REVIEWS

THE HOPEFUL ACTIVIST

Written by: Rich Gower and Rachel Walker

Published by: SPCK

Price: £10.99

Throughout life, people feel called to act on injustice or make a change. Often they have no idea how to do this, or even explore how to make a difference.

This book serves as both inspiration and guide to anyone hoping to effect positive change in the world but unsure of how to identify the best plan to create the community which can best create and support change.

The authors help readers to identify immediately with the need for change: ‘If you have picked up this book and are reading these words, the likelihood is that you are, in some way, an activist (even if you don’t know it yet).’

Naturally developing from a podcast of the same name, the book helps readers to develop and understand activism in all its forms and also seeks to not only demonstrate the value of activists to the world, but also to show the many ways – large or small – that can be harnessed to effective positive change.

Christianity is at the heart of the book, but it is tempered with real life experience of identifying and effecting change. Divided into ten chapters, each seeks to help readers identify the source of their call to activism and to (when necessary) root it in scripture, before turning to the practical

The book can be used by individuals or as a group study, with recommended reading and questions to consider at the end of each chapter as readers are guided from initial stirring and identifying what they believe has to change and discernment, to full on community practice.

The authors draw on their own real-life experience to share with readers – Gower worked for the UK government before a role with Oxfam and now Tearfund whilst Walker is a communications specialist with a charity background and a drive for compassionate living. This is coupled with contributions from well-known Christian contributors including Krish Kandiah and Sam Wells.

The book also asks searching questions of readers who are asked to consider who they are and why they feel the call to change.

Warm endorsement of the book has come from activist and campaigner Ruth Valerio who writes in an introduction: “If you’re just starting to sense God’s stirring, then this book is for you and will be an invaluable guide that accompanies you on your journey. If you’ve been walking this path for years, The Hopeful Activist will re-inspire you and remind you why you’re doing what you’re doing and give you fresh tools as you work for justice and transformation.”

A bibliography at the end will encourage readers to learn more about effecting positive social change, but also discover some of the written work which has already engaged and encouraged others to tackle injustice and be the torch bearers of change in the world.

PRAYERS FROM CATHEDRAL AND KIRK

Written by: Edmund Jones

Published by: Olympia Publishers

Price: £5.99

This beautiful collection of prayers covers every season of the church year and also many extra moments which may intermittently feature on the church calendar.

Drawn from the collection of the Rev Dr Edmund Jones and his long 44-year ministry spanning congregations in Scotland (Queen’s Cross in Aberdeen and as chaplain and interim minister at Glasgow Cathedral) and the USA (where he served as senior minister at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington DC).

This book could offer a welcome and helpful resource for those engaged in leading worship or serve as a prayer guide for solo readers seeking to weave their way in prayer through the seasons of the world (and the Church year).

The prayers are beautifully and evocatively crafted and arranged in a logical, easy to follow order, meaning favourites can be easily found the in 106 pages of the handily sized paperback volume

The prayers helpfully include (among others) prayers to mark the anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War, baptism, marriage and funerals as well as the liturgical seasons of the church year.

THE COVENANTERS OF THE GLENKENS

Written by: David S Bartholomew

Published by: Carn Publishing

Price: £15.00

Retired Church of Scotland minister David Bartholomew was called to be minister of the parishes of the Glenkens in northern Kirkcudbrightshire in 1994. He quickly learned that the area had been at the heart of the Covenanting movement of 17th century Scotland and consequently developed a deep interest in Covenanting history and its connections to the area.

This book marks the fruits of that interest and research and will be of interest not only to those interested in the Covenanting movement (and its importance in the Church of today) but also for anyone with connections to this part of Scotland seeking to learn more about its history and background.

Lynne McNeil