Annie Heppenstall

Woven together are natural and biblical imagery and the traditions of liturgical prayer, to resource us in relating to creation, God and one another in deep, dynamic and relevant ways. Endorsements:"Annie has written as if I am reading the deepest words of my heart. The beauty and simplicity of language makes these prayers wholly accessible for so many people. Her helpful guidance on how and where these prayers might be used is generous and honest." Revd Diana Dingles Greenfield, Avalon Pioneer Minister"This is a profound and rich collection that can be used by Christians and seekers alike, helping us express some of our deepest emotions around loss, death, our bodies, the earth, hope, remorse and hardship, as well as prayers and rituals to help us to celebrate the challenge and joy of being alive by marking the moments that matter."Madeleine Parkes, Spiritual Care Practitioner, Birmingham and Solihull mental health NHS foundation trust"There are few books that have excited me as much as this one for the potential it contains to be a major force in the renewing of our approach to prayer. Far more than a book of alternative liturgies, Annie goes to great lengths to explain, educate and challenge her readers. Drawn into its creative overflowing of ideas, I find myself imagining all kinds of ways in which the texts could be used. This is a goldmine of resources!"Revd Paul Cudby, Bishop's Advisor for New Religious Movements, Forest Church leader and parish priest Contents About the Author Acknowledgments Part 1 - Introduction and Guidance Part 2 - The Prayer Bank Part 3 - Holy Hours and Days Part 4 - The Liturgies Appendix Suggestions on relevant hymns and theology/theology writers Index Specifications Book Format - Paperback Published - June 2015 Weight - 548g Page Count - 388 Dimensions - 150 x 212 x 29 mm ISBN - 9781848677920 ISBN 10 - 1848677928

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There is a city with a river of life, a radiant place, a place where God resides, a city of peace, where all can live in harmony, where all, from all directions, can come and live in peace.'Annie Heppenstall - a professed Franciscan tertiary drawn to expressions of Earth Spirituality and of the Feminine Divine, and the bestselling author of The Book of Uncommon Prayer - provides in Worship for Lent and Easter a truly rich and remarkable weekly liturgy, the underlying theme throughout being that of place and inclusivity.Beginning with Ash Wednesday's location in the wilderness of Christ's temptation, then moving through the desert and onto village, city, family home, temple, execution site, and finally garden, Annie's biblically rich, comprehensive and creative new liturgy includes Celtic Christian options throughout, reflective and informative introductions for worship leaders, and provision for children.Written with a deep respect of tradition, yet also with a vivid awareness of contemporary concerns, Worship for Lent and Easter will engage all who yearn for fresh inspiration, energy and insight into this most holy of Christian seasons.Contents Section 1: Lent and Easter 'traditional' liturgical prayersAn Easter thanksgiving to God, Source of all lightLent invitations to confession and 'mercy' confessionsEaster invitations to reconciliationPsalm-inspired prayersCollect-form prayers related to themed Sunday servicesGospel acclamationsIntercessionsIntroduction to The PeacePrayers at the preparation of the tablePrefacesExtended preface to Eucharistic prayerA simple ritual of bread and winePrayers after communionSection 2: Themed services from Ash Wednesday to Palm SundayAsh Wednesday: into the wildernessThe Exodus (all-age): walking with God through the wildernessHagar: water in the desertElijah: ups and downs, desolation and consolation'Teshuva' and Mothering Sunday (all-age): exile and homecoming, flowering in the wildernessJohn the Baptist and the Desert Fathers and Mothers:choosing to live in the desertPalm Sunday (all-age): into the citySection 3: Holy Week and EasterMonday: safe space in BethanyTuesdaythe temple and safety of the crowd(child-friendly/all-age option)Wednesday: a perfumed homeMaundy Thursday: the upper room and GethsemaneGood Friday vigil: GolgothaSaturday vigilEaster morning: the GardenSection 4: Mary, Celtic saints and the natural cycle in LentThe Annunciation to Mary and the spring equinoxCeltic saints

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Spiritual Accompaniment through Reflection on the Celtic CrossHighly relevant to today's world, in all its complexity and diversity, Search Me and Know Me is a workbook for self-exploration, using the symbol of the Celtic cross as a primary framework. It offers a variety of opportunities to consider personal perspective, experience and response to life lived as spiritual journey.While rooted in the 'Celtic'Christian tradition, this book offers spiritual accompaniment to a broad spectrum of spiritual seekers, whatever their background, including Earth Spirituality and Celtic practitioners.Annie Heppenstall has produced a book of imagination and spiritual insight which will prove an invaluable and inspirational resource for significant personal reflection and pastoral support.

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Here is a compilation of prayers from five of Annie Heppenstall's previous books. Annie says, 'Each one of my books celebrates the awe of this beautiful world we live in, but also acknowledges that life can be very challenging as we struggle with personal circumstances and questions of faith.'In this book, you will find prayers• celebrating the wonder of the natural world• using inclusive and feminine imagery for God• reinterpreting traditional Christian prayers,• in inclusive language• of time and season• in the Celtic tradition• for tree planting, place blessing and pet funerals• to honour women's stages of life from menarche to menopause• seeking a way through loss, illness and anxiety• seeking peace in difficult relationships, including within church communities• expressing wonder at divine love and much more!The index enables prayers to be traced to their original sources.Contents SECTION A - Awe, Thanks and PraisePsalm-inspired prayers - from The Book of Uncommon PrayerPraise in a Celtic style - from Search Me and Know MePrayers of the Feminine Divine, - from The Book of Uncommon PrayerWisdomSacred breathTo the Shekhinah (feminine presence of God)MotherThe Rock who gives us birthSECTION B - Prayers of the EarthIn the 'Celtic' style - from Search Me and Know MeBeing aware of our location in the environmenLove of naturePsalm-inspired awe in nature - from The Book of Uncommon PrayerThe four traditional elements - from The Book of Uncommon PrayerPrayers of placeAnimal life - (all this section are from The Book of Uncommon Prayer)Prayers at a pet funeralTreesCare for the environmentSECTION C - Times and SeasonsUnless stated otherwise, the prayers in this section are all found in The Book of Uncommon PrayerDays of the weekTimes of day - holy hoursThe liturgical year and of our life-journeysAdvent timeChristmasEasterPentecostLammastide/harvest/breadAll Saints/All Souls/Samhain (the old name for this time)Natural times and seasonsMoon phases and feelingsNight-timeSECTION D - Prayers of HumanityPsalm-inspired prayers - from The Book of Uncommon PrayerPrayers for specific qualities and spiritual 'fruits' - from Search me and Know MeAsking for blessingsPrayers for home, safe space, environment and location blessing - from Search me and Know MePraying together for someone or something - from The Book of Uncommon PrayerPsalm-inspired prayersIn times of personal difficultyPsalm-inspired prayersIn time of conflict/difficult relationship with othersWhen there is nobody to trustAsking for help in crisisFocus on feelingsLife as spiritual journey: challenges of faith - from Rejoice with MeSafe in GodTrusting GodTalking about GodFinding God during high and low timesGod's loving acceptanceGod in the everydayGod's concern for our well-beingGod's loving acceptanceGiving and receiving supportRelating to othersHuman weakness and God's understandingLeading and servingPrayers of transformation -from Rejoice with MeHealth and well-being concerns - from Hiding in God: pairs of contrasting prayersGod's presence in the nightFinding confidence in GodWaiting in God's loveBeing known by GodGod's love working through othersTrusting in GodHeld by GodSafe in God's careGod's understanding of painGod's presence in the unexpectedThe experience of being prayed forGod's patienceResting in GodIn God's handsKnowing God's acceptanceBlessings of renewalNurturing empathyStrength in GodSeeking God's peaceEncircled by GodLiving in GodFinding refuge in GodSeeking transformationHope in God's powerSeeking understandingGod's reassuring peaceSeeking helpLightening the loadRealising God's loveGod's faithfulnessSECTION E - Inspired by Tradition'Prayer book' tradition - from The Book of Uncommon PrayerCeltic Christian tradition - from Search Me and Know MeA prayer-a-day resource of 47 short prayers - from Who Do You Say That I Am?A prayer a day through Lent (47 days) can also be used to make a set of prayers for other times, for example each day of the month, for the duration of Advent (24 days), 'Celtic' Advent (40 days starting on 15th November) or Pentecost (40 days).Closing reflection from The Book of Uncommon PrayerAPPENDIX - The source books

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A comprehensive introduction to Christianity and Christian faith. The title of this book is intentionally and provocatively ambiguous. Faith is more than matters of fact. It involves relationship and trust, a belief in and not simply a belief that. For those who are interested in matters of faith, or those just enquiring, here is a valuable introduction to all aspects of Christianity and Christian faith in a brief and accessible form. You'll find short but informative articles written by a wide range of authors who bring their experience and expertise from different denominations and traditions, giving richness to what is offered here. Whether it is matters of information or a matter of people's relationships with God and one another, it remains true that faith matters. Authors: Alan Bartlett Claire Benton-Evans Rupert Bristow Tony Castle John Clark Peter Colwell Helen Costigane John Cox Paul Cox Tim Elbourne Brian Fahy Richard Garrard Jonathan Greener James Halsall Annie Heppenstall Russell Herbert Garth Hewitt Simon Hill Ed Hone Deborah Jones Bruce Kent Nicholas King Bill Merrington Alison Moore Chris Morley Paul Nicholson Siobhán O'Keeffe Gerald O'Mahony John Parr Tony Redman Robert Reiss Clare Richards Edgar Ruddock John Saxbee David Schofield Ray Simpson Joy Tetley David Winter

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'Christ dwells in you in your present situation.He does not wait for your perfection.He accepts your brokenness as his home.'Psalm 23, 'The Lord is my Shepherd', describes the psalmist as a trusting sheep, travelling through both pleasant and difficult terrain, always in the reassuring presence of God. The psalm is for all of us, yet when troubles come - which they inevitably do - rather than feeling God's loving presence we may start to doubt his love; instead of feeling safe, we experience fear, guilt, hurt and loneliness - the loneliness of a lost sheep.In Rejoice with Me Annie draws on the parable of the lost sheep and other imagery from the Bible and the natural world. She writes from her own personal experience to offer reflections, prayers and questions for self-development for anyone with an interest in considering life's difficulties from a biblical perspective.Ideal as a spiritual accompaniment for individuals as well as pastoral support groups and churches asking how to meet the needs of individuals and communities and how to live lovingly and with integrity in the twenty-first century.

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Illness, whether physical or mental, can be a very difficult time, but it can also be a time when we discover God in new and surprising ways. God is always looking for ways to draw us closer, and what better time than when we are so vulnerable and in need of all the love that God wants to give us? In Hiding in God, Annie Heppenstall has drawn on her own personal experience of illness. She provides a rich resource for praying and reflecting on health concerns, both physical and emotional, in a gentle way that can help us find moments of God's peace even in the midst of pain or anxiety.

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