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I have recently discovered a delightful series of books by Jan Karon. There are five books in the series, all of which have been New York Times bestsellers.

The first book is entitled At Home in Mitford. Perhaps some of you have read it. Our library [also] has the second book in the series, A Light in the Window. A congregational member donated the first book to our library so now you can begin meeting some lovable, eccentric and humorous characters too. The stories take place in a small community in the blue ridge mountains and center around Father Tim, the bachelor rector.

I have met women and men who have enjoyed these books, often comparing the humour to that of Garrison Keillor. Each book has questions for discussion at the back of the book. I now I plan to purchase the other three books to complete our set! Update: Since this was originally written, we now have several if not all the books in this series on our library shelves!

A.R. Library Committee ~ Outcry, May 2002

Members of our congregation are invited to browse the bookshelves in our fireside room, and to borrow Christian reading material for all the family.

Selections range from video and audio tapes to books for all age levels.

We have a wide variety of topics from grief support, humour, devotional reading, scholarship and fiction, large print books, health issues, parenting, Christian business ethics, church and Bible study, Lutheran studies and many other areas of interest.

We are especially interested in providing materials for children and youth.

Below are some book reviews written for this website, and a selection of articles from current and past issues of our congregational newsletter, The Outcry. These reviews reflect the opinions, thoughts and comments of the individuals who wrote them.

I've just finished reading The Red Tent, a most interesting novel in our library. The author Anita Dimant is an award-winning journalist who has written several books about contemporary Jewish life.

This novel, whose main character is Dinah, is set in much older, biblical times. "In the Bible, her life is only hinted at in a brief and violent detour within the more familiar chapters about her father, Jacob, and his dozen sons in the book of Genesis. Told in Dinah's voice, this novel reveals the traditions and turmoil of ancient womanhood - the world of the red tent. It begins with the story of her mothers -- Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah - the four wives of Jacob. They love Dinah and give her gifts that are to sustain her through a hard-working youth, a calling to midwifery, and a new home in a foreign land. Dinah's story reaches out from a remarkable period of early history and creates an intimate, immediate connection."

Although I very much enjoyed this story for it's own sake as a fictional yet compelling account of Dinah, I also found as I read it that I was led to thoughts about the relationships of women with each other today - the friendships we make with each other, the relationships we have with and as mothers and daughters - the gifts we give each other today as our lives meet and join, and sometimes part ways. The author includes a reading group guide and questions for discussion of the book.

C.L. April 2003

A Few Words on Borrowing Privileges

We love you to take things from the Library.
We also like you to return them !!

Books may be borrowed for 4 weeks

Children's, Youth and Adult books, Seasonal Items
(Christmas, Easter) are usually loaned for only 1 week

Videos & CD's may be borrowed for 2 weeks

Late Return Fees 50¢ for adult media 25¢ for children's

Found on the shelves !! CD Music for the younger folk, such as these three selections:

Great Songs for God's Kids, a CD of 33 songs for youngsters - from traditional ones such as Blessed Assurance and Christ The Lord Is Risen Today, to beloved kid songs like Arky Arky and If You're Happy and You Know It. This CD has lots of praise and worship music for the little ones.

Lawrence the Kat and the Bible, a CD of 22 songs for youth - looks like very interesting titles ... Catnapping in Devotions...We Got The Rock - The Bible's Cool - and more all from the company that brought you Veggie Tales!

Speaking of which, we also have the CD's for Veggie Tunes I and II - Fear Not Daniel, The Forgiveness Song and lots more. If you or your children liked the videos (of which we have several in the library), you'll love these too!

C.L. April 2003

More great finds on our shelves include these books:

Journaling ~ A Spiritual Journey, by Ann Broyles is described as "appropriate for individuals or small groups, this book will enable journalers to reflect on their relationship with God and receive insights and revelation to aid them in their spiritual walk". Topics covered include journaling from the events of daily life, in response to scripture, with guided meditations, from dreams, in response to reading, and journaling conversations or dialogues.

Joy Breaks - 90 Devotions to Celebrate, Simplify and Add Laughter to Your Life by Patsy Clairmont, Barbara Johnson, Marilyn Meberg and Luci Swindoll. This is "an upbeat devotional that offers fresh insight and encouragement for women who want to travel further along the joyful journey".

In the book What's So Amazing About Grace? well known author Philip Yancey challenges us as Christians to go deeper with grace, described as "the church's great distinctive ... the one thing the world cannot duplicate, and the one thing it craves above all else -- for only grace can bring hope and transformation ..." Yancey tackles two questions "If grace is God's love for the undeserving, then what does it look like in action? And if Christians are its sole dispensers, then how are we doing at lavishing grace on a world that knows far more of cruelty and unforgiveness than it does of mercy?"

C.L. April 2003

Recently I received an e-mail re a book club at Benediction Lutheran Church. They had recently had a good read and discussion of the fictional book entitled The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver. Since I had read this book a couple years ago and have considered it to be one of the best books I can remember reading, I decided it would be a good addition to our library. It is now available (unless someone has taken it out) for all of you to appreciate and who knows, perhaps we will have a discussion or two about it!

The story takes place in the Belgian Congo. The historical aspects are accurate. It is told by the wife and four daughters of a "fierce, evangelical Baptist missionary" who moves his family from Georgia to the Congo in 1959. You will be introduced to many fascinating and tragic characters as well as a formidable land. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

A.R. Library Committee ~ Outcry April 2003

He Who Laughs is a collection of short, humorous essays worth several chuckles. The one about how the author responds to telemarketers made me laugh outright. I wish I could be as creative when my phone rings and a stranger starts talking a mile a minute.

If you want something longer, the novel A Live Coal in The Sea by Madeleine L'Engle is a good read. It is on the theme of abuse and forgiveness in families and is definitely a serious, adult story, unlike some of her books which were written for a younger audience.

Edna Hong's book Forgiveness Is a Work as Well as a Grace is non-fiction. The recent loss of my mother has made me realize even more clearly how important it is to work at forgiving and what a gift it is to feel forgiven, this book helped me to clarify this.

A final comment is about a video called Jesus, His Life. It is from the TV show Biography and it uses paintings and statues of Jesus, many by famous artists to depict his life. Various commentators share what is known about Jesus and the world in which he lived.

J.R. Library Committee ~ Outcry March 2002

The library committee would welcome any feedback about books and videos that are already in the library or about ones that you would like to see there. Suggestions can be put into Mailbox 113 at the church.

We are also looking for comments and thoughts about books and videos from our library that you have read

and that you would be willing to share in the Outcry or on this Web page.

Four books from our library which I have read and enjoyed in the last few months are: Make Friends with Your Shadow, by William Miller; Getting Ready for a Great Retirement, by Barbara Deane; The Different Drum, by M. Scott Peck; and How to Listen to God, by Charles Stanley.

At first it seemed as though William Miller's book was about psychology but when he did start to talk about the dark side of human nature from a spiritual perspective and to integrate the psychological and the spiritual, I found it very interesting. It would be a good book for a discussion group. One of the quotes from scripture in the book is from John 1: 4-5, In him was life and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it.

The book on retirement is easy to read and full of excellent information for those who are not even considering retirement. For example, the chapter on how to relate to your grown-up children is helpful whether or not you are retired. She emphasizes finding balance between all the important aspects of our lives which I have found has been a challenge at every age.

A third book, A Different Drum, is about building community including Christian community. It is also very easy to read but the topic makes it a book that almost needs to be studied, not just read.

I am just starting to read How to Listen to God. It is probably the one of these four books which has the most to teach me.

J.R.Library Committee ~ Outcry, June 2002

Can I Have the Keys to the Car ? How Parents and Teens Can Talk About Things That Really Matter

by Terry and Sean Paulson, should make the heart of each parent of a teen race just a little faster! Whether it's the keys to the car or the keys to life, parents and teens need to find ways to talk to each other about tough issues, such as Safe Driving, Alcohol and Drugs, Sex, Study habits and Grades, Honesty, Schedules and Curfews, Family Chores, Self-Discipline. These issues often tear families apart. But talking about them doesn't have to be destructive -- or boring.

C.D. Library Bookworm ~ Outcry March 2001

Free to Fly - A Journey Toward Wellness by Judit Rajhathy is a superb book! It is easy to read, and a wonderful starting point for those seeking answers to puzzling, often devastating health problems. This book, which reads like a novel for the sake of simplicity, deals with food and environmental sensitivities. To quote a reviewer: "If you read only one book this year, read 'Free to Fly'. You'll never regret it."

Facing Cancer Together by Pamela N. Brown. You hear that a friend has cancer. You want to help, but you're not entirely sure how. The author, a cancer survivor, suggests the many ways you can help by your words and actions. in addition to a wealth of practical suggestions, this book includes entries from the author's journals, as well as bible readings and prayers to share for support and comfort.

Journey Into Day - Meditations for New Cancer Patients by Rusty Freeman. Some comments: 'This book contains insightful meditations and prayers that could only have been written by one who had walked the pathway' ; 'A remarkable work of faith and comfort, the kind of book that every pastor needs to help those who suffer and are confused' ; and 'these meditations were forged in the crucible of experience.'

Through the Wilderness of Alzheimer's, A Guide in Two Voices, by Robert and Ann Simpson. In telling the story of their journey into Alzheimer's, the Simpson's offer families accurate, firsthand information about the disease, as well as support and practical help for patients and caregivers. All who are trying to find a way through the wilderness of Alzheimer's will find understanding, compassion, practical advice, and spiritual hope in this story.

As I Journey On - Meditations for Those Facing Death by Sharon Dardis and Cindy Rogers. This is what Alan J. Hagstrom, a Health Care Chaplain, says of this book: "Each of us faces life and death so individually. And yet we also face life and death as part of a larger reality - of family, friends, community, and spirit. The meditations in this book touch us and inspire us for courage, sharing, and understanding. In my own life, as well as in my presence with those who cope with their dying, these meditations are a wonderful resource for finding hope and a way through the critical passages we make."

C.D. Library Bookworm ~ Outcry March 2001

Our church has a very fine library. May I suggest that you have a look at a book entitled Listening for God. It is a collection of short stories by some of the best authors in North America. Each story is preceded by a brief analysis of the author's search for God. I rejoiced when I saw this at the church. It is a gift waiting just for you.

Pastor Bob ~ Outcry, June 2002

Although written for little ones (3-5?), I love the cast of characters and "stories about the stories" of Genesis in this little treasure, called Does God Have a Big Toe? by Rabbi Marc Gellman. There's Adam, who decided to number the animals instead of giving them names - until he lost count. And Max, a matchmaking angel disguised as a camel. And the dolphins of the Red Sea ... and more. A fun book.

C.L.April 2003