Book Marks - September 2006

News
We raised over $100 during our July used book sale for the purchase of new materials. Selections will be made during the month of September so look forward to a list of new acquisitions soon. If you have any suggestions, be sure to fill out a request form or send us an e-mail with the publication information.

Featured Materials
The Navy Days (and Years) of Fred A. Skellie, Jr. Call number: D811 .S54 2006
Fred Skellie has been so kind as to provide the church library with a copy of his writings depicting his Navy experiences during WWII. These writings were the basis of several talks he’s given at Druid Hills UMC in recent years. If you missed his lectures or would like to revisit them, be sure to check out this great new resource.

(Reprinted for the September newsletter)
A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren, Zondervan, 2004. Call number: BT60 .M37 2004
“A confession and manifesto from a senior leader in the emerging church movement—A Generous Orthodoxy calls for a radical, Christ-centered orthodoxy of faith and practice in a missional, generous spirit. Brian McLaren argues for a post-liberal, post-conservative, post-protestant convergence that will stimulate lively interest and global conversation among thoughtful Christians from all traditions” (from book jacket). Recommended by Les Scott, who made this acquisition possible.

Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. Send them to library@druidhillsumc.org.

Book Marks - August 2006

Librarian’s News

My roundtable discussion at the American Theological Library Association Annual Conference last month went very well. We had a lively discussion on the merits of and difficulties with ordained theological librarians. While I was at ATLA, I met and spoke with a representative from the Alban Institute. This is a non-profit research organization, largely funded by the Lilly Endowment, whose primary focus is on congregational issues and resources. They have put together website called Congregational Resource Guide (www.congregationalresources.org) containing links and articles to information for nearly all aspects of congregational life. They have sent us some brochures, so please pick one up the next time you’re in the library to learn more about this fabulous resource.

New Acquisition!

A Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren, Zondervan, 2004. Call number: BT60 .M37 2004

“A confession and manifesto from a senior leader in the emerging church movement—A Generous Orthodoxy calls for a radical, Christ-centered orthodoxy of faith and practice in a missional, generous spirit. Brian McLaren argues for a post-liberal, post-conservative, post-protestant convergence that will stimulate lively interest and global conversation among thoughtful Christians from all traditions” (from book jacket). Recommended by Les Scott, who made this acquisition possible.

Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. Send them to library@druidhillsumc.org.

Book Marks - July 2006

Thank You!

I would like to extend a special thanks to Lynn Hiller and Tricia Thomas who have been helping out in the library. If you would like to join in the fun, please contact us for information about workdays.

Librarian’s News

As I write this, I am traveling to the American Theological Library Association Annual Conference in Chicago, IL. While there I will facilitate a roundtable discussion on issues of theological librarianship and ordained ministry. I’m happy to share my experiences with you, so look for the next Book Marks column or come and ask me the next time you see me

Summer Reading

Read anything good this summer? Think someone else at church might enjoy it? Let the church library know so we can include it in our collection. Request forms are available on the table in the library.

Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. Send them to library@druidhillsumc.org.

Book Marks - June 2006

Who Was William D. Thomson? by Lydia O’Nan

Mr. William Danner Thomson (1876-1952) was a native Atlantan who, along with Bishop Warren A. Candler and Asa G. Candler, was most responsible for the creation of Emory University. He was primarily responsible for the wording of the University’s charter that was granted January 25, 1915. For 38 years he served Emory in many capacities, including as the University’s legal counsel.

Mr. Will, as he was affectionately called, was one of the South’s leading Methodist laymen. For many years he was the superintendent of the Sunday School at Druid Hills Methodist Church. The church library is named for him. His contributions extended to other communities in DeKalb County. He gave the land for the W.D. Thomson Park on Mason Mill Road and for the W. D. Thomson Elementary School.

New Acquisitions

Checking out books is easy! Come by the library and peruse our fabulous new acquisitions, including these titles:

Discerning the Divine: God in Christian Theology, by Barry L. Callen; BT103 .C35 2004

Being Methodist in the Bible Belt: A Theological Survival Guide for Youth, Parents, and Other Confused Methodists, by F. Belton Joyner Jr.; BX8382.2 .Z5 J69 2004

Seasons of a Family’s Life: Cultivating the Contemplative Spirit at Home, by Wendy M. Wright; BV4526.3 .W75 2003

Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. Send them to library@druidhillsumc.org.

Book Marks - May 2006

READY FOR CHECK OUT! By the time this is printed, the library will be up and running with books ready to be perused, checked out, and returned. But the work is far from finished. Please stop by the library before or after worship to take a look at our resources and perhaps you’ll find something interesting or helpful.

THINKING ABOUT FALL: Planning Sunday school lessons or circle meetings? Have a particular book or resource in mind? Let the Library know what it is! Fill out a Request Form with the information you have and we’ll do our best to acquire it and let you know when its available.

Check www.druidhillsumc.org/library.html for regular news and updates!

Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. Send them to library@druidhillsumc.org.

NEW BOOKS

In lieu of our usual review, this month’s column features a list of some recent acquisitions with their subject headings and call numbers:

Parables from the Back Side: Bible Stories with a Twist by J. Ellsworth Kalas; Jesus Christ—Parables—Sermons; Methodist Church—Sermons; Sermons, American; BT375.2 .K33 1991

The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? by Rick Warren; Christian life; BV4501.3 .W37 2002

Major United Methodist Beliefs by Mack B. Stokes; United Methodist Church (U.S.)—Doctrines; Methodist Church—United States—Doctrines; BX8332 .S685 1989

The Gospel According to Harry Potter: Spirituality in the Stories of the World’s Most Famous Seeker by Connie Neal; Rowling, J.K.—Religion; Christian fiction, English—History and criticism; Children’s stories, English—History and criticism; PR6068.O93 Z78 2002

What’s a Christian to do with Harry Potter? by Connie Neal; Christianity and other religions—New Age movement; New Age movement—Relations—Christianity; Potter, Harry (Fictitious character); BR128.N48 N43 2001

Book Marks - April 2006

RESOURCES NOW AVAILABLE: The work has begun in making new resources available! The library subscribes to several United Methodist-related online publications, which are being printed and placed in the library for your reading pleasure.

OUR PROGRESS: There will be at least one or two workdays scheduled in the next month to tidy up the room and “weed” the collection. If you would like to assist with this work, please contact Myka for more information and watch for further announcements.

UPCOMING EVENTS: Mark your calendars for the library’s Open House on April 30. All are encouraged to stop by and take a tour of the newly organized collection. Short presentations will be given on the library’s arrangement and circulation procedures. Check www.druidhillsumc.org/library.html for regular news and updates!

Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. Send them to library@druidhillsumc.org.

WEBSITE REVIEW

www.umpower.org: UM Power – Empowering United Methodists For Faithful Action; Maintained by the General Board of Church and Society, UM Power is a helpful resource and informational tool for anyone wanting to become involved in the legislative process. It offers a list of current bills before Congress as well as the results of bills on which Congress has already voted. Information on current bills includes a short description, its status, and the position of the UMC. Unfortunately, the most of the positions are simply stated without any theological rationale. For some bills, references are made to our Social Principles or the Book of Resolutions. The listing for each bill is accompanied by a “Take Action” link that directs the user to a letter-writing page. A sample letter for that specific piece of legislation is provided with options to send it by e-mail, fax or print to your elected officials. First time users will be asked to join the site – providing your name and address will help the site identify your elected officials. The site also includes Action Center, which provides links to the more urgent issues requiring action. This website has the potential to make tracking legislation and affecting social change easy, simple and feasible for United Methodists. I highly recommend visiting this site.

Book Marks - March 2006

THANK YOU to all who contributed to the Just One Book children’s book drive. We collected nearly 40 books that will be sent to schools damaged by the hurricanes. If you missed the drive or have more books you’d like to give, send them to: Just One Book, 481 Jasmine Ridge Road, Wetumpka, AL 36093. Visit www.justonebook.net for more information.

LIBRARIAN’S NEWS: On February 4 I attended the mid-winter meeting of the Metro Atlanta Chapter, Church and Synagogue Library Association. I joined CSLA in 2005, but this was my first opportunity to attend a meeting. The workshop was about starting and restarting a church library. I came away with lots of great tips, suggestions and ideas for our library. It was also a great opportunity for me to meet other church librarians in the area.

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission and purpose of the William D. Thomson Library at Druid Hills UMC is to support the church as it is called to embody a resurrection faith. It seeks to enhance the church’s ministry by helping individuals develop an understanding of the Christian faith and by providing resources for disciple making.

UPCOMING EVENTS: By the time of publication, we will have a presence on the DHUMC website: www.druidhillsumc.org/library.html. We are also busy setting up an automated library system using a freeware program called Koha. Future events to look forward to are an open house at the end of March and a summer reading book fair in late April/early May. Check the website and/or bulletin board outside the library for these and other items of interest.

Comments, questions, and suggestions are always welcome. Send them to mykaks@gmail.com.

RECOMMENDED READING

Readings for Lent and Easter. The Upper Room, 1993. BV85 .R43 1993 This is a collection of devotionals for the Lenten season taken from the archives of The Upper Room. Readings for each day are combined with Scripture quotations. An appendix in the back contains questions for thoughtful discussion. This book will soon be available for circulation!