Newcomers Class

This little snarky book answers a lot of the common questions about The Episcopal Church. We recommend it to all participants in our Newcomers' class.

“How Can I Live Peacefully with Justice? is part of the “Little Books of Guidance” series from Church Publishing. It gives some of Mike's perspective on the function of faith in a life working for justice.

The late Peter Gomes, minister of the University Church at Harvard opens the Bible. He examines what Scripture really says about women, LGBTQ+ people, and people of color. With compassion, humor, and insight, he gives readers the tools and understanding they need to make the ancient wisdom of the Bible a dynamic part of their modern lives.

Folks often ask what kind of Bible they should buy (there are a lot of options). This new edition of the Common English Bible is the most recent translation authorized for use in worship by The Episcopal Church. The Women's Bible edition has really helpful commentary addressing issues of justice, particularly around gender.

Frank and funny, dark and wise, Kate Bowler pulls the reader deeply into her cancer diagnosis. A professor of Duke Divinity, she theologizes throughout. Everything Happens for a Reason tells her story, offering up her irreverent, hard-won observations on dying and the ways it has taught her to live.

Dr. Barbara Holmes was a Contemplative teacher who flipped a great deal of the contemplative world on its head. In the Spirit of Howard Thurman, she asked what the tradition had to say to, and learn from marginalized communities. Her book Crisis Contemplation views contemplation as a "sinking down" in the midst of crisis, as a set of practices for resilience, healing, and "joy as a protest."

In the Anglican/Episcopalian Tradition we put the liturgies we pray together most often in a book called “The Book of Common Prayer.” Episcopalians do not have a shared "dogma." We stay instead that the rule of prayer is the measure of belief. We are united in prayer rather than by theology.

A good primer on basic beliefs/practices/way of being.

Even theologians have had different ideas about the theology of atonement; how are the rest of supposed to understand it? This book is a good place to start. Crysdale, whose background in both psychology and theology gives her a unique perspective, presents an overview of the history of the theology of atonement, addressing clearly the difficulties around this concept, and bringing us with her to a contemporary understanding.

Sara is a fantastic writer. This book is part memoir, part theology, part manifesto. She talks about encountering Christ in the Eucharist, being converted and then reaching out with her local Episcopal church, St. Gregory of Nyssa in San Francisco.

David W Peters, a combat veteran and Episcopal priest explores the trauma of Jesus' own life, and how followers of Jesus might find healing.

The former rector of St. Michael's succinct summations of what Jesus taught―Don't worry; Love everybody; Help the poor; Become simple; Face into conflict; Change the world; Forgive yourself for being human, and so on―provide the basis for this series of reflections.

For many in our pews, this book helped reconcile a decision to leave the church in which they were brought up, and to join in the holy mess of Episcopalianism.

And God Spoke offers essential guidelines for everyone who wonders about the authority of the Bible, and who wants to read it with attentiveness and understanding.

Juan Oliver, former Custodian of the Book of Common Prayer and member of St. Bede's in Santa Fe, outlines why rituals and liturgy have great meaning in forming individuals and communities. His work is focused on topics such as the sacraments, worship, mystery and the sacred.

A conversation with Dr. Barbara Holmes from her book "Crisis Contemplation" on Healing, Trauma, and the journey to wholeness