Church House Publishing – bright ideas for a greener church, starting this summer

Bulletin 5, July 2008

We’ve pulled together a selection of bright rays of summer sunshine reading to help you relax and recharge - and to also resource and re-invigorate your own spiritual life, or those of your congregation or small group.

Don’t stop at the lights…

The Lambeth Conference taking place in Canterbury this month will be the venue for the launch of a book which sets out a programme of simple and practical actions to help churches and their members ‘go green’, following the General Synod’s recent discussions on the subject.

Don’t Stop at the Lights follows last spring’s launch of How many lightbulbs does it take to change a Christian, a colourful pocket-sized book endorsed by the Archbishop of Canterbury which aimed to counter the idea that individuals can’t make a real difference to the environmental crises facing the globe.

The new book takes this agenda forward by providing study material on key Bible texts, alongside practical suggestions and case studies. Authors Claire Foster and David Shreeve (environmental advisers to the Church of England) offer a framework based on the Church’s liturgical year, and thus sow the seeds for a year of action on climate change.

To find out more about this exciting new title, visit: http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2394111

What are we doing here?

Know someone who has been going to church for years but not quite sure why? Always wanted an easy-to-read guide to what the Church of England’s main weekly service is actually about? Looking for a gift for your church to give to newcomers?

What Am I Doing Here?, produced by Church House Publishing, could be the answer – and broadcaster and editor of Private Eye, Ian Hislop, is among early fans of the book’s ability to communicate simply what going to church is really about. “Most books nowadays explain why people don’t go to church anymore. It is good to find one that explains why people still do,” he comments.

Written by Hilary Brand (Christ and the Chocolaterie; The Sceptic’s Guide to the Bible), and accompanied by illustrations from cartoonist Dave Walker, the pocket-sized book guides readers through each of the key parts of the Holy Communion service, demystifying what happens and why.

Order your copy from any Christian bookshop, or get it sent to you by buying it online today:

http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2394110

Fourth instalment of Reflections for Daily Prayer

The latest in this popular series of daily Bible reflections based on the Lectionary is now available, covering Trinity 13 to Christ the King. The latest set builds on the series’ growing reputation for gathering together accessible and stimulating commentaries from high-profile authors including Bishop John Pritchard, Jane Williams and Maggi Dawn. So if you haven’t already, why not buy this pocket-sized book online today, and try them out as part of your daily prayer routine?

These quarterly reflections are published every January, April, July and October. Find out more about the series, ordering and subscriptions at:

http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/feature.asp?id=2393697

Books for the beach – and for the return home

The ideal holiday read, Do Nothing to Change Your Life, sets out a manifesto for taking more time to appreciate God’s blessings. Bishop Stephen Cottrell urges us to discover what happens when we simply stop and rest, in a passionate plea for the nation to ditch endless ‘to do’ lists and an increasingly ‘24/7’ culture. His insights could rejuvenate your prayer life, and your relationship with God.

And whether you are grabbing a break this summer or are staying at home, you might enjoy some of our best-selling books aiding prayer and reflection. Praying Through Life – a highly accessible guide exploring how to start, renew and expand your prayer life – and sister title Travelling Well, also co-written by Bishop Stephen, provide ideal companions for new Christians and those wishing to go deeper with God through prayer.

Find out more about these titles set to brighten your summer prayer life:

http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=2393448

http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=17023

http://www.chpublishing.co.uk/product.asp?id=20752

For more information on any of these titles or any others that will be published during the year, please contact me or visit www.chpublishing.co.uk. The next bulletin will be issued in October, looking ahead to Advent.

Thomas Allain-Chapman

Head of Publishing

thomas.allain-chapman@c-of-e.org.uk

020 7898 1450