Reading Program

UMW Reading Program for 2008

Each year, UMW Global Ministries selects about 50 books it recommends can be read in order to become more informed about the world around us with 4 main themes in mind: Education for Mission, Nurturing for Community, Social Action, and Spiritual Growth. Our UMW has provided funds to purchase 13 books from the 2008 list. They are available to borrow from our library on the shelf labeled “UMW Reading Program. We just ask that you try to return them within a week or two so others may borrow them. There is a notebook in the library by the books in which you can sign up for four different plans. You can read as few as 4 books or as many as 20 books by the end of this year to complete your level of commitment. Beginning in June, we will plan a monthly meeting to discuss what we’ve read.

2008 UMW Reading Program Book List

Education For Mission

END OF THE SPEAR: A TRUE STORY

Author Steve Saint’s father was one of five missionaries martyred in an attempt to befriend the Waodani people of the Amazon. Despite the fact the Waodani were responsible for his father’s death, they were friends, even family to Steve. This true story is one of challenges, losses and rewards.

GOD’S GOLDEN ACRE: A BIOGRAPHY OF HEATHER REYNOLDS

Heather Reynolds gave her life to God, then waited for the call to serve. While visiting South Africa, she encountered the human and social devastation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and knew this was God’s call.

THEY POURED FIRE ON US FROM THE SKY: THE TRUE STORY OF THREE LOST BOYS FROM SUDAN

From 1987—89, tens of thousands of boys who took flight from the massacres of Sudan’s civil war became known as the “Lost Boys.” This is the story of three of these boys and their will to survive.

Nurturing For Community

KEEPING SPIRITUAL BALANCE AS WE GROW OLDER: MORE THAN 65 CREATIVE WAYS TO USE PURPOSE, PRAYER AND THE POWER OF SPIRIT TO BUILD A MEANINGFUL RETIREMENT

As people grow older and face new demands on their bodies, they may forget the spiritual transformations they undergo. This book discusses how the power of spirit can help overcome the obstacles of aging, add meaning to everyday life, and attain both material and spiritual goals.

MRS. HUNTER’S HAPPY DEATH: LESSONS ON LIVING FROM PEOPLE PREPARING TO DIE

As a pastor, author John Fanestil has witnessed people dying with grace. He blends captivating historical accounts with his own pastoral experiences to reveal the secrets that enable people to transcend pain and suffering and embrace death as a completion of life, not as a tragic end.

WHO’S RAISING YOUR CHILD: BATTLING THE MARKETERS FOR YOUR CHILD’S HEART AND SOUL

This book explores today’s hyper-commercialized society and the damage it is doing to children as they grow from toddlers to teens in a culture of consumption.

Social Action

EARTH TREK: CELEBRATING AND SUSTAINING GOD’S CREATION

Earth Trek celebrates the earth and embarks on a journey of discovery into the intricacies of the creation. It also explores how ecological concern and justice relate to Christian faith, delving into the Bible and a range of thinkers and writers to discover and celebrate the ecological imperative of our faith tradition.

ENRIQUE’S JOURNEY

This astonishing true story recounts the unforgettable journey of a Honduran boy who braves hardship and peril to find his mother in North Carolina. With gritty determination and a deep longing to be by his mother’s side, Enrique travels through hostile, unknown worlds.

WHEN THE RIVERS RUN DRY: WATER — THE DEFINING CRISIS OF THE 21ST CENTURY

Fred Pearce traveled to over 30 countries to examine the state of crucial water sources like the Indus River in Pakistan, the Colorado River in the United States, and the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers in China. He reveals the most daunting water issues we face today; but tells us that they are not without remedy.

WAR AND THE CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE: WHERE DO YOU STAND?

This book is for readers who have not decided where they stand on war. It asks: “In your heart of hearts, where do you stand? Are you willing to send your children off to kill or be killed? Is war a moral or an immoral human activity?” This book explores answers from the Christian tradition.

Spiritual Growth

LONGING TO PRAY: HOW THE PSALMS TEACH US TO TALK WITH GOD

This book invites readers to study with ancient experts in prayer — the writers of the book of Psalms. These writers were human, their lives marked by highs and lows. But with all of that, they were saints who left us with the greatest collection of prayers in the possession of our human race.

WALK IN A RELAXED MANNER: LIFE LESSONS FROM THE CAMINO

At age 60, author Joyce Rupp didn’t know what she was getting into when she began a 37-day pilgrimage

along the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. Joined by her walking friend, Tom, a retired pastor, Ms. Rupp learned lessons that can help readers travel life’s up-and-down journey with more grace.

AND WE ARE CHANGED: ENCOUNTERS WITH A TRANSFORMING GOD

People who encounter God may fail to recognize such encounters or not allow themselves to be changed by them. Author Priscilla Shirer uses the compelling biblical accounts of the children of Israel, Ruth, Mary, Martha and Lazarus, to show the transformation that can happen when people meet God

Please stop by the library to "check out" these books!

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	UMW Home Circle Groups 2008 Board Meetings Calendar of Events Mission Giving National UMW Site Related Links	UMW Reading Program for 2008 Each year, UMW Global Ministries selects about 50 books it recommends can be read in order to become more informed about the world around us with 4 main themes in mind: Education for Mission, Nurturing for Community, Social Action, and Spiritual Growth. Our UMW has provided funds to purchase 13 books from the 2008 list. They are available to borrow from our library on the shelf labeled “UMW Reading Program. We just ask that you try to return them within a week or two so others may borrow them. There is a notebook in the library by the books in which you can sign up for four different plans. You can read as few as 4 books or as many as 20 books by the end of this year to complete your level of commitment. Beginning in June, we will plan a monthly meeting to discuss what we’ve read. 2008 UMW Reading Program Book List *Education For Mission* END OF THE SPEAR: A TRUE STORY Author Steve Saint’s father was one of five missionaries martyred in an attempt to befriend the Waodani people of the Amazon. Despite the fact the Waodani were responsible for his father’s death, they were friends, even family to Steve. This true story is one of challenges, losses and rewards. GOD’S GOLDEN ACRE: A BIOGRAPHY OF HEATHER REYNOLDS Heather Reynolds gave her life to God, then waited for the call to serve. While visiting South Africa, she encountered the human and social devastation of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and knew this was God’s call. THEY POURED FIRE ON US FROM THE SKY: THE TRUE STORY OF THREE LOST BOYS FROM SUDAN From 1987—89, tens of thousands of boys who took flight from the massacres of Sudan’s civil war became known as the “Lost Boys.” This is the story of three of these boys and their will to survive. *Nurturing For Community* KEEPING SPIRITUAL BALANCE AS WE GROW OLDER: MORE THAN 65 CREATIVE WAYS TO USE PURPOSE, PRAYER AND THE POWER OF SPIRIT TO BUILD A MEANINGFUL RETIREMENT As people grow older and face new demands on their bodies, they may forget the spiritual transformations they undergo. This book discusses how the power of spirit can help overcome the obstacles of aging, add meaning to everyday life, and attain both material and spiritual goals. MRS. HUNTER’S HAPPY DEATH: LESSONS ON LIVING FROM PEOPLE PREPARING TO DIE As a pastor, author John Fanestil has witnessed people dying with grace. He blends captivating historical accounts with his own pastoral experiences to reveal the secrets that enable people to transcend pain and suffering and embrace death as a completion of life, not as a tragic end. WHO’S RAISING YOUR CHILD: BATTLING THE MARKETERS FOR YOUR CHILD’S HEART AND SOUL This book explores today’s hyper-commercialized society and the damage it is doing to children as they grow from toddlers to teens in a culture of consumption. *Social Action* EARTH TREK: CELEBRATING AND SUSTAINING GOD’S CREATION Earth Trek celebrates the earth and embarks on a journey of discovery into the intricacies of the creation. It also explores how ecological concern and justice relate to Christian faith, delving into the Bible and a range of thinkers and writers to discover and celebrate the ecological imperative of our faith tradition. ENRIQUE’S JOURNEY This astonishing true story recounts the unforgettable journey of a Honduran boy who braves hardship and peril to find his mother in North Carolina. With gritty determination and a deep longing to be by his mother’s side, Enrique travels through hostile, unknown worlds. WHEN THE RIVERS RUN DRY: WATER — THE DEFINING CRISIS OF THE 21ST CENTURY Fred Pearce traveled to over 30 countries to examine the state of crucial water sources like the Indus River in Pakistan, the Colorado River in the United States, and the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers in China. He reveals the most daunting water issues we face today; but tells us that they are not without remedy. WAR AND THE CHRISTIAN CONSCIENCE: WHERE DO YOU STAND? This book is for readers who have not decided where they stand on war. It asks: “In your heart of hearts, where do you stand? Are you willing to send your children off to kill or be killed? Is war a moral or an immoral human activity?” This book explores answers from the Christian tradition. *Spiritual Growth* LONGING TO PRAY: HOW THE PSALMS TEACH US TO TALK WITH GOD This book invites readers to study with ancient experts in prayer — the writers of the book of Psalms. These writers were human, their lives marked by highs and lows. But with all of that, they were saints who left us with the greatest collection of prayers in the possession of our human race. WALK IN A RELAXED MANNER: LIFE LESSONS FROM THE CAMINO At age 60, author Joyce Rupp didn’t know what she was getting into when she began a 37-day pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago in northern Spain. Joined by her walking friend, Tom, a retired pastor, Ms. Rupp learned lessons that can help readers travel life’s up-and-down journey with more grace. AND WE ARE CHANGED: ENCOUNTERS WITH A TRANSFORMING GOD People who encounter God may fail to recognize such encounters or not allow themselves to be changed by them. Author Priscilla Shirer uses the compelling biblical accounts of the children of Israel, Ruth, Mary, Martha and Lazarus, to show the transformation that can happen when people meet God Please stop by the library to "check out" these books!