Tap into what we’re reading at WATER with the following resources.
All of the books we recommend are available for the borrowing from the Carol Murdock Scinto Library in the WATER office. Check out librarything.com for our complete collection. We are grateful to the many publishers who send us review copies to promote to the WATER community.
WATER Recommends: April 2016
/in What We're Reading /by waterstaffWATER Recommends: April 2016
Tap into what we’re reading at the WATER office with the following resources.
All of the books we recommend are available for the borrowing from the Carol Murdock Scinto Library in the WATER office. Check out librarything.com for our complete collection. We are grateful to the many publishers who send us review copies to promote to the WATER community.
Ahmed-Ghosh, Huma, editors. CONTESTING FEMINISMS: GENDER AND ISLAM IN ASIA. Albany, NY: SUNY, 2015 (283 pages, $85.00).
Ahmed-Ghosh gathers the voices of many Muslim feminist scholars in this beautifully crafted anthology of essays on feminism, agency, and empowerment in Muslim women’s lives, in Asia and in the Western diaspora. In their own voices, these authors redefine power and feminism for their own contexts. An educational, insightful, and powerful read.
Carbine, Rosemary P. and Kathleen J. Dolphin, editors. WOMEN, WISDOM, AND WITNESS: ENGAGING CONTEXTS IN CONVERSATION. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2012 (292 pages, $31.19).
It is not easy for Catholic women theologians to get a hearing. Fortunately, the Madeleva Lecture and the New Voices Seminar at Saint Mary’s College in Indiana are one place for beginning conversations. Theological essays range from sex-trafficking and feminicide to navigating the health care system and talking about healthy sex on college campuses. Rachel Bundang, Rosemary P. Carbine, LaReine-Marie Mosely, Emily Reimer-Barry, among others, use their voices to broach topics that need critical attention especially in Catholic circles where many women’s wisdom, witness, and well-being are honored in the breach.
Cleves, Rachel Hope. CHARITY AND SYLVIA: A SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN EARLY AMERICA. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014 (267 pages, $17.95).
These two women living in rural America circa 1850 had no Supreme Court or Freedom to Marry support. They did it the old fashioned way with just love and courage. A fine read.
Kujawa-Holbrook, Sheryl A., translation and annotation. HILDEGARD OF BINGEN: ESSENTIAL WRITINGS AND CHANTS OF A CHRISTIAN MYSTIC – ANNOTATED & EXPLAINED. Woodstock, VT: Skylight Paths Publishing, 2016 (186 pages, $15.74).
An insightful introduction, wisely chosen texts, clear, concise annotation, and resources galore make this a new go-to volume for Hildegard scholars both novice and experienced. Kujawa-Holbrook, an excellent teacher, instructs readers on how to handle the texts of twelfth century Benedictine Hildegard of Bingen on the nun’s own terms not theirs. Hildegard’s affirmation, “All praise be to you, as is your due, O Wisdom!” applies here.
Marshank, Sarah. BEING SELFISH: MY JOURNEY FROM ESCORT TO MONK TO GRANDMOTHER. Ashland, OR: BookBaby, 2015 (350 pages, $19.99).
Following an unconventional path to Self-enlightenment, Marshank journeys through Orthodox Judaism, Native American practices, sexuality workshops, celibacy, and an endless number of baths. The raw, authentic, honesty that shines through this memoir offers a connection to readers young and old, spiritual and secular.
Mercedes, Anna. POWER FOR: FEMINISM AND CHRIST’S SELF GIVING. London: T&T Clark International, 2011 (168 pages, $32.95).
Christian conceptions of self-sacrifice, service, and care have been challenged by many feminists as detrimental and oppressive to women. In response, Mercedes, drawing on theological and scholarly texts, looks at self-giving as an empowering concept. Given how problematic these issues have been for women in practice, this theoretical discussion is just a beginning which requires a great deal of scrutiny.
Song, Angeline M.G. A POSTCOLONIAL WOMAN’S ENCOUNTER WITH MOSES AND MIRIAM. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015 (262 pages, $95).
The academic and the personal intertwine seamlessly in this in-depth look at Exodus 2. Song connects empathetically with Moses and Miriam through her own story as an adoptee of an ethnic minority, a single woman in colonial, patriarchal Singapore. Postcolonial studies and focalization methodology are useful tools. Meant for a specialized audience, this study would enhance an advanced biblical interpretation course.
Thistlethwaite, Susan Brooks. WOMEN’S BODIES AS BATTLEFIELD: CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY AND THE GLOBAL WAR ON WOMEN. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015 (224 pages, $30).
A hard book to read, this important volume puts the matter squarely: women’s and girls’ bodies are battlefields in an ongoing war. Christian theology, even in its pacifist articulations, can be part of the problem. Thislethwaite addresses these terrible matters with analysis and strategic suggestions. Let the work of just “peacebuilding” rise to the top of an agenda for safety and the common good.
Listen to our April 2016 WATERtalk with Susan Thislethwaite to learn more about this volume.
Tsomo, Karma Lekshe, editor. EMINENT BUDDHIST WOMEN. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2014 (267 pages, $29.95).
Given the many centuries of male-dominated history, Tsomo’s collection of essays by Buddhist practitioners sharing the experiences and accomplishments of Buddhist women is wonderfully welcome. This invaluable selection of narratives adds immeasurably to a nuanced understanding of Buddhism in all of its complexity.
Tucker, Mary Evelyn and John Grim, editors. LIVING COSMOLOGY: CHRISTIAN RESPONSES TO JOURNEY OF THE UNIVERSE. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2016 (338 pages, $23.21).
The hundredth birthday of “geologian” Thomas Berry brought scholars and activists to Yale to ponder the impact of “the universe story.” Essays by Ilia Delio, Heather Eaton, Mary E. Hunt, Catherine Keller, Chris Loughlin, Patricia Siemen, Mary Evelyn Tucker, among others, demonstrate diverse and insightful responses to this popular narrative.
Valdés, Vanessa K. OSHUN’S DAUGHTERS: THE SEARCH FOR WOMANHOOD IN THE AMERICAS. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 2014 (209 pages, $23.95).
An introductory sampling of poetry and novels by women from across the Americas, especially Brasil, Cuba, and the U.S., who incorporate Yoruba religion into their writings. Women find voices to construct identities of their whole, complex sexual selves derived apart from the patriarchal Western vision of the female as virgin, mother, or whore.
WATER Recommends February 2016
/in What We're Reading /by waterstaffWATER Recommends: February 2016
Tap into what we’re reading at the WATER office with the following resources.
All of the books we recommend are available for the borrowing from the Carol Murdock Scinto Library in the WATER office. Check out librarything.com for our complete collection. We are grateful to the many publishers who send us review copies to promote to the WATER community.
Brooks, Joanna, Rachel Hunt Steenblik, Hannah Wheelwright, editors. MORMON FEMINISM ESSENTIAL WRITINGS. New York, NY: Oxford University Press. (324 pages, $27.58).
This volume of “Essential Writings” is needed in every tradition. What a wonderful way to capture the history of Mormon women’s struggles! The Introduction and Key Events time line set out the trajectory of change. A great book for reference and inspiration. Listen to our February 2016 WATERtalk with Joanna Brooks to learn more about this volume.
Chittister, Joan. TWO DOGS AND A PARROT: WHAT OUR ANIMAL FRIENDS CAN TEACH US ABOUT LIFE. Katonah, NY: BlueBridge Books, 2015 (186 pages, $18.95).
Joan Chittister is always on the lookout for spiritual wisdom. She finds a good deal of it in her relationships with animals who charm the socks off of her. How refreshing to see the world through canine eyes, to imagine what a parrot might think, to interact with animals with tails and wings, and to know that how we treat them is an accurate measure of our civilization.
Cupit, Margaret Carlisle and Edward Henderson. WHY, GOD? SUFFERING THROUGH CANCER INTO FAITH. Eugene, OR: RESOURCE Publications, 2015 (146 pages, $20).
Cancer is a tough problem at any age. But when young people have to contend with it there is a special poignancy. This young woman’s story, added to by her grandfather’s reflections, is a painful read about just how complicated it is to deal with the ultimately unanswerable questions of life. Touching, compelling.
Jung, Patricia Beattie and Darryl W. Stephens, editors. PROFESSIONAL SEXUAL ETHICS: A HOLISTIC MINISTRY APPROACH. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2013 (244 pages, $19.76).
Local pastors face a range of matters relating to sexuality: changing views of sexual orientation/gender identity, professional boundaries, pornography, pastoral care and counseling. Trusted voices include Kate M. Ott, Cristina L.H. Traina, Susan Ross, Rosemary Radford Ruether, Joretta Marshall, Boyung Lee, Youtha Hardman-Cromwell, Joyce Mercer, among others. This compilation provides a good jumping off point for faith leaders of many stripes concerned with sexual health at home and in the larger community.
Rambo, Shelly. SPIRIT AND TRAUMA: A THEOLOGY OF REMAINING. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010 (186 pages, $19.75).
What happens after the hurricane has passed, after the soldiers have come home from war? How do we aid those who, because of traumatic events, experience the nexus of life and death up close? Trauma theory and theology together demonstrate how reading scripture through the lens of trauma can shed new light on texts and provide new insights on difficult experiences. A helpful read for those who interact with trauma survivors, especially pastors and volunteers.
Richardson, Jan. CIRCLE OF GRACE: A BOOK OF BLESSINGS FOR THE SEASONS. Orlando, FL: Wanton Gospeller Press, 2015 (181 pages, $16).
Ever wonder what a blessing is? Methodist minister Jan Richardson writes, “a good blessing nonetheless shimmers with the mystery that lies at the heart of God.” (p. xv). Here is a collection to try for many occasions.
Roberts, Tom. JOAN CHITTISTER: HER JOURNEY FROM CERTAINTY TO FAITH. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Press, 2015 (248 pages, $25).
Tom Roberts, longtime writer for the National Catholic Reporter, has gone deep into the life story of Joan Chittister to illuminate some of the whys and wherefores of her choices. This is an engaging read, a definitive biography, facilitated by Joan’s cooperation in the telling. But thankfully it is by no means the last word on/from a woman who is still in the throes of a busy, productive, and challenging life.
Sherr, Lynn. SALLY RIDE: AMERICA’S FIRST WOMEN IN SPACE. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster, 2014 (374 pages, $18.62).
This is a marvelously written, highly informative, and deeply touching story of an American hero who changed forever what an astronaut looks like. Sally Ride’s commitment to STEM education for girls based on the highest quality science shines brightly. Too bad society failed to accept the range of ways women love. Abolishing heterosexism is as fitting a way to honor her memory as naming a ship or lunar impact site for her.
Solberg, Randi O., editor. HEAR OUR VOICES: CHRISTIAN LESBIANS IN EUROPE TELLING THEIR STORIES. Netherlands: Esuberanza Publishing, 2014 (209 pages, $12.50)
Christian lesbians in Europe have many stories to tell. WATER friends Maria Moser, Lideke In’t Veld, Inga Mielitz, and others show the many ways women love well and do justice. Living Apart Together (LAT) is a common European lifestyle others might usefully consider. Lots of spiritual richness here. We applaud them!
Taylor, Sandra, and Hazel Barnes, editors. AND GOD SAW IT ALL WAS VERY GOOD: CATHOLIC LGBT PEOPLE IN EUROPE TELLING THEIR STORIES. Netherlands: Esuberanza Publishing, 2015 (201 pages, $16.50).
Stories from European LGBT people demonstrate the variety of experiences, none of them happy. Consistent in the collection is the Roman Catholic Church’s loss of the full potential of each and every one of these fine people. Happily, the world is bigger than the church and the queer find their ways with style. Here’s hoping the institutional church might one day catch up.
Children’s Education
Jones, Shannon. KEEKEE’S BIG ADVENTURES IN ATHENS, GREECE. Hagerstown, MD: Calithumpian Press, 2015 (40 pages, $16.99).
KeeKee, the world-traveling cat, delightfully discovers the sights and sounds of Athens, Greece, in this beautifully illustrated installment of her adventure series. A great teaching tool for kids learning about other parts of the world – and adults may learn some useful Greek phrases themselves!
WATER Recommends January 2016
/in What We're Reading /by waterstaffWATER Recommends: January 2016
Tap into what we’re reading at the WATER office with the following resources.
All of the books we recommend are available for the borrowing from the Carol Murdock Scinto Library in the WATER office. Check out librarything.com for our complete collection. We are grateful to the many publishers who send us review copies to promote to the WATER community.
Anzaldúa, Gloria E. LIGHT IN THE DARK/LUZ EN LO OSCURO: REWRITING IDENTITY, SPIRITUALITY, REALITY. Edited by Analouise Keating. Durham and London: Duke University Press, 2015 (271 pages, $25.95).
A compilation of essays by the late Gloria Anzaldúa which highlights the centrality of nepantla (the in-between-ness) through stories, personal reflection, feminist theory, and focus on the fluidity of borders. An important read for those wishing to dive deeper into a world between borders of gender, place of origin, ethnicity, sexuality, and language. (Note: in her focus on nepantla, Anzaldúa writes fluidly between Spanish and English.)
Dillen, Annemie, editor. WHEN ‘LOVE’ STRIKES: SOCIAL SCIENCES, ETHICS AND THEOLOGY ON FAMILY VIOLENCE. Leuven, The Netherlands and Dudley, MA: Peeters, 2009 (362 pages, $38).
Abuse in families is a topic that cannot be ignored, especially by Christian churches that sometimes mistakenly preach words that could encourage it. Dillen’s collection of sociologically and theologically based articles provides a thorough explanation of many types of domestic violence. Included are how cycles of violence begin and end, and how Christian churches sometimes play conflicting roles in helping and hindering. An important read for those who seek to end family violence, particularly pastors who bear responsibility for pastoral care.
Duggan, Joseph F. THE FEAST: RE-FORMING IGNATIAN SPIRITUALITY. San Francisco, CA: The Feast Press, 2015 (116 pages, $12).
Joe Duggan outlines a healthy, joyful approach to prayer and reflection grounded in the Ignatian tradition enhanced greatly with contemporary insights including feminism. Spiritual maturity involves embrace not obedience, celebration not penance. With this guide, many people will find their way to deeper self-understanding, richer community, and more abundant love of the divine.
Kao, Grace Y. and Ilsup Ahn. ASIAN AMERICAN CHRISTIAN ETHICS: VOICES, METHODS, ISSUES. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2015 (355 pages, $45).
The first anthology of Asian American Christian ethicists, this volume introduces readers to the emerging, complex conversations that these scholars are nurturing. The Introduction is especially provocative as Asian Americans interface with Native Americans in the framing of issues. Attention to variety, contexts, and power differences make these essays valuable for teaching and strategizing. Listen to our January 2016 WATERtalk with Grace Kao to learn more about this volume.
King, Ursula. SPIRIT OF FIRE: THE LIFE AND VISION OF PIERRE TEILHARD DE CHARDIN. Maryknoll, New York: Orbis Books, 1996, 2015 (258 pages, $26).
The women in his life and the women whose lives he touched make Pierre Teilhard de Chardin a unique figure in Western religious history. Ursula King includes photos and stories, history and analysis in this biography of the French Jesuit who shaped a great deal of contemporary Catholic thinking about science and religion. Excellent bibliographic tools for more exploration.
Knight, Jennie S. FEMINIST MYSTICISM AND IMAGES OF GOD: A PRACTICAL THEOLOGY. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2011 (184 pages, $24.99).
Through the personal journeys of four Christian women, Knight explores the harmful effects of traditional, patriarchal images of God and the sense of liberation that comes from redefining and re-imagining the divine. A useful companion for those on their own journey of re-imagination.
Kwok Pui-Lan, Cecilia González-Andrieu, and Dwight N. Hopkins, editors. TEACHING GLOBAL THEOLOGIES: POWER & PRAXIS. Waco: Baylor University Press, 2015 (216 pages, $34.95).
Teaching theology in a global context is crucial for a more accurate, inclusive understanding of religion’s role in an increasingly complex world. This fresh look at theology lays the groundwork for creating diverse practices and pedagogies. Useful for educators wishing to better communicate the complex realities of contemporary Christianity.
Lanzetta, Beverly. NINE JEWELS OF NIGHT: ONE SOUL’S JOURNEY INTO GOD. San Diego, CA: Blue Sapphire Books, 2014 (280 pages, $15.95).
A remarkable personal story undergirds Beverly’s interspiritual insights. Listen to her December 2015 WATERtalk to appreciate the commitment this mystic lives to world transformation as well as union with the Unnamable. Book and audio make a nice starting point for conversation on contemplation and monasticism in everyday life.
Manigault-Bryant, LeRonda S. TALKING TO THE DEAD: RELIGION, MUSIC, AND LIVED MEMORY AMONG GULLAH/GEECHEE WOMEN. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2014 (278 pages, $20.98).
By sharing the narratives of seven Gullah/Geechee women from the South Carolina lowcountry, Manigault-Bryant illustrates the often-overlooked important cultural preservation the women provide for their communities. “Talking to the dead” for these women means maintaining relationships with the deceased through song, prayer, dreams and storytelling. An in-depth ethnography for those looking to expand their knowledge of the Gullah/Geechee people.
Panotto, Nicolas, editor. POPE FRANCIS IN POSTCOLONIAL REALITY: COMPLEXITIES, AMBIGUITIES AND PARADOXES. San Francisco, CA: Borderless Press, 2015 (145 pages, $12).
A Latin American Pope does not guarantee a postcolonial church. This and other insights make this volume a useful complement to the many uncritical accounts of the early years of the Francis papacy.
Silverman, Emily Leah. EDITH STEIN AND REGINA JONAS: RELIGIOUS VISIONARIES IN THE TIME OF THE DEATH CAMPS. Durham, UK: Acumen Publishing Limited, 2013 (191 pages, $39.95).
Stein, a Jewish Carmelite nun, was among the first women to receive a doctorate in philosophy. Jonas was the first woman rabbi in Jewish history. Both defied conformity until their deaths in Nazi concentration camps. Using their scholarly writings, Silverman examines the “deviant” religious desires of these two pioneering women as foresisters to queer theology because they did not conform to traditional male or female, nor Jewish or Christian roles.
Wigger, J. Bradley, author. Jabo, illustrator. THANK YOU GOD. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2014 (22 pages, $12.90).
Through prayers and rich, vibrant illustrations, this short collection captures reasons to be grateful. It celebrates family, friends, creation, and hospitality. The art work alone is occasion for gratitude. Appropriate for young children and their older friends.
WATER Recommends: December 2015
/in What We're Reading /by waterstaffWATER Recommends: December 2015
Tap into what we’re reading at the WATER office with the following resources.
All of the books we recommend are available for the borrowing from the Carol Murdock Scinto Library in the WATER office. Check out librarything.com for our complete collection. We are grateful to the many publishers who send us review copies to promote to the WATER community.
DeFranza, Megan K. SEX DIFFERENCE IN CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY: MALE, FEMALE, AND INTERSEX IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2015 (311 pages, $17.97).
Carefully researched and theologically grounded, this pioneering work deconstructs traditional teaching based on the binary sex model. DeFranza shows how intersex persons and intersex research can reveal a richer image of God, new understandings of Jesus and the Trinity. An important read for those who want solid alternatives to the status quo.
Dorff, Elliot N., and Danya Ruttenberg, editors. JEWISH CHOICES, JEWISH VOICES: SEX AND INTIMACY. Philadelphia, PA: The Jewish Publication Society, 2010 (156 pages, $16).
This enduring look at the ethics of intimate relationships, comprised of traditional to modern Jewish voices and opinions, raises many questions and provides some useful answers. A great conversation starter for those seeking guidance in navigating the complex relationship of faith, sex, and intimacy. Although geared toward a Jewish audience, it is helpful for all those who seek intimate justice.
Douglas, Kelly Brown. STAND YOUR GROUND: BLACK BODIES AND THE JUSTICE OF GOD. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2015 (240 pages, $18.71).
Important analysis of Anglo-Saxon supremacy, contemporary racism, and the hope that comes from faith in a God of justice. In this painful but necessary volume, Kelly Brown Douglas gets to the heart of why violence against Black people is epidemic in the U.S., and what needs to be done to stop it. Let her words echo for all to hear. Great for classes, study groups, and congregations that want to stop the hemorrhaging and create a just world for everybody’s children.
Visit our WATERtalks: Feminist Conversations in Religion Series page to see video, hear audio, and read notes from our November 2015 dynamic discussion with Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas about this book.
Francis, Leah Gunning. FERGUSON & FAITH: SPARKING LEADERSHIP & AWAKENING COMMUNITY. Danvers, MA: Chalice Press, 2015 (177 pages, $16.60).
Stories illuminate the stony road to gun violence and Black oppression with concrete suggestions for religious professionals who have a unique role to play in eradicating these problems. This seminary professor’s insights into how to stop violence and move toward solidarity will ignite conversations, seed efforts, and hopefully lead to social safety for all.
Ganim, Carole. BEING OUT OF ORDER: THE PROPHETIC GENERATION OF NUNS AND SISTERS. St. Petersburg, FL: Vandamere Press, 2013 (224 pages, $15).
Women who left their religious congregations can be as prophetic as those who remained sisters. This memoir provides insights into the experience and the authenticity of the struggles to live beyond patriarchal trappings.
Gerhardt, Elizabeth. THE CROSS AND GENDERCIDE: A THEOLOGICAL RESPONSE TO GLOBAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND GIRLS. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2014 (181 pages, $17.67).
Invoking Luther’s theology of the cross and Bonhoeffer’s model of confession and resistance, Gerhardt argues that gendercide is not a “women’s issue”, but a church issue. Written from an evangelical perspective, this introductory work invites clergy, seminarians, and others to explore the many theological groundings, especially feminist work, for a holistic Christian response to violence against women.
Nyangweso, Mary. FEMALE GENITAL CUTTING IN INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES: MUTILATION OR CULTURAL TRADITION? Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger, 2014 (251 pages, $32.63).
Culturally sensitive and powerfully revealing, this book gives voice to the women and girls who are often muted by their own communities. Nyangweso conveys the urgency with which all industrialized countries must continue discussing and addressing the ever-present reality of female genital cutting. It is only through a deeper understanding of why the practice happens that coalitions can form to address the issue in culturally respectful ways led by the women most affected.
Ørbeck-Nilssen, Constance. I’M RIGHT HERE. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2015 (27 pages, $16).
A sweet tale of intergenerational sharing of loves and fears. A great way to teach children about the inevitability of death and the helpfulness of hope in muddling along together. A precious read.
Ramberg, Lucinda. GIVEN TO THE GODDESS: SOUTH INDIAN DEVADASIS AND THE SEXUALITY OF RELIGION. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2014 (282 pages, $24.95).
For south Indian devadasis, female and male, marriage means illicit sexuality, economic independence, and personal agency in addition to marrying a goddess. Using stories from the devadasis themselves and her own ethnographic research, the author sweeps the reader into the complex world of those dedicated to the goddess Yellamma and gives them an insider’s view.
Sanders, Cody and Angela Yarber. MICROAGGRESSIONS IN MINISTRY: CONFRONTING THE HIDDEN VIOLENCE OF EVERYDAY CHURCH. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015 (161 pages, $16.61).
Microaggressions do more than add up to serious problems. They are serious problems made worse when sanctioned religiously or ignored in spiritual communities. These authors bring the specifics to consciousness and provide helpful strategies for eradicating them in religious contexts and beyond.
Schüssler Fiorenza, Elisabeth. FEMINIST BIBLICAL STUDIES IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY: SCHOLARSHIP AND MOVEMENT. Atlanta, GA: Society of Biblical Literature, 2014 (451 pages, $52.01).
This is a useful world map of the field of feminist biblical studies. Clear explanations of how it has evolved help to ground insightful strategies for next steps to keep the momentum going and the production useful. Excellent bibliography for scholarly work.
Talvacchia, Kathleen T., Michael F. Pettinger, and Mark Larrimore, editors. QUEER CHRISTIANITIES: LIVED RELIGION IN TRANSGRESSIVE FORMS. New York, NY: New York University Press, 2015 (223 pages, $26).
Queer theory, queer theology, and religious studies converge in this readable volume aimed at a general audience with essays by Victor Anderson, Teresa Delgado, Yvette Flunder, Heather White, Mary E. Hunt among others. They offer challenges to static understandings of celibacy, marriage, and promiscuity and point to new options. Send a copy to your favorite church hierarch.
Threlkeld, Megan. PAN AMERICAN WOMEN: U.S. INTERNATIONALIST AND REVOLUTIONARY MEXICO. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014 (246 pages, $45).
The failures of early feminist groups in the United States to collaborate effectively with women’s groups elsewhere in the world, especially in Mexico, are important to learn. Read this book for a holistic history and understanding of feminist movements that are critical of the neo-imperial mistakes made by early U.S. feminists. Note the possibilities for transnational cooperation that can come from learning these lessons.
Ursic, Elizabeth. WOMEN, RITUAL, AND POWER: PLACING FEMALE IMAGERY OF GOD IN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP. Albany, NY: State University of New York Press, 2014 (247 pages, $29.95).
The struggle for inclusive/expansive language and imagery in Christian churches has persisted for at least four decades. Reasons for the resistance, recalcitrance, and backsliding become obvious in this narrative. It can be read as a cautionary tale by those who want future worship to reflect a wider range of experiences.
WATER Recommends: November 2015
/in What We're Reading /by waterstaffWATER Recommends: November 2015
Tap into what we’re reading at the WATER office with the following resources.
All of the books we recommend are available for the borrowing from the Carol Murdock Scinto Library in the WATER office. Check out librarything.com for our complete collection. We are grateful to the many publishers who send us review copies to promote to the WATER community.
Barton, Bernadette. PRAY THE GAY AWAY: THE EXTRAORDINARY LIVES OF BIBLE BELT GAYS. New York: New York University Press, 2012 (273 pages, $20.59).
Harsh realities are brought to light in this in-depth look at the experiences of gay and lesbian individuals living in the Bible Belt. Accounts of toxic closets, family rejection, ex-gay ministries, and eventual self-acceptance are compelling and moving. A welcome resource for those wanting to be in solidarity with “Bible Belt Gays.”
Bolz-Weber, Nadia. PASTRIX: THE CRANKY, BEAUTIFUL FAITH OF A SINNER & SAINT. New York, N.Y: Jericho Books, 2013 (206 pages, $16.00).
This page turner from a former stand-up comic and recovering alcoholic turned Lutheran pastor will have readers laughing out loud as well as sympathizing with the band of believers with whom the author communes. An accurate reflection of someone who yearns to live the message of inclusiveness and social justice in today’s rough and tumble world.
Coleman, Monica A., editor. AIN’T I A WOMANIST TOO? THIRD WAVE WOMANIST RELIGIOUS THOUGHT. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2013 (229 pages, $24).
Dr. Coleman brings a wide variety of scholars together in this collection of perspectives on contemporary womanism and womanist religious thought. Topics range from polygyny in African American Muslim marriages to “liminality in black queer bodies.” A critical read for understanding the polyvocal, widely inclusive, intersectional, and empowering nature of third-wave womanism.
Crumpton, Jennifer D. FEMMEVANGELICAL: THE MODERN GIRL’S GUIDE TO THE GOOD NEWS. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2015 (163 pages, $29.99).
A compelling narrative that challenges readers to reexamine their own faith background. Crumpton’s unique title shows that the combination of feminism and evangelical faith can be a valuable tool for those seeking guidance to claim their religious identity through a feminist lens. Reflects a contemporary cultural ethos but instructive for all.
Fubara-Manuel, Jessie. GIVER OF LIFE, HEAR OUR CRIES. Geneva: World Council of Churches Publications, 2014 (100 pages, $7.00).
Lives of many African women are not easy. This modest text tells a powerful story of how women are stereotyped and oppressed, and how they overcome it. A good short book for congregations or study groups that are new to such topics but want to see what they can do to help.
Hidayatullah, Aysha A. Feminist Edges of the Qur’an. New York: Oxford University Press, 2014 (259 pages, $22.82).
What happens when feminist claims to gender equality run aground of certain traditional interpretations of the Qur’an? Aysha A. Hidayatullah consolidates many years of feminist Quranic exegesis then tackles this question by offering her own compassionate critique and reassessment of the exegetical path towards gender equality. All interested in feminist re-interpretation of sacred texts will benefit from this exploration of gender in the Qur’an.
Hong, Christine J. IDENTITY, YOUTH, AND GENDER IN THE KOREAN AMERICAN CHURCH. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015 (152 pages, $58.11).
Korean American girls in mainline Protestant churches have many challenges when it comes to forming their identities. This careful study shows the value of intergenerational sharing as a strategy for healthy, positive self and community images. A must read for congregations that include this population, but also helpful as a model for many groups negotiating dual identities.
Isasi-Diaz, Ada Maria and Eduardo Mendieta, editors. DECOLONIZING EPISTEMOLOGIES: LATINA/O THEOLOGY AND PHILOSOPHY. New York: Fordham University Press, 2012 (264 pages, $30).
This collection forces readers to view theology and philosophy outside of the dominant Western, white, imperial lens and through the eyes of oft-overlooked Latina/o persons in the US. Feminist and mujerista works by Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, Maria Lugones, and Mayra Rivera Rivera are of special interest to WATER. An important read for those pursuing egalitarian approaches to justice and ethics.
Jagessar, Michael. ETHNICITY: THE INCLUSIVE CHURCH RESOURCE. London: Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd, 2015 (112 pages, $8.29).
Complex issues are made accessible in this introductory text. Biblically based and sensitively done so as not to indict, but clear and strong on the imperative of inclusion. A good jumping off point for congregational discussion.
Johnson, Elizabeth A. ASK THE BEASTS: DARWIN AND THE GOD OF LOVE. London: Bloomsbury, 2014 (323 pages, $25.93).
A biblically inspired book that weaves together the life and work of Charles Darwin with the theology of Creation and Christian ethical insight. The work of the Spirit is continually creating. Dr. Johnson challenges readers to reject the dominion paradigm and engage in solidarity with creatures and nature.
Johnson, Erica L. and Patricia Moran, editors. THE FEMALE FACE OF SHAME. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 2013 (268 pages, $26.00).
A collection of insightful articles centered on the feminization of shame, this anthology explores bodily, familial, and national shame as it relates to women across the world. A good read for understanding how female shame becomes ingrained socially and personally through literature and cultural paradigms.
Lain-Priestley, Rosemary and Grayson Perry. GENDER: THE INCLUSIVE CHURCH RESOURCE. London: Darton, Longman and Todd Ltd, 2015 (136 pages, $8.29).
A helpful primer for congregations that seek greater inclusion. This book covers the basics and invites people to use biblical resources to achieve this goal. Great for groups just getting started on the journey to equality.
Messina-Dysert, Gina, Amy Levin, and Jennifer Zobair, editors. FAITHFULLY FEMINIST: JEWISH, CHRISTIAN, & MUSLIM FEMINISTS ON WHY WE STAY.
Ashland, OR: White Cloud Press, 2015 (281 pages, $17.95).
A powerfully convincing read for the skeptic who doubts whether “faith and feminism” can move beyond an oxymoron. The editors bring together honest stories of struggle and triumph. Forty-five courageous women with dual identities as feminists and religious adherents demonstrate how to live the would-be contradiction with grace.
Redmond, Marybeth Christie and Sarah W. Bartlett, editors. HEAR ME, SEE ME: INCARCERATED WOMEN WRITE. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2013 (237 pages, $25.00).
Experiences and reflections of pain, separation, regret, lessons learned, and shared humanity surface in this intimate collection of poetry and prose. The editors, who offer a writing class for women inside, provide a frame so that those who are incarcerated can speak with their own, often silenced, voices. This inspiring collection provides sources of insight and prayer by women walled in by the unjust system of U.S. incarceration.
Sanders, Annemarie, editor. TRANSFORMATIONAL LEADERSHIP: CONVERSATIONS WITH THE LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE OF WOMEN RELIGIOUS. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2015, (207 pages, $20).
Skillfully conducted interviews with religious leaders shine light on what it takes to exercise “transformational leadership” in challenging times. The focus is on Catholic sisters but those interviewed represent a wider spectrum with even broader implications evident in the conclusions.
Schaper, Donna and Carole Ann Camp. LABYRINTHS FROM THE OUTSIDE IN: WALKING TO SPIRITUAL INSIGHT- A BEGINNER’S GUIDE, 2nd Edition. Woodstock, VT: Skylight Paths Publishing, 2013 (190 pages, $10.46).
A great way to get started on a walk that may change your life. Instructions, insights, and invitations abound in this practical volume. Resources include where to find labyrinths and how to make your own. Pray while walking as people have done for centuries.
White, Heather. REFORMING SODOM: PROTESTANTS AND THE RISE OF GAY RIGHTS. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2015 (244 pages, $29.95).
Well researched and well crafted, this volume covers an important chapter in LGBTIQ history. It is a must read for understanding how a lot of change happened in a relatively short time. Similar books are needed for other faith traditions, handled with the same scholarly rigor and activist sense.
Listen to our January 2017 WATERtalk with Heather White to learn more about this volume.
WATER Recommends: August 2015
/in What We're Reading /by waterstaffWATER Recommends: August 2015
Tap into what we’re reading at the WATER office with the following resources.
All of the books we recommend are available for the borrowing from the Carol Murdock Scinto Library in the WATER office. Check out librarything.com for our complete collection. We are grateful to the many publishers who send us review copies to promote to the WATER community.
Bird, Jennifer Grace. PERMISSION GRANTED: TAKE THE BIBLE INTO YOUR OWN HANDS. Louisville: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015 (189 pages, $16).
A useful primer for those who want to develop a mature relationship with a sacred text, jettisoning their literalism. Dr. Bird cuts to the chase on issues, translations, and interpretive matters, handing the reader a useful scaffold on which to hang future study and/or devotion.
Cabico, Regie and Fonte, Brittany. FLICKER AND SPARK: A CONTEMPORARY QUEER ANTHOLOGY OF SPOKEN WORD AND POETRY. Lowbrow Press, 2013 (423 pages, $18).
Every so often a book comes along that shatters language into new sparks. This aptly named anthology does just that. Spoken word and poetry by a myriad of queer writers is an effervescent retelling of three important eras: pre-Stonewall in the 1970s; AIDS in the early 1980s, and Brandon Teena’s death in 1993. The poems shine with love and loss. A collection of depth to sit with and ponder.
Eds. Cassidy, Laurie and O’Connell, Maureen H. SHE WHO IMAGINES: FEMINIST THEOLOGICAL AESTHETICS. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2012 (228 pages, $26.75).
The word “beauty” calls up thoughts of both harmful standards and awesome aesthetics. Laurie Cassidy and Maureen H. O’Connell gather scholars to discuss beauty in the religious realm. Essays from Susan A. Ross, Mary Ann Zimmer, and Elizabeth Johnson among other prominent scholars offer readers insights into Kaethe Kollwitz’ sculpture, imaginings of God as a woman, and other provocative topics.
Cocca-Leffler, Maryann. JANINE. Chicago, Illinois: Albert Whitman & Company, 2015 (32 pages, $8).
Children’s books so often simplify difficult issues and gloss over the complexity of humans. Cocca-Leffler’s new book, however, is a breath of fresh air as she shares her daughter’s story to celebrate the uniqueness of each individual and remind children how important and awesome they are. This book brings awareness and teaches respect for people with disabilities.
Davis, Kara and Lee, Wendy. DEFIANT DAUGHTERS: 21 WOMEN ON ART, ACTIVISM, ANIMALS, AND THE SEXUAL POLITICS OF MEAT. Brooklyn, NY: Lantern Books, 2013 (262 pages, $15.89).
Twenty-one feminist thinkers celebrate and explore the enduring effects of The Sexual Politics of Meat. This wide range of essays covers subjects such as factory farms versus locally grown food, breastfeeding, the challenges of veganism, and eating disorders. Each writer explains how Adams’ revolutionary work influenced their lives, art, activism and relationship to animals. The strong ties between feminism and vegetarianism are upheld, and new connections brought to light. A marvelously enjoying read for those avid fans of Sexual Politics, vegetarians, vegans, and newcomers alike.
Eds. Eddy, Kathryn, Wilson, L.A. and O’Rourke, Janell. THE ART OF THE ANIMAL: FOURTEEN WOMEN ARTISTS EXPLORE THE SEXUAL POLITICS OF MEAT. Brooklyn, NY: Lantern Books, 2015 (185 pages, $40).
Inspired by the ground-shaking work of Carol J. Adams, these artists convey her theory in various media. The images are telling, probing, bothering, just as the abuse of animals is scandalous. A beautiful volume, a compelling read, a challenge to all.
Eds. Elwell, Sue Levi and Kreimer, Nancy Fuchs. CHAPTERS OF THE HEART: JEWISH WOMEN SHARING THE TORAH OF OUR LIVES. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2013 (206 pages, $17).
In “Chapters of the Heart”, Sue Levi Elwell collects wonderfully personal essays from Jewish women, including Laura Geller, Judith Plaskow, Ellen M. Umansky, Vanessa L. Ochs, and Blu Greenberg. Each contributor has pulled a piece from her life and held it up to the light, examining with care the refractions of religion and identity. This is a pleasing read for anyone looking for a glimpse into the minds of women living out their faith with courage.
Harvey, Jennifer. DEAR WHITE CHRISTIANS: FOR THOSE STILL LONGING FOR RACIAL RECONCILIATION. Grand Rapids, Michigan: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2014 (262 pages, $13.99).
In Dear White Christians, Jennifer Harvey critically cuts through the Christian rhetoric of racial reconciliation and calls for justice through engagement, remembering, and reparations. This foundational work provides hope and concrete ways to actualize it. It is an important addition to dialogue on race and religion, a must have, must read, must follow book.
Hickling, Meg. THE NEW SPEAKING OF SEX: WHAT YOUR CHILDREN NEED TO KNOW AND WHEN THEY NEED TO KNOW IT. Kelowna, BC, Canada: Northstone, 2005 (250 pages, $3.95).
Human understanding of sex is always in flux, so how do modern parents answer the really hard questions? Hickling writes with sincerity, clarity, thoroughness, and a whole-body approach, addressing and educating both parents and children. Sex education and this updated version of an essential piece are vital for the sexual and mental health of all.
Hockey, Jenny, Meah, Angela and Robinson, Victoria. MUNDANE HETEROSEXUALITIES: FROM THEORY TO PRACTICES. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2007 (206 pages, $90).
This volume proves that there are as many ways to be straight as there are to be gay. A look at some of them helps to unmask assumptions and decenter default notions. A useful book for those who like to examine sexualities but haven’t necessarily looked critically at the rapidly evaporating heteronormativity.
Eds. Isherwood, Lisa and Bellchambers, Elaine. THROUGH US, WITH US, IN US: RELATIONAL THEOLOGIES IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY. London: SCM Press, 2010 (263 pages, $32.79).
This collection, including essays by Carter Heyward, Ursula King, Mary Grey, Lisa Isherwood, Mary Condren, and other feminist scholars breaks open the possibilities and abundance provided by perceiving the divine embodied and in relationship with all of the cosmos. Invigorating for those wanting to shake the bedrock of traditional theologies and explore new ways of doing and being theology.
Maguire, Daniel C. CHRISTIANITY WITHOUT GOD: MOVING BEYOND THE DOGMAS AND RETRIEVING THE EPIC MORAL NARRATIVE. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2014 (226 pages, $75).
God-talk, Maguires writes, will never unite us. He presents a well-thought case for beginning to center Christianity less on the dogmatic theories of personal deity, incarnate savior, and life after death, and more on a general theology of humanity and morality. The book offers a definition of religion as a celebration of the sacred. Both atheists and theists will appreciate a revamped view of Christianity relevant to today’s fraught world.
McConville, Brigid. ON BECOMING A MOTHER: WELCOMING YOUR NEW BABY AND YOUR NEW LIFE WITH WISDOM FROM AROUND THE WORLD. London: Oneworld Publications, 2014 (291 pages, $16.99).
Having a child is both a physical and a spiritual experience. This collection of stories, folk wisdom, customs, and other lore from around the world demonstrate just how varied the experience can be. This makes a lovely gift for a woman expecting a baby though would be even more useful if it included materials on becoming a mother through adoption as well as childbirth.
Eds. McKenzie-Mohr, Suzanne and Lafrance, Michelle N. WOMEN VOICING RESISTANCE: DISCURSIVE AND NARRATIVE EXPLORATIONS. New York: Routledge Press, 2014 (212 pages, $31).
Bridging academic scholarship and practical living, this collection creates “counter-stories” of women’s experiences including coming out, childbirth, sexual violence, and depression. Its global scope disrupts traditional dominant narratives. The volume is informative, creative, and liberating providing some good models for future acts of resistance.
Eds. Pui-lan, Kwok, Berling, Judith A. and Te Paa, Jenny Plane. ANGLICAN WOMEN ON CHURCH AND MISSION. New York: Morehouse Publishing, 2012, (209 pages, $24).
The challenges of being a global church increase rather than decrease with diversification. Anglicans know this well and painfully. This sterling collection of essays by women who are deeply involved with the complexities of cultural differences, male-dominant history, and genuine efforts to be inclusive with integrity is a compelling example for many religious groups grappling with the same issues.
Siddiqui, Mona. MY WAY: A MUSLIM WOMAN’S JOURNEY. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2015 (222 pages, $15.54).
A descriptive and thoughtful account of one woman’s experience in Islam, dealing with everything from desire and loss to interfaith dialogue. Unique in its content, welcome in its perspective, this book will open new windows on Muslim women’s struggles.
Stewart, Whitney (pictures by Sally Rippin). MEDITATION IS AN OPEN SKY: MINDFULNESS FOR KIDS. Chicago: Albert Whitman and Co., 2014 (31 pages, $16.99).
Teaching children to meditate may seem far-fetched. But this lovely introduction to the practice, geared to the school-aged set, is a must-have tool in every caretaking adult’s kit. Sad, angry, scared or just plain out of steam? Techniques in this delightfully illustrated book are sure to help.
Eds. Trible, Phyllis and Russell, Letty M. HAGAR, SARAH, AND THEIR CHILDREN: JEWISH, CHRISTIAN, AND MUSLIM PERSPECTIVES. Louisville, Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2006 (211 pages, $12.50).
Moving through time and across different religions, this compilation weaves together the stories of two of the Bible’s most important female figures for our society, analyzing and breaking down the patriarchal structures that some readings of the Bible reinforce. Phyllis Trible and Letty Russell were insightful and educational, providing us with a much-needed account of these women’s lives and legacies that remains salient today.
Yugar, Theresa A. SOR JUANA INES DE LA CRUZ: FEMINIST RECONSTRUCTION OF BIOGRAPHY AND TEXT. Eugene, Oregon: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2014 (108 pages, $12.80).
This seventeenth century Mexican woman, a feminist and a philosopher, is an early role model for independent, open-minded women. Dr. Yugar claims her as an ecofeminist and a champion of women’s equality in church and society. Yes!
WATER Recommends: July 2015
/in What We're Reading /by waterstaffWATER Recommends: July 2014
Tap into what we’re reading at the WATER office with the following resources.
All of the books we recommend are available for borrowing from the Carol Murdock Scinto Library in the WATER office. Check out librarything.com for our complete collection. We are grateful to the many publishers who send us review copies to promote to the WATER community.
Alford-Harkey, Marie and Haffner, Debra W. BISEXUALITY: MAKING THE INVISIBLE VISIBLE IN FAITH COMMUNITIES. Westport, CT: Religious Institute, 2014 (95 pages, $17.98).
In this new guidebook from the Religious Institute, authors Alford-Harkey and Haffner show us how to give attention to the squished “B” in the LGBTQ sandwich. Using a nuanced definition of bisexuality, the authors walk readers through the history of bisexuality in America as well as ways to interpret scripture inclusively. They prompt leaders and congregations to focus on the interaction of this oft-invisible sexual identity within religious spaces. To listen to a WATERtalk with the authors, visit this link: http://www.waterwomensalliance.org/watertalk-marie-alford-harkey-and-rev-debra-w-haffner-bisexuality-making-the-invisible-visible-in-faith-communities/
Askew, Emily and Allen Jr., O. Wesley. BEYOND HETEROSEXISM IN THE PULPIT. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2015 (149 pages, $17.10).
Attitudes and teaching about same-sex love are changing before our eyes. Preachers need resources to know how to communicate this new reality in effective ways. This primer helps.
Douglas, Kelly Brown. STAND YOUR GROUND: BLACK BODIES AND THE JUSTICE OF GOD. New York: Orbis Books, 2015 (264 pages, $19.65).
Kelly Brown Douglas examines the socio-cultural forces and history that have formed today’s stand-your-ground laws and discriminatory conventions. She analyzes the ways religions and understandings of God have solidified/fortified them. Critically important as we mourn and seek to end the murders and violence on black and brown bodies and loss of our children and loved ones. Timely and much needed reading for all; a stimulus to action.
Hesford, Victoria. FEELING WOMEN’S LIBERATION. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2013 (339 pages, $22.60).
This marvelous account details and reconstructs the history of the women’s movement in 1970. Hesford sheds light on the movement’s white and middle class roots and the ways it was shaped by racism and classism. She explores how the history has been constructed and produced by the media as well as in feminist and queer studies with attention to the ‘feminist-as-lesbian’ image. Helpful for contextualizing contemporary analysis and looking with fresh perspective at women’s liberation.
Johnson, Elizabeth A. ABOUNDING IN KINDNESS: WRITING FOR THE PEOPLE OF GOD. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2015 (324 pages, $24).
Psalm 103:8 describes the holy as “abounding in kindness,” the fundamental point of Elizabeth Johnson’s eponymous book. This collection of lectures, essays, and occasional popular pieces (most previously published) is a handy introduction to the work of a prominent Catholic feminist scholar.
Kim, Eunjoo Mary and Creamer, Deborah Beth. WOMEN, CHURCH, AND LEADERSHIP: NEW PARADIGMS (ESSAYS IN HONOR OF JEAN MILLER SCHMIDT). Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Publications, 2012 (216 pages, $21.60).
The role of women in the church has changed drastically in the past few decades. Kim and Creamer combine scholarly analysis and pastoral application to address the elements that are challenging our definition of leadership in the modern church: gender, globalization, technology, and consumerism. A useful collection for all who seek to redefine leadership in inclusive and transformative ways.
Lövheim, Mia, ed. MEDIA, RELIGION AND GENDER: KEY ISSUES AND NEW CHALLENGES. New York: Routledge, 2013 (214 pages, $44.95).
What do Voodoo practitioners, Twilight fans, and fictional Christian TV heroines have in common? They each are subjects for thought in this new book on media, religion, and gender. Lövheim has curated a collection of scholarly essays which examine the rife overlaps of gender and religion in media representations. For those seeking well-weighted considerations on the way our identities find voice in television, films, and more, this book delivers both broad observations and strikingly micro studies.
Massumi, Brian. WHAT ANIMALS TEACH US ABOUT POLITICS. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2014 (137 pages, $21.95).
The connections between vitally different modes of existence are deeper than we thought. Massumi sweeps us up into lush language and grand metaphors, revealing the complex interplay of the animal, the human, and the political. A beautiful exploration into the political science of the earth, this book adds a behavioral element to the discussion of Carol Adams and other feminist animal activists.
McCarthy, Margaret Cain and Zollmann, Mary Ann, eds. POWER OF SISTERHOOD: WOMEN RELIGIOUS TELL THE STORY OF THE APOSTOLIC VISITATION. Plymouth, UK: University Press of American, Inc., 2014 (220 pages, $29.69).
Women use their power when they tell their own story. This book includes a rigorous history of the Apostolic Visitation of women’s religious communities, the results of surveys on how women experienced the Vatican’s actions, and some chronicling of the responses from the larger community. This useful compilation is the data needed for rigorous analysis.
Meehan, Bridget Mary. LIVING GOSPEL EQUALITY NOW: LOVING IN THE HEART OF GOD – A ROMAN CATHOLIC WOMAN PRIEST STORY. College Station, TX: VBW Publishing, 2010 (186 pages, $17.04).
The personal story of one Roman Catholic priest, Bridget Mary seeks to create inclusive communities that do justice.
Nanko-Fernandez, Carmen. THEOLOGIZING EN ESPANGLISH. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2010 (188 pages, $25.00).
From the very first page, Latina theologian Carmen Nanko-Fernandez hooks readers with a vibrant Spanglish tongue that breaks barreras of mainstream theology and moves right to the corazon of her topic: current population changes in the identity of the Catholic Church and the underrepresentation of Latinas in ministry and leadership roles. She touches on many subjects from racial discriminations faced by Latinas in spaces of worship to the role language plays in bringing religion to light in the world. A must-read for anyone in ministry as we continue to seek espacios diversos, both inclusive and justice-oriented.
Williams, Delores S. SISTERS IN THE WILDERNESS: THE CHALLENGE OF WOMANIST GOD-TALK (Revised Edition). Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2013 (260 pages, $10.99).
Williams upholds the biblical Hagar as a model of African American women’s struggle and survival as she delves into race, identity, God, community, and hope. This twentieth anniversary edition of a classic features a new forward by another deeply respected pioneer, Katie G. Cannon, who contextualizes and underlines the significance of Williams’ shaping of womanist theology. Indispensable. A must-read.
WATER Recommends: June 2015
/in What We're Reading /by waterstaffWATER Recommends: June 2015
Tap into what we’re reading at the WATER office with the following resources.
All of the books we recommend are available for the borrowing from the Carol Murdock Scinto Library in the WATER office. Check out librarything.com for our complete collection. We are grateful to the many publishers who send us review copies to promote to the WATER community.
Chung, Meehyun. LIBERATION AND RECONCILIATION. Geneva, Switzerland: World Council of Churches Publications, 2014 (142 pages, $7).
Korean feminist theology comes alive in these pages. Liberation and reconciliation are hallmarks of the divided peninsula. Meehyun writes accessibly for a broad audience contributing biblical as well as spiritual insights.
Gibson, Dawn-Marie and Karim, Jamillah. WOMEN OF THE NATION: BETWEEN BLACK PROTEST AND SUNNI ISLAM. New York: New York University Press, 2014 (263 pages, $23.40).
This book is a thorough history of American Muslim women’s experiences in the Nation of Islam from the strict and organized pre-1975 structure to the more inclusive and liberating modern-day structures. Gibson and Karim thoughtfully and critically draw out a study of black women’s accounts of the Nation of Islam with descriptive analyses of the race, gender, and class politics that shaped these women’s efforts to find a theology consistent with their own life experiences.
Graham, Elaine L., ed. GRACE JANTZEN: REDEEMING THE PRESENT. Surrey, England: Ashgate Publishing Limited, 2009 (269 pages, $44.96).
An anthology by colleagues and students on the work and inspirations of feminist philosopher Grace Jantzen, this collection is a wide-ranging resource detailing her influence on gender, Western culture, and religion. Her vision for a society focused on life and natality is explored by a wide range of voices. This is an important work for newcomers to Jantzen’s thought and followers of her broad scholarship alike.
Grushcow, Rabbi Lisa J., ed. THE SACRED ENCOUNTER: JEWISH PERSPECTIVES ON SEXUALITY. New York: CCAR Press, 2014 (765 pages, $23.50).
Rabbi Lisa Grushcow has compiled a tome to be placed beside the holy books as a primary source on Judaism and sexuality. She joins the important voices of Denise Eger, Laura Geller, and Jane Rachel Litman in the Jewish tradition of questioning and interpreting a lush field of topics, from the complications of marriage when Alzheimer’s intrudes to the history of LGBTQ members in the Reform movement. If you find yourself wondering about life and love in the Jewish body, have no fear, “The Sacred Encounter” is here.
Kang, Namsoon. COSMOPOLITAN THEOLOGY: RECONSTITUTING PLANETARY HOSPITALITY, NEIGHBOR-LOVE, AND SOLIDARITY IN AN UNEVEN WORLD. St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2013 (252 pages, $26.39).
A beautifully accessible proposal for cosmopolitan theology rooted in the embrace of global unity, radical compassion, and inclusion that goes beyond gender, race, religion, sexuality, and nationality. Dr. Kang outlines with depth and readability her strategies for a more connected and loving world. Academic precision and passionate activism are her hallmarks.
Kang, Namsoon. DIASPORIC FEMINIST THEOLOGY: ASIA AND THEOPOLITICAL IMAGINATION. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2014 (378 pages, $39).
Dr. Kang shapes new, critical, and expansive feminist theological discourses through the lens of diaspora which transform and transcend current concepts of gender, identity, globalization, and postcolonialism. This important work has immense reverberations and will be refreshing to those seeking cutting edge ways of doing feminist theology.
McWeeny, Jennifer and Butnor, Ashby, eds. ASIAN AND FEMINIST PHILOSOPHIES IN DIALOGUE: LIBERATING TRADITIONS. New York: Columbia University Press, 2014 (318 pages, $31.50).
A wonderful introduction to feminist comparative philosophy and methodology, this diverse collection investigates ancient Asian philosophies through a feminist lens while guiding the reader along with detailed explanations and definitions. This modern exploration into traditional cultural constructions and concepts of the self will help novice and expert alike.
Messina-Dysert, Gina and Ruether, Rosemary Radford, eds. FEMINISM AND RELIGION IN THE 21ST CENTURY: TECHNOLOGY, DIALOGUE, AND EXPANDING BORDERS. New York: Routledge Press, 2015 (217 pages, $134.87).
A compelling exploration of technology’s effects on the field of feminism and religion through essays by a varied group of theologians. The collection makes a stunning case for how technology fosters expanded dialogue, spreads the feminist revolution, and shapes the future of the movement. Authors critique the downfalls of social networks as well as the problems of media elitism. Nonetheless, the remarkable pluses of technology for feminist religious studies shine forth.
Schatz, Kate and Stahl, Miriam Klein (illustrator). RAD AMERICAN WOMEN: A-Z. San Francisco, CA: City Lights Books, 2015 (64 pages, $14.95).
With these wondrous women and Klein Stahl’s visionary visuals to match, Schatz rouses the reader’s own rad-ness. Technically a book for kids, this alphabetical anthology will cheer feminists and aspiring feminists of all ages. Important, intersectional, and influential.
Shepard, Florence Rose Krall. SOMETIMES CREEK: A WYOMING MEMOIR. Durango, Colorado: Raven’s Eye Press, 2012 (354 pages, $18).
A captivating story written with verve, this memoir is a rich reflection on a complex life. Flo Shepard explores seasons, sensations, scholarship in a delectable display of nature writing in all of its spiritual beauty.
Sokolove, Deborah. SANCTIFYING ART: INVITING CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN ARTISTS, THEOLOGIANS, AND THE CHURCH. Eugene, Oregon: Cascade Books, 2013 (190 pages, $22).
Sokolove examines the complexity of our relationship to art, guiding us through cultural shifts and personal musings. She widens the spaces between those three small letters a-r-t until we float in that strange jumble of quotidian and sublime – art every bit as colorful, dynamic, and holy as laundry drying on a line. Sokolove’s contemplations are rich starting points for those considering the plentiful intersections of art, worship, selfhood, and society.