|
 United Methodist Women (UMW)
The
Reading Program
The following is a
listing of UMW Reading Program books available in the
Bixler Library at Faith United Methodist Church
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
Books in the Bixler Library
UMW Reading Program 2003
Education For Mission
HOMELESS BIRD
Harper Collins Publishers, 2000 216
pages Gloria Whelan #3333/$5.95
Married and quickly widowed at age 13, Koly, a girl living in India,
finds herself cast out by society. Through perseverance and
resourcefulness, she manages to find not only a niche for herself,
but happiness.
Social Action
SAY IT LOUD:
MIDDLE-CLASS BLACKS TALK ABOUT RACISM AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT
The Pilgrim Press, 2000 177 pages Annie Barnes
#3359/$16.95
This collection of personal accounts of 150 college students
documents their encounters with racism at school, at work, in their
neighborhoods, in restaurants and at shopping malls, bringing to
light the daily indignities suffered by Blacks in the United States.
The book offers simple yet profound suggestions for confronting and
responding to racism.
SOULCATCHER AND
OTHER STORIES: TWELVE POWERFUL TALES ABOUT SLAVERY (youth)
Harcourt, Inc., 1998 110 pages Charles Johnson
#3364/$12.00
Twelve short stories illuminate slavery’s effect and experiences
with realism, power and emotion. This book is a good introduction to
U.S. history.
Nurturing for Community
THANKS FOR THE
MAMMOGRAM: FIGHTING CANCER WITH FAITH, HOPE, AND A HEALTHY DOSE OF
LAUGHTER
(Easy reading)
Baker Book House, 2000 170 pages Laura Jensen
Walker Hardcover/#3371/$13.00
Author Laura Jensen Walker shares how she and her husband faced her
breast-cancer diagnosis with humor and faith in God. Faith and
caring family and friends helped Ms. Walker deal with chemotherapy
and mastectomy.
Spiritual Growth
WHY FORGIVE?
(Easy reading)
The Plough Publishing House, 2000 161 pages
Johann Christoph Arnold #3382/$10.00
Author Johann Christoph Arnold lets people speak for themselves
about overcoming hurt and gaining peace of mind. He addresses the
difficulty of forgiving oneself, the futility of blaming God and the
turmoil of those who cannot forgive.
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Books in the
Bixler Library
Reading Program 2002
Education for Mission
GOD’S GLOBAL MOSAIC
InterVarsity Press, 2000 142 pages Paul-Gordon
Chandler (#3427) /$10.00
Using biblical illustrations, these inspirational stories from
faithful Christians around the world show the diversity of the
church in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and
Asia.
Social Action
BARBARA JORDAN,
AMERICAN HERO [A BONUS BOOK]
Random House, 1998 414 pages Mary Beth
Rogers (#3405) /$14.95
This is an inspiring biography of Barbara Jordan, the
African-American Congresswoman famous for her role in the
impeachment hearings of President Richard Nixon. Raised in the black
community and church of Houston, Texas, she became against great
odds an effective politician and moral voice of her time.
This book counts as two Social Action books.
Nurturing for Community
STILL GROOVIN’
Pilgrim Press, 2000 115 pages Ruth
Beckford (#3462) $12.95/
With great humor, wisdom and insight, the author shares more than
100 practical and reflective affirmations for women to celebrate
life at midlife and beyond on subjects from health to empowerment to
romance and inner peace.
Spiritual Growth
YOURS ARE THE HANDS
OF CHRIST
Upper Room Books, 1998 125 pages James C.
Howell (#3476) /$10.00
The author develops what Jesus did with his hands–praying, teaching,
touching, healing, feeding–and urges us to be Christ’s hands and
feet wherever we are. Written in a lively personal style, the book
takes a fresh look at familiar moments in the life of Jesus and in
the lives of saints through history.
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Books in Bixler Library
Reading Program 2001
Education for Mission
I BEGIN MY LIFE ALL
OVER: THE HMONG AND THE AMERICAN IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE
Beacon Press, 1998 262 pages Lillian Faderman with Ghia Xiong
(#3132) /$15.00
The author tells the gripping story of Hmong people who escaped
through the jungles of Laos following the Vietnam War to become
immigrants in the United States. She also interviews their children
born in America who are anxious to negotiate a balance between
American life and their Hmong heritage. An excellent resource for
the 2001-2002 mission study on Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.
MARTYRS: CONTEMPORARY
WRITERS ON MODERN LIVES OF FAITH
Orbis Books, 1996 333 pages Susan Bergman, ed. (#3144)
/$15.00
This book tells the story of 20 remarkable individuals who chose
faith at the cost of life to become martyrs of the twentieth
century–Oscar Romero, Steve Biko, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Martin Luther
King, Jr. and others who are not as well known. A legacy of
inspiring faith remains after the drama of their deaths.
Social Action
BEYOND VIOLENCE
(Study and discussion)
Twenty-Third Publications, 1998 161 pages Gerard A. Vanderhaar
(#3105) /$12.95
In a world full of violence, the author proposes a new
direction–that of the Nonviolent Christ. Using examples such as
Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Dorothy Day, the author
gives practical suggestions for living and working justly and
courageously in the world. This book shows we do not have to accept
violence passively; we can work together to make a difference.
THE GOOD SOCIETY: THE
HUMANE AGENDA (Difficult reading)
Houghton Mifflin, 1997 152 pages John Kenneth
Galbraith (#3127) /$13.00
Much of Scripture deals with economics, yet it is an often neglected
subject. In this book, renowned economist Galbraith raises the
question of what kind of society we want. He calls for one that is
equitable and that shows compassion for the poor while providing
economic opportunity to all its citizens.
Nurturing for Community
LANTERNS: A MEMOIR OF
MENTORS
Beacon Press, 1999 180 pages Marian Wright Edelman (#3140)
$15.00/
In a powerful memoir, Ms. Edelman tells of the people black and
white, women and men who were her mentors, lanterns in her life.
There are stories of her parents and of Miz Tee and Miz Lucy who
helped her grow up in the segregated South, her teachers at Spelman
College, civil rights leaders, and those who inspired her to work
with poor children in Mississippi. The book reminds us of our own
mentors.
Spiritual Growth
CONVERSATIONS: MEETING
OUR FOREBEARS IN FAITH
Morehouse Publishing, 1997 108 pages Hannah Ward and Jennifer Wild
(#3111) $11.95
Brief meditations by ancient and modern spiritual leaders help us
join them in conversation with God. Hildegard of Bingen, Florence
Nightingale, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Henri Nouwen are some of
the authors. The selections include a brief biography of each
writer, related Scripture, the meditation, and a closing prayer.
JESUS AND THOSE
BODACIOUS WOMEN: LIFE LESSONS FROM ONE SISTER TO ANOTHER
United Church Press, 1998 213 pages Linda H. Hollies (#3138)
/$11.95
"Bodacious" biblical women who were remarkable and noteworthy, such
as Eve, Mary Magdalene, the bent-over woman, and the "prodigal
daughter," emerge in a new light. Told with vivid imagination and
real heart, the stories encourage women to become "whole persons in
Jesus Christ." An excellent resource for the 2001-2002 spiritual
growth study on Jesus and Courageous Women.
MEDITATIONS ON THE
CROSS (Difficult reading)
Westminster John Knox Press, 1996 94 pages Dietrich Bonhoeffer
(#3147) /$12.00
In this powerful book, Bonhoeffer addresses the realities of the
cross and resurrection, suffering, and overcoming death as central
themes in the Christian message. His letters and sermons give
assurance that, through the cross and resurrection, Christ is with
us and does not abandon us.
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Books in the Bixler Library
UMW Reading Program 2000
Education for Mission
MOTHER TERESA: LOVE STAYS
The Crossroad Publishing Company, 1998 140 pages
Christian Feldman Hardcover/#3076/$12.95
This biography of Mother Teresa covers her birth in Albania in 1910,
her work with the Missionaries of Charity in India and her death in
1997. Eyewitness reports and Mother Teresa's own words challenge
readers to be in mission with the poorest of the poor.
IF SADDLEBAGS
COULD TALK: METHODIST STORIES AND ANECDOTES
(Easy reading)
Providence House Publishers, 1998 116 pages
Frederick E. Maser and Robert Drew Simpson #3060/$11.95
This collection of stories about early Methodism introduces us to
circuit riders, bishops, and laywomen and men "who thrived or
sometimes suffered" under their leadership. Stories portray John
Wesley, Francis Asbury, women in the church, camp meetings and
mission.
Social Action
PRAISE
JERUSALEM!
Baker Books, 1997 285 pages
Augusta Trobaugh #3081/$13.00
In this
novel, three elderly Southern women journey to Jerusalem, Ga.,
seeking happiness, but first they must overcome social and racial
estrangements that isolate them from one another. The journey leads
them to surprising revelations about themselves and their cultures,
and provides them with the courage they need for facing an uncertain
future with respect and dignity.
Nurturing for Community
BATTERED
BUT NOT BROKEN: HELP FOR ABUSED WIVES AND THEIR CHURCH FAMILIES
Judson Press, 1996 174 pages
Patricia Riddle Gaddis #3031/$12.00
This book offers techniques and resources for assisting victims of
domestic violence and challenges the church to take a stand against
this crime, a leading cause of injury and death of U.S.
A CHILD CALLED
"IT": ONE CHILD’S COURAGE TO SURVIVE
(Easy
reading)
Health
Communications, Inc., 1995 184 pages
Dave Pelzer #3038/$9.95
The author's mother, emotionally unstable and alcoholic, subjected
him to severe and unremitting child abuse. His story, while painful,
reminds us of the need to advocate for victims of child abuse and
suggests ways we can make a difference.
Spiritual Growth
THE CUP OF OUR LIFE: A GUIDE FOR SPIRITUAL LIFE
Ave
Maria Press, 1997 181 pages
Joyce Rupp #3043/$12.95
This book uses images of ordinary cups to illustrate our lives. The
author shows how we, like open cups, chipped cups, broken cups, can
become sacred vessels that draw closer to God. Scripture,
meditations, questions for journaling, and suggestions for group
sharing and ritual are included. The reflective art accompanies each
theme.
STORIES SELDOM
TOLD: BIBLICAL STORIES RETOLD FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS
Northstone Publishing, Inc., 1997 192 pages
Lois Miriam Wilson #3090/$14.95
The author retells Bible stories of women on the margin, widows,
orphans and the poor that are often ignored. These stories
illustrate violence against women and their joys and triumphs. Cast
in a fresh light, each story brings understanding to the struggles
of girls and women today.
QUIET PLACES: A
WOMAN’S GUIDE TO PERSONAL RETREAT
Bethany House Publishers, 1997 191 pages
Jane Rubietta #3083/$10.00
Each chapter of this book includes quotes for contemplation,
Scripture, questions for journaling, prayers and a hymn that can
help a busy woman find God in the midst of daily life. Whether for
20 minutes or a weekend, Quiet Places helps the reader draw
closer to God.
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Books in the Bixler Library
UMW Reading Program 1999
Education for Mission
Social Action
COMMON FIRE: LIVES OF COMMITMENT IN A
COMPLEX WORLD
Beacon Press, 1996 288 pages
These are the stories of more than 100 people who live for the
common good, seeking to overcome
Laurent A. Daloz, editor #4916/$15.00
problems of urban conflict, a polarizing economic system and
environmental degradation. The book concludes with practical
suggestions for people willing to work for a better world.
HOMOSEXUALITY AND
CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY
Westminster John Knox Press, 1996 159 pages
Choon-Leong Seow, editor #4935/$16.00
Princeton Theological Seminary professors address questions such as
what do the Scriptures say about homosexuality, and how do we live
faithfully in regard to it? Although the writers often disagree,
they help us reflect on a topic that continues to be a major issue
within the Church.
Nurturing for Community
THE DITCHDIGGER’S DAUGHTERS
(Easy reading)
Plume/Penguin Books USA, 1996 261 pages
Yvonne S. Thornton, M.D. #4920/$12.95
Readers will find inspiration in this loving tribute to a father
whose common sense, folk wisdom and insights gave his six daughters
the skills they would need to overcome obstacles to success.
Inspired with the dream that his girls would become doctors, Donald
Thornton guided, coached and coaxed them to fulfilling careers.
GRIT AND GRACE:
PORTRAIT OF A WOMAN’S LIFE
Harold Shaw
Publishers, 1997 188 pages
Joy Jordan-Lake #4933/$13.00
The author shares true stories of women facing life’s joys and
struggles -- giving birth, entering adolescence, facing grief. In
their mistakes and weaknesses, in their triumphs and strengths, we
find extraordinary hope and a reason to celebrate
Spiritual
Growth
ASKING GOD YOUR HARDEST
QUESTIONS
(Study & discussion)
Harold Shaw Publishers, 1996 253 pages
Lloyd J. Ogilvie #4904/$12.00
With warmth and clarity, the writer offers thoughtful, biblical
insights to modern questions about life. The author, the chaplain of
the U.S. Senate, encourages us to ask God anything. Each chapter
ends with discussion questions.
WOMEN’S SPIRITUAL
PASSAGES: CELEBRATING FAITH AFTER 40
(Easy
reading)
Harold Shaw
Publishers, 1996 240 pages
Lucinda Secrest McDowell, editor #4975/$10.00
In this collection, women from many walks of life look back on their
lives and reflect on the spiritual lessons they have learned.
Readers will be encouraged by these women who rely on the grace of a
God who never changes. |
