Walk Humbly by Samuel Wells

Max Ehrmann's prose poem "Desiderata," with its direct instructions --"go placidly," "enjoy your achievements," and others-- has inspired millions of readers.

In the spirit of Ehrmann's "Desiderata," world-renowned ethicist, theologian, and preacher Samuel Wells offers eight encourage-ments to readers in Walk Humbly, his own more extended prose poem. Each simple, direct exhortation--be humble, be grateful, be your own size, be gentle, be a person of praise, be faithful, be one body, be a blessing--is accompanied by thought-provoking, insightful comment

Threatening Light: The Living Word

Each week during Lent, we follow along with a Lenten Reflection series offered through St. Martin-in-the-Fields, a Church of England parish adjacent to the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, London. See the booklet here.

Each week a painting, scripture passage, and reflection by art historian Neil MacGregor are offered, as well as a short video (30 minute) talk by MacGregor. We will gather for conversation about the paintings and scriptures Wednesdays during Lent, at 1 p.m. in the Library, following our Noon Eucharist.

The Book of Psalms by Robert Alter

The Book of Psalms: A Translation with Commentary (published by W.W. Norton) is a literary translation of the biblical Book of Psalms by Robert Alter, professor emeritus of Hebrew and comparative literature at the University of California, Berkeley. A cornerstone of the scriptural canon, the Book of Psalms has been a source of solace and joy for countless readers over millennia. This timeless poetry is beautifully wrought by a scholar whose translation of the Five Books of Moses was hailed as a “godsend” by Seamus Heaney and a “masterpiece” by Robert Fagles. Alter’s The Book of Psalms captures the simplicity, the physicality, and the coiled rhythmic power of the Hebrew, restoring the remarkable eloquence of these ancient poems. His learned and insightful commentary illuminates the obscurities of the text.

The Way of Love by Bishop Michael Curry

Walk the path of love with one of the warmest, most beloved spiritual leaders of our time, and learn how to put faith into action.

As the descendant of slaves and the son of a civil rights activist, Bishop Michael Curry’s life illustrates massive changes in our times. Much of the world met Bishop Curry when he delivered his sermon on the redemptive power of love at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle. Here, he expands on his message of hope in an inspirational road map for living the way of love, illuminated with moving lessons from his own life. Through the prism of his faith, ancestry, and personal journey, Love Is the Way shows us how America came this far and, more important, how to go a whole lot further.

The way of love is essential for addressing the seemingly insurmountable challenges facing the world today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God. This book will lead readers to discover the gifts they need in order to live the way of love: deep reservoirs of hope and resilience, simple wisdom, the discipline of nonviolence, and unshakable regard for human dignity.