Books published by Continuum International Publishing Group Ltd.

Each volume would follow the pattern of: 1) a brief opening introductory essay that would shape the context for that volume. 2) a selection of sermons from preachers active in the pulpit, organized under headings appropriate to the topic of the volume, as well as sub-topics within the volume. 3) several complementary and reflective essays from professionals of distinction in the field of homiletics. 4) sermons from the annual Preaching Excellence Conference, as exemplified in the previous Preaching Through the Year of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

This lively blend of theory, story, and practical resources and checklists is designed for churches committed to welcoming and nurturing children, and those who care for them. Written for clergy, religious educators, Christian Education superintendents and planners -- from the local to the national level -- it shows how to work effectively with children in educational, liturgical, and pastoral settings.

Commentary and devotional meditations on The Rule of St. Benedict.

Candlelight offers an intimate view of spiritual direction through

Explore the themes of passion, pilgrimage, and our longing for home in this classic spiritual study.

Using the Benedictine practice of lectio divina, or holy reading, as a way of reading an illness, as a way to relate better to one's body and soul.

Pronounce unfamiliar names with confidence by using this valuable resource. It provides currrently preferred and permissible pronunciations for 3,000-plus names, arranged alphabetically.

Barbara Cawthorne Crafton is among the first women ordained to the Episcopal priesthood, in which capacity she has ministered in both the richest and poorest sections of New York City. She is also a sensitive writer who addresses the human condition with plainspoken eloquence and bracing moral common sense. Cynthia Ozick writes, "The Reverend Crafton's purity of insight and pellucid voice suggest transparencies - one sees straight through them into the unshielded light of the plainest human truths. A shelf is dusted, a grandmother's sewing machine is recalled, mothers and fathers are praised and appraised, a lost child is mourned - and the weave of our lives is movingly unwound, ribbon by ribbon, until our hands are filled with rosiness and rue. Upon small moments large mercies are shed. Barbara Crafton's essays are everyone's heirlooms". These rich, moving essays will be read again and again.

In Norwich Cathedral, there is a stained glass window depicting the great mystic, Julian of Norwich. In her hands she holds her book, Revelations of Divine Love, and at her feet sits possessively a regal cat the color of marmalade, staring boldly out at the world. Who was this mysterious feline who so endeared himself to Mother Julian, the author wondered. He must have a story... The pranks of the slightly naughty but lovable cat will charm pet lovers, the tale of the little child who first loved him will touch the heart, and the language and richness of detail will transport the reader through the pungent streets of medieval Norwich and into the lives of many colorful characters. Here is an enchanting adventure for Julian followers, anglophiles, and cat lovers of all ages.

"The first thing to say in our exploration of priesthood is this: priesthood is a fundamental and inescapable part of being human. All human beings, knowingly or not, minister as priests to one another. All of us, knowingly or not, receive priestly ministrations from one another. Unless we begin here, we are not likely to understand the confusions and uncertainties and opportunities we have been encountering in the life of the church itself in recent years. We shall be in danger, in fact, of creating makeshift solutions to half-understood problems, easy answers to misleading questions, temporary bandages for institutions that need to be healed from the ground up." - L. William CountrymanThere is a lot of tension in churches today about whose ministry is primary-that of the laity or of the clergy. L. William Countryman argues that we can only resolve that problem by seeing that we are all priests simply by virtue of being human and living, as we all do, on the mysterious and uncertain border with the Holy. Living on the Border of the Holy offers a way of understanding the priesthood of the whole people of God and the priesthood of the ordained in complementary ways by showing how both are rooted in the fundamental priestly nature of human life. After an exploration of the ministry of both laity and ordained, Countryman concludes by examining the implications of this view of priesthood for churches and for educating those studying for ordination.

Brief extracts from the Underhill book, Fruits of the Spirit, first published in 1942, the year after Underhill's death. Each of these brief pieces is actually a meditation on some aspect of the spiritual life, and makes excellent devotional reading.

Finding God in the diversity of races, cultures, and creeds that make up our neighborhoods and cities, our country and our world, is one of the most important tasks for people of faith today. Seeing God in Diversity: Exodus and Acts, takes that task seriously. Here readers will find a parish study resource that promotes tolerance, diversity, and inclusiveness by looking at two biblical stories from multiple points of view?the story of the returning Jews in the Book of Exodus and the story of the new Christian community in the Book of Acts. The lessons of these ancient communities?and the way they dealt with many of the issues we face today?lead readers to put themselves in the place of each group and re-examine their faith and work for greater inclusiveness in their own communities. Lessons are arranged as six two-hour sessions, and include background commentary for study leaders, readings, activities, and discussion questions.

The act of creating art can help people explore the deepest recesses of their hearts and change their lives. Sullivan discovered the power of art for himself and has been using simple art projects as a form of prayer and a way of helping others explore what God may be saying to them.

This book is an introduction and basic understanding of the Anglican heritage.

In an easy, conversational style, the author, a nun for over 40 years, gives

New Episcopalians may be nervous about opening the Bible; others simply don't know how to begin. An often-overlooked gift of the Episcopal Church is that the texts and doctrines of the Bible are embedded in its prayers, liturgies, and creeds. Making that knowledge explicit and placing it in context can open the way for further and more in-depth study.

'The Book of Common Prayer' is nearly 1000 pages long, yet most Episcopalians have only a passing acquaintance with this book, which is a spiritual gold mine. In this thorough introduction to the BCP, the author leads readers through each of its parts, explaining the history and background and helping make the book a more meaningful spiritual tool.

In her inimitable style, Whitley places herself in the hearts and minds of the biblical characters--both real and imagined--who played a part in the first Christmas.

A unique prayer book that draws on feminine images of God to help women tap into their own rich and unique spirituality.

How do we practice reconciliation in a world full of violence? How do we love someone at work who seems hell-bent on sabotaging a successful career? And how do religious people resolve differences when religious interpretations seem to lead to righteous indignation rather than reconciliation? We practice reconciliation, according to Michael Battle, by affirming that God is present and acting on that belief, even in the midst of something that looks more like the devil's work. Battle, who worked with Desmond Tutu in South Africa in the past, draws on his knowledge of biblical texts, as well as contemporary scholarship, to examine the ways in which each of us can practice being reconciling people.

A tour through the dates, colors, and other traditions of the Church year. This third volume in the popular Morehouse series explains why we do what we do and when, and it does so in a user-friendly, thoroughly interesting way.

An exploration of the history of the Book of Common Prayer and its revisions, beginning with the 1549 English Prayer Book and continuing up to the present. This revised and expanded version of The Story of the Real Prayer Book (this books original title) finishes the story of the final adoption of the 1979 Book of Common Prayer. Sydnor explores why each revision was necessary, what was changed, added, omitted, as well as what was retained in the new book.

Help young children explore the sights, sounds, and smells that are central to the Anglican liturgy. Interactive games and puzzles teach about the important aspects of worship and those involved in it. Includes permission to copy pages for non-profit use in church or school. For ages 4-7.

The pastoral care-giver will want this authoritative source for developing a vital part of any church's ministry-the hospital visitation. Informative, concise, and practical.

A diverse compilation of essays that explore the complex idea of simplicity in our lives, community, and environment, and how buying less and decluttering creates an enriching and sustainable life. In a rare collection of voices, the authors of Simpler Living, Compassionate Life explore voluntary simplicity as a path to wholeness and abundance. Henri Nouwen, Cecile Andrews, Richard Foster, and 19 other writers encourage you to listen to your own story, and to respond to dialogue about the fundamental issues of life: time, money, food, spirituality, heritage, and community. A diversity of voices and a helpful study guide make this an effective tool for individuals and groups ready to consider alternatives to high-price, high-stress ¿good life¿: the riches of simplicity and compassion. ¿Simpler Living, Compassionate Life is an excellent resource for anyone wishing to have a comprehensive overview of the myriad ways living more simply has positively affected our culture. It is a delightful and practical guide for creating simplicity in our own lives, our communities, and for the benefit of our culture.¿¿Elaine James, author of Simplify Your Life and Inner Simplicity

Its hard to have a God complex when your kids expect you to