Joanne Grenfell

Change is a constant in the life of the world and the church – and faithful change responds to the call to proclaim the gospel afresh in each generation, and to make new disciples. Some change is chosen, other change is demanded by circumstance or opportunity. This book explores change honestly, hopefully and helpfully, and aims to help churches facing change, whether it’s changing the way it worships or uses its assets, begins a new ministry or brings another to an end. The authors bring together biblical reflection, theological, liturgical and formational resources to help congregations travel emotionally and spiritually through the process of change, as well as support for taking the necessary practical steps. It also offers coaching questions to guide conversation and a resource section to help congregations root the experience of change in the local context. With stories of change from a range of different settings, the book will inspire communities to face change with honesty, openness, courage and faith.

Poetry, prayers, art and scripture meditations come together to create a reflective guide for personal and corporate devotion on the events at the heart of the Christian story from a contemporary, urban perspective. Focusing the death and resurrection of Christ, this is suitable for year-round use as an alternative form of the Stations of the Cross, but also with a special significance for Holy Week and Easter. Arranged in 14 sections, reflections by Joanne Grenfell and sonnets by Adam Atkinson explore discipleship in today’s world, touching on contemporary themes such as identity, truth telling, violence, abuse, racism, and belonging in relation to being a follower of Jesus. Each is powerfully illustrated with original paintings by artist Ali Mulroy. The prayers are written in the first person as a devotional response to all that has gone before and each opens with a line from a fresh rendering of the Lenten Prose. The book springs from a series of talks given at St Paul’s Cathedral in Holy Week 2023.