A collection of communion liturgies and other resources covering Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity and Transfiguration. Thom Shuman writes: `So much of the ordinary is truly extraordinary, so much of what we take for granted are the soft petals of grace strewn on the paths we walk, so much of the air we breathe is filled with wonder, hope, joy and peace.' An awareness Thom first experienced while on sabbatical at the spiritual centres of Taize, the Abbey of Gethsemani and Iona, where these liturgies and prayers first took root. Thom lives in Columbus, Ohio and is an Associate member of the Iona Community.

you came a tiny vulnerable baby lungs screaming for life, fingers grasping for something to hold on to, your whole being completely depending on us (!) to feed you change you clothe you protect you love you and we were gobsmacked. For several years now, pastor/poet Thom Shuman has written daily devotions for Advent, sending them out through his popular blogs and books. In this collection of readings for the four weeks of Advent, Thom introduces us to, among others, 'Dusty the Church Dog', Mr Pete the 'Drum man', and to his son, Teddy, and wife, Bonnie. In this collection Mary, the mother of Jesus, goes for a contemplative skate on a frozen pond where 'praises piggyback until her soul topples over', and John the Baptist tries to explain his purpose to a very perplexed Senator and chairman of the board. These are personal and universal, imaginative and biblically rooted reflections. 'Reading one of Thom's books is like walking and talking with a friend. Someone who understands the fragility and failings of being human (and himself) but who continues to laugh, and to hope and work for the coming of the Light. I can't think of a better companion to journey through Advent with.' - Neil Paynter

Discusses questions such as what about the people who might only be mentioned once in the Bible? What about the women, the prophets, the exiles who, while not linked to Jesus genetically, nevertheless passed on their 'spiritual DNA' to him and us?