The Family Story Bible


Book Description

This Bible story book for children will satisfy parents who are looking for gender balance in story selection and inclusive language for God. The book is delightfully illustrated by Margaret Kyle.




12 Days of Mardi Gras


Book Description

Repetition, alliteration, and visual humor abound in this Mardi Gras themed riff on the iconic holiday song, perfect for emerging readers and early counters. As each day of the Mardi Gras season passes, a gift is given. Each of the many, many, many gifts is familiar to those who embrace the season's traditions. Coming in twos, twelves, fives and fours, the gifts include majestic masks, floats a rolling, golden shoes, and cherished cups. Colorful illustrations provide lots of additional hijinks and engagement in this soon-to-be-classic holiday tale!




How The Light Shines


Book Description

This book is for caregivers who have a desire not only to hone their caring skills, but also to deepen their relationship with God through their care. It explores feelings of loss and challenge, but turns always towards potential and hope. THESE ARE THE FACTS: There are over 100 types of dementia affecting over 50 million people around the world. But if you’re picking up this book, you probably already know that. Unfortunately, knowing the hard numbers doesn’t make caregiving less demanding, challenging, exhausting, and, yes, many times and in many ways, potentially uplifting. Caregiving is typically understood as an activity, as something we do – likely because caregivers do a lot. But caregiving is deeper than what we do. It is more than a series of tasks. It is, first and foremost, a call to love. In How the Light Shines each chapter engages an issue raised by caregivers themselves and is filled with real-life stories that convey the realities of caregiving, as well as tips and advice, and spiritual insight and guidance. It is written with both individuals and groups in mind. Each chapter includes questions and, for personal or group reflection, a spiritual practice and a prayer grounded in the pain and possibilities of it all.




Talk Sex Today


Book Description

Not sure what – or how much – information to share with children and teens regarding sex and sexual health? Do you fear what they might ask? Or how to respond to their questions? Or whether you even know the “answers” yourself? Saleema Noon knows all about these fears and concerns. An expert in sexual health education and stepparent to two teenage daughters herself, she understands the challenges adults face when addressing sensitive topics with their kids. In Talk Sex Today,Noon delivers an intelligent and sensible blend of current, inclusive, and practical information for children and teens – and the adults who love them. Noon builds on the foundational work of iconic sexual health educator Meg Hickling and her bestselling Speaking of Sex books to offer adults a break-through guide on teaching “body science.” Together, with a combined 40 years of experience, Noon and Hickling broach a host of topics including: gender identity and stereotypes sexual diversity sexual consent bullying and harassment fostering healthy body image internet safety managing media influence pornography sexual decision-making teaching sexual health to children and teens with special needs Not afraid of controversy and firm in her belief that knowledge is power, Noon’s broadly inclusive approach shines with the affirmation that every person – regardless of race, religion, age, ability, gender identity, gender expression and sexual attraction – deserves respect and the information that will keep them safe. This is the ultimate guide to teaching children about sexual health and is ideal for educators and parents alike.




Oil And Water


Book Description

Listen to any news broadcast today and the message comes through loud and clear: Islam is a religion of violence and behind every Muslim there lurks a potential terrorist. Islam is a threat to values of the Christian West. They are like oil and water. Clearly, they don't mix. Oil & Water: Two Faiths One God confronts these popular perceptions head-on. With keen insight and gentle understanding, it explores the differences between Christianity and Islam, as well as the many things these two enduring faith traditions hold in common - including, first and foremost, their belief in and desire to be faithful to the one, true God; their shared roots and scripture (from the Jewish faith); and the spiritual values of peace and social justice. Written for Christians by Muslim world-religions scholar Amir Hussain, the book is divided into two parts. Part 1 provides an overview of the Islamic faith and of the lives of Muslims in North America today. Chapters focus on the place and identity of Muslims in society, as well as on the importance and role of Muhammad, the Qur'an, and basic beliefs and practices (The Five Pillars of Islam). Having provided a foundation for understanding, the book moves on, in Part 2, to explore key points for dialogue today, including issues of violence and jihad, the roles of women and men, and the mystical tradition within Islam. The final two chapters look at interfaith dialogue and the practical aspects of being good "neighbours." In all of this, the book invites the reader to a place of reconciliation, to a place where the truth and value of each of these great faith traditions can be recognized and honoured by the other. In the end, the metaphor of oil and water is an interesting one for the reality of conflict and the hope for reconciliation between Islam and Christianity today.




The Midwife's Story


Book Description

Still your busy heart with The Midwife's Story: Meditations for Advent Times. In this season of waiting, it is easy to get caught up in the tension and the stress. There is great value in taking quiet time for reflection. The Midwife's Story will allow you to ready yourself spiritually for the birth of the Divine. As the title suggests it is a poem about a very special midwife who may have been present at the birth of Christ. The poem, which reminds us that holiness comes to the world through a physical body, is accompanied by beautiful illustrations that are meant to help open your mind and heart, and bring new awareness and insight. The second half of the book invites you to delve deeper, by exploring a different theme for each of the poem's eight sections. The Midwife's Story will assist you on the journey through Advent and help you learn what healing or growth God is wanting to bring to birth in you.




Bury Me in a Pot Bunker


Book Description

Dye, the famed golf course architect, offers vivid insight into how he designed his most celebrated courses and reveals anecdotes about some of the world's greatest golfers. 8-page photo insert.




Unsettling Spirit


Book Description

What does it mean to be a white settler on land taken from peoples who have lived there since time immemorial? In the context of reconciliation and Indigenous resurgence, Unsettling Spirit provides a personal perspective on decolonization, informed by Indigenous traditions and lifeways, and the need to examine one's complicity with colonial structures. Applying autoethnography grounded in Indigenous and feminist methodologies, Denise Nadeau weaves together stories and reflections on how to live with integrity on stolen and occupied land. The author chronicles her early and brief experience of "Native mission" in the late 1980s and early 1990s in northern Canada and Chiapas, Mexico, and the gradual recognition that she had internalized colonialist concepts of the "good Christian" and the Great White Helper. Drawing on somatic psychotherapy, Nadeau addresses contemporary manifestations of helping and the politics of trauma. She uncovers her ancestors' settler background and the responsibilities that come with facing this history. Caught between two traditions – born and raised Catholic but challenged by Indigenous ways of life – the author traces her engagement with Indigenous values and how relationships inform her ongoing journey. A foreword by Cree-Métis author Deanna Reder places the work in a broader context of Indigenous scholarship. Incorporating insights from Indigenous ethical and legal frameworks, Unsettling Spirit offers an accessible reflection on possibilities for settler decolonization as well as for decolonizing Christian and interfaith practice.




Learning God's Stories Together


Book Description

In this valuable resource, Dorothy Henderson explains, encourages and enables all-ages learning. People looking for help in developing an all-ages learning program will be heartened by the wealth of practical advice LearningGod's Stories Together provides. The first part of the book explains the theory and practice of all ages learning. Dorothy opens our eyes to its myriad benefits: It's fun! It builds community. It lets us hear points of view from groups we might not normally have a chance to mingle with. Dorothy presents her ideas in an easily accessible style that will fit with almost any congregation, large or small. There is a section describing the five generations that might form an all ages learning group which is interesting and useful - and not only for church-group use! We also learn about the advantages of all ages learning, which are many. Dorothy provides step-by-step insructions for setting up all ages learning and ideas to use for our first gatherings. The information is complete and inspires us to go ahead and try this if we haven't done it before; it will provide depth and insight and new ideas for those who already have all ages learning happening in their church. The second part of the book consists of 20 story sessions, each of which contains suggestions for gathering, for telling and talking about the story, and for exploring the story and making it part of your life. Again, lots of practical suggestions that will appeal to both children and adults. Dorothy presents her information in a friendly tone that encourages educators to be enthusiastic about embracing this rewarding style of learning. "What other institution do you know where five generations come together every week . . . worshipping, drinkg juice and coffee, talking, eating, doing important mission work and learning together what it means to love God and love a neighbour as oneself. The church provides a natural environment for all-ages gatherings. But, as Edward Loper reminds us, 'There was a time, not all that long ago, when we did not need to intentionally talk about the relationships between generations. The relationships were plain for all to see. Most of us lived in the context of an extended family. Members of several generations lived in a close proximity to one another, kenw each other, and supported each other. This is no longer the case.' It is time, once again, to become intentional in building connections among the generations."




The Pursuit of Virtue


Book Description

In The Pursuit of Virtue, Lombardo outlines the impact that today’s culture of thought is having on us individually and collectively – leaving us compulsively focused on the present, seeking external validation. Lombardo encourages us to choose a path to what he calls a Good Future, by acknowledging and developing our internal resources for wisdom. This Good Future transcends the external and infuses our lives with qualities such as self-evolution, courage, and critical thinking, to lead us out of the shadows and into the light.