A fresh perspective on how liturgy can support social justice work Proclaim! is an exploration of Episcopal liturgy from a black, queer, millennial perspective, with an eye toward proclamation and justice. Part memoir, part history, part biblical studies, and part practical theology, Proclaim! suggests that the politics of our liturgical tradition is the ground from which we can engage in the justice work that our world needs. Each chapter explores theology, a biblical story, and the real-world practice of evangelism and mission. The liturgy can serve as the theological well from which we might draw wisdom to engage the issues of justice, equity, and compassion in the world today. The question is not whether or not to engage politics; rather, the question is: whose politics are being reflected? Furthermore, what shape might our lives take if we took our worship of God seriously? People who are curious about what justice looks like in the Church or who are seeking new resources to sustain their work will be affirmed in Halley's book.

We are apt to forget how much people traveled in the Middle Ages. Not only merchants, friars, soldiers and official messengers, but crowds of pilgrims were a familiar sight on the roads of Western Europe. In this engaging work of history, Jonathan Sumption brings alive the traditions of pilgrimage prevalent in Europe from the beginning of Christianity to the end of the fifteenth century. Vividly describing such major destinations as Jerusalem, Rome, Santiago de Compostela and Canterbury, he examines both major figures -- popes, kings, queens, scholars, villains -- and the common people of their day.

A fascinating entertaining read, this book:

-- addresses what motivated such extraordinary quests.

-- offers a snapshot of those worldly pilgrims, who were among the first "package tour" travelers.

-- brings alive the traditions of pilgrimage prevalent in Europe from the beginning of Christianity to the end of the fifteenth century.

This classic work of Russian spirituality has charmed countless readers with its tale of a nineteenth-century peasant seeking the truth with simple humility, finding joy and plenty everywhere in life.

Revised and updated, this popular book shows pastors and worship leaders the basics of United Methodist worship.

In this straightforward and updated commentary, Hoyt Hickman explains the basic pattern of United Methodist worship within the broader context of Christian worship. Drawing upon five basic principles, the author explains the formative nature of worship and how it can revitalize persons' lives. These principles are: God's Word is primary; active congregational participation is crucial; spontaneity and order are both important; worship should be relevant and inclusive; and worship is communion. This revision will highlight the African-American contribution to UM worship, discuss at greater length what the various worship styles mean for us today, say more about the formative nature of worship, and include updated resources including the Abingdon Worship Annual, the Abingdon Preaching Annual, and WorshipConnection.

Explains basic resources for planning and leading worship. Gives the basic pattern of UM worship and its origins. Gives practical suggestions how to renew and revitalize worship. Helps pastors be effective leaders in planning and revitalizing worship. Helps pastors understand and communicate the uniqueness of UM worship. Helps pastors lead their congregation into a deeper and richer experience of God through worship.

This popular guide explains how families and churches can celebrate seven Hebrew festivals to enhance their understanding of the message of the Bible.,"This unique book brings deeper meaning to seven Jewish feasts by offering a ""guided tour"" through each celebration from a new testament perspective. The author carefully explains the signi?cance of each feast, the materials necessary to observe them, and full directions for the events. Families and church groups will gain a memorable understanding of the symbolic representations of the Christ as found in the holy celebrations of the Old Testament."

A practical, exercise-filled companion to A Hunger for Healing that puts into practice the Christian principles of healing and growth

For many thousands of people, the Twelve Steps have become the spiritual discipline for a new decade, a way to turn to God and begin a pilgrimage toward wholeness as well as a journey out of addiction. Relating each of the Steps to biblical teaching, J. Keith Miller takes the reader inside the Steps, actually working through each one.

Each section of A Hunger for Healing Workbook begins with one of the Twelve Steps, followed by a biblical quote that touches upon the theme, a suggested reading in A Hunger for Healing, and a concise explanation of the Step and how it relates to spiritual growth. Built on solid biblical principles, the exercises and inventories provided will promote introspection, reflection, and action -- a clear pathway out of compulsion and pain into a world of serenity and healthy interaction with God and others.

Step by Step, this life-transforming program helps readers to

• Acknowledge their need for God's healing power


• Surrender to God's care


• Let God remove character defects


• Reconcile themselves with God and others


• Use prayer to enrich the life of the spirit


• Heal broken lives and relationships

The Hidden Manna has become a classic on Eucharistic teaching. Now in a second edition, accompanied by a new introduction by Fr. Kenneth Baker, a new preface from the author, new material from John Paul II, and the original foreword by Cardinal John O'Connor, this in-depth study lets the breadth and richness of the Church's Tradition speak for itself. Fr. O'Connor presents and comments on substantial excerpts from the major sources of the Church's Tradition extending all the way back to apostolic times. Focusing on the doctrine of the Real Presence, he follows the earliest witnesses through the challenge in the Middle Ages of Berengarius through the Protestant Reformation and modern disputes.

Though proportionally small, India's Christians are a populous and significant minority. Focussing on various Roman Catholic churches and shrines located in Chennai, a large city in South India where activities concerning saintal revival and shrinal development have taken place in the recent past, this book investigates the phenomenon of Catholic renewal in India. The author tracks the changing local significance of St. Thomas the Apostle, who according to local legend, was martyred and buried in Chennai and details the efforts of the Church hierarchy in Chennai to bring about a revival of devotion to St. Thomas. Insodoing, the book considers Indian Catholic identity, Indian Christian indigeneity and Hindu nationalism, as well as the marketing of St. Thomas and Catholicism within South India.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION With more than 3 million copies in print, Germaine Copeland's bestselling volumes of Prayers That Avail Much(R) have helped believers learn how to pray, know what to pray, and confidently claim answers to prayer. As readers put these scriptural prayers to work for them, they will see God moving to perform His Word. Readers no longer need to feel helpless in the face of difficult or painful situations.

We are at our human best when we give and forgive. But we live in a world in which it makes little sense to do either one. In our increasingly graceless culture, where can we find the motivation to give? And how do we learn to forgive when forgiving seems counterintuitive or even futile? A deeply personal yet profoundly thoughtful book, Free of Charge explores these questions--and the further questions to which they give rise--in light of God's generosity and Christ's sacrifice for us. Miroslav Volf draws from popular culture as well as from a wealth of literary and theological sources, weaving his rich reflections around the sturdy frame of Paul's vision of God's grace and Martin Luther's interpretation of that vision. Blending the best of theology and spirituality, he encourages us to echo in our own lives God's generous giving and forgiving. A fresh examination of two practices at the heart of the Christian faith--giving and forgiving--the Archbishop of Canterbury's Lenten study book for 2006 is at the same time an introduction to Christianity. Even more, it is a compelling invitation to Christian faith as a way of life. "Miroslav Volf, one of the most celebrated theologians of our day, offers us a unique interweaving of intense reflection, vivid and painfully personal stories and sheer celebration of the giving God . . . I cannot remember having read a better account of what it means to say that Jesus suffered for us in our place." -- Dr. Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

This book includes ideas about using festivals to build relationships with the community. Contains 15 complete all-age worship outlines for use throughout the year, including key occasions like Christmas, Mothering Sunday, Easter, Father's Day and Harvest.

This book explores the way in which liturgy can be used effectively in all-age communication. It is also a comprehensive practical resource - containing 12 complete all-age worship outlines for use throughout the year.

Whilst Contemporary Worship Music arose out of a desire to relate the music of the church to the music of everyday life, this function can quickly be called into question by the diversity of musical lives present in contemporary society. Mark Porter examines the relationship between individuals' musical lives away from a Contemporary Worship Music environment and their diverse experiences of music within it, presenting important insights into the complex and sometimes contradictory relationships between congregants' musical lives within and outside of religious worship. Through detailed ethnographic investigation Porter challenges common evangelical ideals of musical neutrality, suggesting the importance of considering musical tastes and preferences through an ethical lens. He employs cosmopolitanism as an interpretative framework for understanding the dynamics of diverse musical communities, positioning it as a stronger alternative to common assimilationist and multiculturalist models.

Lent is not about giving up or taking up, but a radical opening up: the opening up of our lives to God's transformative kingdom. That is the challenge Trystan Owain Hughes sets in Opening Our Lives. Through practical daily devotions he calls on us to open our eyes to God's presence, our ears to his call, our hearts to his love, our ways to his will, our actions to his compassion and our pain to his peace.

This is a classic book from the unique insight and spiritual wisdom of Evelyn Capel. She covers the main festivals and events in the Christian Year: Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Easter, Ascension, Whitsun, St John's tide, and Michaelmas, always linking them back to the Gospels and Christ. She considers the cycles of our world: the changing seasons; life, death and resurrection; waking and sleeping; breathing in and breathing out. Throughout, Capel never loses sight of the over-arching cosmic themes which influence the spiritual rhythms of the Earth and human beings.

By Water and the Spirit contains the official 1996 General Conference paper on baptism as a six-week study. Felton describes the United Methodist understanding of baptism. Practical and user-friendly.

Respected Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe defines the essence of worship and discusses the key issues surrounding this often controversial topic within the church.