Looks at the Episcopal Church today and shows how diversity is its strength; topics include living the gospel in contemporary culture, coping with conflict, affirming incarnational theology, and other topics of controversy. Contains extensive bibliography

New The Last Battle: Left Behind or Narnia? – Deborah Smith Douglas, Forward Movement Publications, Cincinnati OH, 2007

This little pamphlet looks at the theology of the “last things” in comparing the Left Behind series of books and the Narnia series by CS Lewis.

The Doctrines of the Apostles’ Creed – Forward Movement Publications, Cincinnati OH

A series of six pamphlets on different parts of the Apostles’ Creed. This is old material by some of the major theologians from the late 40’s and early 50’s, but very clear, concise, and quite readable.

The pamphlets:

God the Father Almighty by Chad Walsh

Jesus Christ, God’s Son our Lord by W. Norman Pittenger

The Holy Spirit by Frederick W. Dillistone

The Holy Catholic Church by Theodore O. Wedel

The Forgiveness of Sins by Hughell E. W. Fosbroke

The Resurrection of the Body and The Life Everlasting by Carroll E. Simcox

Truth and Hope – Fulton and Lemler, Forward Movement, Cincinnati OH; 2006

A look at what is happening in the Episcopal Church at this time by men who know the people of the church.

Always Open, Being an Anglican Today – Richard Giles, Cowley Publishing, Cambridge MA; 2004

Always Open is a good introduction to Anglican beliefs and practices; it explains the essentials of the Anglican approach to authority, the Bible, social and moral questions, dialog with people of other faiths and more. It’s fun to read! However Giles, as a Brit, offers some pictures of the ECUSA that don’t always ring true, especially in our diocese. But it is still a good introduction to the Anglican Church with its very strong emphasis on the Via Media-the middle way.

(Video) Come and See – Frank Griswold, ECUSA, New York NY

Downlink of Conference with the Presiding Bishop

The Anglican Theological Review Vol 87, #4 (Fall 2005) – Charles Hefling, ed, Evanston IL; 2005

This issue of the quarterly journal focuses on the Windsor Report and various reactions to it. It was written well before General Convention of 2006 but still offers some pertinent views.

The Next Christendom – Philip Jenkins, Oxford University Press, 2002

A look at how Christianity is “exploding” in the southern hemisphere and some predictions about how this southern Christianity will affect Christianity as we know it today.

Awakening Grassroots Spirituality – Edwin M. Leidel Jr, iUniverse, Inc, NYC; 2004

Subtitle: A Celtic Guide for Nurturing and Maturing the Soul; the book is about spirituality that is accessible to everyone; it’s about growing in God’s Presence in community.

Facing Terrorism, Responding as Christians – Edward LeRoy Long Jr, Westminster John Knox, Louisville KY; 2004

Long looks at what terrorism is, giving several definitions, and what might cause it. He then looks at how we respond again looking at several possibilities. His final chapter talks about being faithful in uncertain times. An interesting book and fairly easy to read it makes us truly think about what we believe and how we respond to terrorism.

New The Power of God and the gods of Power, Daniel L. Migliore; Westminster/John Knox Press, Louisville KY; 2008

Migliore talks about our concepts of God and how those concepts will make us react to ideas about God. He speaks of a God whose power is found in the crucifixion of Jesus and who is close to all. The most helpful parts of the book are the last two chapters where first he speaks about God’s power in our day to day life and then about the Christian-Muslim dialogue in the face of a crucified savior. There are discussion questions at the end of each chapter, and a brief bibliography at the end of the book.

The Challenge of Tradition – John Simons, ed. Anglican Book Center, Toronto Canada; 1997

In 1994 a large group of Canadian Anglicans gathered to look at what they considered were the “essentials” to being Anglican in Canada. This book is a series of articles to start discussion on these “essentials”. It looks at the authority of scripture, global mission and tradition in that area, women in the church, liturgy, etc. The articles are interesting to read and challenging to think about.

A Christian Response to the New Genetics – David H. Smith and Cynthia B. Cohen, eds. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc. Lanham MD, 2003

A series of papers exploring a variety of topics about genetics, medicine, and society from a religious viewpoint; sponsored by the Episcopal Church, but this is not an official statement of the Church.

(Video) Relationship between Art and Theology - Dr Wilson Yates

Binder – see Anglican/Episcopal Church

A collection of pamphlets, articles, and information about the Episcopal Church, the Anglican Communion, and the organization and history there of; includes a sheet of potentially useful websites.

See also:

In Christian Formation-Adult Education

Focus on the Prayer Book: An Adult Study – Nancy Dering Martin, Morehouse, Harrisburg PA; 2004

Morehouse has now released this new study of various prayers and phrases from the Book of Common Prayer, 1979. There are 6 volumes, each with 6-8 lessons on a specific subject, all based on prayers found in the BCP. Each lesson is self-sustaining and can be done within a one hour period.

Available for preview are study guides 5 & 6: Wise Words-Alliteration in the Liturgy, and Symbolic Language in the Liturgy.

The following item(s) are located at St John’s, Midland:

Exploring Christianity, James C. Howell, Trinity Press, Harrisburg PA

This book covers some of the main topics of interest to those wishing to understand Christianity; its three sections are the Bible, Christianity-history and theology, and the Christian Life. The author draws on many sources and people from throughout history and around the world. It requires careful reading, but offers much good food for thought. It includes an index and a good bibliography

A People Called Episcopalians - John Westerhoff, St Luke's Episcopal Church, Atlanta, GA

This is a brief introduction to Episcopalians and the Episcopal Church, brief and highly readable.

For more information or to borrow a particular item, contact Marnie Bash,

Coordinator, Ministries Resource Center: mpbash@ameritech.net or 989-839-9364.

If you are a member of the Diocese of Eastern Michigan, you may contact directly the listed church or person,

or, for items found at the Diocesan Center, Saginaw, contact Marnie Bash as listed above.