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From th e bell exper ts atThe Verdin Comp any comesa new CD of Christmasmusic featu ring th esounds of castbronz e bells!40 years experience in monasticlife and as a retreat leader tofocus on the practice of prayingthe Divine Office. Incorporatesscripture, classic and contemporary meditations, and suggestedspiritual exercises to help readers "reverence eac h hour" throughout the day.Ring in thismost gloriousseason wi th th eBells of Christmas!THE ONE YEAR LIFEVERSE DEVOTIONAL. By Jay K. Payleitner. Tyndale House . Pp. 384. 14.99. ISBN978-1-4143-1262 -0.Writers and pastors, teachersand entertainers , athletes andtheo logians share how a scripture passage helped define their spiritual jour ney. A daily reminder that we are part ofa larger faith community that can support and inspire us.Order your CDtoday atwww.verdin.comThe Verdin Comp any, Cincinn ati, OH 800-543-0488WORDS FOR SILENCE: A Year ofContemplative Meditat ions. ByGregory Fruehwirth, O.J.N. Paraclete Press. Pp. 208. 21.95. ISBN978-1 -55725-601-0.Based on talks presented bythe Guardian of the Order ofJulian of Norwich, a poet and retreatleader, these meditations are organizedby liturgica l season . Helpful suggestions for staying focused on Godthroughout the year.By Kay Strong,.,,,.,.,.,, ,iL --r"--"-t-,This beau tifull y illustrated "outline" of the Bibl e startswith The Crea tion and progresses through the End of Tim e.Discover what God has do ne for yo u! r.M, " -,,.,, !&,.A.J.J',)- .iL------'" . this kind of overview of scriptures is very he lpfu l for peop lewho are trying to get into the scriptures perhaps for the first time."Bishop Michael Marshall, Asst Bishop of London,and Rector of Holy Trinity Church. London, Eng land-Perfect for indi v idual or small group sh1dy - 12.00 (includ es s & h) Available throu gh: www.lulu.comE-m ail: jaykaystrong7@comcast.net Or Ca ll: (239) 594-172 8DAILY PRAYER AND PURPOSE:Calendar 2009. Forward Movement.Pp. 144. 15.This is not an ordinary calendar. It's spiral bound, with tabsfor each month, and includes aprayer for each day from a variety ofsources. An address book section, atwo-page weekly layout, and a prayerlist section are also included. Thiswould be handy to keep at a deskAN AFFAIR OF THE HEART: A Biblical andFranciscan Journey . By Patricia Jordan ,F.S.M. Morehouse. Pp. 176. 20. ISBN 978-085244-690-4.Using biblical and Western literaryunderstandings of the heart as a point(Cont inued on next page)NOVEMBER 16. 2008 · THE LIVI NG CHU RCH7

SHORT & SHARPWATTS&(Continued from previous page)L0ND0NEstablished for ove r 130 years ,famous for our handc rafted ,individually designed , finevestments , embroidery , preciousmetalwork and clerical outfitting .7 Tufcon StreetWestm insterLon don SW IP 3QEUKT 44 (0)20 7222 7169www.wattsan dco.comenquiries@wattsan dco.comof departure , an English nunexplores how St. Fran cis'spiritua l journ ey ca n beapp lied to the nee ds andunderstandings of our own time.LET NOTHING DISTURB YOU: A Journey tothe Center of the Soul with Teresa of Avila.Edited by John Kirvan. AveMaria Press. Pp. 120. 9.95.ISBN 1-59471-152-6.Newly revised as partof the "30 Days with a1 "' ,' "',Great Spiritual Teacher" r----series , this volume includes a monthof morn ing and even ing reflect ionsbased on the wr itings of the firstfemale Doctor of the Church.TOGETHER AND APART: AMemoir of the Religious Life. ByEllen Stephen , O.S.H. Morehouse. Pp. 176. 18. ISBN 978-08192-2315-9.ECFHavingexperiencedmor e than 40 years ofmonastic life, few peop leare better equipped than Sister EllenStephen to share an insider's perspec tive on the cho ice to live in communities , the vows that are made , "whatnuns do all day" and why.CAPITAL CAMPAIGNSWhr just raise fundswhen you can raise .WE BELIEVE that a successful cap italcampaign is about more than raising money.Awareness.Involvement.Commitment.Our Discern-Study-Ask approach welcomesevery member to be an informed, involvedsteward . We help parishes hear God's call-andanswer it, through organization and prayerfulpart icipation. To learn more, call 800-697-2858or visit www.EpiscopalFoundation.org. EPISCOPAL CHURCH8T HE LIVI NG Cl I U RCI I · NOVEMBER 16. 2008FOUNDATIONCONVERSATIONS WITH ST.FRANCIS. By James C. Howell.Abingdon. Pp. 107. 13. ISBN978-0 -6876-5049-1.A professor of preac hingat Duke Divinity Schoolconsiders the "entirelydoable but ridicu lous ly impossibl e"life of St. Francis , posi ng spirit ualquestions that any of us might want toask and "listening for the questions heasks of us in response ."WELCOME TO THE WISDOMOF THE WORLD . By Joan Chittister . Eerdmans. Pp. 186. 20.ISBN 978-0-8028-2894-1 .The premise of this bookis fascinat ing. Each of the25 chapters is titled with aprobing question , e.g. "Where is God?"Benedictine nun Joan Chitt isterattempts to answer these questions byusing stories from not only Christianity, but other relig ious trad itions.Readers may not be sat isfied by the"answe rs."

BOOKSLeclerq's St. Bernard and the Cistercian Spirit (1976, from the French of1966) or Brian McGuire's The DifficultBy James France. Cistercian Publications. Pp. Saint (1991). It is, rather, a discussionxxxi 435, illus., col. plates, CD-ROM. 49.95.of the author's remarkably exhaustiveISBN 978-0-87907-310-7.listing of 964 images from the 12thBernardof Clairvaux century to ca. 1530. Most of these are(1090-1153), remembered on in illuminated manuscripts, while othAugust 20 in both Roman ers are in woodcuts, seals, altarpieces,Catholic and Anglican calen- and stained glass. Some are reprodars, was known as the Mel- duced in the book, but all are on thelifluent Doctor for his accompanying CD-ROMwith full cataeloquence in preaching. He log description. (There is also a digitalpreached the Second Cru- index which makes it possible tosade with such eloquence that Louis locate specific images mentioned inVII took up the cross, even though he the text.)could not understand the saint's Latin.Since none of the artists knew whatWidely regarded as a saint in his own Bernard looked like, they had to relylifetime, he was canonized in 1174 by on symbols of status (the monk'sPope Alexander III.habit, the abbot's crozier, the saint'sThis book is not a biography, halo) or allusions to the life and legalthough a brief outline of Bernard's ends of the saint. Although the St.life appears in the introduction. For a Bernard dog was named for a differentmore complete treatment, one needs saint, smaller dogs figure in someto consult earlier works, such as Jean images based on the legend thatMedievalImagesof SaintBernardof ClairvauxBernard's mother, while pregnant, hada vision of a dog, signifying that shewould give birth to one who "would bea guardian of God's household and'bark on its behalf at the great enemiesof the faith' and that he would becomea great preacher." Major categories ofimages are Mary offering Bernard milkfrom her breast (an acceptable symbolat a time of universal breast-feeding,and not unique to Bernard); Bernardreceiving a vision of Mary while writing; Christ leaning from the cross toembrace Bernard; and Bernard withthe devil on a chain.The author, a former businessmanturned Cistercian scholar, writes ingreat detail, but in a manner accessible to the general reader. This bookwill be of interest to many people onmany levels, just as its subject hasbeen venerated by many people formany different attributes.(The Rev.) Lawrence N. CrumbEugene, Ore.Attend this Conference. Gain New Insights.Develop Stewardship Strategies. GROW!2)LJRFAitH WASTEWARDSHIP IN THE21 ST ce.N,UFebruary 11 - 12, 2009RiGatlinburg, TennesseePre-conference event for Diocesan Stewardship StaffFebruary l O - 11KEYNOTERS INCLUDEThe Rt. Rev. Dr. Greg Rickel, Bishop of OlympiaWestern WashingtonMUSICIANFran McKendreeEast TennesseeAtlanta, Kentucky,North Carolina, Tennessee, West TennesseeHOST DIOCESESPONSORING DIOCESESNOVEMBER 16, 2008 · THE LIVING CHURCH9

ChristmasGiftqdeasfrom CW"ippefrsGIFT CERTIFICATE ---.In the amount of:For: eather, 52CanterburyCrossSilverPlate, 125OilStocksin SterlingSilverorSilver-plate-Callfor pricing.3. GWippeff& Compan1 JLmitedCExeter ndonS\\ ancftester CJ3rancftviffeStreet 1 0 Cfiox m1 ain&Jofffree(877) 947-7355* &Joffcfreecfax (800)525-3749Cretfit earns welcome/.floe JAZZ-INFLUENCED ORGAN MUSICfrom THECHURCHMusicQUARTERLYHUDSON RIVER VOLUNTARIES 12"The five pieces are based on 'River referencesfrom Scripture' . the styles vary widely, with moods fromquiet contemplation of 'Riverside Prayer' to themagnificent 'River Euphrates Trumpet', truly a trumpettune with a difference. Marked 'jauntily . with a swinging spirit'it should rouse excitement in the most torpid congregation."Love Came Down at Christmas 5Connecticut River Suite 12The JAZZ Gospel 12The JAZZ Epistle 12NEW: When I Survey the Wondrous Cross 10VIEW SCORESandORDERFORMwww.jazzmuze.comJazzmuze, Inc. 732. 747. 522710THE LIVING CHURCH · NOVEMBER 16. 2008PrayingWithIconsBy Jim Forest. Orbis. Pp. 218. 22. ISBN 978-1-57075-758-7.J,WIPPELL&COMPANYLTD.Redeemable at:BOOKSWhen one reads in theIntroduction of this bookthat the author was in prisonin Wisconsin for burning draft recordsat the time of the Vietnam War, one isnaturally curious enough to read further. Continuing proved a wise choice.Jim Forest, a convert to the RussianOrthodox Church, would not seem alikely candidate to write a book abouticons. He writes of his early doubtabout the value of icons, but over timehe began to understand. Mr. Forestimpresses upon readers that icons aremore than mere pieces of art. He presents a valuable Short History of Icons,then offers Qualities of the Icon, whichI found to be the most valuable part ofthe book For example, "An icon is aninstrument for the transmission ofChristian faith," and "The icon is notintended to force an emotionalresponse."The book's chapter, "Learning toPray," is helpful, and is followed by"Praying in Body and Soul," a valuablesection for one learning to pray withicons. Most of the book treats the subjects of icons from our Lord and theTheotokos to great feasts, to lesserknown saints such as Maria of Paris andGerasimos, desert father.In addition to icons, one can learnmuch about the Orthodox Church fromthis book. Morning Prayer, EveningPrayer, Compline, and prayers of intercession are included, and there aremany color illustrations of icons. This isa book to be read carefully, for there ismuch to absorb.David KalvewgeAcediaandmeA Marriage,Monks,anda Writer'sLifeBy Kathleen Norris. Riverhead Books. Pp. 336. 25.95. ISBN 9781594489969.The best-selling contemplativeauthor of The Cwister Walk, Dakota,and Amazing Grace has written adetailed meditative memoir about a disease we can all "catch." Acedia is asprevalent as the common cold and isclassified under many names: the spiritual overtones of depression, spiritual

dryness, despair, "lacking the capacityto experience the sweetness of life,experiencing life as 'less than zero,'believing that grace is no longer possible, the soul turned into a Dead Sea."Instead of writing a prescription tocure the malady, Norris tells stories ofwriters and artists like herself as well asthe spiritual and religious faithful overmany centuries who have struggledthrough recurrent bouts of acedia.Many of her stories and discussionscome from the desert fathers and mothers, who like Norris escaped fromurban life only to find acedia ever present as the "noonday demon."Norris writes in particular about acedia during her own husband's illnessand death. She tells stories aboutunsuccessful treatments, "spiritualmorphines," such as withdrawal fromlife and its antithesis, addictive busyness, as well as other tempting addictive "cures" through the use of alcoholand drugs. Norris also describes acediaat work when we prefer "buying thingsto witnessing the beauty of nature,reading catalogues instead of books,and lingering in a museum store insteadof touring the museum itself."Norris' own healing from acedia,"restoration to wholeness," comesthrough such steps as naming the illness, asking for help, persisting,remembering past times of peace, anddeveloping spiritual practices such asprayer, lectio divina, and holy reading.Indeed, Norris' typewriter is her altar,and Acedia and me should be holyreading for our society.(The Rev.) Joanna SeibertLittle Rock, Ark.ThePrayingChurchBy Donald M. Hultstrand. Anglican Fellowshipof Prayer. Pp. 122. 14.95. ISBN 978-0-61520304-1.The retired Bishop of Springfieldwrites that whenever there has beenrenewal and reform in the church, it hascome by the outpouring of prayer. Nowin its third printing, The PrayingChurch reminds us that prayeris that which we hold most in common.It is prayer that enables our spiritualgrowth and sustains us in the midst ofdisquietude.The initial chapters offer a topography of prayer - the body of Christcoming together to pray or worship asthe "gathered church"; persons comingtogether in a small group to pray as the"apostolic group"; and persons of thebody of Christ dispersing into the worldas the "scattered church."Bishop Hultstrand addresses theneed to succeed in prayer, the primaryguideline being "to build one's prayerlife upon the solid assurance thatprayer is ordained by God himself." Asecond guideline is that one must pray,and the third is that prayer means selfoffering.The author shares numerous personal experiences and reflects on hispersonal prayer life.(The Rev.) Paula Claire Hall, OSBRuston, La.We create long-term local solutionsto promote sanitation and basic healthcare where death rates from preventablediseases are the highest in the world.With the worldwide Church, local leaders andinstitutions, we develop clean water sources,sanitation systems and provide smokeless stovesand mosquito nets to prevent deaths from waterborne illnesses, respiratory disease and malaria.All of our international development programswork toward achieving the eight MillenniumDevelopment Goals (MDGs), which aim to cutextreme global poverty in half by 2015. Yourgenerosity helps us do more, faster. Visit ourwebsite to learn how our work impacts theMDGs and how you can partner with us toheal a hurting world.Mosquito Nets and TrainingA simple insecticide-treated net can protectHealing a hurting worldchildren and families from a needless,preventable death. Your gift provides netsand vital training. as well as critical careto people suffering from malaria.Donate Now. www.er-d.orgor 1.800.334.7626, ext. 5129PH0105 / 12 for one netPH0106 / 120 for 10 netsPH9133 / 300 to help 25 families iscopalRelief & DevelopmentThis is just one of more than50 life-sustaining gifts you canpurchase to help us make ama1or impact.To order this gift. or to receiveour Gifts for Life catalog, call1.800.334.7626, ext. 5129 orshop online at www.er-d.orgLC2008-2808NOVEMBER 16. 2008 · THE LIVING CHURCH11

NEWSQuincyBishopRetiresThe Rt. Rev. Keith L. Ackerman,Bishop of Quincy since 1994, informedthe diocesan standing committee onOct. 29 of his intention to retire effective Nov. 1. The decision was reachedafter much thought and prayer, as wellas consultation with his physicians,family and friends, according to arelease from the diocese."While Bishop Ackerman is retiringfrom his administrative duties as executive officer of the diocese, he willmake himself available,underarrangement with the standing committee, to perform Episcopal acts andprovide spiritual counsel to membersof the diocese," the release noted.VTS sA procession for a recent service on the campus of Virginia Theological Seminary. The seminarywas honored Oct. 6 for "outstanding achievement in making the City of Alexandria, Virginia, morebeautiful." The city's Beautification Award is presented annually.The Rt. Rev. David C. Jones, BishopSuffragan of Virginia, is serving as a"consulting bishop" for the Diocese ofPittsburgh as it reorganizes followingthe vote by the majority of conventiondeputies to leave The Episcopal Church.In a similar development, the Rt.Rev. Sam B. Hulsey, Bishop of Northwest Texas from 1980 to 1997, confirmed that he has participated inpreliminary discussions about servingas the provisional bishop of Fort Worthin the event that the majority of delegates to the annual convention on Nov.15 votes to leave The EpiscopalChurch. No formal offer to serve in thatcapacity had been made yet, he said.Drawing on his work with congregations in the Diocese of Virginia thatsought to reorganize after the majorityvoted to leave The Episcopal Church,Bishop Jones will provide the standingcommittee in Pittsburgh with adviceon administration, clergy deployment,and pastoral support for congregations. He will continue to serve asBishop Suffragan of Virginia.The standing committee will remainthe ecclesiastical authority in Pittsburgh and a provisional bishop islikely to be called within a few monthsafter a special convention Dec. 13.Steve E LIVING CHURCH · NOVEMBER 16. 2008Executive Council has called for a between May and July would not beadequate for Episcopalians to preparereconciliation-oriented conversationwith members of Common Cause Part- adequately for voting on the covenant.nership, according to the two top offiUnder the constitution and canonscials of The Episcopal Church. They of The Episcopal Church the Presidingspoke Oct. 23 during a conference call Bishop and the president of the Houseat the conclusion of the council's four- of Deputies can exert significant influday meeting in Helena, Mont.ence to delay or expedite legislation,The council approved a resolution but neither possesses veto power. Resfrom its Committee for National Con- olutions may be submitted to Generalcerns, said Bonnie Anderson, presi- Convention by among others individdent of the House of Deputies. Mrs. ual deputies and bishops, diocesanAnderson said the resolution is based leadership, as well as committees,on council's belief that talk of irrecon- commissions, agencies and organizacilable differences is a contradictiontions affiliated with the church. Allof the Christian gospel.legislation submitted to General ConThe Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts vention is assigned to a committeeSchori, Presiding Bishop, said she was and vetted before being sent to Disexpressing nothing new when she told patch of Business, the committeecouncil members that she would responsible for setting the daily con"strongly discourage" General Con- vention agenda.vention from voting on a final form ofAmong other resolutions approvedthe proposed Anglican Covenant in during the Executive Council meetingJuly 2009, if the final draft is released was one offering support to Episcoin May 2009 [TLC, Nov. 9]. She said palians in the reorganizing dioceses ofshe has made the s

Advent. By Richard Rohr. St. Anthony Messenger Press. Pp. 80. 1.95. ISBN 978--86716-883-9. Based on Francis can priest Richard Rohr's lecture on CD, this book PREPARING FOR CHRISTMAS WITH RICHARD ROHR: Daily Reflections for let offers reflections and thought ques-Holiday Gifts for Your Parish and You Deanna Light and Paul Tate