The blessing of the Lord be upon you. Psalm 129:8ContentsWishing you every blessing on this special day-The blessing of the Lord be upon you. Psalm 129:8
Thank the Lord for he is good; his love endures for ever. 1 Chronicles 16:34ContentsRejoicing with you on this special occasion-Thank the Lord for he is good; his love endures for ever. 1 Chronicles 16:34
One Woman's Groundbreaking Path to Ordination in the Church of EnglandFirst In Line is the inspiring and candid memoir of Judith Rose, the first woman to become an Archdeacon in the Church of England. Spanning over five decades, Judith’s story traces her journey from a Somerset farm girl to a pioneering leader in the Anglican Church. With warmth and honesty, she recounts her early career in agriculture, her gradual awakening to faith, and her unexpected call to ministry at a time when women’s roles in the church were strictly limited.
Through personal anecdotes and historical insight, Judith offers a unique perspective on the struggles, debates, and triumphs that shaped the movement for women’s ordination. She shares the challenges of breaking through ecclesiastical ‘glass ceilings’, the joys and frustrations of parish and cathedral life, and the pivotal moments that changed the face of the Church of England forever.
Mixing national history with her own remarkable experiences, First In Line is both a vital contribution to the story of the church and a testament to perseverance, faith, and the quiet courage of those who lead the way for others. This is essential reading for anyone interested in the evolution of women’s ministry, the life of the church, or the power of answering a call against the odds.--'In First in Line Judith Rose tells a typically modest tale of her own life and ministry as women began more firmly to take their proper place in the life of the Church of England. In fact she was a trailblazer, time and again gently but firmly pushing the Church on to accept the role of women alongside men.
Judith started her life in farming but was soon ploughing her own furrow through the roles of parish worker, deaconess, deacon, priest and archdeacon. She served in several parishes, a cathedral, a bishop’s chaplaincy and a diocese; nothing of the Church of England was hidden from her. She therefore gives us a fascinating inside view of the Church convulsing and eventually ‘resolving’ the complex issues around women’s ministry.
What makes the narrative particularly engaging is the way Judith’s personal story threads through the bigger picture. We follow her reasoning as she makes decisions about her ministry. We see her having jobs before she is legally qualified to do them. We see her ‘accidentally’ at the heart of far-reaching changes, guiding debates at General Synod. We see her coping with domestic complexity as she finds deep happiness with her husband David in her 50s, only to lose him tragically eight years later.
Judith hands the torch on. The struggle for equality in the Church is not over. Judith tells of how as an archdeacon in some conservative evangelical churches she could preside at Communion but not preach, while at some anglo-catholic parishes she could preach but not preside. Paradoxes remain.
In this charming and straight-forward memoir we come closer to these debates and many readers will have cause again to be grateful for the quiet courage shown by Judith and her generation of pioneering women.'
- John PritchardFormer Bishop of Oxford
Specifications
Book Format - Paperback/eBook
Published - June 2025
Weight - 175g
Page Count - 125
Dimensions - 198 x 129 x 9mm
ISBN - 9781838582210
35 Easy-To-Play Christmas Tunes
Are you a beginner in the world of sheet music and struggling to find appropriate Christmas tunes for adult recorder learners? Look no further! Presenting an enchanting Christmas-themed book designed exclusively for novice recordists eager to play enchanting and elegant tunes.
Within the magical pages of this book, you will uncover a delightful collection of 35 timeless melodies, thoughtfully arranged in simplified versions. Unleash a wealth of advantages as you immerse yourself in its festive contents, and embark on a joyous musical journey.
35 Easy-To-Play Christmas Tunes
Are you a beginner in the world of sheet music and struggling to find appropriate Christmas tunes for adult piano learners? Look no further! Presenting an enchanting Christmas-themed book designed exclusively for novice pianists eager to play enchanting and elegant tunes. Within the magical pages of this book, you will uncover a delightful collection of 35 timeless melodies, thoughtfully arranged in simplified versions and accompanied by helpful fingerings. Unleash a wealth of advantages as you immerse yourself in its festive contents and embark on a joyous musical journey.
Follow the Jesse Tree this Advent in your school, at church or at home with this guide to storytelling and the Christian story.25 Bible stories, one for each day of December leading up to Christmas Day. Each story is accompanied by notes, tips, storytelling techniques and a video available online.Whether you work through the stories in order or dip in every now and then, in school, as a family or at church, enjoy discovering the art of storytelling and the wonder of the Jesse Tree tales together.Join the action with Amy on the Tales from the Jesse Tree Facebook page!
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Russell Herbert believes that it is essential that churches enable all ages to grow together. This book explores how church need not be something to 'grow out of' - rather it can and should be something we grow through. Drawing on the theology and psychology of faith development as well as his own experience as a preacher and worship-leader, the author gives practical guidance for engaging the imaginations of all ages through music, prayer, presenting a message and enabling a response.
Gift is a six-week course which helps children prepare for Christmas. Using a theme which is familiar to them at this time of year, that of Gift, it leads them through an exploration of what the birth of Jesus means to them today.
The course is organised so that each week the children consider a different aspect of gift. They listen to the word of God and then respond to it in a variety of creative ways. Clearly structured so that it is easy to follow, the course provides a reflective balance to the feverish, external preparation for Christmas, offering an opportunity to reflect on the meaning behind the tinsel. The downloadable resources in this Leader's book contains everything needed for the children.
In today's all-go world, many of us do not allow ourselves to enjoy the tranquillity of the world. They have forgotten the wonders of becoming one with a still, peaceful and holy environment. Susan Sayers' book, Reflective Services, outlines 40 quiet and gentle acts that will help you achieve a greater sense of love for the Lord.Most of the services focus on individual qualities in the God we worship, such as wisdom, compassion or refreshment; and there are also themed services for morning and evening, and for particular occasions, such as conferences and parish meetings, reconciliation and rededication. All the forms of worship provide times of extended silence, Scripture reading, hymns and spoken exchanges between leaders and participants. The emphasis is on corporate worship, the body of Christ's people together, and creating an atmosphere that is conducive to wholehearted worship and receptivity to God. To him be the glory. Originally published as To Worship in Stillness and Be Still.
Specification
Book format - Paperback
Published - December 2019
Weight -
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Dimensions -
ISBN - 9781848673281
ISBN 10 - 1848673280
Fourteen complete service outlines for innovative and reflective worship. The services comprise:• Suggested visual material and music• Introduction• Hymns• Prayers• Meditations
Opening out familiar passages of Scripture to look beyond the events at the people who shaped them, bestselling author Nick Fawcett builds up a reflective atmosphere through the music, images and meditations.
Specification
Book format - Paperback
Published -
Weight -
Page Count -
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ISBN - 9781840038262
ISBN 10 -
Peter Dainty's thought-provoking poems are the result of 40 years' reflection on stories and themes from the Bible. They are written in easily understandable, modern-day language which uses powerful imagery to relate the Bible to contemporary life. Enhanced by striking illustrations, the subject matter is spread widely over the Old and New Testaments and major Christian festivals, offering stimulating and enlightening material for private reading and reflection.
