As the program year kicks off, we also prepare to welcome new members into our communities.
Here are a few books from Leader Resources that might be useful in helping individuals and families understand and feel at home in the Episcopal Church. You might also consider using them as reading material for Confirmation programs.
Jesus Was An Episcopalian: This little book invites readers to take a fresh look at the Episcopal Church. The author, Chris Yaw, uses his journalism skills to tackle church history, modern changes and deeply rooted theology in a light-hearted, down-to-earth, very readable style that helps us look at who we are and who God is calling us to be. Also view this book in Spanish, Jesus Era Episcopal.
In the author’s words:
“It’s an amazing time to be an Episcopalian. Our church has a renewed sense of vision and leadership that’s all about feeding the hungry and clothing the naked. We’re all about standing up for equal rights and the environment. We’re all about welcoming everybody to the table, preaching repentance and accepting forgiveness. We hold together modern thought and an ancient faith firmly rooted in Jesus Christ. We offer vital communities that help families, singles – countless people make sense of their lives and their places in the world. “
Other Resources:
Open Doors: Inviting Families to Church: Episcopalians often aren’t comfortable inviting people to church so it is much easier to focus on children and youth. OPEN DOORS is a plan, a process, events and everything you need to help your congregation become inviters.
Emerging Worship: This resource focuses on mainline churches can learn from the Emergent Church movement in the United States and the Fresh Expressions movement in England.