patricia Robson, MBE, is priest in charge of St Goran with Caerhays, and an Honorary Canon Emeritus of Truro Cathedral. She is the author of A Celtic Liturgy (SPCK).