Lent books for 2018.

Lent begins on Wednesday, February 14. Here we introduce two new Lent courses and a compendium of seasonal customs - all available now in paperback …

NOTHING MORE AND NOTHING LESS: A Lent course based on the film I, Daniel Blake by Virginia Moffatt (Paperback, 128pp, £6.99)

Nothing More and Nothing Less is a new and original Lent course by Virginia Moffatt, which uses the powerful, multi-award winning film I, Daniel Blake, directed by Ken Loach and written by Paul Laverty, as an opportunity for us to question why so many people in our society are suffering, what causes injustice and oppression – looking at examples from Jesus’ time as well as today – and what we can do in response.

The course is based around five weekly group sessions entitled:

Systems of Oppression

Staying Human

Compassion in the Darkness

Fighting Back or Giving In?

The Suffering Servant

Each session includes suggested clips from I, Daniel Blake to watch as a group (with timings for a DVD or film download), reflection points and discussion starters, a suitable Bible reading and prayers, and a short section of suggestions for ways in which course members could make a positive practical response.

READ A SAMPLE HERE or HERE.

FEAST OR FAMINE: How the Gospel challenges austerity by Simon Barrow et al (Paperback, 128pp, £6.99)

Feast or Famine? is a five-week Lent course for groups and individuals that considers the practical issues of economic austerity versus plenty in modern Britain and beyond. How can we understand the inequalities of today in light of core Gospel themes, and how can Christians respond?

The course has been produced in association with the beliefs and ethics think-tank Ekklesia. Each week includes an original reflection by a writer and activist concerned with social justice. The sessions include Bible readings, prayers, discussion and action points, plus leader’s notes. The book ends with additional suggested resources.

The weekly themes are: 

Spending or Saving? 

Hunger or Satisfaction? 

Health or Wealth? 

Security or Insecurity? 

Cutting or Investing?

READ A SAMPLE HERE or HERE.

KEEPING LENT & EASTER: Discovering the Rhythms and Riches of the Christian Seasons by Leigh Hatts (Paperback, 160pp, £9.99)

While popular traditions of celebrating Easter are an integral part of our shared culture, less is known about how other days of the Christian calendar at this time of year are observed, including the preceding period of Lent.

What is the children’s tradition of ‘shroving’?

How should one prepare and eat carlin peas on Passion Sunday?

In what century were eggs forbidden during Lent?

How do Christians around the world recognise St Valentine’s Day?

Leigh Hatts’ comprehensively-researched book helps us to rediscover the Christian based, seasonal customs buried deep within our culture and church life. Keeping Lent and Easter is packed with fascinating details about the beliefs, rituals and traditions of liturgical days between Quinquagesima, or Transfiguration Sunday, (the Sunday before Lent) and Corpus Christi (the feast of thanksgiving on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday).

READ A SAMPLE HERE or HERE.