A brief, engaging read with ample spiritual applications. Each chapter includes a parable, real-life stories, and suggestions for life practice. Perfect for newcomers or for leaders engaging non-Christian communities. Study questions included. Religious talk quickly degenerates into insider talk, but what if we turned it back out? Episcopal Bishop Mary Gray-Reeves takes six words related to Christian faith and translates them so they speak more broadly to those who proclaim themselves "spiritual but not religious." Tying together Jesus' parables and life today, this engaging title promises to help non-Christians explore faith and spiritual practice and train Christians to speak clearly about the things that matter most.

Mary Grey takes the reader on a contemporary Lenten journey through a series of profound theological reflections on the search for peace and reconciliation in Israel/Palestine. Along the way she explores the core Christian concepts of redemption, atonement and resurrection from the perspective of justice-making in the real world, pursuing a spirituality of perseverance and steadfastness ('sumud') deriving from her work with Middle Eastern Christians. The book draws on all four Gospels and the book of Revelation, providing biblical inspiration for the quest for peace.

Adult social care has emerged as a distinct policy area in the UK that has come under increasing scrutiny by the government. With the expectation that many more adults will need care and support in the near future, many policy makers have argued for a transformation of adult care. The focus of this wideranging book is on the major themes in the policies governing the provision of adult care. It is one of the first books to deal with adult social care as a distinct entity, providing up-to-date information on contemporary government policies, debates, and research. The book encourages readers to think critically about decisions being made and about the direction of future initiatives.

Emerging worship for a missional church. An exploration of Anglican 'fresh expressions' of Church in England, and Episcopal Church 'emerging churches' in the United States.

A Cry for Dignity tackles caste-based violence by focusing on the position of Dalit women in India. Of 200 million Dalits nearly 50 percent are women, often referred to as 'thrice Dalit', as they suffer from the triple oppressions of poverty, being female and being female Dalits. They are frequently let down by both the Dalit Movement itself as well as the Womens Movement in India that focuses more on social problems like dowry deaths - more relevant for caste women and not those outside the caste system. Many Dalit women are denied access to education, to meaningful employment, health provision and are the first to suffer the negative effects of globalization. Access to upper-caste wells is forbidden. Worst of all, Dalit women are exposed to many forms of violence (including temple prostitution) and are frequently raped as a way to humiliate Dalit men. The degrading work of 'scavenging' - removing human excrement- falls mostly on Dalit women, since men are more likely to be 'upwardly-mobile'. Despite all of this, a new strength now emerges in challenging caste boundaries, contributing to self esteem and a stronger sense of identity. The strong spirituality of Dalit women has sustained strength through songs and stories, and in some cases by subverting patriarchy through ironically re-shaping traditional myths. A Cry for Dignity focuses on Dalit Womens own movements, leadership and achievements and sets the struggle in an international arena, including Dalit discrimination in the UK. It suggests forms of action from Church, society and feminist theology to show solidarity with and effect social change for Dalit women.

A Cry for Dignity tackles caste-based violence by focusing on the position of Dalit women in India. Of 200 million Dalits nearly 50 percent are women, often referred to as 'thrice Dalit', as they suffer from the triple oppressions of poverty, being female and being female Dalits. They are frequently let down by both the Dalit Movement itself as well as the Womens Movement in India that focuses more on social problems like dowry deaths - more relevant for caste women and not those outside the caste system. Many Dalit women are denied access to education, to meaningful employment, health provision and are the first to suffer the negative effects of globalization. Access to upper-caste wells is forbidden. Worst of all, Dalit women are exposed to many forms of violence (including temple prostitution) and are frequently raped as a way to humiliate Dalit men. The degrading work of 'scavenging' - removing human excrement- falls mostly on Dalit women, since men are more likely to be 'upwardly-mobile'. Despite all of this, a new strength now emerges in challenging caste boundaries, contributing to self esteem and a stronger sense of identity. The strong spirituality of Dalit women has sustained strength through songs and stories, and in some cases by subverting patriarchy through ironically re-shaping traditional myths. A Cry for Dignity focuses on Dalit Womens own movements, leadership and achievements and sets the struggle in an international arena, including Dalit discrimination in the UK. It suggests forms of action from Church, society and feminist theology to show solidarity with and effect social change for Dalit women.

As the system of governance and delivery of social welfare in the UK radically changes, this important new book argues that the extent of this change is such that it could be considered a fundamental transformation or even a revolution. It shows how a new public governance perspective has replaced the dominance of new public management, reflecting the increasingly plural and fragmented nature of public policy implementation. Drawing on examples across a range of policy areas it assesses how changes in social policy and governance interact in the delivery of the main areas of social policy and social welfare. The book will be essential reading for researches, students and policy makers.

As the system of governance and delivery of social welfare in the UK radically changes, this important new book argues that the extent of this change is such that it could be considered a fundamental transformation or even a revolution. It shows how a new public governance perspective has replaced the dominance of new public management, reflecting the increasingly plural and fragmented nature of public policy implementation. Drawing on examples across a range of policy areas it assesses how changes in social policy and governance interact in the delivery of the main areas of social policy and social welfare. The book will be essential reading for researches, students and policy makers.

Adult social care has emerged as a distinct policy area in the UK and one which has come under increasing scrutiny by government and other bodies. With the expectation that in future many more adults will need care and support, ideas have emerged about a 'transformation' of adult social care. The focus of this wide-ranging book is on the major themes in policy and provision including personalisation, integration, user participation, the cost of long term care, risk and safeguarding, care quality and workforce issues and is one of the first texts to deal with adult social care as a distinct entity and is an up-to-date source on contemporary government policies, debates and research.The book encourages readers to think critically about decisions being made and about the direction of future policy. The accessible book will be a valuable resource for undergraduate students in Social Policy, Health and Social Care, and Social Work, those taking advanced vocational qualifications in social care and practitioners.

With international human rights under challenge, this book represents a comprehensive critique that adds a social policy perspective to recent political and legalistic analysis. Expert contributors draw on local and global examples to review constructs of universal rights and their impact on social policy and human welfare. With thorough analysis of their strengths, weaknesses and enforcement, it sets out their role in domestic and geopolitical affairs. Including a forward by Albie Sachs, this book presents an honest appraisal of both the concepts of international human rights and their realities. It will engage those with an interest in social policy, ethics, politics, international relations, civil society organisations and human rights-based approaches to campaigning and policy development.

What happens when two bishops known for their liturgical sensibilities travel to study alternative Christian communities on two continents? Bishops Mary Gray-Reeves and Michael Perham traveled throughout the U.S. and U.K. to study fresh expressions of church and identify the principles that link these new forms of worship and community. The Hospitality of God captures their practical and inspiring findings and builds a bridge between fresh new voices and the institutional church.