This book offers hope to the parish that is searching for a way to make their liturgies more meaningful in the local context. Written by a priest and musician who have worked together for many years in the Canterbury House ministry at the University of Michigan, the methods described here demonstrate a respect for others' gifts and skills, discernment of the spiritual needs of the community, and actively welcoming the creative force of the Holy Spirit to work even in the planning process. Based on the liturgical format of the Book of Common Prayer, Hamilton and Rush nevertheless outline their experience and ideas in ways that will be useful to all liturgical denominations."

Beulah, a dedicated nurse, wife and mother is forced to choose between the survival of her family or her sanity. All she's ever known was to take care of her husband Teddy and children Shelly and Wallace. Sacrificing both her physical and mental health, she diligently strived to make sure they didn't lack or want for anything. It wasn't until a stream of unfortunate events unraveled that Beulah realized her family didn't need her and was forced to make a choice on whether to stick it out and save her family or throw caution to the wind and save herself. After being humiliated at work by a patient who tries to sexually assault her at the bequest of a few security guards, finding out her husband Teddy lives a double life as a gay man and cross dresser, the promiscuous behavior her daughter Shelly strives to perfect, being assaulted and arrested on drug charges because of her son Wallace's affiliation with gangs, Beulah's life was its lowest of lows. Once released from jail, she walks out of the police station and keeps going, never to return to her home or family. Shortly on her journey, she is picked up by Jose a passerby, who is able to convince Beulah to allow him to take her to a nearby homeless shelter. Once there, Beulah experiences unadulterated mental despair and becomes borderline psychotic. Jose, who remains close to her, soon becomes the key to Beulah's recovery and leads her down a road that not only allows Beulah to learn her self worth, but gives her the strength to live again. Dying for Life is the story of a woman who lost herself in her family. What she thought was rock bottom was a self revelation and golden second chance at life, love and internal peace. No longer dying for life, Beulah is able to take the broken pieces of her past and create a collage of new beginnings; beginnings of internal acceptance, unconditional love and acceptance of a new relationship with her estrange family.