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Related Reading for Sunday, December 15, 2024

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 Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 at 11 a.m. All welcome in Hewett Centre after Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. Nature, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1836 [Accessible here, Emerson writes: “To go into solitude, a man needs to retire as much from his chamber as from society…. If a man would be alone, let him look at the stars. … One might think the atmosphere was made transparent with this design, to give man, in the heavenly bodies, the perpetual presence of the sublime. … The stars awake a certain reverence, because though always present, they are inaccessible. ……Standing on bare ground,- my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into infinite space, – all mean egotism vanishes. I become a transparent eye-ball; I am nothing; I see all; the currents of the Universal Bring circulate through me; I am part or particle of God.”].

2. Emerson As Spiritual Guide: A Companion to Emerson’s Essays for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion, by Barry M. Andrews, 2003, 814.3 AND [From LibraryThing: “Though we may debate whether Ralph Waldo Emerson is primarily a poet, an essayist or a philosopher, for Barry Andrews, he is above all a spiritual teacher. His fiery genius ignited not only Thoreau but also Whitman, Fuller and many others. Andrews’ commentary shows a new generation of Americans how Emerson’s spiritual journey joined an open heart with a critical mind. This will appeal to readers who consider themselves spiritual though not necessarily religious. Andrews guides readers through the spiritual writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Includes an introduction to the life and thought of Emerson, as well as questions and resources for further study and reflection. …”].

3. Sacred Nature: Restoring Our Ancient Bond with the Natural World, by Karen Armstrong, 2023, 202 ARM [From LibraryThing: “A profound exploration of the spiritual power of nature–and an urgent call to reclaim that power in everyday life. Since the beginning of time, humankind has looked upon nature and seen the divine. In the writings of the great thinkers across religions, the natural world inspires everything from fear, to awe, to tranquil contemplation; God, or however one defined the sublime, was present in everything. … In this short but deeply powerful book, the best-selling historian of religion Karen Armstrong re-sacralizes nature for modern times.”].

4. Season and Solstice: A Unitarian Interpretation of the Midwinter Festival, by Phillip Hewett, 394 HEW.

5. The Return of the Light: Twelve Tales from Around the World for the Winter Solstice, by Carolyn McVickar Edwards, 2005, 398.33 EDW [From LibraryThing: “… Celebrations honoring the winter solstice as a moment of transition and renewal date back thousands of years and occur among many peoples on every continent. “The Return of the Light” makes an ideal companion for everyone who carries on this tradition, no matter what their faith. Storyteller Carolyn McVickar Edwards retells twelve traditional tales — from North America, China, Scandinavia, India, Africa, South America, Europe, and Polynesia — that honor this magical moment. These are stories that will renew our wonder of the miracle of rebirth and the power of transition from darkness into light.”].

6. The Way of the Earth: Encounters With Nature in Ancient and Contemporary Thought, by T. C. McLuhan, 1994, 113.09 McL [From LibraryThing, about what’s on the book jacket: “This book draws upon both ancient and contemporary sources to examine the significance of the earth from the perspective of six different cultures and how these spiritual traditions have valued, perceived, and understood the earth. At first glance the peoples of aboriginal Australia, Japan, Greece, Africa, South America, and Native North America couldn’t be more different. But by taking a closer look, the author shows that there are many more similarities than differences- all revere mountains as a source of inspiration and holiness, all feel a spiritual connection to the soil itself, all create art and literature to celebrate their connection to the land, and all see themselves as inextricable from the land they call home. This unique volume explores how human beings across the planet and across time have felt about the earth and nature, and how they have understood it, related to it, and celebrated it in their literature, mythology, religion, and art. It demonstrates that no matter where on the planet we exist, and no matter what time period we live, we all have a profound connection to the earth.”].

7. Perfection of the Morning: An Apprenticeship in Nature, by Sharon Butala, 1995, 921 BUT [Sharon Butala writes that “… driving home from some errand in Regina, late at night on a deserted and lonely highway, I often looked out my side window and saw above the hills a few white stars, points of light in boundless darkness. Once, as I gazed up at them, my heart, a live thing in my chest, leaped, cracked, and then hung there, aching. At that moment it seemed a thing apart from the me I knew, and it yearned with an intensity that was deeply sorrowful to go back to the immensity from which it declared itself to have come.” From LibraryThing: “… At once a meditation on the world of nature and a personal and spiritual exploration of the roots of creativity, The Perfection of the Morning is Sharon Butala’s search for a connection with the prairie that encompassed and often overwhelmed her. …”].

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Related Reading for Sunday, December 8, 2024

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 Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Rev. Shawn Gauthier and Vivian Davidson on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024 at 11 a.m. All welcome in Hewett Centre after Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. Womanguides: Readings Toward a Feminist Theology, by Rosemary Radford Ruether, 1986, 305.4 RUE [Published by Beacon Press. From LibraryThing, a statement from GoogleBooks of “A fascinating collection of ancient and contemporary readings from the cultural matrix that has shaped Western Christianity, Womanguides is a resource for understanding ideas about gender in Christian tradition and for building alternative patterns that can transform and heal.”].

2. Image As Insight: Visual Understanding In Western Christianity and Secular Culture, by Margaret R. Miles, 1987, 246 MIL [Published by Beacon Press. From LibraryThing: “Miles’s pathbreaking work shows how art and architecture have shaped religious understanding throughout the history of Christianity.”].

3. Her Voice, Her Faith: Women Speak on world Religions, by Katherine K. Young, 2003, 200.82 SHA [Edited by Arvind Sharma. From LibraryThing: “They say religion is a personal and private affair. But when a woman believes in a tradition, she has a relationship to that faith beyond her sacred space. Religious traditions’ historically poor treatment of women has lead many to question why they believe. How has their tradition either embraced and enlightened, or excluded and confined women throughout history? Her Voice, Her Faith presents the personal and historical perspectives of women who not only live their faith day to day, but who also know their religion’s history with women in general.”].

4. Radical Spirits: Spiritualism and Women’s Rights in Nineteenth-Century America, by Ann Braude, 1991, 133.90 BRA [Published by Beacon Press. From LibraryThing: “… Ann Braude contends that the early women’s rights movement and Spiritualism went hand in hand. Her book makes a convincing argument for the importance of religion in the study of American women’s history. In this new edition, Braude discusses the impact of the book on the scholarship of the last decade and assesses the place of religion in interpretations of women’s history in general and the women’s rights movement in particular. A review of current scholarship and suggestions for further reading make it even more useful for contemporary teachers and students.”].

5. Goddesses, Witches and the Paradigm Shift (Dramatic Readings on Feminist Issues), edited by Meg Bowman, 1994, 305.4 BOW [From Amazon: “Meg Bowman’s paperback book contains dramatic readings on feminist issues. Includes “Finding Our Foremothers”, “Celebrating Ourselves”, “Four Famous UU Women”. With plays, songs, short stories, and bios of strong women in our country’s history, Goddesses, Witches and the Paradigm Shift is an excellent companion for any open minded woman wishing to change societal perceptions.”].

6. A Call to Action: Women, Religion, Violence, and Power, by Jimmy Carter, 2014, 323.34 CAR [From LibraryThing: “The world’s discrimination and violence against women and girls is the most serious, pervasive, and ignored violation of basic human rights: This is President Jimmy Carter’s call to action. President Carter was encouraged to write this book by a wide coalition of leaders of all faiths. His urgent report covers a system of discrimination that extends to every nation. Women are deprived of equal opportunity in wealthier nations and “owned” by men in others, forced to suffer servitude, child marriage, and genital cutting. The most vulnerable, along with their children, are trapped in war and violence. A Call to Action addresses the suffering inflicted upon women by a false interpretation of carefully selected religious texts and a growing tolerance of violence and warfare. Key verses are often omitted or quoted out of context by male religious leaders to exalt the status of men and exclude women. And in nations that accept or even glorify violence, this perceived inequality becomes the basis for abuse. President Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, have visited 145 countries, and The Carter Center has had active projects in more than half of them. Around the world, they have seen inequality rising rapidly with each passing decade. This is true in both rich and poor countries, and among the citizens within them. Carter draws upon his own experiences and the testimony of courageous women from all regions and all major religions to demonstrate that women around the world, more than half of all human beings, are being denied equal rights. This is an informed and passionate charge about a devastating effect on economic prosperity and unconscionable human suffering. It affects us all”].

7. Dreaming the Dark: Magic, Sex and Politics, by Starhawk, 1989, 299 STA [Gift of Sheilah Thompson. [From LibraryThing: “Featuring narrative, chants, songs, and rituals, Dreaming the Dark has helped many thousands of women use magic, spirituality, and community to bring about political and social change. This anniversary edition of the best-selling classic includes a new preface reflecting on the fifteen years since the book’s original publication.”].

8. Myth and Ritual in Christianity, by Alan W. Watts, 1971, 230 WA [Published by Beacon Press. From LibraryThing, in the Prologue: “Our main object will be to describe one of the most incomparably beautiful myths that has ever flowered from the mind of man, or from the unconscious processes which shape it and which are in some sense more than man…. This is, furthermore, to be a description and not a history of Christian Mythology…. After description, we shall attempt an interpretation of the myth along the general lines of the philosophia perennis, in order to bring out the truly catholic or universal character of the symbols, and to share the delight of discovering a fountain of wisdom in a realm where so many have long ceased to expect anything but a desert of platitudes.”].

9. The Jesus Puzzle: Did Christianity Begin with a Mythical Christ?: Challenging the Existence of an Historical Jesus, by Earl Doherty, 1999, 232.9 DOH [Gift of Arthur Hughes and signed by the author. From LibraryThing: “A new presentation of the argument that no historical Jesus existed. A full and comprehensive survey of the question through an examination of the early Christian record, canonical and non-canonical, from Q to the Gospels, from the earliest Pauline epistles to the second century apologists, along with Jewish, Gnostic, and Greco-Roman documents of the time. The philosophy of the era, its religious expression in the pagan mystery cults, fascinating glimpses into the historical background of the period, an in-depth consideration of the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus, are only some of the additional topics covered in the book. A richly-detailed, highly lucid and entertaining account of how Christianity began without an historical Jesus of Nazareth, who came to life only on the pages of the Gospels. The book has been styled for the general reader, though the scholarly community will find it of value as well.”].

10. Who Wrote the New Testament?: The Making of the Christian Myth, by Burton L. Mack, 1995, 226 MAC [Gift of Clare Buckland. From LibraryThing: “… In this groundbreaking and controversial book, Burton Mack brilliantly exposes how the Gospels are fictional mythologies created by different communities for various purposes and are only distantly related to the actual historical Jesus. Mack’s innovative scholarship which boldly challenges traditional Christian understanding’ will change the way you approach the New Testament and think about how Christianity arose. … Mack’s investigation of the various groups and strands of the early Christian community out of which were generated the texts of Christianity’s first anthology of religious literature and makes sense of a topic that has been confusing.”].

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Related Reading for Sunday, December 1, 2024

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 Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at 11 a.m. All welcome in Hewett Centre after Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. Emerson As Spiritual Guide: A Companion to Emerson’s Essays for Personal Reflection and Group Discussion, by Barry M. Andrews, 2003, 814.3 AND [From LibraryThing: “Though we may debate whether Ralph Waldo Emerson is primarily a poet, an essayist or a philosopher, for Barry Andrews, he is above all a spiritual teacher. His fiery genius ignited not only Thoreau but also Whitman, Fuller and many others. Andrews’ commentary shows a new generation of Americans how Emerson’s spiritual journey joined an open heart with a critical mind. This will appeal to readers who consider themselves spiritual though not necessarily religious. Andrews guides readers through the spiritual writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson. Includes an introduction to the life and thought of Emerson, as well as questions and resources for further study and reflection. “I believe Emerson is best understood as a spiritual guide and a spokesperson for an alternative American spiritual tradition. I have tried to make his message accessible and relevant to contemporary religious seekers.” –Barry M. Andrews”].

2. Reflections at Walden: Selected Writings of Henry David Thoreau, by Henry David Thoreau, 1968, 818.4 THO.

3. Thoreau as Spiritual Guide: A Companion to Walden for Personal Reflection and Discussion, by Barry M. Andrews, 2000, 200 AND [From LibraryThing: “Walden, one of America’s classic works on non-fiction, gets a fresh examination from a faith-based, and meditative perspective. Thoreau and the Trancendentalists tried to achieve a balance in their lives between work and leisure, nature and civilization, society and solitude, spiritual aspirations and moral behavior. This guide helps one “walk” through Walden again and find its soul while expanding your own.”].

4. Writing in the Sand: Jesus and the Soul of the Gospels, by Thomas Moore, 2009, 232 MOO [From LibraryThing: “In his latest book, Writing in the Sand, Thomas Moore finds striking new meaning in the rich stories and imagery of the Gospels, recasting Jesus not as a teacher of morals and beliefs but as a spiritual visionary with a radical vision for humanity. This highly original take on the Gospels offers a fresh, new way of imagining human life and society. It presents Jesus not as the founder of a religion but as a world reformer offering a spiritual path to everyone, from every background. It offers a personal spirituality fit for the twenty-first century, where the individual bears responsibility for meaning and for a creative, convivial way of life.

In his examination of the original Greek texts, Moore dismisses the cautionary voice of tradition and explores the deeper significance of language, stressing the origins of words and the many levels of meaning in stories and imagery. Through his study, Moore shows that the teachings of Jesus are challenging in a far different way than the moralism often associated with them. Based on being open to life, deepening your understanding, and giving up all defensiveness around your convictions, the Gospels can be the source of a new kind of certainty and stability that cannot be codified and enshrined in a list of rules. Writing in the Sand presents the essence of Jesus teachings and offers a way of understanding them intelligently and devotedly in the twenty-first century.”].

5. Further Along the Road Less Traveled: The Unending Journey Toward Spiritual Growth, by M. Scott Peck, 1994, 158.1 PEC [From LibraryThing: “Further Along the Road Less Traveled takes the lectures of Dr. Peck and presents his profound insights into the issues that confront and challenge all of us today: spirituality, forgiveness, relationships, and growing up. In this aid for living less simplistically, you will learn not to look for the easy answers but to think multidimensionally. You will learn to reach for the “ultimate step,” which brings you face to face with your personal spirituality. It will be this that helps you appreciate the complexity that is life. Continue the journey of personal and spiritual growth with this wise and insightful book.”].

6. The blessings of imperfection: Reflections on the mystery of everyday life, by G. Peter Fleck, 1987, 248.4 FLE [Published by Beacon Press. From LibraryThing: “”A beautifully crafted series of meditations on how to live. . . . Stimulating and comforting.” –Susan Allen Toth”].

7. The Seasoned Soul: Reflections on Growing Older, by Eliza Blanchard, 2012, 204.4 BLA [Published by Skinner House Books. From LibraryThing: “Youth is a gift of nature. Aging is a work of art. No matter where we are on the path, growing older is a journey we all share. These eighty-seven elegant essays reflect on aging, using wise and inspiring quotations from many cultures and religious traditions. They will help you tap into your own resources, lightening your spirit and the spirits of those around you. Throughout, they provide guidance and encouragement, for navigating life changes, dealing with fear, retaining dignity and passion, and living a life of meaning. The Seasoned Soul will help all of us face the joys and challenges of aging with insight and grace.”].

8. Stations of the Spirit (Reflections, Essays and Addresses), by Victor H. Carpenter, 1990, 248.4 CAR [Gift of Louise Nikolaieff].

9. In Stillness, Renewal: Meditations, by Jacob Trapp, 1983, 242 TRA [Gift of Petrt Aaloe and Ann Rieger].

10. Random Recollections and Reflections, by Harold Douglas Brown, 2003, 921 BRO [From Dorothy Goresky: A long and well-live church life: “… She also instigated the project to get the “Random Recollections and Reflections” book by and about Harold Douglas Brown done (2003) …”].

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Related Reading for Sunday, November 24

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 Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024 at 11 a.m. All welcome in Hewett Centre after Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:


1. Refugee Sandwich: Stories of Exile and Asylum, by Peter Showler, 2006, 325.21 SHO [Gift of Anne Stuart and Roberta Kirby of the UCV Refugee Committee. From LibraryThing: “Although more than thirty thousand refugee claims are decided in Canada every year, the personal stories behind them are never heard by the Canadian public. Presenting thirteen stories that tell about Canada’s refugee system, this book exposes the dilemmas and choices faced by participants in the refugee determination process.”].

2. A Bed of Red Flowers: In Search of My Afghanistan, by Nelofer Pazira, 2006, 958.10 PAZ [Gift of the Refugee Committee. From LibraryThing: “… Written with compassion, intelligence, and insight, A Bed of Red Flowers is a profoundly moving portrait of life under occupation and the unforgettable story of a family, a people and a country. “The picnic of the red flower” is a traditional time of celebration for Afghans. One of Nelofer Pazira’s earliest memories is of people gathering in the countryside to admire the tulips and poppies carpeting the landscape. It is the mid-1970s, and her parents are building a future for themselves and their young children in the city of Kabul. But when Nelofer is just five the Communists take power and her father, a respected doctor, is imprisoned along with thousands of other Afghans. The following year, the Russians invade Afghanistan, which becomes a police state and the center of a bloody conflict between the Soviet army and American-backed mujahidin fighters. A climate of violence and fear reigns. For Nelofer, there is no choice but to grow up fast. At eleven, she and her friends throw stones at the Russian tanks that stir up dust and animosity in the streets of Kabul. As a teenager she joins a resistance group, hiding her gun from her parents. Her emotional refuge is her friendship with her classmate Dyana, with whom she shares a passion for poetry, dreams and a better life. After a decade of war, Nelofer’s family escapes across the mountains to Pakistan and later to Canada, where she continues to write to Dyana. When her friend suddenly stops writing, Nelofer fears for Dyana’s life. With lyrical, narrative prose, A Bed of Red Flowers movingly tells Pazira’s haunting story, as well as Afghanistan’s story as a nation.”].

3. From Bombs to Books: The remarkable stories of refugee children and their families at an exceptional Canadian school, by David Starr, 2011, 371.82 STA [Gift of Ann Foster. From LibraryThing: “As Canada welcomes tens of thousands of Syrian refugees, as well as many others finding their way in Canada, communities across the country are dealing with the challenges of welcoming and integrating them. This is a book about how schools can play a powerful and positive role in the day-to-day lives of refugee families. David Starr has served as the principal at two schools in BC where a majority of the student population comes from refugee families. While the students at Edmonds Community and Byrne Creek Community schools in Burnaby, BC, come from all over the world, many are recent arrivals from Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan. In this book, David Starr shares the deeply moving stories of his students, their parents and the staff at Edmonds. He describes the upheavals that many of these families have undergone. He writes about how teachers and other support workers have embraced their students and gone about making a difference in their lives. And he tells the stories of students and their views of their experiences in their countries of origin, as well as at their new schools and in their new communities. First published in 2011, this book will strike a chord today in many cities and towns across Canada. This new edition provides the perspective of five years’ experience for the young people it profiles, with updates on the recent experiences of many. And David Starr offers observations on how teachers, principals, support groups and others can contribute to the process of integrating refugee families into Canadian society, and the many lessons he and his colleagues have learned from their experiences.”].

4. Infidel, by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, 2007, 921 HIR [From LibraryThing: “One of today’s most admired and controversial political figures, Ayaan Hirsi Ali burst into international headlines following the murder of Theo van Gogh by an Islamist who threatened that she would be next. She made headlines again when she was stripped of her citizenship and resigned from the Dutch Parliament.

Infidel shows the coming of age of this distinguished political superstar and champion of free speech as well as the development of her beliefs, iron will, and extraordinary determination to fight injustice. Raised in a strict Muslim family, Hirsi Ali survived civil war, female mutilation, brutal beatings, adolescence as a devout believer during the rise of the Muslim Brotherhood, and life in four troubled, unstable countries ruled largely by despots. She escaped from a forced marriage and sought asylum in the Netherlands, where she earned a college degree in political science, tried to help her tragically depressed sister adjust to the West, and fought for the rights of Muslim women and the reform of Islam as a member of Parliament. Under constant threat, demonized by reactionary Islamists and politicians, disowned by her father, and expelled from family and clan, she refuses to be silenced.

Ultimately a celebration of triumph over adversity, Hirsi Ali’s story tells how a bright little girl evolves out of dutiful obedience to become an outspoken, pioneering freedom fighter. As Western governments struggle to balance democratic ideals with religious pressures, no other book could be more timely or more significant.”].

5. The USC Story: A Quarter Century of Loving Service by the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada in Europe, the Middle east and Asia 1945-1970, by Lotta Hitschmanova, 1970, 288 UN [By the Unitarian Service Committee of Canada. From Lotta Hitschmanova and the Middle East: “From the 1940s to the 1970s, Lotta Hitschmanova was perhaps the most famous Canadian woman. And yet, few today are aware of her personal story — that she was a Jewish refugee to Canada who in turn spent decades helping Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria.”].

6. None is Too Many: Canada and the Jews of Europe, 1933-1948, by Irving M Abella, 1982, 940.53 ABE [Gift of Barbara Taylor. From LibraryThing: “Today, we think of Canada as a compassionate, open country to which refugees from other countries have always been welcome. However, between the years 1933 and 1948, when the Jews of Europe were looking for a place of refuge from Nazi persecution, Canada refused to offer aid, let alone sanctuary, to those in fear for their lives. Rigorously documented and brilliantly researched, None Is Too Many tells the story of Canada’s response to the plight of European Jews during the Nazi era and its immediate aftermath, exploring why and how Canada turned its back and hardened its heart against the entry of Jewish refugees. Recounting a shameful period in Canadian history, Irving Abella and Harold Troper trace the origins and results of Canadian immigration policies towards Jews and conclusively demonstrate that the forces against admitting them were pervasive and rooted in antisemitism. First published in 1983, None Is Too Many has become one of the most significant books ever published in Canada. This fortieth anniversary edition celebrates the book’s ongoing impact on public discourse, generating debate on ethics and morality in government, the workings of Canadian immigration and refugee policy, the responsibility of bystanders, righting historical wrongs, and the historian as witness. Above all, the reader is asked: “What kind of Canada do we want to be?” This new anniversary edition features a foreword by Richard Menkis on the impact the book made when it was first published and an afterword by David Koffman explaining why the book remains critical today.”].

7. Do Not Say We Have Nothing, by Madeleine Thien, 2016, FIC THI [From Wikipedia: “Do Not Say We Have Nothing is a novel by Madeleine Thien published in 2016 in Canada.[1] It follows a 10-year-old girl and her mother who invite a Chinese refugee into their home.[2] Critically acclaimed, in 2016 the author was awarded both the Scotiabank Giller Prize and the Governor General’s Award for this novel. It was short-listed for the Man Booker Prize as well as the Women’s Prize for Fiction.”].

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Related Reading for Sunday, November 17

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 Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024 at 11 a.m. All welcome in Hewett Centre after Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:


1. Active Hope: How to Face the Mess We’re in with Unexpected Resilience and Creative Power, by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone, 2022, 303 MAC [From Scorpio Books: “The challenges we face can be difficult even to think about. Climate change, war, political polarization, economic upheaval, and the dying back of nature together create a planetary emergency of overwhelming proportions. This revised, tenth anniversary edition of Active Hope shows us how to strengthen our capacity to face these crises so that we can respond with unexpected resilience and creative power. Drawing on decades of teaching an empowerment approach known as the Work That Reconnects, the authors guide us through a transformational process informed by mythic journeys, modern psychology, spirituality, and holistic science. This process equips us with tools to face the mess we’re in and play our role in the collective transition, or Great Turning, to a life-sustaining society.”].

2. All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis, edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson, 2021, 363.7 [Gift of Mary Bennett. From LibraryThing: “There is a renaissance blooming in the climate movement: leadership that is more characteristically feminine and more faithfully feminist, rooted in compassion, connection, creativity, and collaboration. While it’s clear that women and girls are vital voices and agents of change for this planet, they are too often missing from the proverbial table. More than a problem of bias, it’s a dynamic that sets us up for failure. To change everything, we need everyone.

All We Can Save illuminates the expertise and insights of dozens of diverse women leading on climate in the United States’ scientists, journalists, farmers, lawyers, teachers, activists, innovators, wonks, and designers, across generations, geographies, and race, and aims to advance a more representative, nuanced, and solution-oriented public conversation on the climate crisis. These women offer a spectrum of ideas and insights for how we can rapidly, radically reshape society.

This book is both a balm and a guide for knowing and holding what has been done to the world, while bolstering our resolve never to give up on one another or our collective future. We must summon truth, courage, and solutions to turn away from the brink and toward life-giving possibility. Curated by two climate leaders, the book is a collection and celebration of visionaries who are leading us on a path toward all we can save.”].

3. Generation Dread: Finding Purpose in an Age of Climate Anxiety, by Britt Wray, 2023, 155 WRA [Donated by John Boyle. A foreword by Adam McKay. From LibraryThing: “An impassioned generational perspective on why climate anxiety is completely natural and necessary, and how we can be stronger for it. Climate and environment-related fears and anxieties are on the rise everywhere, with few resources to address them. As with any type of stress, eco-anxiety can lead to paralysis, burnout and avoidance. In Generation Dread, Britt Wray seamlessly merges scientific knowledge with emotional insight to show how these complicated feelings are a sign of our humanity, and acknowledging and valuing them is key to making it through present and future crises. This isn’t a simple process, and it’s not a level playing field when it comes to our vulnerability, she notes. However, with the worsening situation, we are all on the field–and unlocking deep stores of compassion and care is a crucial step in healing our relationship to the planet and each other. With openness and curiosity, Britt explores her own fears about starting a family when evidence of dangerous environmental shifts creates an especially bleak picture of what lies ahead. Weaving in valuable insights from climate-aware therapists; reflections on the emotional impact of ecological catastrophes; critical perspectives on the role of race and privilege in this crisis; ideas about the future of mental health innovation; and creative coping strategies to foster connection, meaning and resilience, Generation Dread brilliantly illuminates how we can learn from the past, from our own emotions, and from each other to survive–and even thrive–in a changing world.”].

4. The Future We Choose: The Stubborn Optimist’s Guide to the Climate Crisis, by Christiana Figueres and Tom Rivett-Carnac, 2021, 363 FIG [Donated by John Boyle. From LibraryThing: “In this cautionary but optimistic book, Figueres and Rivett-Carnac–the architects of the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement–tackle arguably the most urgent and consequential challenge humankind has ever faced: the world’s changing climate and the fate of humanity. In The Future We Choose, the authors outline two possible scenarios for the planet. In one, they describe what life on Earth will be like by 2050 if we fail to meet the Paris targets for carbon dioxide emission reduction. In the other, they describe what it will take to create and live in a carbon neutral, regenerative world. They argue for confronting the climate crisis head on, with determination and optimism. How we all of us address the climate crisis in the next thirty years will determine not only the world we will live in but also the world we will bequeath to our children and theirs. The Future We Choose presents our options and tells us, in no uncertain terms, what governments, corporations, and each of us can and must do to fend off disaster”].

5. American Exodus: Climate Change and the Coming Flight for Survival, by Giles Slade, 2013, 304.8 SLA [Written by a VanU member. From Google Books: “Some scientists predict the sea will rise 1.5 meters before 2100, but rapidly melting polar ice caps could make the real amount much higher. In the coming century, intensifying storms will batter our coasts, and droughts and heat events will be annual threats. All this will occur as population grows, and declining water resources desiccate agriculture. What will happen when the United States cannot provide food or fresh water for the overheated, overcrowded cities where 80% of Americans currently live?

The good news is that this overall decline of habitability in the mid-latitudes will be matched by increases in the carrying capacity of sparsely populated lands above the 49th parallel. This phenomenon suggests that waves of environmental refugees will travel poleward as southern conditions worsen. Our northern lands are our Noah’s ark – a vital refuge against the moment of mankind’s greatest need.

In this compelling cautionary tale, Slade argues that we are entering a long period of global desperation which will be characterized by human migration on an unprecedented scale. American Exodus is a frighteningly believable survey of our immediate future, but it ends on a note of hope: we may yet survive the coming century of climatic change if we act now to safeguard our shelter of last resort.”].

6. The Archipelago of Hope: Wisdom and Resilience from the Edge of Climate Change, by Gleb Raygorodetsky, 2018, 304 RAY [From the jacket, according to LibraryThing: “The ecological and cultural researcher discusses indigenous communities throughout the world and their creative efforts to deal with climate change, arguing that biological and cultural diversity are key to resilience. “An enlightening global journey reveals the inextricable links between Indigenous cultures and their lands–and how they can form the foundation for climate change resilience around the world. One cannot turn on the news today without a report on an extreme weather event or the latest update on Antarctica. But while our politicians argue, the truth is that climate change is already here. Nobody knows this better than Indigenous peoples who, having developed an intimate relationship with ecosystems over generations, have observed these changes for decades. For them, climate change is not an abstract concept or policy issue, but the reality of daily life. After two decades of working with Indigenous communities, Gleb Raygorodetsky shows how these communities are actually islands of biological and cultural diversity in the ever-rising sea of development and urbanization. They are an “archipelago of hope” as we enter the Anthropocene, for here lies humankind’s best chance to understand how to take care of the Earth. These communities are implementing creative solutions to meet these modern challenges. Solutions that are relevant to the rest of us. We meet the Skolt Sami of Finland, the Nenets and Altai of Russia, the Sapara of Ecuador, the Karen of Myanmar, and the Tla-o-qui-aht of Canada. Intimate portraits of these men and women, youth and elders, emerge against the backdrop of their traditional practices on land and water. Though there are brutal realties–pollution, corruption, and forced assimilation–Raygorodetsky’s prose resonates with the positive, the adaptive, the spiritual–and hope.”].

7. Cool It: The Skeptical Environmentalist’s Guide to Global Warming, by Bjørn Lomborg, 2007, 363 LOM [From LibraryThing: “Argues that many of the elaborate actions being considered to stop global warming are too costly and will have little impact, and suggests that society’s focus should be on such immediate concerns as fighting HIV/AIDS and maintaining a fresh water supply.”].

8. Winds of Change: Short Stories About Our Climate, by Keith Wilkinson, 2015, FIC WIL [Written by a VanU member. From DragonFly: “… is a diverse collection of eighteen insightful, witty, and emotional short stories about climate change. The selected stories are the result of a short story contest run by Dragonfly.eco (then eco-fiction.com) in the summer of 2014. In collaboration with 100,000 Poets (Artists/Authors) for Change, Dragonfly engaged authors from Vancouver, BC, and other places around the world, to create speculative fiction about a harsh reality: our planet-at-risk. With a foreword by Michael Rothenberg, Winds of Change also includes several poems by Stephen Siperstein and Carolyn Welch. …”].

9. The New Northwest Passage: A Voyage to the Front Line of Climate Change, by Cameron Dueck, 2012, 910.91 DUE [From LibraryThing: “In the summer of 2009, Cameron Dueck and the rest of the crew of the Silent Sound completed a journey made by fewer people than have climbed Mt. Everest; they sailed through the infamous Northwest Passage. These waters are normally locked in ice, but due to climate change it is now possible to sail here for a few short weeks each summer. Their voyage from Victoria to Halifax carried them through raging storms and mechanical breakdowns and took them into sea ice that threatened to crush their hull. But more importantly it brought them face to face with modern Arctic life in tiny, isolated Inuit communities where the challenge of climate change is added to the already crushing load of social and economic woes. Each person they met along the way added their story to the colourful tale of life in the Arctic; a unique place where the climate change experience is affected by the critical and ongoing debates over sovereignty, resources and cultural assimilation.”].

10. The Sacred Balance: Rediscovering Our Place in Nature, by David Suzuki, 2007, 304.2 SUZ [Amanda McConnell and Adrienne Mason are primary contributors. From LibraryThing: “With a new foreword from Robin Wall Kimmerer, New York Times-bestselling author of Braiding Sweetgrass-and an afterword from Bill McKibben-this special 25th anniversary edition of a beloved bestseller invites readers to see ourselves as part of nature, not separate. The world is changing at a relentless pace. How can we slow down and act from a place of respect for all living things? The Sacred Balance shows us how. In this extensively updated new edition, David Suzuki reflects on the increasingly radical changes in science and nature-from the climate crisis to peak oil and the rise in clean energy-and examines what they mean for humankind. He also reflects on what we have learned by listening to Indigenous leaders, whose knowledge of the natural world is profound, and whose peoples are on the frontlines of protecting land and water around the world. Drawing on his own experiences and those of others who have put their beliefs into action, The Sacred Balance combines science, philosophy, spirituality, and Indigenous knowledge to offer concrete suggestions for creating an ecologically sustainable future by rediscovering and addressing humanity’s basic needs. Published in Partnership with the David Suzuki Institute.”].

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Related Reading for Sunday, November 10-11

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 Sunday service. Here is their list for both the upcoming service featuring Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024 at 11 a.m. as well as the Monday, Nov. 11 Peace Memorial at 2 p.m. All welcome in Hewett Centre after Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

Note that there’s a list here of some books and resources compiled for last year’s Peace Caravan, including the “Global Solutions for Peace, Equality, and Sustainability” free course offered by the Greater Victoria Peace School (details here.)

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:


1. Gandhi on Non-Violence: A Selection From the Writings of Mahatma Gandi, by Mahatma Gandhi, 1965, 172 GAN [Gift of Phillip Hewett, in memory of Charlotte Pennell. From LibraryThing: “”One has to speak out and stand up for one’s convictions. Inaction at a time of conflagration is inexcusable.” – Mahatma Gandhi. The basic principles of Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence (Ahimsa) and non-violent action (Satyagraha) were chosen by Thomas Merton for this volume in 1965. In his challenging Introduction, “Gandhi and the One-Eyed Giant,” Merton emphasizes the importance of action rather than mere pacifism as a central component of non-violence, and illustrates how the foundations of Gandhi’s universal truths are linked to traditional Hindu Dharma, the Greek philosophers, and the teachings of Christ and Thomas Aquinas. Educated as a Westerner in South Africa, it was Gandhi’s desire to set aside the caste system as well as his political struggles in India which led him to discover the dynamic power of non-cooperation. But, non-violence for Gandhi “was not simply a political tactic,” as Merton observes: “the spirit of non-violence sprang from an inner realization of spiritual unity in himself.” Gandhi’s politics of spiritual integrity have influenced generations of people around the world, as well as civil rights leaders from Martin Luther King, Jr. and Steve Biko to Václav Havel and Aung San Suu Kyi. Mark Kurlansky has written an insightful preface for this edition that touches upon the history of non-violence and reflects the core of Gandhi’s spiritual and ethical doctrine in the context of current global conflicts”].

2. Gandhi’s Truth, by Erik H. Erikson, 1969, 921 GAN [From LibraryThing: “In this study of Mahatma Gandhi, psychoanalyst Erik H. Erikson explores how Gandhi succeeded in mobilizing the Indian people both spiritually and politically as he became the revolutionary innovator of militant non-violence and India became the motherland of large-scale civil disobedience”].

3. The Power of Nonviolence: Writings by Advocates of Peace, by Howard Zinn, 2002, 327.17 WEI [Published by Beacon Press. From LibraryThing, what’s on the jacket: “… the first anthology of alternatives to war with a historical perspective – with an introduction by Howard Zinn about September 11 and the U.S. response to the terrorist attacks – presents the most salient and persuasive arguments for peace in the last 2,500 years of human history. Arranged chronologically, covering the major conflagrations in the world. The Power of Nonviolence is a compelling step forward in the study of pacifism, a timely anthology that fills a void for people looking for responses to crisis that are not based on guns or bombs”].

4. Nonviolence: The History of a Dangerous Idea, by Mark Kurlansky, 2008, 303.61 KUR [Foreword by Dalai Lama. From LibraryThing: “In this timely, highly original, and controversial narrative, New York Times bestselling author Mark Kurlansky discusses nonviolence as a distinct entity, a course of action, rather than a mere state of mind. Nonviolence can and should be a technique for overcoming social injustice and ending wars, he asserts, which is why it is the preferred method of those who speak truth to power. Nonviolence is a sweeping yet concise history that moves from ancient Hindu times to present-day conflicts raging in the Middle East and elsewhere. Kurlansky also brings into focus just why nonviolence is a “dangerous” idea, and asks such provocative questions as: Is there such a thing as a “just war”? Could nonviolence have worked against even the most evil regimes in history? Kurlansky draws from history twenty-five provocative lessons on the subject that we can use to effect change today. He shows how, time and again, violence is used to suppress nonviolence and its practitioners-Gandhi and Martin Luther King, for example; that the stated deterrence value of standing national armies and huge weapons arsenals is, at best, negligible; and, encouragingly, that much of the hard work necessary to begin a movement to end war is already complete. It simply needs to be embraced and accelerated. Engaging, scholarly, and brilliantly reasoned, Nonviolence is a work that compels readers to look at history in an entirely new way. This is not just a manifesto for our times but a trailblazing book whose time has come”].

5. Enough Blood Shed: 101 Solutions to Violence, Terror and War, by Mary-Wynne Ashford and Guy Dauncey, 2006, 303.69 ASH [Signed by a co-author. From LibraryThing: “Proven strategies for peace from an awakened civil society — “”the second superpower”””].

6. We Can Have Peace in the Holy Land: A Plan That Will Work, by Jimmy Carter, 2009, 956.05 CAR [From LibraryThing: “Nobel Peace Laureate Jimmy Carter argues that the present moment is a unique time for achieving peace in the Middle East–and he offers a bold and comprehensive plan. For the last three decades, as President of the United States and as founder of The Carter Center, Carter has studied the complex and interrelated issues of the region’s conflicts and has been actively involved in reconciling them. He knows the leaders of all factions who will need to play key roles, and he sees encouraging signs. Carter describes the history of previous peace efforts and why they fell short. He argues persuasively that the road to a peace agreement is now open and that it has broad international and regional support. Most of all, since there will be no progress without courageous and sustained U.S. leadership, he says the time for progress is now, and President Barack Obama is committed to a personal effort to exert that leadership.”].

7. The Ursula Franklin Reader: Pacifism as a Map, by Ursula Franklin, 2006, 303.66 FRA [From LibraryThing: “Feminist, educator, Quaker, and physicist, Ursula Franklin has long been considered one of Canada’s foremost advocates and practitioners of pacifism. The Ursula Franklin Reader: Pacifism as a Map is a comprehensive collection of her work, and demonstrates subtle, yet critical, linkages across a range of subjects: the pursuit of peace and social justice, theology, feminism, environmental protection, education, government, and citizen activism. This thoughtful collection, drawn from more than four decades of research and teaching, brings readers into an intimate discussion with Franklin, and makes a passionate case for how to build a society centered around peace”].

8. Stones into Schools: Promoting Peace with Books, Not Bombs, in Afghanistan and Pakistan, by Greg Mortenson, 2009, 371.82 MOR [From LibraryThing: “In this dramatic first-person narrative, Greg Mortenson picks up where “Three Cups of Tea” left off in 2003, recounting his relentless, ongoing efforts to establish schools for girls in Afghanistan; his extensive work in Azad Kashmir and Pakistan after a massive earthquake hit the region in 2005; and the unique ways he has built relationships with Islamic clerics, militia commanders, and tribal leaders even as he was dodging shootouts with feuding Afghan warlords and surviving an eight-day armed abduction by the Taliban.”].

9. Pacifism in the Twentieth Century, by Peter Brock and Nigel Young, 1999, 327.17 BRO [Signed by co-author Peter Brock. From LibraryThing: “For college students and general readers, surveys the various movements advocating personal nonparticipation in war of any kind as a first step in finding nonviolent means for resolving conflict. Considers the heritage of previous centuries, conscientious objection, Catholicism and Judaism between the world wars, the antinuclear movement, and the Vietnam War. An updated and illustrated edition of Brock’s 1970 Twentieth-Century Pacifism published by Van Nostrand Reinhold.”].

10. Freedom from War: Nonsectarian Pacifism, 1814-1914, by Peter Brock, 1991, 327.1 BRO [Makes reference to Unitarian pacifists. Autographed by the author. From LibraryThing: “Brock (history emeritus, U. of Toronto) presents peace activism as historically including two groups: those who reject war on grounds of conscience, and the internationalists who, without the same commitment of conscience, nonetheless strive to accomplish a warless world. He discusses the early Anglo-American peace movement and the dispute between its two principle groups, the 1838 pacifist radical abolitionists, pacifism during the Civil War, and Tolstoyism. …”].

11. The Spoils of War: Power, Profit and the American War Machine, by Andrew Cockburn, 2021, 973 COC [Donated by Gerta Moray. From LibraryThing statement of the publisher description: “In the last decades, America has gone to war as supposed defenders of democracy. The War on Terror was waged to protect the West from the dangers of Islamists. US Solders are stationed in over 800 locations across the world to act as the righteous arbiters of the rule of law. In this volume, Cockburn dissects the intentions behind Washington’s appetite for war. The American war machine can only be understood in terms of the “private passions” and “interests” of those who control it – principally a passionate interest in money. Thus, as Cockburn reports, Washington expanded NATO to satisfy an arms manufacturer’s urgent financial requirements; the U.S. Navy’s Pacific fleet deployments were for years dictated by a corrupt contractor who bribed high-ranking officers with cash and prostitutes; senior marine commanders agreed to a troop surge in Afghanistan in 2017 “because it will do us good at budget time.” Based on years of wide-ranging research, Cockburn lays bare the ugly reality of the largest military machine in history: squalid, and at the same time terrifyingly dangerous”].

12. The Nutmeg’s Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis, by Amitav Ghosh, 2022, 363 GHO [From LibraryThing: “… frames climate change and the Anthropocene as the culmination of a history that begins with the discovery of the New World and of the sea route to the Indian Ocean. Ghosh makes the case that the political dynamics of climate change today are rooted in the centuries-old geopolitical order that was constructed by Western colonialism. This argument is set within a broader narrative about human entanglements with botanical matter-spices, tea, sugarcane, opium, and fossil fuels-and the continuities that bind human history with these earthly materials. Ghosh also writes explicitly against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Black Lives Matter protests, and international immigration debates, among other pressing issues, framing these ongoing crises in a new way by showing how the colonialist extractive mindset is directly connected to the deep inequality we see around us today””].

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Related Reading for Sunday, November 3

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 Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024 at 11 a.m. All welcome in Hewett Centre after service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:


1. Trust the Dawning Future, from the Canadian Unitarian Council, 2011, 821 CUC [Closely related is “To Trust the Dawning Future More”, as it states it’s a “Sermon delivered at the Sunday Service of Celebration at the Annual Conference & Meeting of the Canadian Unitarian Council Convocation Hall, University of Toronto”, delivered by Rev. Shawn Newton (i.e., our current minister Rev. Shawn Gauthier) on May 22, 2011].

2. The Unitarian Way, by Phillip Hewett, 2015, 288 HEW [Written by a UCV minister. Donated by Muriel Harris. Signed by the author. From LibraryThing: “In a religious tradition with no creed and no hierarchy, it is sometimes hard to see what it is that binds Unitarians together. In The Unitarian Way, Phillip Hewett sets out to discover the common elements that characterize Unitarianism, from its historical roots in the Renaissance to its varied expressions in the world today. In twelve wide-ranging chapters he explores the characteristic Unitarian blend of faith and doubt, reason and intuition, commitment and open mindedness, individuality and community. He concludes that Unitarians, “like a family, or the crew of a ship, or a geological survey team,” are united by participation in a common enterprise rather than by a set of shared beliefs. Originally published in 1985, The Unitarian Way has been newly revised by the author and reissued to guide a new generation of readers through the intricacies of “the Unitarian dance.””].

3. Social Action Heroes: Unitarian Universalists Who Are Changing the World, by Michelle Bates Deakin, 2012, 261 DEA [Published by Skinner House Books. From inSpirit UU Book and Gift Shop: “Unitarian Universalists are committed to acting on important issues of social justice throughout the world. Award-winning journalist Michelle Bates Deakin explores the actions of eleven individuals and the impact their actions have had on their communities and their souls. Compelling and inspiring, Social Action Heroes illuminates the potential for deep change inherent in each of us, and in Unitarian Universalism as a whole”].

4. Faith Without Certainty: Liberal Theology In The 21st Century, by Paul Rasor, 2005, 230.04 RAS [Published by Skinner House Books. From LibraryThing: “This innovative critical analysis of religious liberalism probes the dynamic tensions of a theology that is committed to individual freedom and autonomy on the one hand and a greater sense of community on the other. Much more than a primer, Faith Without Certainty lays out the basic characteristics of liberal theology, delving into historical and philosophical sources as well as social and intellectual roots. Clear-eyed but ultimately hopeful, Rasor explores the ambiguous and creative nature of liberal theology today. Ideal for readers who want a better understanding of liberal theology, a religious tradition that is rooted not in authority but in one’s own experience and conscience”].

5. An Examined Faith: Social Context and Religious Commitment , by James Luther Adams, 1991, 230.91 ADA [Published by Beacon Press. From GoodReads: “James Luther Adams has been a major force in American social ethics and liberal theology for more than half a century, from his work with anti-Nazi preachers in Germany in the late 1930s through his teaching at the University of Chicago and the Harvard Divinity School. Here is his latest collection of inimitable essays”].

6. The Prophethood of All Believers, by James Luther Adams, 1986, 230.8 ADA [Published by Beacon Press].

7. The Free Church in a Changing World, by Dana McLean Greeley, 1963, 288 UUA [From GoodReads: “Reports of six commissions appointed in 1959 by Dana McLean Greeley (while president of American Unitarian Association) to survey, evaluate, and recommend possible future directions of UU congregations”].

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Related Reading for Sunday, October 27

Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour, and now the Library Team will be offering related reading lists based on the topic of Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Dr. Roxy Manning and Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, Oct. 27, 2024 at 11 a.m.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:


1. Living through Mourning: Finding Comfort and Hope When a Loved One Has Died, by Harriet Sarnoff Schiff, 1987, 150 SCH [From LibraryThing: “Losing a loved one is one of the hardest parts of life. With sensitivity and wisdom, Harriet Sarnoff Schiff shares advice to help mourners find comfort amidst grief and hope when a loved one has passed. Supported by interviews with the bereaved and with funeral directors, therapists, and clergymen, this reference helps guide mourners through the grieving process”].

2. Straight Talk about Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love, by Earl A. Grollman, 1993, 155.9 GRO [From LibraryThing: “Suggests ways to deal with the grief and other emotions felt after the death of a loved one and to discover how to go on living”].

3. Sacred Dying: Creating Rituals for Embracing the End of Life, by Megory Anderson, 2003, 155.9 AND [From LibraryThing: “Explores difficult questions surrounding the act of dying and attendant care, offering thoughtful rituals and prayers to support the needs of the dying while comforting the living”].

4. Helping Children Grieve, by Theresa Huntley, 1999, 155.9 HUN [From LibraryThing: “This straightforward book helps adults talk to children in meaningful ways, nurturing their faith and building their emotional strength during a time of crisis. The author explains common reactions (emotional, physical, and behavioral) parents can expect from children of all ages, and offers adults the spiritual tools they need to help children cope with a significant loss”].

5. Death’s Door: Modern Dying and the Ways We Grieve: A Cultural Study, by Sandra M. Gilbert, 2006, 155.9 GIL [Gift of Jack Jefferson. From LibraryThing: “Critic, poet, and memoirist Sandra M. Gilbert explores our relationship to death through literature, history, poetry and societal practices. Seneca wrote, “Anyone can stop a man’s life but no one his death; a thousand doors open on to it.” This inevitability has left varying marks on all human cultures. Exploring expressions of faith, burial customs, photographs, poems, and memoirs, Sandra M. Gilbert examines both the changelessness of grief and the changing customs that mark contemporary mourning”].

6. How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final Chapter, by Sherwin B. Nuland, 1994, 616.07 NUL [Gift of Arthur Hughes. From LibraryThing: “There is a vast literature on death and dying, but there are few reliable accounts of the ways in which we die. The intimate account of how various diseases take away life, offered in How We Die, is not meant to prompt horror or terror but to demythologize the process of dying to help us rid ourselves of that fear of the terra incognita. Though the avenues of death – AIDS, cancer, heart attack, Alzheimer’s, accident, and stroke – are common, each of us will die in a way different from any that has gone before. Each one of death’s diverse appearances is as distinctive as that singular face we each show during our lives. Behind each death is a story. In How We Die, Sherwin B. Nuland, a surgeon and teacher of medicine, tells some stories of dying that reveal not only why someone dies but how. He offers a portrait of the experience of dying that makes clear the choices that can be made to allow each of us his or her own death”].

7. The Tibetan book of Living and Dying, by Rinpoche Sogyal, 2002, 294 SOY [Gift of Stan Wood. From LibraryThing: “… Buddhist meditation master and international speaker Sogyal Rinpoche brings together the ancient wisdom of Tibet with modern research on death and dying and the nature of the universe. With unprecedented scope, The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying clarifies the majestic vision of life and death that underlies The Tibetan Book of the Dead. Sogyal Rinpoche presents simple yet powerful practices from the heart of the Tibetan tradition that anyone, whatever their religion or background, can do to transform their lives, prepare for death, and help the dying. Rinpoche shows the hope there is in death: how we can go beyond denial and fear to discover what it is in us that survives death and is changeless. He presents a lucid, inspiring, and complete introduction to the practice of meditation, to karma and rebirth, and to the trials and rewards of the spiritual path. He gives advice on how to care for the dying with love and compassion and offer them spiritual assistance. …”].

8. Life After Death, by Tom Harpur, 1991, 202.3 HAR [The Julian Fears Library. From LibraryThing, stating it’s from the hardcover edition: “Is there life after death? This question has puzzled humankind from time immemorial. For thousands of years religions the world over have taught that life does not end at death. Ancient Egyptians used to bury boats with their dead for transport to a new life. Medieval Christendom was rife with graphic, “eye-witness” descriptions of heaven and hell. In the West today, many people claim to have seen or heard from the dead; others have “remembered” past lives while under hypnosis. Still other have experienced “death” and have returned with remarkably similar stories to tell. Yet sceptics, agnostics, and atheists have challenged or rejected the notion of an afterlife, arguing that there is no proof of it whatsoever. Who is right? In Life After Death, Tom Harpur, religious scholar, journalist, and best-selling author, takes a fresh and wide-ranging look at the question. He searches with an open mind, not for proof, but for evidence, within science, psychology, the Bible, the tenets of world religions, and the extraordinary experiences of ordinary people. And the evidence he meticulously assembles points unfalteringly towards one, logical conclusion: “Death is very much like birth. It is the traumatic but essential passage into a new phase of life.” Life After Death is an extensively researched and eloquently reasoned investigation, which radiates the author’s intelligence and scholarship. Harpur’s powerful conclusions will challenge believers and sceptics alike. One thing is certain – his message will inspire all readers to reassess the meaning of life”].

9. The Lovely Bones, by Alice Sebold, 2004, FIC SEB [From LibraryThing: “ “My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.” So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without her — her friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her killer trying to cover his tracks, her grief-stricken family unraveling. Out of unspeakable tragedy and loss, The Lovely Bones succeeds, miraculously, in building a tale filled with hope, humor, suspense, even joy”].

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Related Reading for Sunday, October 20

Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour, and now the Library Team will be offering related reading lists based on the topic of Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Dr. Roxy Manning and Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024 at 11 a.m.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:


1. The United Nations: Its History and the Canadians Who Shaped It: Fifty Years of Struggle and Hope, by Desmond Morton, 1995, 341.23 MOR [Gift of Lucy Stewart. From LibraryThing: “For some children, the United Nations is a huge building in New York City. For others, it’s the blue-helmeted soldiers or the huge piles of relief food they see on TV. Or maybe when some kids think of the UN, they picture kids collecting money for UNICEF at Halloween. Whatever a child’s image of the United Nations, this book will explain its history and introduce the people who shaped it”].

2. Intent for a Nation: What Is Canada For? A Relentlessly Optimistic Manifesto for Canada’s Role in the World, by Michael Byers, 2007, 971.07 BYE [From LibraryThing: “In Intent for a Nation, Michael Byers argues that it is time for a clear-eyed appreciation of our strengths and weaknesses, of all we have and all we could be. A whole series of world events-the waning of US credibility; the increasing value of natural resources; the brain-gain; the ever-increasing interdependence of peoples, countries and continents-have combined to put Canada center stage in a new world order. Instead of emulating our increasingly isolated neighbor, we should be advancing the Canadian model, an idealistic, fiscally prudent, socially progressive vision that has never looked so good. Intent for a Nation is a fundamentally optimistic, informed and opinionated overview of where Canada stands in the world and what aggressive public policies are needed to carry the country forward in an ever more competitive and volatile world. Here is a book urging Canadians to rediscover their national self-confidence, to find the courage to dream great dreams-and make them happen”].

3. Canada’s Global Future – Navigating a New World, by Lloyd Axworthy, 2003, 327.17 AXW [From the hardcover edition: “In Navigating a New World, Lloyd Axworthy 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. Before Lloyd Axworthy entered global politics, “human security” — a philosophy calling for global responsibility to the interests of individuals rather than to the interests of the nation state or multi-national corporations — was a controversial and unfamiliar idea. 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. So how can Canada reject a world model dominated by U.S. policy, military force and naked self-interest? How can we rethink a global world from the perspective of people — our security, our needs, our promise, our dreams? Lloyd Axworthy delivers 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. Arresting and provocative, Navigating a New World 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. This is a call for action from one of Canada’s most eloquent statesmen and thinkers, and is essential reading for all Canadians. Where is the line we draw in setting out the boundaries for being responsible for others? Is it simply family and close friends? Do we stop at the frontiers of our own country? Does our conscience, our sense of right or wrong, take us as far as the crowded camps of northern Uganda, surrounded by land mines, attacked repeatedly by an army made largely of child soldiers? I believe we in Canada have a special vocation to help in the building of a more secure order. We need not be confined to our self-interest”].

4. Lotta and the Unitarian Service Committee Story, by Clyde Sanger, 1986, 921 HIT [From CM Archive: “The story of the Unitarian Service Committee’s founder and director for thirty-six years is at once a biography of Lotta Hitschmanova and a history of USC Canada. Because of Lotta’s ill health, Sanger had to rely on research and interviews with her colleagues in Canada and abroad. His evident enthusiasm and admiration for his subject (Sanger is a director of USC) and his background in journalism and foreign aid have produced a story that vividly communicates Lotta’s forceful personality and dedication.

Lotta’s secure life in Prague was shattered by the war that left her homeless, and ultimately an orphan. In 1942 she arrived in Canada, and almost immediately started trying to alert Canadians to problems of European war victims. The USC, which she organized in Canada, started with European relief work and expanded to relief and rehabilitation programs in Korea, India, the Gaza strip, and Vietnam. Details of the successes and frustrations of Lotta’s efforts reveal a remarkably capable, persistent, and brave individual. Sanger completes the USC story by describing the recent shift in emphasis from small projects, with close personal contact, to larger integrated community development schemes.

Lotta’s story has interest both as an example of the impact of one individual’s vision and effort and as a chronicle of specific relief work. Sanger provides some footnotes and appendices related to USC leadership and finance, but no bibliography. There are two eight-page sections of black-and-white photographs”].

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Related Reading for Sunday, October 13

Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour, and now the Library Team will be offering related reading lists based on the topic of Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Dr. Roxy Manning and Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024 at 11 a.m.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:


1. The Gift Of Thanks, by Margaret Visser, 2008, 179.9 VIS [From LibraryThing: “… considers cultural history, including the modern battle of social scientists to pin down the notion of thankfulness and account for it, and the newly awakened scientific interest in the biological and evolutionary roots of emotions. This fascinating inquiry into all aspects of gratitude ranges from the unusual determination with which parents teach their children to thank, to the difference between speaking the words and feeling them, to the ways different cultures handle the complex matters of giving, receiving, and returning favors and presents. It also illuminates the modern battle of social scientists to pin down the notion of thankfulness and discover its biological and evolutionary roots”].

2. Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy, by Sarah Ban Breathnach, 1995, 158.12 BAN [From LibraryThing: “… First published in 1995, Simple Abundance topped the New York Times Bestseller list for over two years and is responsible for introducing two hugely popular concepts – the “Gratitude Journal” and the term “Authentic Self.” With daily inspirational meditations and reflections, the Simple Abundance phenomenon became a touchstone for a generation of women, helping them to reclaim their true selves, find balance during life’s busiest moments, and rediscover what makes them truly happy.

Simple Abundance’s powerful messages are needed now more than ever, as we navigate the discord and stress instigated by a constant stream of “breaking news” cycles, and our 24/7 social media culture. Sarah Ban Breathnach has refreshed her bestselling phenomenon to address the needs of a new generation, with her signature candor, wit, and wisdom that made her a trusted and compassionate confidant for millions of women.

A perennial classic whose time has come again, Sarah’s work celebrates quiet joys, simple pleasures, and well-spent moments and reminds us how to find the beauty in the everyday”].

3. Farm Folk City Folk: Stories, Tips and Recipes Celebrating Local Food for Food Lovers of All Stripes, by Herb Barbolrt, 1999, 641.3 BAR [Michael Marrapese is the photographer. Gift of the authors. Signed by one of the co-authors. From LibraryThing: “Farm Folk City Folk celebrates the importance of food in our lives and in our communities. In it’s pages you will be tantalized and inspired as you hear the stories behind successful companies and producers. Throughout, top chefs contribute recipes using local ingredients. Farm Folk City Folk is also jammed with practical tips on everything from growing edible flowers to organising a farmer’s market”].

4. The Art of Loving, by Erich Fromm and Ruth Nanda Ashen, 1989, 157 FRO [Gift of the Unitarian Family Life Centre. From LibraryThing: “The international bestseller that launched a movement with its powerful insight: “Love is the only sane and satisfactory answer to the problem of human existence.” The Art of Loving is a rich and detailed guide to love-an achievement reached through maturity, practice, concentration, and courage. In the decades since the book’s release, its words and lessons continue to resonate. Erich Fromm, a celebrated psychoanalyst and social psychologist, clearly and sincerely encourages the development of our capacity for and understanding of love in all of its facets. He discusses the familiar yet misunderstood romantic love, the all-encompassing brotherly love, spiritual love, and many more. A challenge to traditional Western notions of love, The Art of Loving is a modern classic about taking care of ourselves through relationships with others. …”].

5. Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul: 101 Stories, by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and Heather McNamara, 1999, 158.2 CAN [Gift of Hal Logan. From LibraryThing: “Presents over one hundred inspirational stories that offer encouragement to individuals who are facing challenging times].

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Related Reading for Sunday, October 6

Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour, and now the Library Team will be offering related reading lists based on the topic of Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Dr. Roxy Manning and Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024 at 11 a.m.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:


1. The Antiracist Heart: A Self-Compassion and Activism Handbook, by Roxy Manning and Sarah Peyton, 2023, 305 MAN [From LibraryThing: “The Antiracist Heart delivers a unique path to antiracist activism and introspection by applying neuroscience exercises, questionnaires, and journaling prompts based on the book How to Have Antiracist Conversations. Implicit biases begin forming before we have language and are deeply rooted in the subconscious. By combining neuroscience, introspection, and self-compassion, one can disrupt unconscious patterns. Each chapter of The Antiracist Heart introduces the reader to a concept connected with antiracism such as: Privilege and White Fragility; Disgust and Coded Language; Microaggressions. Manning, a clinical psychologist and antiracist activist and Peyton, a neuroscience expert and educator, explain the neuroscience behind each concept and provide specific exercises and skill sets designed to rewire the brain, in order to unravel implicit bias. Building on the work of How to Have Antiracist Conversations, this workbook provides a road map to guide readers on their journey toward neutralizing subconscious bias, fighting racism from within, and becoming a changemaker in the world”].

2. How to Have Antiracist Conversations: Embracing Our Full Humanity to Challenge White Supremacy, by Roxy Manning, 2023, 305.8 [From LibraryThing: “Utilizing Dr. Martin Luther King’s Beloved Community framework, activists will be empowered to create change and equity through fierce yet compassionate dialogue against racism and systematic white supremacy. Although committed to antiracism, many people struggle with confronting racist behavior. Difficult conversations are avoided or end in negativity, aggression, and even violence. How to Have Antiracist Conversations gives the tools to approach hard conversations with compassion and authenticity by embracing the 6 principles of Kingian Nonviolence: 1. Nonviolence is the way of life for courageous people; 2. The Beloved Community framework is the future; 3. Attack forces of evil, not persons doing evil; 4. Accept suffering without retaliation for the sake of the cause; 5. Avoid internal violence of spirit as well as external physical violence; 6. The universe is on the side of justice. Combined with an understanding of racist theory, readers can approach sensitive topics and address discriminatory behavior while minimizing harm. Drawing on her experience as a clinical psychologist and an Afro-Caribbean immigrant, Manning provides a model of dialogue, demonstrated with practical applications, which can be applied to a variety of situations where difference in power and privilege exist”].

3. White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard to Talk to White People About Racism, by Robin J. DiAngelo, 2018, 305.8 DIA [From Beacon Press. Signed by the author. From LibraryThing: “… In this “vital, necessary, and beautiful book” (Michael Eric Dyson), antiracist educator Robin DiAngelo deftly illuminates the phenomenon of white fragility and “allows us to understand racism as a practice not restricted to ‘bad people’ (Claudia Rankine). Referring to the defensive moves that white people make when challenged racially, white fragility is characterized by emotions such as anger, fear, and guilt, and by behaviors including argumentation and silence. These behaviors, in turn, function to reinstate white racial equilibrium and prevent any meaningful cross-racial dialogue. In this in-depth exploration, DiAngelo examines how white fragility develops, how it protects racial inequality, and what we can do to engage more constructively”].

4. How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi, 2023, 305 KEN [From LibraryThing: “”The only way to undo racism is to consistently identify and describe it — and then dismantle it.” Ibram X. Kendi’s concept of antiracism reenergizes and reshapes the conversation about racial justice in America — but even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other. In How to Be an Antiracist, Kendi asks us to think about what an antiracist society might look like, and how we can play an active role in building it. In this book, Kendi weaves an electrifying combination of ethics, history, law, and science, bringing it all together with an engaging personal narrative of his own awakening to antiracism. How to Be an Antiracist is an essential work for anyone who wants to go beyond an awareness of racism to the next step: contributing to the formation of a truly just and equitable society”].

5. Where Do We Go from Here: Chaos or Community?, by Martin Luther King Jr., 2010, 323.119 KIN [From LibraryThing: “… In 1967, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., isolated himself from the demands of the civil rights movement, rented a house in Jamaica with no telephone, and labored over his final manuscript. In this significantly prophetic work, which has been unavailable for more than ten years, we find King’s acute analysis of American race relations and the state of the movement after a decade of civil rights efforts. Here he lays out his thoughts, plans, and dreams for America’s future, including the need for better jobs, higher wages, decent housing, and quality education. With a universal message of hope that continues to resonate, King demanded an end to global suffering, powerfully asserting that humankind – for the first time – has the resources and technology to eradicate poverty”].

6. Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, by Marshall B. Rosenberg, 2003, 153.6 ROS [From LibraryThing: “What if you could defuse tension and create accord in even the most volatile situations-just by changing the way you spoke? Over the past 35 years, Marshall Rosenberg has done just that, peacefully resolving conflicts in families, schools, businesses, and governments in 30 countries all over the world. On Nonviolent Communication, this renowned peacemaker presents his complete system for speaking our deepest truths, addressing our unrecognized needs and emotions, and honoring those same concerns in others. With this adaptation of the bestselling book of the same title, Marshall Rosenberg teaches in his own words: Course objectives: – Identify the four steps of the Nonviolent Communication process. – Employ the four-step Nonviolent Communication process in every dialogue you engage in. – Utilize empathy to safely confront anger, fear, and other powerful emotions. – Discover how to overcome the blocks to compassion and open to our natural desire to enrich the lives of those around us. – Observations, feelings, needs, and requests-how to apply the four-step process of Nonviolent Communication to every dialogue we engage in. – Overcoming the blocks to compassion-and opening to our natural desire to enrich the lives of those around us. – How to use empathy to safely confront anger, fear, and other powerful emotions. – Here is a definitive audio training workshop on Marshall Rosenberg’s proven methods for “resolving the unresolvable” through Nonviolent Communication”].

7. Nonviolent Communication Companion Workbook: A Practical Guide for Individual, Group, or Classroom Study, by Lucy Leu, 2003, 153.6 LEU [From LibraryThing: “… Learning the Nonviolent Communication (NVC) process has often been equated with learning a whole new way of thinking and speaking. The NVC Companion Workbook helps you easily put these powerful, effective skills into practice with chapter-by-chapter study of Marshall Rosenberg’s cornerstone text, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life . Find a wealth of activities, exercises, and facilitator suggestions to refine and practice this powerful way of communicating. Join the hundreds of thousands worldwide who have improved their relationships and their lives with this simple yet revolutionary process. Included in the new edition is a complete chapter on conflict resolution and mediation”].

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Related Reading for Sunday, September 29

Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour, and now the Library Team will be offering related reading lists based on the topic of Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:


1. Standoff: Why Reconciliation Fails Indigenous People and How to Fix It, by Bruce McIvor, 2022, 342 McI [Written by a VanU member. From LibraryThing: “Faced with a constant stream of news reports of standoffs and confrontations, Canada’s “reconciliation project” has obviously gone off the rails. In this series of concise and thoughtful essays, lawyer and historian Bruce McIvor explains why reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is failing and what needs to be done to fix it. Widely known as a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights, McIvor reports from the front lines of legal and political disputes that have gripped the nation. From Wet’suwet’en opposition to a pipeline in northern British Columbia, to Mi’kmaw exercising their fishing rights in Nova Scotia, McIvor has been actively involved in advising First Nation clients, fielding industry and non-Indigenous opposition to true reconciliation, and explaining to government officials why their policies are failing. McIvor’s essays are honest and heartfelt. In clear, plain language he explains the historical and social forces that underpin the development of Indigenous law, criticizes the current legal shortcomings and charts a practical, principled way forward. By weaving in personal stories of growing up Métis on the fringes of the Peguis First Nation in Manitoba and representing First Nations in court and negotiations, McIvor brings to life the human side of the law and politics surrounding Indigenous peoples’ ongoing struggle for fairness and justice. His writing covers many of the most important issues that have become part of a national dialogue, including systemic racism, treaty rights, violence against Indigenous people, Métis identity, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People (UNDRIP) and the duty to consult. McIvor’s message is consistent and powerful: if Canadians are brave enough to confront the reality of the country’s colonialist past and present and insist that politicians replace empty promises with concrete, meaningful change, there is a realistic path forward based on respect, recognition and the implementation of Indigenous rights”].

2. 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality, by Bob Joseph, 2018, 342.7 JOS [From LibraryThing: “Since its creation in 1876, the Indian Act has dictated and constrained the lives and opportunities of Indigenous Peoples, and is at the root of many enduring stereotypes. Bob Joseph’s book comes at a key time in the reconciliation process, when awareness from both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities is at a crescendo. Joseph examines how Indigenous Peoples can return to self-government, self-determination, and self-reliance – and why doing so would result in a better country for every Canadian. He dissects the complex issues around the Indian Act, and demonstrates why learning about its cruel and irrevocable legacy is vital for the country to move toward true reconciliation”].

3.  Indigenous Relations: Insights, Tips & Suggestions to Make Reconciliation a Reality, by Bob Joseph, 2019, 303 JOS [From LibraryThing: “We are all treaty people. This eagerly awaited sequel to the bestselling 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act offers practical tools that will help you respectfully avoid missteps in your business interactions and personal relationships with Indigenous Peoples. This book will teach you about: Aboriginal Rights and Title, and the treaty process the difference between hereditary and elected leadership, and why it matters the lasting impact of the Indian Act, including the barriers that Indigenous communities face which terms are preferable, and which should be avoided Indigenous Worldviews and cultural traditions the effect of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) in Canada the truth behind common myths and stereotypes perpetuated about Indigenous Peoples since Confederation. In addition to being a hereditary chief, Bob Joseph is the President of Indigenous Corporate Training Inc., which offers programs in cultural competency. Here he offers an eight-part process that businesses and all levels of government can use to work more effectively with Indigenous Peoples, which benefits workplace culture as well as the bottom line. Embracing reconciliation on a daily basis in your work and personal life is the best way to undo the legacy of the Indian Act. By understanding and respecting cultural differences, you’re taking a step toward full reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples”].

4. The Reconciliation Manifesto: Recovering the Land, Rebuilding the Economy, by Arthur Manuel, Ronald Derrickson and Grand Chief Ronald Derrickson, 2017, 305 MAN [Naomi Klein has written a preface. From LibraryThing: “In this book Arthur Manuel and Grand Chief Ronald Derrickson challenge virtually everything that non-Indigenous Canadians believe about their relationship with Indigenous Peoples and the steps that are needed to place this relationship on a healthy and honourable footing. Manuel and Derrickson show how governments are attempting to reconcile with Indigenous Peoples without touching the basic colonial structures that dominate and distort the relationship. They review the current state of land claims. They tackle the persistence of racism among non-Indigenous people and institutions. They celebrate Indigenous Rights Movements while decrying the role of government-funded organizations like the Assembly of First Nations. They document the federal government’s disregard for the substance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples while claiming to implement it. These circumstances amount to what they see as a false reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. Instead, Manuel and Derrickson offer an illuminating vision of what Canada and Canadians need for true reconciliation. In this book, which Arthur Manuel and Ron Derrickson completed in the months before Manuel’s death in January 2017, readers will recognize their profound understanding of the country, of its past, present, and potential future. Expressed with quiet but firm resolve, humour, and piercing intellect, The Reconciliation Manifesto will appeal to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who are open and willing to look at the real problems and find real solutions”].

5. From Where I Stand: Rebuilding Indigenous Nations for a Stronger Canada, by Jody Wilson-Raybould, 2019, 970 WIL [From LibraryThing: “From Where I Stand is a timely, forthright, and optimistic book for all Canadians. Drawn from speeches made over a ten-year period both at home and abroad, Jody Wilson-Raybould reveals why true reconciliation will occur only when Canada moves beyond denial, recognizes Indigenous Rights, and replaces the Indian Act. We have the solutions. Now is the time to end the legacy of colonialism and replace it with a future built on foundations of trust, cooperation, and Indigenous self-government”].

6. Making Native Space: Colonialism, Resistance, and Reserves in British Columbia, by R. Cole Harris, 2002, 971.1 HAR [Written by a UCV member. Nominated for the. From LibraryThing: “This elegantly written and insightful book provides a geographical history of the Indian reserve in British Columbia. Cole Harris analyzes the impact of reserves on Native lives and livelihoods and considers how, in light of this, the Native land question might begin to be resolved. The account begins in the early nineteenth-century British Empire and then follows Native land policy – and Native resistance to it – in British Columbia from the Douglas treaties in the early 1850s to the formal transfer of reserves to the Dominion in 1938”].

7. Rez Rules: My Indictment of Canada’s and America’s Systemic Racism Against Indigenous Peoples, by Chief Clarence Louie, 2023, 305 LOU [From LibraryThing: “A common-sense blueprint for what the future of First Nations should look like as told through the fascinating life and legacy of a remarkable leader. In 1984, at the age of twenty-four, Clarence Louie was elected Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band in the Okanagan Valley. Nineteen elections later, Chief Louie has led his community for nearly four decades. The story of how the Osoyoos Indian Band–“The Miracle in the Desert”–transformed from a Rez that once struggled with poverty into an economically independent people is well-known. Guided by his years growing up on the Rez, Chief Louie believes that economic and business independence are key to self-sufficiency, reconciliation, and justice for First Nations people. In Rez Rules, Chief Louie writes about his youth in Osoyoos, from early mornings working in the vineyards, to playing and coaching sports, and attending a largely white school in Oliver, B.C. He remembers enrolling in the “Native American Studies” program at the Saskatchewan Indian Federated College in 1979 and falling in love with First Nations history. Learning about the historic significance of treaties was life-changing. He recalls his first involvement in activism: participating in a treaty bundle run across the country before embarking on a path of leadership. He and his band have worked hard to achieve economic growth and record levels of employment. Inspired by his ancestors’ working culture, and by the young people on the reserve, Chief Louie continues to work for First Nations’ self-sufficiency and independence. Direct and passionate, Chief Louie brings together wide-ranging subjects: life on the Rez, including Rez language and humour; per capita payments; the role of elected chiefs; the devastating impact of residential schools; the need to look to culture and ceremony for governance and guidance; the use of Indigenous names and logos by professional sports teams; his love for motorcycle honour rides; and what makes a good leader. He takes aim at systemic racism and examines the relationship between First Nations and colonial Canada and the United States, and sounds a call to action for First Nations to “Indian Up!” and “never forget our past.” Offering leadership lessons on and off the Rez, this memoir describes the fascinating life and legacy of a remarkable leader and provides a common-sense blueprint for the future of First Nations communities. In it, Chief Louie writes, “Damn, I’m lucky to be an Indian!””].

8. Indigenous Continent: The Epic Contest for North America, by Pekka Hämäläinen, 2023, 970 HAM [From LibraryThing: “… There is an old, deeply rooted story about America that goes like this: Columbus “discovers” a strange continent and brings back tales of untold riches. The European empires rush over, eager to stake out as much of this astonishing “New World” as possible. Though Indigenous peoples fight back, they cannot stop the onslaught. White imperialists are destined to rule the continent, and history is an irreversible march toward Indigenous destruction. 

Yet as with other long-accepted origin stories, this one, too, turns out to be based in myth and distortion. In Indigenous Continent, acclaimed historian Pekka Hämäläinen presents a sweeping counternarrative that shatters the most basic assumptions about American history. Shifting our perspective away from Jamestown, Plymouth Rock, the Revolution, and other well-trodden episodes on the conventional timeline, he depicts a sovereign world of Native nations whose members, far from helpless victims of colonial violence, dominated the continent for centuries after the first European arrivals. From the Iroquois in the Northeast to the Comanches on the Plains, and from the Pueblos in the Southwest to the Cherokees in the Southeast, Native nations frequently decimated white newcomers in battle. Even as the white population exploded and colonists’ land greed grew more extravagant, Indigenous peoples flourished due to sophisticated diplomacy and leadership structures. 

By 1776, various colonial powers claimed nearly all of the continent, but Indigenous peoples still controlled it – as Hämäläinen points out, the maps in modern textbooks that paint much of North America in neat, color-coded blocks confuse outlandish imperial boasts for actual holdings. In fact, Native power peaked in the late nineteenth century, with the Lakota victory in 1876 at Little Big Horn, which was not an American blunder, but an all-too-expected outcome. 

Hämäläinen ultimately contends that the very notion of “colonial America” is misleading, and that we should speak instead of an “Indigenous America” that was only slowly and unevenly becoming colonial. The evidence of Indigenous defiance is apparent today in the hundreds of Native nations that still dot the United States and Canada. Necessary reading for anyone who cares about America’s past, present, and future, Indigenous Continent restores Native peoples to their rightful place at the very fulcrum of American history”].

9. Assembling Unity: Indigenous Politics, Gender, and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, by Sarah A. Nickel, 2019, 323 NIC [From LibraryThing: “Established narratives portray Indigenous unity as emerging solely in response to the political agenda of the settler state. But unity has long shaped the modern Indigenous political movement. With Indigenous perspectives in the foreground, Assembling Unity explores the relationship between global political ideologies and pan-Indigenous politics in British Columbia through a detailed history of the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. Sarah Nickel demonstrates that the articulation of unity was heavily negotiated between UBCIC members, grassroots constituents, and Indigenous women’s organizations. This incisive work unsettles dominant political narratives that cast Indigenous men as reactive and Indigenous women as apolitical”].

10. The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America, by Thomas King, 2012, 970 KIN [From LibraryThing: “The Inconvenient Indian is at once a ‘history’ and the complete subversion of a history-in short, a critical and personal meditation that the remarkable Thomas King has conducted over the past 50 years about what it means to be ‘Indian’ in North America. Rich with dark and light, pain and magic, this book distills the insights gleaned from that meditation, weaving the curiously circular tale of the relationship between non-Natives and Natives in the centuries since the two first encountered each other. In the process, King refashions old stories about historical events and figures, takes a sideways look at film and pop culture, relates his own complex experiences with activism, and articulates a deep and revolutionary understanding of the cumulative effects of ever-shifting laws and treaties on Native peoples and lands. This is a book both timeless and timely, burnished with anger but tempered by wit, and ultimately a hard-won offering of hope — a sometimes inconvenient, but nonetheless indispensable account for all of us, Indian and non-Indian alike, seeking to understand how we might tell a new story for the future”].

11. Vancouver Dialogues First Nations, Urban Aboriginal and Immigrant Communities, by Zool Suleman, 2011, 305.8 SUL [As shown in a PDF of the book, there’s an introduction by the Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, the 26th Governor General of Canada of “New Canadians want to know about our Aboriginal peoples because they sense they have a wisdom, knowledge and history which will help immigrants understand Canada as a land with an ancient human history as well as an incredible natural richness. You cannot come to this country and spend time without realizing the important relationship we, the newcomers, can have with the original inhabitants. This can only be enlightening and enriching. The Dialogues Project helps to create these connections in a meaningful, personal way. We need Dialogues across the country!”].

12. Prospering Together: The Economic Impact of the Aboriginal Title Settlements in B.C., edited by Roslyn Kunin, 1998, 333.2 KUN [Signed by the editor. From LibraryThing: “This updated, fully indexed edition contains a new chapter that captures the developments in the B.C. treaty process since the original publication in 1998, including an analysis of the ground-breaking Nisga’a Final Agreement and new approaches to the treaty process. The book also examines the effect settlements and their costs will likely have on investment and the provincial economy”].

13. We Are Born with the Songs Inside Us: Lives and Stories of First Nations People in British Columbia, by Katherine Palmer Gordon, 2013, 971.1 GOR [Autographed by the author. From LibraryThing: “… journalist Katherine Palmer Gordon has interviewed dozens of young First Nations people living in British Columbia–artists and community leaders, comedians and consultants, musicians and lawyers, people who are household names and those known only within their own communities. We Are Born with the Songs Inside Us collects sixteen candid stories gleaned from those interviews, stories of people who share an unshakeable belief in the importance of their cultural heritage to their well-being, to their success at what they do, and to their everyday lives. Included are Kim Baird, former chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation; Lisa Webster-Gibson, spoken word artist and rock-and-roll drummer with Delaware-Mohawk and Scottish-Canadian heritage who lives and works on Gabriola Island as an Environmental Assessment Professional; and John Marston (Qap’u’luq), an artist and storyteller from the Chemainus First Nation who learned to carve from his father. “What I put into each piece,” he says, in his interview with Gordon, “is 100 percent me.” Shattering stereotypes, We Are Born with the Songs Inside Us gathers the thoughts and hopes of young native people living in twenty-first century Canada. Each has a compelling, meaningful story that deserves to be told, understood and, above all, celebrated”].

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