Book of the Month

  The Cross Walk. Anna Johnstone. 80pp colour photos throughout. Johnstone^2, NZ. $24.95.

Other featured titles

The Little Book of Biblical Justice. Chris Marshall. 96pp. Good Books, US. $15.95

New Rights New Zealand. Dolores Janiewski; Paul Morris. 206pp. Auck Univ, NZ. $34.95

An important study of the growth of the New Right in New Zealand in the years 1984 to 1999, that focuses on the global context of the economic and moral programmes for change in the 1980s and 1990s. It also pays attention to the moral aspects of the New Right programmes, showing how NZ differed in this respect from countries like the US, UK and Australia. This in turn leads to the third original feature of the book, its analysis of the New Right in terms of its advocacy of political and civil rights over economic and cultural rights. Thoughtful and informed comment on issues of national identity and public policy.

Becoming a Goddess of Inner Poise: spirituality for the Bridget Jones in all of us. Donna Freitas. 272pp JosseyBass, US. $31.95

Today’s women are smart, educated, career-oriented, and maybe a little bit fashion-obsessed. So where does the spiritual life fit in? With InStyle magazine on one nightstand, and Julian of Norwich on the other, Freitas has her finger on the pulse of a new generation of women and understands the spiritual issues that most concern them. Drawing on the stories of popular heroines such as Bridget Jones and Carrie Bradshaw, she illustrates how our life choices can have a profoundly spiritual dimension—in the bedroom, the boardroom, the beach, and shopping. Freitas combines wisdom from a variety of spiritual traditions and with a generous dash of humour, giving modern women a new model for the spiritual journey.

The Women in God’s Kitchen: cooking, eating, and spiritual writing. Cristina Mazzoni. 232pp hbk. Continuum. $49.95

"Mazzoni serves up a savoury blend of deeply engaged feminist literary criticism and spirituality, sure to tantalise the most discriminating palates. She invites readers to join her mystical chefs from Hildegard of Bingen to Thérèse of Lisieux, as they chop, wash, taste and chew in God’s kitchen. Their siren call is irresistible, a delight for body and soul." Rudolph Bell, author of Holy Anorexia.

The Year of Magical Thinking. Joan Didion. 227pp hbk. Knopf, US. $47.00

A spare, lucid and moving examination of the year following Didion’s husband’s sudden death just before their 40th anniversary. This is the story of her search for answers, relief, and above all the chance to change the course of events. Surprising insights and humour. An unflinching journey into intimacy and grief.

Paul: in fresh perspective. N T Wright. 176pp hbk. Fortress, US. $49.95

Wright takes a fresh look at Paul in light of recent understandings of his Jewish roots, attitude toward the Roman Empire, and unique reframing of Jewish symbols after his experience of the risen Christ. Wright includes a short systematic account of the main theological contours of Paul’s thought and its pertinence for the church today.

Wesleyan Eucharistic Spirituality. Lorna Khoo. 301pp ATF, Aust. $44.95

Singaporean Methodist pastor Khoo says that Wesley’s eucharistic spirituality involved the dynamic encounter with a personal Christ, the grace-filled life, the therapeutic growth towards holiness and wholeness. She maintains that this spirituality can be rediscovered, revived and communicated in new forms to today’s Methodists around the world.

Usborne Family Bible. Heather Amery. 192pp hbk Colour throughout. Usborne, UK. $24.95

Stories from the Old and New Testament suitable for reading aloud to young children or for older children to read independently. This beautifully illustrated volume introduces readers of all ages to some of the oldest and greatest stories ever told. A book to treasure.

The Parish Survival Guide. Martin Dudley; Virginia Rounding. 142pp. SPCK, UK. $39.95

A very practical handbook which provides examples of difficult situations and wise, heartening advice on limiting the damage if things do slip out of control. The authors cover crisis management, models of leadership, resource-management and the risks taken in carrying out ordained ministry.

Spiritual Leadership in the Small Membership Church. David Canada. 101pp. Abingdon, US. $19.95.

The pressures of the church "doing business" often push pastors to neglect spiritual growth or leadership. This book gives pastors tools and new ideas for nuturing spiritual formation in small churches.

Also available: Pastoral Care In The Small Membership Church. James Killen. $24.95

Songbook by Felicia Edgecombe and Rosemary Russell

Songs of Life: Songs to celebrate the special moments of life. Felicia Edgecome & Rosemary Russell. 108pp large format spiral bound. Festivity Productions, NZ (1997). $25.00

Well known Wellington composers Edgecombe and Russell write songs with engaging freshness and a sense of creative spontaneity. This collection provides churches, fellowships, youth groups, schools and Sunday schools with a body of excellent songs for the praise and worship of God.

The 43 songs are arranged by themes for scripture, prayer, special occasions, children and Christmas. For most songs there is a melody line with separate piano accompaniment. Some are in 2 or 4 part harmony.

Some of the songs in this book are featured on these two fine CDs:

·         Sounds of Grace by Titahi Bay Gospel Chapel, $25.00

·         Tell My People: 25 years of Festival Singers, $25.00.

Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan - New Title

The Last Week: A day-by-day account of Jesus’s final week in Jerusalem. Marcus Borg & John Dominic Crossan. 220pp Hbk. HarperSanFrancisco, US. $44.95 (Please allow 2-3 weeks to supply)

Just published! Two of today’s top Jesus experts offer what they believe is the real gospel account of Jesus’s final week in Jerusalem, from his triumphal entry on Palm Sunday to his death on the cross.

Borg and Crossan join together to reveal a radical and little-known Jesus. As both authors reacted to and responded to questions about Mel Gibson's blockbuster The Passion of the Christ, they discovered that many Christians are unclear on the details of events during the week leading up to Jesus's crucifixion. They set out to tell and explain, against the background of Jewish high-priestly collaboration with Roman imperial control, the last week of Jesus’s life on earth as given in the gospel according to Mark.

Selected Tom Bandy Titles – Special offer

Tom Bandy recently lead well-attended seminars organised by the Methodist Church’s Evangelical Network in Christchurch and Auckland.

We are pleased to offer the following Tom Bandy and Bill Easum books published by Abingdon Press at reduced prices while stocks last.

Kicking Habits: Welcome relief for addicted churches. Tom Bandy, 2001. Usually $39.95, Special price $35.95.

Bandy shows congregations how to overcome the destructive attitudes and systems that prevent them from focusing on their true mission: making disciples of Jesus Christ.

Leadership on the Other Side: No rules, just clues. Bill Easum, 2000. Usually  $39.95, Special price $35.95.

A great primer for those leaders who are proactively guiding their churches into the future.

Mission Mover: beyond education for church leadership. Tom Bandy, 2004. Usually $36.95, Special price  $33.25.

Mission Mover calls the reader to go beyond safe, ineffective leadership in service to the institutional church into preparation to follow Jesus into the mission field of contemporary culture.

Moving Off The Map: a field guide to changing the congregation. Tom Bandy. 1999. Usually $39.95, Special price $35.95.

Here are powerful processes and tools to help congregations identify their strengths, weaknesses, and addictions. These processes can help a congregation shift attitudes, deepen spiritual awareness, receive Biblical visions, and shape ministries for the future.

And, watch out for these new Tom Bandy titles over the next few months:

Talisman: global positioning for the soul. This Chalice, US title is being published in July. (Price yet to be finalised).

This guide is designed to help readers reposition themselves in the realm of spirituality.

Introducing the Uncommon Lectionary: opening the Bible to seekers and disciples. Due later in April $27.95

Lays out the plan for a collection of readings from Scripture designed for the needs of seekers and the unchurched.

Epworth Books Gift Certificates

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Ask about our Gift Certificates available in $5, $20 and $50 values. Valid for 12 months, can be redeemed on any product for sale at Epworth Books.

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The certificates:

•  are valid for 12 months from date of issue,

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•  cannot be exchanged for cash,

•  may be used to pay an outstanding account at Epworth Books,

•  are valid only when signed and dated by a director of Epworth Books.

Change up to $5 will be given in cash. Change of $5 or more will be given in a combination of certificates and cash.

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