Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour in Hewett Centre, and our Library Team offers related reading lists based on the topic of the Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Casey Stainsby on Sunday, August 10, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. In My Heart: A Book of Feelings (Growing Hearts), by Jo Witek and illustrated by Christine Roussey, 2014, J WIT [Gift of Karen Bartlett. From LibraryThing: “A young girl explores what different emotions feel like, such as happiness which makes her want to twirl, or sadness which feels as heavy as an elephant.”].

2. Fear and Other Uninvited Guests: Tackling the Anxiety, Fear, and Shame That Keep Us from Optimal Living and Loving, by Harriet Lerner, 2004, 152.46 LER [Gift of Dawn Stewart. From LibraryThing: “… Often unrecognised, fear and shame drive our choices and attitudes in ways that most of us never figure out. As Lerner explains, fear is not an amorphous unknown to be transcended or overcome but an emotion to be recognized, explored, decoded and embraced. Once we befriend fear, it can actually help us achieve calm, clarity and fundamental peace. Lerner teaches us the best ways to deal with fear: to expect, allow, and accept its presence in our lives, to mindfully observe and attend to how it feels in our bodies and, ultimately to own it. We can become experts on our personal triggers of anxiety, learning when fear signals real danger and when it’s best to plough through it because it comes with the territory of making necessary changes. The very worst thing we can do in the face of fear is to run from it or try to avoid it. Fear is not something to be conquered or eliminated–or even tackled, for that matter. Instead, we need to pay close attention to the message it is trying to convey. Using her wonderfully rich and inviting therapeutic voice along with personal memories and examples drawn from her practice, Lerner gives fear its due. We needn’t let anxiety, fear, and shame silence our authentic voice, close our hearts to the different voices of others, or stop us from acting with dignity, integrity and brio. We need to harness fear and put it in service to our best selves.”].

3. Why Do I Feel So Bad?, by Chris Williams, 2008, 158 WIL [From LibraryThing, regarding this book as part of a group called “Pick Me Ups”: “… meets the reader at a point of low mood or unhelpful thinking, and guides them through rational thought processes to a more positive mood and a healthier outlook on life. Based on CBT, which aims to change patterns of thinking or behaviour that are behind people’s difficulties and so change the way they feel (and currently the subject of major government investment), Pick Me Ups can enable readers to feel happier, to sleep better, to do more and to feel more confident. …”].

4. The War on Terror: Taking Aim at the Anxiety Disorders: A Primer for Sufferers and Loved Ones, by David Buchanan, 2015, 152.46 BUC [Written by VanU librarian. From LibraryThing: “… is written for a general readership (e.g., sufferers of anxiety disorders and those near and dear to them, and others interested in the topic) and no prior knowledge of the topic is necessary to fully appreciate this book. This book could be used as a text for a psychology or psychiatry course, for instance. In addition, it is the author’s hope that medical and psychological clinicians and researchers will gain a fresh perspective on their fields of expertise after reading this book. Ingrid Söchting, Clinical Assistant Professor at University of British Columbia wrote: “I was impressed by the wealth of information and your ability to clearly and succinctly synthesize it all. A wonderful resource for anyone seeking help with or information on anxiety.””].

5. The Wisdom of Insecurity: A Message for an Age of Anxiety, by Alan W. Watts, 1951, 128.3 WAT [The Julian Fears Library. From LibraryThing: “… Watts offers the liberating message that true certitude and security come only from understanding that impermanence and insecurity are the essence of our existence. He highlights the futility of endlessly chasing moving goalposts, whether they consist of financial success, stability, or escape from pain, and shows that it is only by acknowledging what we do not know that we can learn anything truly worth knowing. …”].

Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour in Hewett Centre, and our Library Team offers related reading lists based on the topic of the Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Hisako Masaki, Cecilia Gruber, Huguette Hayden, Yvonne Marcus and Chihiro Honma on Sunday, August 3, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. Nagasaki: Life After Nuclear War, by Susan Southard, 2016, 940 SOU [From LibraryThing, from the publisher: “… On August 9, 1945, three days after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, a small port city on Japan’s southernmost island. An estimated 74,000 people died within the first five months, and another 75,000 were injured. … Nagasaki takes readers from the morning of the bombing to the city today, telling the first-hand experiences of five survivors, all of whom were teenagers at the time of the devastation. Susan Southard has spent years interviewing hibakusha (“bomb-affected people”) and researching the physical, emotional, and social challenges of post-atomic life. She weaves together dramatic eyewitness accounts with searing analysis of the policies of censorship and denial that colored much of what was reported about the bombing both in the United States and Japan. …”].

2. Security Without Nuclear Deterrence, by Commander Robert Green (Retired), 2010, 355.02 GRE [Gift of David Steele. From LibraryThing: “Twenty years after the end of the Cold War, civilization is still held hostage by over 20,000 nuclear weapons in the five recognized nuclear weapon states plus India, Israel, North Korea and Pakistan. Underlying and driving this deepening global security crisis is an addiction to the doctrine of nuclear deterrence, cited by the United States, United Kingdom and France as the final, indispensable justification for maintaining their nuclear arsenals. Nuclear deterrence must therefore be challenged and alternatives offered in these three leading democracies if there is to be any serious prospect of eliminating nuclear weapons. Robert Green was a Commander in the British Royal Navy. He is now working co-ordinating the New Zealand Peace Foundation’s Disarmament & Security Centre.”].

3. Hideko Kono, Poetry After the Atomic Bomb, translated by Yumie Kono and Ariel O’Sullivan, 2023 [Gift of Lily Ha. From Amazon, a review: “These searing and moving poems by Hiroshima survivor Hideko Kono are now available in English translation by the author’s daughter, Yumie Kono, and poet Ariel O’Sullivan. From minuscule details like the burned hem of a skirt to the vast night sky with small cold stars, the poems track the shock and grief of the immediate aftermath in concise and often brilliant language.”].

4. American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, 2006, 530 BIR [From LibraryThing: “… definitive biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a brilliant physicist who led the effort to build the atomic bomb for his country in a time of war … Immediately after Hiroshima, J. Robert Oppenheimer became the most famous scientist of his generation – one of the iconic figures of the twentieth century, the embodiment of modern man confronting the consequences of scientific progress. He was the author of a radical proposal to place international controls over atomic materials – an idea that is still relevant today. He opposed the development of the hydrogen bomb and criticized the Air Force’s plans to fight an infinitely dangerous nuclear war. In the now almost-forgotten hysteria of the early 1950s, his ideas were anathema to powerful advocates of a massive nuclear buildup, and, in response, Atomic Energy Commission chairman Lewis Strauss, superbomb advocate Edward Teller, and FBI director J. Edgar Hoover worked behind the scenes to have a hearing board find that Oppenheimer could not be trusted with America’s nuclear secrets. … is at once biography and history and is essential to our understanding of our recent past – and of our choices for the future.”].

5. Protest Diablo: Living and Dying Under the Shadow of a Nuclear Power Plant, by Judith Evered, 2010, 621.48 EVE [Gift of John Carter Maitland. From LibraryThing: “Judith Evered’s memoir shares her experiences with other activists who planned and carried out the 1981 blockade of Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant, which is located on a seismically active, biologically rich part of the central California coast in San Luis Obispo County. She includes practical strategies and tactics of civil disobedience and unified nonviolent actions used by activists.”].

6. The Ursula Franklin Reader: Pacifism as a Map, by Ursula Franklin, 2006, 303.66 FRA [From LibraryThing: “… 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.”].

Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour in Hewett Centre, and our Library Team offers related reading lists based on the topic of the Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Ngaio Davis on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. Dealing Creatively with Death: A Manual of Death Education and Simple Burial, by Ernest Morgan, 1988, 306.9 MOR [Gift of the Memorial Society of B.C. In memory of Becky Gillis, former UCV board Chairperson. From LibraryThing: “… small encyclopedia of death-related problems: social, emotional, philosophical, and practical. It is written simply and sensitively, drawing substantially on direct experience. …”].

2. Talking About Death, by Virginia Morris, 2004, 155.9 MOR [From LibraryThing: “Even in this candidly confessional age, we’ve been conditioned to avoid discussions of death. Our youth-worshipping culture does everything to deny death, which is why, when the end nears, most of us are inadequately prepared to deal with it. And the cost of that is great: many are haunted by memories of how inappropriately or painfully or uncomfortably their parents and grandparents died. Many of us avoid even considering the options, in all their complexity, that we will most likely face one day, given our new longevity and the profound advances in medicine. With its wise and very compelling argument that all of us, at any age, can and should face death before it faces us, Talking About Death addresses the cultural, personal, medical, and legal concerns that are necessary for us–as individuals and as a society–to prepare for a good death, a death where the dying are in control and not, as is too often the case, caught in a downward spiral of medical intervention and misunderstood intentions. Virginia Morris skillfully weaves together personal stories and practical matters, scientific fact and spiritual sensitivity into an important book about how we can achieve a greater sense of peace in dying, and rediscover the art of living.”].

3. The Courage to Laugh: Humor, Hope, and Healing in the Face of Death and Dying, by Allen Klein, 1998, 291.4 KLE [From LibraryThing: “… Illustrating the inherent importance of the ability to laugh, Klein gives readers the power to face the end of life with dignity and compassion. Based on the author’s years of giving speeches and leading workshops for patients and their caregivers and families, The Courage to Laugh will be the first book to: * show how patients use humor to cope when life is threatened * offer hope and encouragement to readers dealing with loss * give readers permission to laugh when they feel like crying * explain how popular culture can ease death-related fears * provide uplifting quotes and jokes. …”].

4. 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.”].

5. Living with Death and Dying, by Elizabeth Kubler-Ross, 1982, 155.9 KUB [Gift of Caroline Jones. From LibraryThing: “In this compassionate and moving guide to communicating with the terminally ill, Dr. Elisabeth Küebler-Ross, the world’s foremost expert on death and dying, shares her tools for understanding how the dying convey their innermost knowledge and needs. Expanding on the workshops that have made her famous and loved around the world, she shows us the importance of meaningful dialogue in helping patients to die with peace and dignity.”].

6. How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final Chapter, by Sherwin B. Nuland, 1994, 616.07 NUL [Gift of Arthur Hughes. From LibraryThing, the book jacket: “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. … 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. I Don’t Know What to Say, by Robert Buckman, 1988, 155.9 BUC [Gift of Suzanne Spencer. From LibraryThing: “When people we love are dying, we all too often are unable to help them — or even talk to them — or face our own conflicting feelings about the impending loss. This authoritative and empathetic guide demystifies the dying process and offers practical advice for the friends and families of the terminally ill. … Dr. Robert Buckman, a distinguished oncologist who was himself once diagnosed as having a fatal illness, confronts these questions: — What should a patient be told about his or her illness? — How can the patient’s supporters cope with demands that may seem angry and irrational? — What are the crucial differences between caring for a dying parent, spouse, or child? — How can you help someone dying from AIDS, cancer, or a dementing illness?”].

8. Meeting Death: In Hospital, Hospice, and at Home, by Heather Robertson, 2001, 362.1 ROB [Gift of Patience Towler. From LibraryThing: “… it not only looks at how health-care practitioners deal with death, but it also looks at the cultural meanings we give to death and dying and the place we allow mortality in our lives. … The Greek myth of the boatman who ferries the dying from this world across the River Styx, and the modern myth, expounded by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, of five easy steps to a peaceful death, are two of the many stops on this extensive tour of a huge topic. She describes how various hospitals deal with the dying and goes in search of palliative care and the practice of hospice. Pain management, and the medical establishment’s reluctance to prescribe morphine to the dying, are stops on her trip, as is a close look at home care. Other features are a trip to Uganda, a country devastated by AIDS; a tour of Gracel, a discussion of why some have chosen assisted suicide; and the story of Beowulf and Grendel’s mother. …”].

9. What Dying People Want: Practical Wisdom for the End of Life, by David Kuhl, 2003, 155.9 KUH [From LibraryThing: “An internationally renowned palliative care physician offers sensitive guidance, solace, and helpful strategies for people living with a terminal illness and their caregivers”].

10. 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.”].

11. Dying Well: Peace and Possibilities at the End of Life, by Ira Byock MD, 1998, 306.88 [From LibraryThing: “The longtime director of a hospice in his hometown, and a prominent spokesperson for the hospice movement, Dr. Byock believes that the day is at hand when no pain among the dying will be considered unmanageable. Through the true stories of patients, he shows us that much important emotional work can be accomplished in the final months, weeks, and even days of life. Dying Well brings us to the homes and bedsides of families with whom Dr. Byock has worked, telling stories of love and reconciliation in the face of tragedy, pain, and conflict. It provides a blueprint for families, showing them how to deal with doctors, how to talk to friends and relatives, and how to make the end of life as meaningful and precious as the beginning.”].

12. 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.”].

13. Talking About Death: A Dialogue Between Parent and Child, by Earl A. Grollman and another contributor of Gisela Heau, 1989, 392 GR [Published by Beacon Press. From LibraryThing: “A read-along picture book explaining death to young children with an extensive guide for parents. Includes lists of pertinent organizations, books, tapes, and films.”].

14. 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.”].

15. Timely Death: Considering Our Last Rights, by Anne Mullens, 1996, 197.7 MUL [Gift of Arthur Hughes. From LibraryThing, several Canadian newspaper reviews: “”Timely Death offers insights for anyone wanting to know more about how to deal with death should oneself or a loved one be forced to confront the reality of a terminal illness.” – London Free Press “A book that gives all sides a fair hearing…. Its great value is its calm and thorough view of a complicated, heart-rending question.” – The Toronto Star “A valuable contribution to rational discourse over assisted suicide for the terminally ill. — Mullens is to be commended for her work in helping to bring the issues of death and dying out from behind the hospital curtains.” -Vancouver Sun “Mullens brings both passion and compassion to her work –. [Her] deft story-telling style makes this a compelling book, and an important one as we all head towards life’s last great adventure.” – Victoria Times-Colonist “Even-handed, thorough, and often moving.” – The Globe and Mail”].

16. A Chosen Death: The Dying Confront Assisted Suicide, by Lonny Shavelson, 1995, 179.7 SHA [Gift of Arthur Hughes. From LibraryThing: “This text tells the stories of five terminally-ill people who seriously considered suicide as they were dying. It describes the emotional, spiritual and intellectual questions that each person faced as death neared.”].

17. Radical Acts of Love: How We Find Hope at the End of Life, by Janie Brown, 2021, 155.937 [From LibraryThing: “A profoundly moving account of an oncology nurse’s conversations with the dying.”].

18. 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: “… 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.”].

Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour in Hewett Centre, and our Library Team offers related reading lists based on the topic of the Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring members of the Elders group on Sunday, July 20, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old, by Parker J. Palmer, 2018, 155.67 [From LibraryThing: “… Drawing on eight decades of life — and his career as a writer, teacher, and activist — Palmer explores the questions age raises and the promises it holds. “Old,” he writes, “is just another word for nothing left to lose, a time to dive deep into life, not withdraw to the shallows.” But this book is not for elders only. It was written to encourage adults of all ages to explore the way their lives are unfolding. It’s not a how-to-do-it book on aging, but a set of meditations in prose and poetry that turn the prism on the meaning(s) of one’s life, refracting new light at every turn. …”].

2. Aging as a Spiritual Practice: A Contemplative Guide to Growing Older and Wiser, by Lewis Richmond, 2012, 294.3 [From LibraryThing: “Offers a Buddhist perspective on aging well, with anecdotes of the author’s experiences with illness, aging, and transformation, and guided meditations.”].

3. 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. …”].

4. Come of Age: The Case for Elderhood in a Time of Trouble, by Stephen Jenkinson, 2018, 305 JEN [From LibraryThing, the publisher’s description: “… explores the great paradox of elderhood in North America: how we are awash in the aged and yet somehow lacking in wisdom; how we relegate senior citizens to the corner of the house while simultaneously heralding them as sage elders simply by virtue of their age. Our own unreconciled relationship with what it means to be an elder has yielded a culture nearly bereft of them. Meanwhile, the planet boils, and the younger generation boils with anger over being left an environment and sociopolitical landscape deeply scarred and broken. Taking on the sacred cow of the family, Jenkinson argues that elderhood is a function rather than an identity — it is not a position earned simply by the number of years on the planet or the title “parent” or “grandparent.” As with his seminal book Die Wise, Jenkinson interweaves rich personal stories with iconoclastic observations that will leave readers radically rethinking their concept of what it takes to be an elder and the risks of doing otherwise. …”].

5. The Oxford Book of Aging, by Thomas R. Cole, 1994, 362.6 COL [From LibraryThing: “… The ancient and medieval vision of aging as a mysterious part of the eternal order of things has given way to the secular, scientific, and individualistic outlook of modernity. No longer seen as a way station along life’s spiritual journey, old age has been redefined as a problem to be solved by science and medicine. Older people have been moved to society’s margins, and, as a result, we have become uncertain about what it means to age. … offers some two hundred and fifty pieces that illuminate the pleasures, pains, dreams, and triumphs of people as they strive to live out their days in a meaningful way. Fiction, poetry, memoirs, essays, children’s stories, reflections by philosophers, historians, and psychologists, African and Japanese legends, excerpts from the Koran and the Bible, scientific and medical tracts …”].

6. Aging Well: Surprising Guideposts to a Happier Life from the Landmark Study of Adult Development, by George E. Vaillant MD, 2003, 362.6 VAI [Gift of Phillip Hewett. From LibraryThing: “In an unprecedented series of studies, Harvard Medical School has followed 824 subjects — men and women, some rich, some poor — from their teens to old age. Harvard’s George Vaillant now uses these studies … and the subjects’ individual histories to illustrate the factors involved in reaching a happy, healthy old age. He explains precisely why some people turn out to be more resilient than others, the complicated effects of marriage and divorce, negative personality changes, and how to live a more fulfilling, satisfying and rewarding life in the later years. He shows why a person’s background has less to do with their eventual happiness than the specific lifestyle choices they make. And he offers step-by-step advice about how each of us can change our lifestyles and age successfully. …”].

7. Successful Aging: A Neuroscientist Explores the Power and Potential of Our Lives, by Daniel J. Levitin, 2020, 612 LEV [From LibraryThing: “… turns his keen insights to what happens in our brains as we age; why we should think about health span, not life span; and, based on a rigorous analysis of neuroscientific evidence, how you can make the most of your seventies, eighties, and nineties today, no matter how old you are now”].

8. The Last Gift of Time: Life Beyond Sixty, by Carolyn G. Heilbrun, 1997, 921 HEI [From LibraryThing: “… inspirational reflection on aging and the gift of life in your 70s and beyond.  When she was young, distinguished author and critic Carolyn Heilbrun solemnly vowed to end her life when she turned seventy. But on the advent of that fateful birthday, she realized that her golden years had been full of unforeseen pleasures. Now, the astute and ever-insightful Heilbrun muses on the emotional and intellectual insights that brought her “to choose each day for now, to live.” There are reflections on her new house and her sturdy, comfortable marriage, sweet solitude and the pleasures of sex at an advanced age, the fascination with e-mail and the joy of discovering unexpected friends. Even the encroachments of loss, pain, and sadness that come with age cannot spoil Heilbrun’s moveable feast. They are merely the price of bountiful living.”].

9. Still Here: Embracing Aging, Changing, and Dying, by Ram Dass, 2001, 305.26 [From LibraryThing: “… In 1997, Ram Dass suffered a nearly incapacitating stroke that affected his speech and movement. The next two years he devoted to his healing and recovery. Drawing on this experience Ram Dass once again has produced a thought-provoking book that speaks to the soul. It is an appealing selection for those seeking insights and reassurance about the mature seasons of our lives.”].

10. Seasons of Life: Our Dramatic Journey from Birth to Death, by John Kotre and Elizabeth Hall, 1990, 155 KOT [From LibraryThing: “Throughout the ages and in every culture, people have used the seasons as a metaphor to mark life’s transitions and to help understand the purpose and meaning of our mortal journey. In the last few decades, there has been an astonishing growth in our knowledge of human development through the entire life span; at the same time, there has been dramatic change in the timetables of our lives. Seasons of Life, …, interprets the fascinating work and discoveries of hundreds of social scientists and, through the personal stories of dozens of ordinary individuals, reveals the rich drama of life’s passages at the end of the twentieth century. …”].

11. Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life: How to Finally, Really Grow Up, by James Hollis, 2005, 155.6 HOL [From LibraryThing: “What does it really mean to be a grown-up in today’s world? We assume that once we “get it together” with the right job, marry the right person, have children, and buy a home, all is settled and well. But adulthood presents varying levels of growth and is rarely the respite of stability we expected. Turbulent emotional shifts can take place anywhere between the age of thirty-five and seventy when we question the choices we’ve made, realize our limitations, and feel stuck – commonly known as the “midlife crisis”. Jungian psychoanalyst James Hollis believes that it is only in the second half of life that we can truly come to know who we are and thus create a life that has meaning. …, Hollis explores the ways we can grow and evolve to fully become ourselves when the traditional roles of adulthood aren’t quite working for us. …”].

12. How We Die: Reflections on Life’s Final Chapter, by Sherwin B. Nuland, 1994, 616.07 NUL, [Gift of Arthur Hughes. From LibraryThing, on the book jacket: “… 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.”].

Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour in Hewett Centre, and our Library Team offers related reading lists based on the topic of the Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Laureen Stokes on Sunday, July 13, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. Encountering God: A Spiritual Journey from Bozeman to Banaras, by Diana L. Eck, 1994, 291.72 ECK [Published by Beacon Press. From LibraryThing: “In the summer of 1965, …, Diana Eck was a college student learning Hindi in preparation for her first visit to India. It was a trip that would change her life, bringing her into relationships with non-Christians such as the former freedom fighter Achyut Patwardhan and the philosopher Krishnamurti, whose insights challenged her to examine her own Christian faith from a radically new perspective. Now in the 1990s the challenge of responding to the problem of religious difference is virtually universal. Is only one religion true? Is there a way ahead in a world of interreligious strife? … In Encountering God, Eck reflects on the questions posed by her own ongoing encounter with Hindus, Buddhists, and Muslims. Her vivid story reminds us that interfaith dialogue “does not usually begin with philosophy or theory, but with experience and relationships.” Eck considers the spiritual questions that perplex each of us, Hindu or Christian, devout or not: Who is God? How are we to pray? What are we to believe in the face of inexplicable suffering and death? Eck insists as a Christian that her relations with people of other faiths have helped her to think about these questions and deepened her own faith. Above all, Encountering God instructs us in the urgent need for dialogue among the world’s faiths as we enter the twenty-first century. Eck believes understanding between Christians and people of other faiths is not only possible but essential to our common future. As we confront our growing interdependence in a global community, she argues that we must all reach beyond mere “tolerance” of other religions toward a genuine pluralism based on respect for religious differences and openness to mutual transformation.”].

2. Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit, by Lyanda Lynn Haupt, 2023, 304 HAU [From Amazon.com, at LibraryThing: “… cutting-edge science supports a truth that poets, artists, mystics, and earth-based cultures across the world have proclaimed over millennia: life on this planet is radically interconnected. Our bodies, thoughts, minds, and spirits are affected by the whole of nature, and they affect this whole in return. In this time of crisis, how can we best live upon our imperiled, beloved earth?”].

3. The Way of the Earth: Encounters With Nature in Ancient and Contemporary Thought, by T. C. McLuhan, 1994, 113.09 McL [From the book jacket, at LibraryThing: “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. …, 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.”].

4. The Marriage of Sense and Soul: Integrating Science and Religion, by Ken Wilber, 1998, 215 WIL [Gift of Hal Logan. From LibraryThing: “… articulates how we might begin to think about science and religion in ways that allow for their reconciliation and union, on terms that will be acceptable to both camps. Wilber clearly and succinctly explores the schism between science and religion, and the impact of this “philosophical Cold War” on the fate of humanity. He systematically reviews previous attempts at integration, explaining why romantic, idealistic, and postmodern theories failed. And he demonstrates how science is compatible with certain deep features common to all of the world’s major religious traditions. …”].

5. The Sacred Depths of Nature, by Ursula Goodenough, 1998, 574.01 GOO [From LibraryThing: “For many of us, the great scientific discoveries of the modern age – the Big Bang, evolution, quantum physics, relativity – point to an existence that is bleak, devoid of meaning, pointless. …, eminent biologist Ursula Goodenough shows us that the scientific world view need not be a source of despair. Indeed, it can be a wellspring of solace and hope. This eloquent volume reconciles the modern scientific understanding of reality with our timeless spiritual yearnings for reverence and continuity. Looking at topics such as evolution, emotions, sexuality, and death, Goodenough writes with rich, uncluttered detail about the workings of nature in general and of living creatures in particular. Her luminous clarity makes it possible for even non scientists to appreciate that the origins of life and the universe are no less meaningful because of our increasingly scientific understanding of them. At the end of each chapter, Goodenough’s spiritual reflections respond to the complexity of nature with vibrant emotional intensity and a sense of reverent wonder.; A beautifully written celebration of molecular biology with meditations on the spiritual and religious meaning that can be found at the heart of science, …”].

6. Pilgrimage – Story Spirit Witness Place, 2013, 808.88 HIL [Chapter by Leslie Hill, VanU member. From the Pilgrimage Magazine – About Us: “… The magazine is dedicated to exploring story, spirit, witness, and place in and beyond the American Southwest. We welcome creative nonfiction, fiction, poetry, translation submissions and feature one artist per issue. …”].

Our library in Hewett Centre is open every Sunday after service during Coffee Hour in Hewett Centre, and our Library Team offers related reading lists based on the topic of the Sunday service. Here is their list for the upcoming service featuring Diane Brown on Sunday, July 6, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. Brave Souls: Writers and Artists Wrestle With God, Love, Death, and Things That Matter, by Douglas Todd, 1996, 920 TOD [Gift of the Interfaith/Multicultural Committee. From Amazon, the editorial review from Library Journal: “Canadian journalist Todd … converses with 28 artists, writers, and musicians about the spiritual intuitions that guide their work and nourish their creativity. John Irving, Douglas Coupland, Bruce Cockburn, Loreena McKennitt, Timothy Findley, Robert Fulghum, Nick Bantock, and others address matters of religion and spirituality with Todd, who skillfully draws thoughtful responses from the most reluctant of atheists. The hub of the conversations revolve around revisioning God, clarifying unprobed ideas about the afterlife, and revisiting personal ethical ideals and rituals that influence the creative process. …”]

2. In My Heart: A Book of Feelings (Growing Hearts), by Jo Witek and illustrated by Christine Roussey, 2014, J WIT [Gift of Karen Bartlett. From LibraryThing: “A young girl explores what different emotions feel like, such as happiness which makes her want to twirl, or sadness which feels as heavy as an elephant.”].

3. The Mythic Image, by Joseph Campbell, 1981, 291.13 CAM [The Julian Fears Library. From LibraryThing: “… Campbell’s major study of the mythology of the world’s high civilizations over five millennia. It includes nearly 450 illustrations. … Through the medium of visual art, the book explores the relation of dreams to myth and demonstrates the important differences between oriental and occidental interpretations of dreams and life.”].

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 James Chamberlain on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. Coming Out in Faith: Voices of LGBTQ Unitarian Universalists, by Susan Gore and Keith Kron, 2011, 289.13 GOR [From Amazon: “This collection of poignant testimonials illuminates the lived experience of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Unitarian Universalists. Coming Out in Faith also helps to raise awareness of Unitarian Universalism’s active role in promoting a vision of humanity that not only embraces LGBTQ people but actively seeks to learn from the unique strengths they bring to questions of personal faith and organizational vitality.”].

2. He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters, by Schuyler Bailar, 2023, 306 BAI [From LibraryThing: “… Schuyler has become a go to expert on gender identity for the media and has given hundreds of talks on gender literacy and inclusion. But at the same time, Supreme Court Justice nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson was asked in her confirmation hearing to define the word “woman,” a seemingly simple question that in that particular arena was too politically charged for her to answer. Meanwhile, anti-gay and anti-trans legislation in Florida and Texas shows that trans rights are under attack. Transgender suicides are up, transgender hotlines are buzzing, and the only thing that is certain is this: America is long overdue for a reckoning with gender. He/She/They uses storytelling and the art of conversation to give us the fundamental language and context of gender so that we can meet people where they are and pave the way to understanding, acceptance, and inclusion. As a transgender man, inclusion advocate, and LGBTQ educator, Schuyler Bailar is more than familiar with the myriad questions that come up. In He/She/They, he addresses them head on, such as why being transgender is not a choice, why pronouns are important, and what is biological sex. …”].

3. Men of the Global South: A Reader, by Adam Jones, 2006, 305.31 JON [Gift of David Buchanan. From LibraryThing: “… provides a framing introduction that surveys the growing literature on Southern men and masculinities, and links it to the broader study of gender and development. Six main sections portray different aspects of male experience in the global South: ‘Family and Sexuality’, ;Ritual & Belief’, ‘Work’, ‘Governance and Conflict’, ‘Migrations’ and ‘Masculinities in Motion’. … serves as an ideal introduction to the lives of men and boys from Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America/the Caribbean. …”].

4. What is Marriage For?, by E. J. Graff, 2000, 306.81 GRA [Published Beacon Press. From LibaryThing: “In the wake of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court’s historic Goodridge decision, a reissue of the bible of the same-sex marriage movement Will same-sex couples destroy “traditional” marriage, soon to be followed by the collapse of all civilization? That charge has been leveled throughout history whenever the marriage rules change. But marriage, as E. J. Graff shows in this lively, fascinating tour through the history of marriage in the West, has always been a social battleground, its rules constantly shifting to fit each era and economy. The marriage debates have been especially tumultuous for the past hundred and fifty years-in ways that lead directly to today’s debate over whether marriage could mean not just Boy + Girl = Babies, but also Girl + Girl = Love.”].

5. The Sexual Spectrum: Exploring Human Diversity, by Olive Skene Johnson, 2005, 155.3 JON [Gift of the author. Autographed by the author. From LibraryThing: “Questions of sexuality and gender are in the forefront of public discourse. Every day there are stories in the newspaper about such issues as same-sex marriage, and gay and lesbian parenting. … Drawing on the scientific findings of experts and on a wide range of personal experiences from everyday people, Johnson explores questions such as: Is sexual diversity new? Why do men and women think differently? Apart from their sexuality, are homosexuals and heterosexuals different? Why do some people feel compelled to change their gender? How do genes, hormones and society affect our sexuality? Answering these and related questions in a rational and entertaining way, Johnson provides a wealth of information about our own sexuality and asserts that only familiarity with the concept of sexual diversity will breed tolerance and understanding.”].

6. The Eye in the Door, by Pat Barker, 1995, 823.914 [Gift of Nancy Lagey. From LibraryThing: “It is the spring of 1918, and Britain is faced with the possibility of defeat by Germany. A beleaguered government and a vengeful public target two groups as scapegoats: pacifists and homosexuals. Many are jailed, others lead dangerous double lives, the “the eye in the door” becomes a symbol of the paranoia that threatens to destroy the very fabric of British society.”].

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. Christopher Wulff on Sunday, June 22, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. The Celebration of Life, by Norman Cousins, 1974, 128.5 COU [The Julian Fears Library. From Penguin Random House: “Lucid and lyric, informational and inspirational – a lasting testament to the human spirit and its indefatigable instinct for lasting meaning in a temporal world … is a compelling conversational survey of modern science, philosophy, religion, physics, politics, ecology, and the biology of the human spirit that supports his view that our one hope for the future – and our own immortality – rests in the recognition of our common humanity.”].

2. Chicken Soup for the Unsinkable Soul: 101 Stories, by Jack Canfield, 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.”].

3. This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women, by Jay Allison, 2006, 170.44 ALL [From LibraryThing: “… features eighty essayists … a well-known list of contributors – including Isabel Allende, Colin Powell, Gloria Steinem, William F. Buckley Jr., Penn Jillette, Bill Gates, and John Updike – the collection also contains essays by a Brooklyn lawyer; a part-time hospital clerk from Rehoboth, Massachusetts; a woman who sells Yellow Pages advertising in Fort Worth, Texas; and a man who serves on the state of Rhode Island’s parole board. The result is a stirring and provocative trip inside the minds and hearts of a diverse group of people whose beliefs – and the incredibly varied ways in which they choose to express them – reveal the American spirit at its best.”].

4. Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort of Joy, by Sarah Ban Breathnach, 1995, 158.12 BAN [From LibraryThing: “… responsible for introducing two hugely popular concepts – the “Gratitude Journal” and the term “Authentic Self.” … 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 … celebrates quiet joys, simple pleasures, and well-spent moments and reminds us how to find the beauty in the everyday.”].

5. The Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life: International Edition, by Thomas Moore, 1996, 158.2 MOO [Gift of Sheila Feary. From LibraryThing: “Starting from the premise that we can no longer afford to live in a disenchanted world, Moore shows that a profound, enchanted engagement with life is not a childish thing to be put away with adulthood, but a necessity for one’s personal and collective survival. With his lens focused on specific aspects of daily life such as clothing, food, furniture, architecture, ecology, language, and politics, Moore describes the renaissance these can undergo when there is a genuine engagement with beauty, craft, nature, and art in both private and public life. …”].

6. The Courage to Laugh: Humor, Hope, and Healing in the Face of Death and Dying, by Allen Klein, 1998, 291.4 KLE [From LibraryThing: “… Illustrating the inherent importance of the ability to laugh, Klein gives readers the power to face the end of life with dignity and compassion. Based on the author’s years of giving speeches and leading workshops for patients and their caregivers and families, The Courage to Laugh will be the first book to: * show how patients use humor to cope when life is threatened * offer hope and encouragement to readers dealing with loss * give readers permission to laugh when they feel like crying * explain how popular culture can ease death-related fears * provide uplifting quotes and jokes With poignant wisdom from children, parents, doctors, and nurses, combined with the spirited writing of the author, …”].

7. Blessings: Prayers and Declarations for a Heartful Life, by Julia Cameron, 1998, 291.432 CAM [From LibraryThing: “… reveals the keys she uses to reconnect herself with the source of her creative spirit. Focusing on gratitude and recognizing the power to change one’s surrounding world by changing one’s thinking, Cameron explains how she surrenders to the “deeper flow of life rather than willfully forcing artificial solutions.” By acknowledging the beauty, harmony, and synergy of life, readers learn through Cameron’s inspiring prose how to cherish the gifts they have been given and use them to their fullest. Those who read and follow Cameron’s advice and prayers and listen to Tim Wheater’s healing music in the audiobook will realize how to achieve harmony in their lives and embrace the notion that they are part of a larger whole that holds them in a benevolent and protective view. With Blessings, readers will understand the secrets of a life that is rich, beautiful, intricate, and valuable.”].

8. Life Prayers From Around the World: 365 Prayers, Blessings, and Affirmations to Celebrate the Human Journey, by Elizabeth Roberts, 1996, 242.2 ROB [From LibraryThing: “An eloquent anthology honoring the wonders and challenges of life on earth and celebrating the seasons of our lives. The mysteries and delights of life on earth are illuminated in this richly eclectic collection of poetry, wisdom, prayers, and blessings from thinkers and writers around the world. Here you will find the poetry of Hildgard of Bingen and Gary Snyder; the political wisdom of Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King, Jr.; a treasury of women’s prayers, classical verse from China and Japan; and beautiful chants and prayers by Native Americans. A joyous affirmation of the human journey in all its forms, in all its struggles and glories.”].

9. The Education of the Heart: Readings and Sources for Care of the Soul, Soul Mates, and the Re-Enchantment of Everyday Life, edited by Thomas Moore, 1997, 158 MOO [From LibraryThing: “In an era of information technology we tend to neglect education in the emotions, the imagination, and civility. … choosing special passages that show us how to cultivate our humanity. But this is not merely a sourcebook or anthology; it’s a manual for living from the heart. Here we read the great teachers and writers of the past and present, not as representatives of historical periods but as vivid teachers who show us the way towards a richer, more spiritful and soul-filled life.  …”].

10. We Sing of Life; Songs for Children, Young People, Adults, by Vincent B. Silliman, 1955, 784 SIL [From LibraryThing, the introduction: “… religious without being sectarian: they sing of the realities of man’s experience and vitalizing purpose. The express the feeling of at-homeness in the world and the human values of truth, beauty and goodness. They give voice to the feeling of oneness with nature – a feeling for the continuity of all living organisms and the evolution of higher forms of life. They celebrate the worth of the individual and the glories of human freedom, equality, and comradeship. They focus upon man’s spiritual insights and interpret his aspirations toward a better world,”].

11. In Stillness, Renewal: Meditations, by Jacob Trapp, 1983, 242 TRA [Gift of Petrt Aaloe and Ann Rieger. From Vintage Book Shoppe: “A well-loved guide to spiritual renewal through mindfulness and contemplation, … Blending monastic tradition with Eastern philosophies, Trapp offers accessible wisdom for seekers of inner peace. Published amid renewed Western interest in mindfulness, this work invites readers to explore the profound insights of stillness and meditation through the lens of Christian mysticism.”].

12. Happiness in a Storm: Facing Illness and Embracing Life as a Healthy Survivor, by Wendy Schlessel Harpham, 2005, 155.9 HAR [From LibraryThing: “”A guide to the meaning of joy and satisfaction, and the many routes to them.”–Jane Brody, New York Times … getting good care and finding happiness when you are sick. Having coined the term “Healthy Survivor” while dealing with her own chronic lymphoma, Harpham encourages people dealing with cancer, heart disease, diabetes, or any prolonged illness to simultaneously do all they can to overcome disease and live life to the fullest. Harpham opens our eyes to the opportunities for happiness in life despite medical problems and even because of illness.”].

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, June 15, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. The Art Of The Impossible: Politics As Morality In Practice, by Havel Vaclav, 1997, 943.71 HAV [Gift of Harold Brown. From LibraryThing: “There is no shortage of politicians who make a habit of shooting from the hip, but it is much rarer to find one who speaks from the heart. Vaclav Havel knows no other way to speak, or to write. Both as a dissident and as a playwright it was his sworn purpose for many years to combat evil with nothing but truth. As president of Czechoslovakia, and now of the Czech Republic, he has clung to that habit, refusing to turn over either his conscience or his voice to political handlers and professional speech-writers. … Havel writes of totalitarianism, its miseries and the nonetheless difficult emergence from it. He describes how his country and the other post-communist countries are learning democracy from scratch and are encountering obstacles from inside and out. He marvels at the single technology-driven civilization that envelops the globe, and the challenges this presents to multicultural realities. And he reminds us that – contrary to all appearances – common sense, moderation, responsibility, good taste, feeling, instinct, and conscience are not alien to politics, but are the very key to its long-term success.”].

2. The Truth about Canada: Some Important, Some Astonishing, and Some Truly Appalling Things All Canadians Should Know About Our Country, by Mel Hurtig, 2008, 971.07 HUR [From LibraryThing: “… about how Canada has changed, very much for the worse, in the last twenty years. As a result of these profound (often hidden) changes, we are no longer the people we think we are. To take one example, the Canadian media usually leaves us with the impression that Canadians are really heavily taxed. Yes, compared to the U.S.A., the usual point of comparison. No, compared to other countries with our standard of living, other OECD countries, for example; there we come in 23rd on the high-tax scale. The shocks in this book build up, chapter by chapter. How do we rank in the world in voter turnout? Try 109th. Number of physicians per 100,000 population? Try 54th. Our rank in reducing pollution? 126th out of 146 countries. Some of the statistics are internal, comparing Canada then and now. They back up two of the book’s most powerful themes: the failure of Canadian big business to turn record profits into ongoing investment in our country, and (no coincidence) the sellout of our assets at a rate that no other country would allow. This statistics-based book ranges across all areas of our lives — including health, wages, productivity, culture, the media (“the most concentrated in the world”), and much else. Mel Hurtig’s message is that we can’t do anything to fix the direction we’re drifting in unless we recognize it — and recognize The Truth About Canada.”].

3. 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. …”].

4. The New Fish: The Truth about Farmed Salmon and the Consequences We Can No Longer Ignore, by Simen Saetre, 2023, 639.375609481 [Gift of Rob Dainow. From LibraryThing: “… took an in-depth look at Norway’s role in the global salmon industry and, for the first time, produced a comprehensive evaluation of the detrimental effects of salmon farming. From lice to escapees, from concentrating the waste of sea pens in the fjords through which wild salmon swim to their natal streams to the fact that salmon farming causes a net reduction of protein reaped from the ocean, the results don’t look good. Recent victories, such as the banning of net-pen fish farms in the waters of Washington State, are an indication that we are awakening to the environmental price of engineered fish. It is said that we will continue to make the same mistakes unless we understand them. …”].

5. Home Truths: Fixing Canada’s Housing Crisis, by Carolyn Whitzman, 2024 [From Amazon: “… In Home Truths, housing expert Carolyn Whitzman explores Canada’s crisis from all sides, including defining what adequate housing looks like, explaining why nonmarket housing is crucial for Canada, and outlining how and why to tackle ever-growing wealth disparities between renters and those who own. She details the decades of policy that got us into this mess and shows how all levels of government can work together to provide affordable housing where it is needed, using evidence-backed ideas from planners, politicians, developers, and advocates at home and abroad.”].

6. The Storyteller: Memory, Secrets, Magic and Lies, by Anna Porter, 2001, 943.905 POR [From LibraryThing: “As a child growing up in the once-beautiful city of Budapest, Anna Porter’s grandfather told her stories of heroes and strife and survival, some as old as the Carpathian basin, some still holding the sting of recent war and hardship. Some were fanciful, most were true, and all gave her a personal sense of history, both national and familial. …”].

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 Kiersten Moore and Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, June 8, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. Seasons of Life: Our Dramatic Journey from Birth to Death, by John Kotre and Elizabeth Hall, 1990, 155 KOT [From LibraryThing: “Throughout the ages and in every culture, people have used the seasons as a metaphor to mark life’s transitions and to help understand the purpose and meaning of our mortal journey. In the last few decades, there has been an astonishing growth in our knowledge of human development through the entire life span; at the same time, there has been dramatic change in the timetables of our lives. … , interprets the fascinating work and discoveries of hundreds of social scientists and, through the personal stories of dozens of ordinary individuals, reveals the rich drama of life’s passages at the end of the twentieth century.”].

2. Guide My Feet: Prayers and Meditations on Loving and Working for Children, by Marian Wright Edelman, 1995, 242.6 EDE [Published by Beacon Press. From LibraryThing: “… the well-being of America’s children by providing a counterweight to the lesson society is teaching this generation of children – to be soulless takers instead of empowered givers. Guide My Feet is a collection of prayers and meditations gathered from Edelman’s own holiday rituals and experiences and the writings of such inspiring leaders as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and Frederick Douglass. It urges readers to commit to and pray for strength and patience, and offers solace and direction for parents troubled by the commercialism and violence running rampant in today’s society. Filled with wisdom, compassion and understanding, it provides an important spiritual and moral resource all caregivers can turn to as they strive to instill values, integrity, self-discipline and faith in children.”].

3. Education and the Good Life, by Bertrand Russell, 1926, 192 RU [From LibraryThing: “… Russell calls for an education that would liberate the child from unthinking obedience to parental and religious authority. He argues that if the basis of all education is knowledge wielded by love then society can be transformed. One of Bertrand Russell’s most definitive works, the remarkable ideas and arguments in On Education are just as insightful and applicable today as they were on first publication in 1926.”]

4. The Story of Your Life: Writing a Spiritual Autobiography, by Dan Wakefield, 1990, 808.2 WAK [Published by Beacon Press. From LibraryThing: “Dan Wakefield shows us how to write about and share our most meaningful life experiences and in so doing to see our lives in a new light.”].

5. Trusting Change: Finding Our Way Through Personal and Global Transformation, by Karen Hering, 2022, 248 [From LibraryThing: “… offers pastoral support and spiritual skills building for individuals on the cusp of personal change within the collective context of a world that is reshaping itself at a faster pace than ever. … the reader is greeted by a warm storyteller ready to journey with them through uncertainty and change. Hering does not pretend that change is easy but notes its inevitability and some of the ways readers can participate in it, allowing them to trust it more in the future. Sharing wisdom found in nature and in metaphors, the reflections include evocative questions and creative, often embodied exercises that invite the reader into a larger story of change. This book is a conversation with the reader meant to also stir conversations between readers as we learn to live into and through our transformative times together.”].

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, June 1, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. Children of the Same God: The Historical Relationship Between Unitarianism, Judaism, and Islam, by Susan J. Ritchie, 2014, 289 RIT [From Amazon: “… makes the groundbreaking historical argument that, long before Unitarianism and Universalism merged in the United States, Unitarianism itself was inherently multireligious. She demonstrates how Unitarians in Eastern Europe claimed a strong affinity with Jews and Muslims from the very beginning and how mutual theological underpinnings and active cooperation underpin Unitarian history but have largely disappeared from the written accounts. With clear implications for the religious identity of Christians, Jews, and Muslims as well as Unitarian Universalists, and especially for interfaith work, Children of the Same God illuminates the intertwining histories and destinies of these traditions. …”].

2. Unitarians and India: A Study in Encounter and Response, by Spencer Lavan, 1991, 289.1 LAV [The Julian Fears Library. From Amazon: “Compelling history of Unitarianism in India, including pioneer missionaries William Roberts, William Adam, Charles Dall, etc.; early Indian Unitarians including Rammohun Roy and Keshub Chunder Sen; contemporary Unitarian supporters of Gandhi, much more.”].

3. Buddhism, Unitarianism, and the Meiji Competition for Universality (Harvard East Asian Monographs), by Michel Mohr, 2014, 289.1 [From LibraryThing, provided by the publisher: “This book spotlights the debates between Unitarianism and Buddhism in Japan since the late 1800s. Focusing on the events triggered by the missionaries of the American Unitarian Association in Japan between 1887 and 1922, this study investigates this formative time in Japanese religious and intellectual history”].

4. This Very Moment: A Brief Introduction to Buddhism and Zen for Unitarian Universalists, by James Ishmael Ford, 1996, 294 FOR [Published by Skinner House Books. From LibraryThing: “An elegant primer, This Very Moment includes basic teachings of the Buddha, the historical development of Zen Buddhism, Zen meditation practices, koans and more. Ford also highlights the spiritual and political connections between Zen Buddhism and Unitarian Universalism, demonstrating the harmonious balance that can be struck between the two.”].

5. Buddhism and Whiteness, by George Yancy, 2021, 294 YAN [This is an important book on the adaptations of Buddhism in North America from the point of view of people of colour, and the Meiji adaptation of Buddhism in confrontation with Western categories of thought.].

6. Emerson: The Mind on Fire, by Robert D. Richardson Jr., 1996, 814 RIC [From LibraryThing: “… This is not merely a study of Emerson’s writing and his influence on others; it is Emerson’s life as he experienced it. We see the failed minister, the struggling writer, the political reformer, the poetic liberator. The Emerson of this book not only influenced Thoreau, Fuller, Whitman, Dickinson, and Frost, he also inspired Nietzsche, William James, Baudelaire, Marcel Proust, Virginia Woolf, and Jorge Luis Borges. Emerson’s timeliness is persistent and striking: his insistence that literature and science are not separate cultures, his emphasis on the worth of every individual, his respect for nature. Richardson gives careful attention to the enormous range of Emerson’s readings – from Persian poets to George Sand – and to his many friendships and personal encounters – from Mary Moody Emerson to the Cherokee chiefs in Boston – evoking both the man and the times in which he lived. Throughout this book, Emerson’s unquenchable vitality reaches across the decades, and his hold on us endures.”].

7. Hinduism: The Rig Veda (Sacred Writings, Volume 5), by series Editor Ralph T.H. Griffith, 1992, 294.592 [From LibraryThing: “The Rigveda (Sanskrit: ऋग्वेद rgveda, a compound of rc “praise, verse” and veda “knowledge”) is an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns. It is counted among the four canonical sacred texts (śruti) of Hinduism known as the Vedas. Some of its verses are still recited as Hindu prayers, at religious functions and other occasions, putting these among the world’s oldest religious texts in continued use. The Rigveda contains several mythological and poetical accounts of the origin of the world, hymns praising the gods, and ancient prayers for life, prosperity, etc. …”].

8. Buddhism: Religions of our Neighbors: Volume 3, by Sid Bentley, 1983, 294 BEN [Published by the Province of BC, Ministry of Education].

9. The Wisdom of China and India, by Yutang Lin, 1942, 181 YU [From GoodReads: Summary of “A very extensive collection of excerpts from Indian and Chinese Buddhist texts such as Rigveda, Upanishads, Ramayana, Panchatantra, Dhammapada, Tao, Confucius, and much more. …”, and a review by John Engelman which states “… The section on Hinduism begins with the Rigveda. This resembles the Psalms of the Jewish and Christian Bible. The Upanishads concerns creation, and consequently is equivalent to the first eleven chapters of Genesis. … There is a misconception among many in the West that Buddhism is somehow an atheistic religion. In the sections in this anthology gods are mentioned, including several Hindu gods, and reincarnation is taught as what happens to the soul after death. …”].

10. The Masks of God: Oriental Mythology, by Joseph Campbell, 1986, 291.13 CAM [The Julian Fears Library. From LibraryThing: “In this second volume of The Masks of God, …, the pre-eminent mythologist looks at Asian mythology as it developed over the course of five thousand years into the distinctive religions of Egypt, Mesopotamia, India, China, and Japan.
The Masks of God is a four-volume study of world religion and myth …. On completing it, he wrote: Its main result for me has been the confirmation of a thought I have long and faithfully entertained: of the unity of the race of man, not only in its biology, but also in its spiritual history, which has everywhere unfolded in the manner of a single symphony, with its themes announced, developed, amplified and turned about, distorted, reasserted, and today, in a grand fortissimo of all sections sounding together, irresistibly advancing to some kind of mighty climax, out of which the next great movement will emerge.”].

11. God Is Not One: The Eight Rival Religions That Run the World, by Stephen Prothero, 2011, 200 PRO [From LibraryThing: “… argues that persistent attempts to portray all religions as different paths to the same God overlook the distinct problem that each tradition seeks to solve. Delving into the different problems and solutions that Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Confucianism, Yoruba Religion, Daoism and Atheism strive to combat, God is Not One is an indispensable guide to the questions human beings have asked for millennia-and to the disparate paths we are taking to answer them today. …”].

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 Mei Jia Lam, Hisako Masaki and Rev. Shawn Gauthier on Sunday, May 25, 2025 at 11 a.m. All are welcome in Hewett Centre after the Sunday service to check out some books and to have coffee and conversation.

VanU library books related to this Sunday’s sermon:

1. This Very Moment: A Brief Introduction to Buddhism and Zen for Unitarian Universalists, by James Ishmael Ford, 1996, 294 FOR [Published by Skinner House Books. From LibraryThing: “An elegant primer, This Very Moment includes basic teachings of the Buddha, the historical development of Zen Buddhism, Zen meditation practices, koans and more. Ford also highlights the spiritual and political connections between Zen Buddhism and Unitarian Universalism, demonstrating the harmonious balance that can be struck between the two.”].

2. Buddhism, Unitarianism, and the Meiji Competition for Universality (Harvard East Asian Monographs), by Michel Mohr, 2014, 289.1 [From LibraryThing, provided by the publisher: “This book spotlights the debates between Unitarianism and Buddhism in Japan since the late 1800s. Focusing on the events triggered by the missionaries of the American Unitarian Association in Japan between 1887 and 1922, this study investigates this formative time in Japanese religious and intellectual history”].

3. The World of Zen; An East-West Anthology, by Nancy Wilson Ross, 1960, 294 ROS [From LibraryThing: “The first comprehensive anthology of writings of Zen that presents both Eastern and Western sources. Illustrated.”].

4. Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind: 50th Anniversary Edition, by Shunryu Suzuki, 2020, 294 SUZ [From LibraryThing: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few. So begins this most beloved of all American Zen works. In a single stroke, the simple sentence cuts through the pervasive tendency students have of getting so close to Zen as to completely miss what it’s all about. In the years since its original publication, Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind has become one of the great modern Zen classics. Suzuki Roshi presents the basics of Zen in a way that is remarkably clear and resonates with the joy of insight. …”].

5. In This Very Moment: A Simple Guide to Zen Buddhism, by James Ishmael Ford, 2000, 294.3 FOR [Gift of Gail Stephan. Published by Skinner House Books. From LibraryThing: “A valuable beginner’s resource and teaching tool, this brief and useful history of Zen Buddhism introduces the history, philosophy and practice of Zen for beginners and others who want an overview that is at once wise and accessible. The helpful Glossary demystifies the terminology of Buddhism.”].

6. Buddhism: Religions of our Neighbors: Volume 3, by Sid Bentley, 1983, 294 BEN [Published by the Province of BC, Ministry of Education].

7. This Is It: and Other Essays on Zen and Spiritual Experience, by Alan Watts, 1973, 294.39 WAT [From LibraryThing: “… six revolutionary essays exploring the relationship between spiritual experience and ordinary life-and the need for them to coexist within each of us. With essays on “cosmic consciousness” (including Alan Watts’ account of his own ventures into this inward realm); the paradoxes of self-consciousness; LSD and consciousness; and the false opposition of spirit and matter, …”].

8. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Buddhist Wisdom: A Complete Introduction to the Principles and Practices of Buddhism, by Gill Farrer-Halls, 2000, 294.3 FAR [From LibraryThing: “An illustrated introduction to Buddhism, focusing on the three major traditions of Theravada, Zen, and Tibetan; with discussion of how Buddhism developed, the principles of the religion, and meditation.”].

9. Buddhism and Whiteness, by George Yancy, 2021, 294 YAN [From LibraryThing: “… contributors use Buddhist philosophical and contemplative traditions, both ancient and modern, and deploy critical philosophy of race, and critical whiteness studies, to address the proverbial elephant in the room – whiteness”].

10. Following the Brush: An American Encounter With Classical Japanese Culture, by John Elder, 1993, 952.04 ELD [Gift of Sheilah Thompson. Published by Beacon Press. From LibraryThing, re: the book jacket: “… A professor of English, John Elder lived for a year with his family in Kyoto. As a cultural outsider and devoted amateur, Elder brings a distinctive and sympathetic eye to arts and institutions that are, as the author points out, peopled by Japanese who are these days themselves outsiders in an important sense, lovers of pursuits which have been “swirled off into eddies by the velocity of the economic mainstream.”” … We are given an insider’s look at a Japanese elementary school – attended by all three of the author’s children – that is both startling and admiring.” … Elder describes the sisterhood of Kyoto geishas as they “venture out, self-possessed and superbly eccentric, in their errands along the noisy streets of Japan.” And we watch with fascination as Elder is allowed in as the only foreigner to a traditional Go club, where men only pursue “the austere beauty, and the pure competition, of the world’s most demanding game.”” “Elder’s experience as a leading writer on nature leads him also to reflect in other essays on distinctly Japanese attachments to nature and wildness.”].