The Pastor’s Bookcase
Post Author: Susan Olson
When visiting a friend’s office, I enjoy snooping through perusing the shelves. Sometimes I find something that is exactly what I need for a particular situation. Sometimes I’m reminded of old favorites that I had nearly forgotten.
This week we asked several young clergy women serving ministries outside of the parish to recommend resources that have been useful to them in the last year or so. Go ahead, snoop around, you know you want to! (Feel free to add your own recommendations to the comments.)
- Scar Tissue, a novel by Michael Ignatieff, is recommended by Erica Brown, Assistant Chaplain at Northwestern University. The Rev. Brown lends it to students whose parents/grandparents have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease.
- Rob Bell’s Nooma Videos are recommended by two women ministering in higher education. Narcie Jeter, United Methodist campus minister at Winthrop University, notes that students love them (though they wish he used a tripod!) Jennifer Janney, Associate Minister to the University at Chowan University adds that they are “AMAZING for campus ministry.”
- Narcie Jeter couldn’t stop at just one, and also gives shout outs to Jan Richardson’s In Wisdom’s Path and to Alive Now for its poems, prayers and quotes. Finally, she points to Relevant Magazine’s weekly e-newsletter, confessing that she still hasn’t gotten around to reading the print ‘zine, but loves the e-letter.
- Stacey Jutila works the night shift as chaplain to Children’s Memorial in Chicago. She recommends If I Get to Five, by Fred Epstein and Josh Horwitz. She notes, “This book is written by one of the first pediatric neuro-oncologists. He talks about the reality of brain tumors and
their impact on children and families. He does a wonderful job of examining the social, medical, and spiritual aspects of pediatric cancer.” The Rev. Jutila also recommends Ode Magazine, which she says is “a wonderful international magazine that looks at issues of justice, peace, environment, spirituality and health.” - Former college chaplain Mary Allison Cates recommends Iona’s A Wee Worship Book. She notes that “the invitation to the table on page 84 is revolutionary and beautiful.”
- Worship is also on the mind of Callista Isabelle, Associate University Chaplain at Yale University. She lifts up Prayers & Litanies for the Christian Seasons by Sharlande Sledge. Chaplain Isabelle notes, “She uses imagery brilliantly, and I’ve used this book as inspiration for Sunday morning liturgies and evening services. The book is arranged both by liturgical season and thematically.”
She also suggests Sustaining Simplicity by Anne Basye, “down-to-earth journal of one woman’s quest to live simply. Basye gives accessible examples and frames her struggle for simplicity theologically. There’s also an online guide for group conversations. My favorite part is the book is formatted as little scribbles and Post-It notes, so it looks just as scattered as my life but flows more
smoothly!” - Kate Smanik-Moyes, the Helen Carnell Eden Chaplain at Wilson College, refers us to When Violence Is No Stranger by Kristen Leslie. She notes, “Working on the campus of a women’s college means I frequently work with students who have experienced acquaintance rape. I read this book almost every year just to remind myself of the theological and pastoral frameworks that can support my work with these students. In my humble opinion every pastor should read this
book.” - Anne Turner is between jobs right now, having moved to a new region with her spouse. Her picks during this liminal time are, “A tie between The Christian Century (because it makes me still feel like I can carry on an adult conversation,even if I do have to sing “I’ve been working on the railroad” to daughter Lucy between every page) and Barbara Brown Taylor’s Leaving Church (because I could compare her experience to mine and decide that, no, I’m not burned out like she was, despite my worst fears.)” Narcie Jeter also suggests Leaving Church.
- Mira Hewlett’s work straddles two fields. She is part-time in religious life at Dickinson College and part time at a local parish. She recommends Generous Orthodoxy by Brian McLaren, and Leading From the Second Chair by Mike Bonem and Roger Patterson. She writes, “Amazing insights on how to work in a parish under someone else where one must work to implement the vision of others. But the lessons translate so easily and profoundly to any other ministry that involves a boss that it makes it a must read for those who desire to have the most impact within their role.”
- How To Be A Perfect Stranger gets a nod from Kelly Burk, a young clergy woman from the Church of the Brethren, currently serving as Interim Director for Campus Ministries at Earlham College. The Rev. Burk also suggests the previously mentioned Leaving Church, noting that the memoir “touched me profoundly and gave me encouragement to follow where God was calling even when it wasn’t where the institutional church wanted me.”
- Suzanne Vinson is a chaplain for a skilled nursing facility. She recommends Gifts of Many Cultures by Maren Tirabassi and Kathy Wonson Eddy. Chaplain Vinson notes, “Great compilation of liturgy, prayers, writings and art from the global community. LOVE the resource. Use it weekly in creating worship services, for personal reflection, AND in leading spirituality groups.”
- In addition to the previously mentioned Nooma videos, Jennifer Janney also suggests the Bonhoeffer classic Life Together as having “been the best words on community for me in a rural ‘out in the middle of nowhere’ place in ministry!”
We also asked this same group of women for personal or “just for fun” resources. Some women’s personal resources were other women’s professional resources, so they were mentioned above. Other sources mentioned (space prohibits comments on these) were:
- Eat, Pray, Love a memoir by Elizabeth Gilbert (Mary Allison Cates and Suzanne Vinson)
- Pride and Prejudice BBC miniseries on DVD (Kate Smanik Moyes, who comments that if you don’t like Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy, she doesn’t want to hear about it)
- Battlestar Galactica DVD (Anne Turner, who claims that she watches it for the religious themes)
- Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortensen and David Oliver Relin (Mira Hewlett, who calls it a story of faith, cultures, education, and vision)
- The Female Brain by Louann Brizendine (Suzanne Vinson, who likes it “so far”)
- Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks (Erica Brown, who says there is “tons of good stuff” in this novel – about the plague!)
Susan,
Thanks for the plug!
I’ll add They Like Jesus But Not the Church by Brian McLaren. Must reading for every pastor and church. The conversations McLaren had with the unchurched and dechurched are a knock on the head to what we should be doing for evangelism. When you’ve been in the church for so long, it’s hard to be mindful of how it is for those who haven’t.
I really enjoy this ezine – wish I fit the demographic to participate other than read – tis a bit strange to be less than five years in ministry (and not in a congregation to boot)and there is not group for 2nd career/over 40 preacherwomen.
The book list is great – Fidelia’s Sisters is among my favorites and I look forward to reading and staying in touch with my sisters this way!
What a great list — thanks for this feature!
Eat, Pray, Love is a must read. It’s amazing.
Eat, Pray, Love is a must read. It’s amazing.
I’ll add a third vote for Eat, Pray, Love. Good to get my head out of “church space” but still ponder deep thoughts.
We’ve used 2 great books in the past year…
One is called Ask the Animals and is full of interesting and thought-provoking reflections on the Bible and nature, written by an Anglican woman. Our congregations loved it and we did too.
We also used Ordinary Joy, which talks about finding God in ordinary moments…
They’ve been 2 of the best devotional/study books for us and the congregations.
I compiled the article, but didn’t respond to it, but here’s my picks of new stuff that has worked for me in the last year:
1. Harold Bloom, _American Religious Poems_ It’s a great collection of religious poetry both classic and new. Helpful for sermons and for the extra-biblical reading that us low-church folks get to add in sometimes.
2. The new ELCA hymnal. It rocks.
3. Testimony, Anna Carter Florence. I found the beginning to be the most compelling part–where she discusses three historical women to offer testimony. It has sparked in me an interest in finding out more about pioneering preacher women.
4. Tribal Church, Carol Howard Merritt (she of young clergy women fame). I admit that I haven’t finished this one yet, but I’ve begun it, and it’s an important topic. (It’s on ministry with young adults.)
That’s it.
How can anyone not like Colin Firth? I’ll take him in any capacity whatsoever.
I’m thrilled to know about Leading from the Second Chair. Thank you thank you thank you!
Lovin’ the Holy Ghost Grab Bag.
Wow. These are such a diverse and interesting group of resources. . .where to begin. . .