Recommended Resources
Featured Resource - February 2010
Inspirations e-Library
Inspirations was brought to our attention by the Revd John Chamberlain of Cullercoats in North Shields. We asked him to review it for us and here's the result...
Inspirations is a "Library of Theology and Spirituality" on a CD ROM. It was assembled and edited by Fr. Patrick Rogers S.T.D. Fr. Patrick is a Passionist priest (R.C.) from Ireland - prompted by the abundance of public-domain texts now available for scanning, as well as the gracious permission given by a number of colleagues in biblical studies to include books of theirs on this CD.
The Inspirations collection is split into several sections:
The Bible : This contains the NRSV text.
Bible Study: This includes the works of Josephus, the Old Testament Apocrypha (e.g. Jubilees and Enoch) and the New Testament Apocrypha (e.g. Acts of Andrew, Acts of Thomas), The Greek New Testament (with NRSV English in parallel), The Gospel Parallels, and various commentaries (e.g. Barrett’s Gospel of St. John , Dunn’s The Theology of Paul the Apostle ). In addition, there are maps and pictures, introductions to the books of the Bible and a Bible dictionary.
Patristics: From Ambrose to Vincent of Lerins. It includes, for example, Augustine, Basil, Clement of Rome, Clement of Alexandria, Ignatius, Tertullian, Polycarp and The Didache.
Theology: this includes Anselm’s Cur Deus Homo , the complete Summa Theologica by Aquinas, Schweitzer’s The Quest of the Historical Jesus , Moltmann’s The Theology of Hope , and works by Karl Rahner and Pope Benedict XVI to mention but a few.
Spirituality: Here we have such works as The Cloud of Unknowing , works by Julian of Norwich, Søren Kierkegaard, Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross and Martin Luther to mention but a few. The Qur’an is also included.
Lectionary: The RC Sunday lectionary is included together with a commentary on the readings. The weekday lectionary is also included: this is essentially the same as the C of E weekday Eucharistic lectionary.
The software has been installed for customer use on the public access computers at both branches. If you would like your own copy, it can be ordered from the author's website - alternatively, if John collects a large enough order, a 'substantial discount' should be negotiable. He can be contacted via e-mail or telphone on: 0191 253 0022.
John also prepared the following notes and instructions for using the Inspirations library.
Inspirations - Notes
Inspirations - Instructions
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Featured Resources - December 2009
Holocaust Memorial Day - 27th January 2009
Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD) is the international day of remembrance for the victims of the Holocaust and of other genocides. It is held every year on 27th January - the anniversary of the date of the liberation of Nazi death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau. HMD sets out to motivate people to make sure that the horrendous crimes committed during the Holocaust and in more recent genocides, are neither forgotten nor repeated, whether in Europe or elsewhere in the world.
The Illustrated Holocaust Glossary
- FREE HERE
This Illustrated Holocaust Glossary was completed by Sharon Artley as part of her Fellowship in Holocaust Education at the Imperial War Museum. It's free to download and use with students but it has relevance beyond the teaching environment.
The glossary is clear and useful as an introduction to key places, people and terms. It reminds us of the human cost through photos and snippets of survivor testimony. However navigate to the special feature at the end on Holocaust survivor Zdenka Fantlova to find a gripping account of love and courage that will move and inspire. The glossary is free but the author would like those who use it to complete one of the two questionnaires included in the glossary to ensure that any new additions are improved.
Illustrated Holocaust Glossary
Recommended for students of 14 years and above.
Liberators and Survivors Poster Sets
A series of posters telling an often untold story. Useful for teaching or reflection.
These are poster packs, in dark brown and black A1 folders, fastened with string - kept next to the poster bay at the Percy Main branch.
Please ask staff for details and quote either reference p02608 or p02646.
The Book Thief
The Book Thief tells the story of Liesel Meminger, a nine-year old girl fostered by a family on Himmel Street, Molching, Germany in the late 1930s. We learn about Liesel's obsession with reading, her theft of books and the impact of anti-Jewish actions on the people of Himmel Street. Her story is told to us by Death himself.
One of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Book Club books. Visit their website and navigate to the Book Group Activites for more suggested books for adults and children. Each entry has age appropriate discussion questions.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas
The book is one experience and the film another. The Resources Centre has both. Each tells the story of the forbidden friendship formed between Bruno, the son of a concentration camp Officer and Shmuel, the boy in striped pyjamas who shares his birthday but lives in shadow, on the other side of a barbed wire fence.
Powerful, moving, thought-provoking stuff.
The Diary of Anne Frank
Originally shown by the BBC, this episodic presentation of Anne's story is an absolute treasure. Suitable for use in school or at home. Last shown to a group of over 8's who were enthralled (boys and girls).
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Featured Resources - November 2009
For Anglican Christians Advent Sunday, November 29th, marks the beginning of a new liturgical year and the gospel readings will focus on Luke, following the Revised Common Lectionary Year C.
The 'Big Read' is a diocesan initiative which encourages churches to explore Luke in more detail. At our request, the Revd Canon Richard Bryant has recommended a few theological resources for those who wish to look at Luke from a variety of different perspectives... Enjoy!
All the books mentioned below can be found using our online catalogue.
Tom Wright; Lent for Everyone - Luke
This will be available in December (in the shops and the Resources Centre!) but if you fancy doing a little Tom Wright pre-reading try 'Luke for Everyone'.
Leslie J Francis & Peter Atkins; Exploring Luke's Gospel
This explores each passage in Luke from the perspective of each of the four Myers Briggs personality types: Sensing, Intuition, Feeling and Thinking. Essential for those who wish to consider, or present, the gospel from a point of view that they may not otherwise have considered or perceived.
Michael Prior; Jesus the Liberator
This detailed examination of Luke 4: 16-30 from the perspective of Liberation theology is a stimulating attempt to connect the values of the Gospel with a call for contemporary social change.
Christopher Tuckett; Luke
A short, pithy and readable New Testament guide which outlines the "who?", "why?" and "what?" of Luke.
Matthias Wenk; Community - Forming Power
This takes a socio-ethical perspective on the gospel from its Greek and Palestinian setting. An edgy commentary that repays a look.
Fred Craddock; Luke
Written with the Pastor and Preacher in mind, this a supportive text that enquirers as well as preachers should find accessible and helpful.
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Featured Resource - October 2009
The Revd Alastair Macnaughton, Developing Discipleship Officer for Durham and Newcastle Dioceses, reviews:
Living the Questions
For those who are wary of prepackaged ‘take it or leave it’ approaches to Christian Faith this may be a very good starting point. Starting from some of the most difficult questions facing the churches today, it then builds very positively around people’s experience and what might be called a ‘liberal’ approach to the Christian faith. For anyone ‘coming up for air’ from a very ‘conservative’ Christian background this may provide a starting point towards a more resilient Christ-centred faith. Not everybody’s cup-of-tea, but for some it may be life-giving!
Alastair has also made use of the following courses we have available:
ALPHA
I’ve used ALPHA over the years, in a Working Mens’ club, with a ladies’ mid-morning coffee group, with small groups, with a large ecumenical group in a pub room and in a smaller church-based setting. Through ALPHA I’ve seen people make significant steps towards Christ, and turn decisively to Him. For people who are warm and open towards the faith and will ask their own questions, ALPHA is a well-tried process. Some would wish that teaching on the Holy Spirit were in a wider context, e.g sacraments and the wider work of God’s spirit in the world. There is evidence that churches which write their own basic faith courses see the most fruit.
Emmaus
Emmaus has a straightforward worksheet, allowing for plenty of flexibility. There is no sense here of ‘this is the Christian package’, take it or leave it. One of my best experiences of basic faith groups was on an Emmaus when somebody described what was happening in terms of learning, and spiritual new-birth, all in the same sentence! Emmaus allows several views of the atonement, is lively and expectant as regards the work of the Holy Spirit.
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