Culture

Templeton Foundation Press,2008 RRP $24.95 Reviewed by Rev Lloyd Beynon, a chaplain at The Sunshine Coast Private Hospital, Buderim, who is interested in spiritual and pastoral care and in particular palliative care This well written small handbook presents the spiritual beliefs, practices and prayers of the five major world religions (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, and Judaism) surrounding illness, dying and ...

Monarch Books 2009 RRP $22.95 Reviewed by Rev Dr Noel Park, a retired minister in the Nambour congregation. I approached the task of reviewing this book with a mixture of anticipation and trepidation. The author has an amazing reputation in the film industry while still being highly regarded among Christian theologians. I should not have been concerned. Linda Seger writes ...

Wm B Eerdmans, 2008  RRP $27.95 Reviewed by Bob Warrick.  Since going on pilgrimages in Europe and Britain [by coach I should add!], I have had a curiosity about the ninth century medieval pilgrimage across the northern part of  Spain to Santiago de Compostela the traditional burial place of the apostle James the Greater.  The word ‘pilgrim’ is familiar to ...

Church Publishing, 2009  RRP $34.95  Reviewed by Karyl Davison, Rural Ministry Coordinator, Presbyteries of Mary Burnett and Central Qld  A presbytery minister said of Intentional Interim Ministry (IIM) recently said, “We don’t need that stuff!”  And yet, time and time again we see congregations carry baggage from one ministry placement to the next, often to the detriment of the ministry ...

By Robert Lentz and Edwina Gateley Orbis Books. New York , 2003 RRP $39.95   Reviewed by Marian Zaunbrecher , Associate General Secretary of the Queensland Synod.   Christ in the Margins would be marvellous for the liturgist or educator who regularly uses PowerPoint illustrations. It has over 50 icons painted by Mr Lentz and they are thought provoking yet ...

Lion Children, 2006   RRP $9.95   Reviewed by Paul MacGregor, minister with Mt Isa Uniting Church.   This simple yet profound children’s book is sure to become a family favourite.   The story is about one very worried sparrow with a giant inferiority complex, who faced every hurdle in life with a sad face.   The story lends itself ...

New Frontier Publishing, 2009 RRP $24.95   Caroline Holland is an avid reader of children’s books, often fighting off her own children to be the first to read a new book in the house. She works in communication for UnitingCare’s Blue Care.   Matt is about eight years old and off to stay at his Grandpa’s farm for the spring ...

Templeton Press, 2009 RRP $47.95 Reviewed by Karyl Davison, Rural Ministry Coordinator for the Central Queensland and Mary Burnett Presbyteries The abiding memory most of us have of Rwanda is of the terrible inter-ethnic violence beamed across our TV screens, when it is thought 800,000 people lost their lives, 15 years ago. Now with strong government backing, Rwanda is working ...

HarperCollins , 2008 RRP $29.95   Reviewed by Reg Collard, a member of the Uniting Church ‘s Lay Forum.   In 2004 Gretta Vosper became the chair and founder of the Canadian Centre for Progressive Christianity, within the West Hill United Church in Toronto where she actively ministers. Ms Vosper has set out her ideas in this powerful and provocative ...

Reviewed by Wayne McHugh, minister with Proserpine-Whitsunday Uniting Church John McRay has, in my opinion, produced a very useful series. These books belong to his Essential Bible Reference series, each book in the series providing an introductory level presentation of its topic. He hasn’t gone into too much detail, but provides enough detail to be meaningful. Mr McRay has taken ...