The Christian Church

Morehouse Publishing 9781640654785 $19.95 paper | 6 x 9 | 176 Pages Available Now

Black and Episcopalian

The Struggle for Inclusion Gayle Fisher-Stewart Foreword by Kelly Brown Douglas A personal story of the struggle for authentic inclusion in the church. From a strong voice in the dialogue about what black lives matter means in relation to faith, a powerful lament and a hopeful message about the future. Historically, to be Episcopal/Anglican, as it was to be American, was to be white. Assimilation to whiteness has been a measure of success and acceptance, yet, assimilation requires that people of color give up something of themselves and deny parts of their heritage, including religious practices that sustained their ancestors. Despite the fact that Blackness is on display during Black History Month for example, and Black/African heritage is given primacy in the liturgy, music, and preaching during that time, at other times this doesn’t seem to be the case. The author argues that whiteness is embedded in every aspect of religious life, from seminary to Christian education to last rites. “Is it possible to be Black and Episcopalian and not feel alien?”, she asks. In her words, we learn that inclusivity, above all, must be authentic. “A relevant voice to those who have silently suffered and continue to suffer in a time such as this!” —Rev. Charles D. Fowler III, African Methodist Episcopal Church GAYLE FISHER-STEWART, editor of Preaching Black Lives (Matter), serves currently as the interim rector at the historically Black St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Washington, DC. Prior to becoming ordained, she served with the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, and later taught at the university level while consulting with local and federal government agencies. She lives in Maryland.

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Preaching Black Lives (Matter) Edited by Gayle Fisher-Stewart Winner of a Gold Medal—2021 ILLUMINATION BOOK AWARDS A collection that motivates preaching, teaching, and advocating for eliminating racism. 9781640652569 | $24.95 | paper

This Band of Sisterhood Black Women Bishops on Race, Faith, and the Church Edited by Westina Matthews Foreword by Catherine Meeks Afterword by Paula Clark “There are so many nuggets of wisdom to be found in the conversations between these remarkable Black women bishops . . . The reflections, experiences, and profound humanity that my sisters share in these pages are indeed priceless.” —The Most Rev. Michael B. Curry, presiding bishop of the Episcopal Church 9781640653511 | $14.95 | paper

Church Publishing 9781640655515 $24.95 paper | 5.5 x 8.5 | 256 Pages June 14, 2022

Why Gather?

The Hope and Promise of the Church Martha Tatarnic As the COVID pandemic began to shut down the world, even within the church we found our busy hamster-wheel lives grind to a halt. In the midst of a global crisis, the author found herself in a crisis of vocation, wondering whether or not there might be something else she could do with her life, other than serve the church. The church as a whole began asking questions of a similar and urgent nature. Why be together in Jesus’ name? Does any of what we do as the church in gathering, in proclaiming, in serving, in being together, in not being together, does any of it matter? MARTHA TATARNIC is a priest in the Anglican Church of Canada and rector at St. George’s Anglican Church in St. Catharines, Ontario—a large urban church that reaches thousands through their online presence. She is a contributor to Bearings Online, The Porch magazine, The Anglican Journal, and Christian Century. She is the author of The Living Diet: A Christian Journey to Joyful Eating. She lives in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.

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Church Publishing 9781640655539 $29.95 paper | 6 x 9 | 272 Pages May 17, 2022

Episcopate

The Role of Bishops in a Shared Future Edited by C. Andrew Doyle Foreword by Michael B. Curry Top voices highlight important changes in the role of bishop. Compelling essays, written by bishops, other clergy, and academics from across the Episcopal Church, reflect the breadth of thinking on the history, current state, and future of the role of leadership within the denomination and the wider Anglican Communion. Topics include the transformation of the role over the last fifty years, a review of historic documents on the episcopacy, issues of race and gender, and the definition of ministry and leadership. This volume will be of interest to leaders across denominations as well as scholars. C. ANDREW DOYLE, the 9th bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas, summarizes his autobiography in six words: “Met Jesus on pilgrimage; still walking.” He is author of Vocaˉtioˉ, Unabashedly Episcopalian, Orgullosamente Episcopal, A Generous Community, and The Jesus Heist. Follow him on Twitter at @texasbishop. He lives in Houston, Texas.