Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour in Hewett Centre, and our Library Team offers related reading lists based on the topic of the Sunday service. Here is their list for the Sunday, July 5, 2026 at 11 a.m. service on “Lost in the Twenty-First Century”, featuring Michael Clague. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books, and to have coffee and conversation.
VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:
1. Lost in the Twenty-First Century: An Essay by Michael Clague along with contributions by Logan Brown and Lauryn Clague, 2026, 307 CLA
Written by a VanU member, and is a gift of the author.
2. Berlin Chronicle: On the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall by Michael Clague, 2025
Written by a VanU member, and is a gift of the author.
3. Canada’s Global Future – Navigating a New World by Lloyd Axworthy, 2003, 327.17 AXW
From the hardcover edition, in LibraryThing: “… charts how we can become active citizens in the demanding world of the twenty-first century, to make it safer, more sustainable and more humane. Throughout he emphasizes the human story. As we meet refugees from civil war and drought, child soldiers and landmine victims, the moral imperative is clear: this is a deeply compassionate appeal to confront poverty, war and environmental disaster. … When put into action, human security led to an international ban on landmines, initiatives to curtail the use of child soldiers, and the formation of the International Criminal Court. Today, with conflict raging across the planet — and building — the need for a humane, secure international governance is more vital than ever. … recommendations that are both practical and radical, ranging from staunch Canadian independence from the U.S. to environmental as well as political security; from rules to govern intervention when nations oppress their own citizens, to codes of conduct on arms control and war crimes. … lays out just why Canada has the skills to lead the world into a twenty-first century less nightmarish than the last, and help make the world safer and more just for us all. …”.
4. In Search of Progress in a Time of Fear and Disillusionment: Questions from a Life in Community Work, by Michael Clague, 2024, 307 CLA
Written by a VanU member, and is a gift of the author.. He writes, “In this time of multiple global crises, notably the coming climate collapse, the burden falls directly on communities. Community work is uniquely suited to mobilizing citizens for informed plans and actions in a democratic society. It offers a life raft of hope by calling on the best of the human spirit to solve these problems or at least survive them”.
5. So, How Have I Been Doing At Being Who I Am?, by Michael Clague, 2023, 921 CLA
Written by a VanU member, and is a gift of the author. Reviews from Amazon.ca: “I do not remember a book that moved me so much as this one.” – Ray Spaxman. Former Director of Planning, City of Vancouver.
“Should be in the library of every school of social work, social planning and planning.” – Gordon Gram. Development industry and environmental and land use public sector planner.
“I liked this book very much. In my career in publishing and philanthropy I’ve read about many inspiring people, and I’m really impressed with his story telling skills. Like a friend sharing some of his life story over a coffee or a beer.” – Karen Theroux. Former writer/editor for the Carnegie Corporation, New York].
6. In a Single Garment of Destiny: A Global Vision of Justice by Martin Luther King Jr and edited by Lewis V. Baldwin., 2013, 323 KIN
From LibraryThing: “… first book to treat King’s positions on global liberation struggles through the prism of his own words and activities. From the pages of this extraordinary collection, King emerges not only as an advocate for global human rights but also as a towering figure who collaborated with Eleanor Roosevelt, Albert J. Luthuli, Thich Nhat Hanh, and other national and international figures in addressing a multitude of issues we still struggle with today–from racism, poverty, and war to religious bigotry and intolerance. …”.
7. One World Ready or Not: The Manic Logic of Global Capitalism by William Greider, 1997, 330.12 GRE
From LibraryThing: “Reflecting the viewpoints of politicians, workers, and others, the author assesses the global economy, points to problems of unregulated capital and labor, and proposes solutions the U.S. must take to lead the world economy onwards.”.
8. Global Responsibility: In Search of a New World Ethic by Hans Küng, 1991, 170.44 KUN
The Julian Fears Library. From LibraryThing: “… contains the text of the Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities, an account of the historical background to it, a discussion of its significance, and responses from around the world”.
9. Mobilize Food!: Wartime Inspiration for Environmental Victory Today by Eleanor Boyle, 2022, 338 BOY
Gift of Mary Bennett. From LibraryThing: “… recounts the dramatic story of World War II Britain, its Ministry of Food, and its millions of citizens who fought for their democracy partly by growing more, wasting less, and sharing scarce foods equitably so that everyone could feed themselves during an emergency and beyond. Highly relevant to today as we fight our battles for healthy environments and a liveable global climate, Mobilize Food! offers strategies for action and hope in our time. It shows that entire populations can remake food systems to be sustainable, healthy, and fair-and that just as people in the past were capable of greatness, so are we.”.
10. The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined by Steven Pinker, 2012, 303.609 PIN
From LibraryThing, the publisher description: “… cognitive scientist Steven Pinker shows that the past was much worse. … Pinker argues that thanks to the spread of government, literacy, trade, and cosmopolitanism, we increasingly control our impulses, empathize with others, debunk toxic ideologies, and deploy our powers of reason to reduce the temptations of violence.”.
11. Life, Money and Illusion: Living on Earth as if we want to stay by Mike Nickerson, 2008, 338.9 NIC
Gift of Norman Hoye. From LibraryThing: “A sustainable economic roadmap for a planet that matters and people who care.”.
12. Enough Blood Shed: 101 Solutions to Violence, Terror and War by Mary-Wynne Ashford with Guy Dauncey, 2006, 303.69 ASH
Signed by a co-author. From Amazon: “… confronts the reality of a world awash in weapons and the belief that war is inevitable, with people powerless to change the system. It provides an alternative perspective based on solutions known to be successful because they have been used already.
The first part of the book describes the culture of violence that has led the world to this precipice of hopelessness, and then points to signs of hope that a different future is possible. It outlines the steps being made to build a culture of peace, including the phenomenal power of civil society: the second superpower-or the conscience of society. Part Two then focuses on the solutions that are possible for all sectors of society: …
Focusing on the power of ordinary people to make a difference and packed with effective nonviolent success stories – often in a setting of hate and provocation – the book provides guidance, inspiration, hope and empowerment that peace is not only possible, but can be fun along the way.”.
13. Economic Democracy: The Working Class Alternative to Capitalism by Allan Engler, 2010, 330.12 ENG
Autographed by the author. From LibraryThing: “Identifying capitalism as a system of socialized labour, privately owned capitalist collectives (corporations) and workplace (dictatorships), this book proposes economic democracy as an alternative form of organization.”.
14. Trusting Change: Finding Our Way Through Personal and Global Transformation by Karen Hering, 2022, 248 HER
From LibraryThing: “… encourages readers to embrace change as a constant, using it as an opportunity for growth and adaptation. … designed to guide those experiencing significant life transitions, offering reflections and exercises to help integrate personal changes with broader societal shifts. It appeals to individuals seeking understanding and resilience in times of upheaval.”.