Six New Things – Week of March 27, 2023

We’ve got a beautiful synthesis of the conclusion of Women’s History Month and our journey toward Easter, with a celebration of women in science, Bible scholarship, spiritual mentoring, and ministry – and a few Holy Week and Easter elements, just because…

ONE

The Miracle Seed (Eerdmans) ‘follows the Judean date palm’s journey from tragic extinction to incredible rebirth’ through the efforts of two female scientists in a hopeful graphic novel that offers an ‘unforgettable look at perseverance and survival in the face of impossible odds’.

TWO

Which might sum up the resilience of women the globe over who have survived in patriarchal societies – including the Christian church. Diana Butler Bass discusses Preaching John 11 with Elizabeth Schrader, whose research unearthed a mind-blowing discovery about Mary the Magdalene. Listen to the discussion here; listen to Butler Bass’s sermon, All the Marys, here; read it here.

THREE

All the Marys asks, ‘What does a Christianity of Mary the Tower look like?’ Shanon Evans invites mothers into similar wondering in, Feminist Prayers for My Daughter: Powerful Petitions for Every Stage of Her Life (Baker).

FOUR

And Holy Friendships: Nurturing Relationships That Sustain Pastors and Leaders (Fortress), encourages clergy – of any gender identity – to ‘invest in their own resilience, sustainability, and flourishing’ through ‘holy friendships’, examples of which illustrate how ‘holy friendships’ can ‘change institutions and systems, helping pastoral leaders cultivate beloved community’.

FIVE

Kenda Creasey Dean is back with the revised edition of The Godbearing Life: The Art of Soul Tending for Youth Ministry (Upper Room) – Dean’s ground-shifting ‘depth of spiritual wisdom’ for a new generation of ministry, but with the same basic message: ‘young people need adults who practice faith alongside them’.

Add your input to intergenerational ministry innovation with: share your wisdom with John Roberto in his Family & Intergenerational Ministry Survey – in English or Spanish.

SIX

Traci Smith brings it all together with her Jelly Bean Prayer revision: ixnay on the ‘darkness of your heart’ and ‘blood of Jesus’ and enter themes of Spring and New Life.

And Progressive Christianity offers four hymns for Holy Week and Easter that are game-changers in the areas of atonement theology and imagery. Check out:

Find additional Holy Week and Easter liturgy and music elements in our lib guides.