OUT OF THE SILENCE

Written by: Terry Waite (with illustrations by Jenny Coles)

Published by: SPCK

Price: £9.99

To mark the 25th anniversary of Terry Waite’s release from a five-year kidnap ordeal whilst acting as a peace envoy on behalf of the Archbishop of Canterbury in the Middle East, Christian publisher SPCK has brought together a collection of poetry and prose which give insights into the loneliness of his ordeal and the encounters he has had in the many years of humanitarian work that have followed.

Waite felt for many years after his ordeal that he did not want to share some of the work which was written in the aftermath of his release.

In an introduction, he writes: “I was, and to a degree still am, reluctant to share them with a wider audience, but eventually decided I would give it a try.”

Explaining the nature of the book – which is interspersed with prose endeavouring to explain the background to some of what follows, he added: “Rather than simply publish the poems by themselves, I chose to use them to illustrate a narrative, which describes something of the rambling pathway I have taken through life.”

Before penning the poems, his only published work of poetry had been in a school magazine some 60 years before. Initially they were intensely private, but as he shared a few with friends, found that they met with a positive response and was encouraged to consider sharing them more widely.

In the winter of 2012 he travelled to New Zealand for lectures and was encouraged to begin the work and to travel early to the southern hemisphere to holiday with friends. This trip frames and enhances the work, offering a setting that does not detract from the power of the poetry.

In a reflection of the searingly simple, yet moving honesty that is prevalent on each page, he concludes his words of introduction with the sentence: “For what they are worth, I place these words before you and in so doing place a part of my life in your hands.”

For some words can be distracting when reading poetry, but the addition of prose enhances the stark simplicity of Waite’s work – revealing a soul sometimes still scarred by the years of solititude and occasionally wrestling with the demands of friends and family.

Warm endorsements for the book have come from a number of well-known names, including the composer Karl Jenkins, the writer and broadcaster Joan Bakewell and the actress, Vanessa Redgrave.

THE RUTHWELL CROSS

The Easter Story incorporating the story of the Ruthwell Cross

Written by: Evelyn Hope

Price: £15.00

The roots of the first savings bank in the world (the Trustee Savings Bank) have their roots in the Dumfriesshire parish of Ruthwell, where it was founded by the Rev Henry Duncan.

As minister of Ruthwell, Duncan was also responsible for rescuing a historic cross, which could be almost 1000 years old, from where it had lain broken in the churchyard for many years, and having it reerected in the manse garden. One of his successors later moved it to an annexe of the church, where it still stands today.

Hope, a retired Church of Scotland minister, has used this story – entwined with Duncan’s fame as the founder of the savings bank movement – to create a new anthology for Lent. The anthology, which is suitable for individual or group study, has been designed with the aim of raising funds to maintain Ruthwell Church, home to the historic Cross.

The book was initially launched at the November meeting of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright Presbytery.

THE THINGS HE DID

The Story of Holy Week

Written by: Stephen Cottrell

Published by: SPCK

Price: £7.99

Written by the Bishop of Chelmsford, this paperback seeks to lead readers through Holy Week, with a focus on some of the key moments, including his entry into Jerusalem, eating with tax collectors and sinners and breaking bread and sharing wine.

The book is divided into six chapters and Cottrell seeks to draw out the significance of each event in a popular easy to follow style, as the events unfold a and lead ultimately to the moment of death on the cross, followed by Resurrection.

Each chapter concludes with questions to encourage reflection and a suggested passage to read for further reference. The book is highly accessible and can be digested at a single sitting or used during Lent or Holy Week either individually or for group study.

THE PASSION AND THE CROSS

Written by : Ronald Rolheiser

Published by Hodder

Price: £7.99

A new addition to the plethora of Lent books crossing the Life and Work desk is this offering from Father Ronald Rolheiser, a Roman Catholic Priest, based in Texas.

Offering daily readings for Lent, the author steers readers through the journey to Easter, offering insights and understanding of redemption, tackling the sometimes difficult subjects of personal loss and suffering.

Each of the 40 readings focuses on a short passage of scripture and offers the author’s personal thoughts and experience on the deeper meaning of the words.