Book Marks - March 2007

Help us grow our collection by giving to the library in memory or honor of someone special. The library has a “wishlist” of materials we would like to add to the collection, which is currently available upon request. Choose a book from this list and we will add a special bookplate commemorating the person you would like recognized. Selection is not limited to this list and we welcome all suggestions. However, the church librarian must approve the final selection. Monetary honorariums and memorials are also accepted. Please send these to the church office along with a special note to the church library expressing how you wish your gift to be spent.

Send inquiries to the church librarian: library@druidhillsumc.org, 404-486-7063

New books in February

Here's a list of some new books added to the collection this month. Feel free to click the request link if a title interests you and we will let you know when it is ready to check-out.

Biblical Studies:

Mays, James Luther. Amos: A Commentary. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1969.
Call number: BS1585.3 .M34 1969
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Collins, John J. Jewish Wisdom in the Hellenistic Age. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 1997.
Call number: BS1765.2 .C65 1997
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Juvenile Chapter Books:

Carroll, Lewis. Alice in Wonderland. New York: Scholastic.
Call number: Carroll Alice
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Rowling, J.K. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. New York: Scholastic, 1998.
Call number: Rowling HP2
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Young Adult:

Kaplan, Inc. SAT Score-Raising Dictionary. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005.
Call number: LB2353.57 .K37 2005
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Hawthorne, Nathaniel. The Scarlet Letter. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2005.
Call number: Hawthorne Scarlet
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Street Signs by Ray Bakke and Jon Sharpe

Announcing a new arrival: Street Signs: A New Direction in Urban Ministry by Ray Bakke and Jon Sharpe.

The following review was written by Myka Kennedy Stephens for Congregational Libraries Today, the bimonthly publication of the Church & Synagogue Library Association. Used with permission. Copyright 2007 by the Church and Synagogue Library Association (www.cslainfo.org).

Inside its attractive cover, this book has a depth that lives up to its title in that it provides a new direction for urban ministries. Bakke and Sharpe share their personal stories and how experience in urban ministry has shaped their understanding of the limitless possibilities for the Christian church in an urban setting. It is a practical guide for urban churches and their leaders that is both friendly and challenging. With questions for reflection at the end of each chapter, this book is ideal for small group study or independent reading.

Bakke and Sharpe’s theology of urban ministry develops out of their Lutheran/Baptist and Methodist/Pentecostal backgrounds. They assert that the city is not just another mission field. Rather, God is present in urban areas and the Church is called to listen to and meet the needs of urban Christians. They promote the idea of consultations to invigorate urban ministries and include a how-to guide for organizing a consultation. The theology and missiology contained in this book can be easily translated to any Christian church, from Roman Catholic to Baptist. It would benefit any urban church that reads it and is highly recommended.
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Call number: BV637.5 .B35 2006
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Awakened to a Calling

Announcing a new arrival: Awakened to a Calling: Reflections on the Vocation of Ministry edited by Ann M. Svennungsen and Melissa Wiginton. This book is part of our special Druid Hills Historical Collection, as it is co-edited by a member of our church and the Foreword is by James T. Laney.

The following review was written by Myka Kennedy Stephens for Congregational Libraries Today, the bimonthly publication of the Church & Synagogue Library Association. Used with permission. Copyright 2007 by the Church and Synagogue Library Association (www.cslainfo.org).

This short collection of sermons and homilies speaks to anyone who has ever felt the call to ministry. Compiled as a tribute to former Fund for Theological Education president Jim Waits, Awakened to a Calling includes passionate and encouraging words from well-known preachers such as Tom Long, Fred Craddock, Barbara Brown Taylor, and Walter Brueggemann. For those who are in the life-long process of discerning God’s call, reading this book is like having your own private team of mentors guiding and supporting you. Both burgeoning and seasoned ministers would enjoy this book.
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Call number: BV4011.4 .A93 2005
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Young Clergy by Donald Capps

Announcing a new arrival: Young Clergy: a Biographical-Developmental Study by Donald Capps

The following review was written by Myka Kennedy Stephens for Congregational Libraries Today, the bimonthly publication of the Church & Synagogue Library Association. Used with permission. Copyright 2007 by the Church and Synagogue Library Association (www.cslainfo.org).

Renowned pastoral psychologist Donald Capps turns his attention toward the development of young clergy in his latest book. In it, he applies Daniel Levinson’s model of adult development to the biographies of Phillips Brooks, Jonathan Edwards, John Henry Newman, John Wesley, and Orestes Brownson. Each of these historical clergymen from the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries represents a different type of development during the early adult era of life. By examining these case studies, the reader hopes to understand more about the driving forces in the life of a young clergy person.

As a critical examination of pastoral development, this book contributes to the existing conversation. While the explanation and application of Levinson’s model is clear and concise, it is questionable whether or not those outside of the field of pastoral psychology will find this work helpful or relevant. The case studies of each clergyman, however, are engaging and make this a book easily adapted for small group study. It should be noted that the case studies do not include full biographies; rather, they trace the life from childhood to early adulthood, approximately to the age of forty. Protestant congregations may find this book more useful for biographical study of these five clergymen.
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Call number: BV600.3 .C37 2005
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Preaching without Contempt by Marilyn J. Salmon

Announcing a new arrival: Preaching without Contempt: Overcoming Unintended Anti-Judaism by Marilyn J. Salmon.

The following review was written by Myka Kennedy Stephens for Congregational Libraries Today, the bimonthly publication of the Church & Synagogue Library Association. Used with permission. Copyright 2007 by the Church and Synagogue Library Association (www.cslainfo.org).

In a world where religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue is becoming a must, Marilyn Salmon offers her suggestions for overcoming anti-Jewish sentiments in Christian preaching. Not every preacher is aware that she or he is promoting anti-Jewish thought because it has been a part of the Christian tradition for so many years. Even the great Barbara Brown Taylor has fallen victim to unintentional anti-Jewish statements in her sermons. In this easy to read manual, Salmon attempts to raise the reader’s awareness of anti-Judaism in Christianity and offers historical and theological evidence that strengthens the bonds between these two faith traditions.

Part of the Fortress Resources for Preaching series, Preaching without Contempt examines five major areas where anti-Judaism is most prevalent. These include the Gospels, the idea of supersessionism, who the Pharisees were, and the passion narrative. Her chapters are informative, well documented, and include illustrations from her own sermons. Both clergy and lay preachers would benefit from this book. It is recommended for all Christian congregational libraries, as it is vitally important in the current religious and political climate that dominates our world.
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Call number: BT93 .S25 2006
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UMC.org Community

As we are committed to bringing you news about all types of information, here is another e-mail announcement the church library received from UMC.org:

One of the most exciting features of the redesigned UMC.org, the Web site of the people of The United Methodist Church, is the new Community section—the first large-scale social networking site developed by a mainline denomination. Hundreds of people have already signed up to participate in a global dialogue on topics of faith and service.

UMC.org is not only a great way for you to connect with other people of faith from around the world, but it’s also an opportunity to further enhance your own congregation’s community. By forming an online village for your church on UMC.org, you can help members keep in touch between services, get updates if they miss a service or event, and find local volunteer opportunities, just to name a few possibilities.

UMC.org Community is also a great way for to reach the young members of your church who are familiar with other popular social networks such as MySpace and Facebook. The difference at UMC.org community is the commitment to online safety and mutual respect.

The online community, developed by Brick River Technologies, has filters that edit out offensive language, a minimum age requirement of 13 years old, security technology review by senior professionals, manual review of photo and video content, and a self-monitoring approach that allows users to flag the content of inappropriate posts for review by an administrator.

Setting up a village on the UMC.org Community is simple:

At www.UMC.org, click on “Connect” to create a Community profile.
From your Dashboard home, select “Create a Village” from the menu on the left.
Complete the easy online form by choosing a name for your village and selecting settings to make the group either private or open to the public.
Invite members of your church to join your village and become part of your online community.

The UMC.org Community is an innovative new way to stay connected with the church, and United Methodist Communications encourages you be among the first to join the online dialogue. Please create a profile at www.UMC.org today.

We hope that you will join the UMC.org Community and share this information with members of your church. To download a UMC.org Community bulletin insert and sample service announcement, visit www.UMC.org/Launch.

E-Mail Announcement from UM NeXus

The Progressive Christian, Author Collaborate to Publish Online Book

The Progressive Christian magazine is cooperating with Dr. Delwin Brown to publish a short online book entitled Progressive Christian Beliefs.

The book by Dr. Brown is an "introduction" to a progressive Christian perspective "for liberals who are searching, conservatives who are open, and others who are curious." For a preview of the book's Preface, click here.

Beginning Monday, February 19, a chapter of Progressive Christian Beliefs will be posted biweekly at http://progressivetheology.word.com. Comments and readers' discussion of the issues raised by each of the eight chapters are encouraged.

A link to this blog publication will also appear on the home page of The Progressive Christian as well as the websites of other progressive religious groups. The new TPC web site will be launched on Saturday, Feb. 17.

The Progressive Christian is a magazine for people of faith seeking the common good through reflection, dialogue and responsible action. Dr. Brown, dean emeritus at Pacific School of Religion, served as the director of "The Progressive Christian Witness."

The Sense of the Call by Marva J. Dawn

Announcing a new arrival: Marva J. Dawn's The Sense of the Call: A Sabbath Way of Life for Those Who Serve God, the Church, and the World

The following review was written by Myka Kennedy Stephens for Congregational Libraries Today, the bimonthly publication of the Church & Synagogue Library Association. Used with permission. Copyright 2007 by the Church and Synagogue Library Association (www.cslainfo.org).

Pastors, ministers, and church workers will appreciate Marva Dawn’s call to Sabbath-keeping in her most recent work. Strongly rooted in Biblical interpretation and conversant with other writings on the topic, Dawn encourages those who have dedicated their lives to Christ to make the additional dedication to a day of resting, ceasing, fasting and embracing. In sincerity, she admits to her own difficulties with Sabbath-keeping, yet she draws strength from them to encourage and enable her readers to join her in improving this Christian practice.

While this book is intended for those who work in and for the Church, the concepts could be easily adapted for any faithful Christians who seek to improve their Sabbath practices. It includes an extensive reading list organized by topic to aid the reader in finding additional resources on Sabbath-keeping.
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Call number: BV4400 .D38 2006
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The Unwanted Gift of Grief by Tim P. VanDuivendyk

Announcing a new arrival: Tim P. VanDuivendyk's The Unwanted Gift of Grief: A Ministry Approach.

The following review was written by Myka Kennedy Stephens for Congregational Libraries Today, the bimonthly publication of the Church & Synagogue Library Association. Used with permission. Copyright 2007 by the Church and Synagogue Library Association (www.cslainfo.org).

This highly accessible and easy-to-read guide through the grieving process provides comfort to the griever and support for the friend of the griever. The author’s personal experiences with grief and his ministry as a chaplain allow him to write with clarity of tone that will reach any reader. At the root of his approach is an understanding of grief as an expression of gratitude for that which is no longer present. The grieving process is likened to a journey through a wilderness, and this book is there to guide the way for griever and sojourner, the one who accompanies the griever.

This book will have a broad appeal to those who are suffering and those who wish to help the suffering. It is a practical guide with anecdotes, insights, and a depth that is not weighted down with technical terms or concepts. Important points are drawn out of the text and placed in italics, making the book easy to follow or skim. Congregational libraries would do their users well in acquiring this book.
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Call number: BV4905.3 .V38 2006
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