New book - The Befuddled Stork: Helping Persons of Faith Debate Beginning-of-Life Issues

Title: The Befuddled Stork: Helping Persons of Faith Debate Beginning-of-Life Issues
Call number: 202 GEI










Should people who face difficult decisions about conceiving and bearing children play the games new technology make possible? A growing number of men and women of faith face these questions. This book is for them, their children and extended families, their communities of faith, their clergy. The goal is not to tell people what to think but to clarify the quandaries that cause an increasing sense of urgency

New book - Cherishing Life & Love: Reflections of Paul Murphy

Title: Cherishing Life & Love: Reflections of Paul Murphy
Call number: 267.2 MES










This book is a collection of the writings of Paul Murphy, a United Methodist pastor who served numerous local churches in Colorado and Wyoming as well as serving as a campus minister and district superintendent. In retirement he had lovingly served as a pastor of Denver’s Park Hill United Methodist Church, until his untimely death at the age of 71 from cancer.


Paul Murphy was a close friend of the author, Dr Donald E Messer who writes: “This is not simply a book of sermons, prayers and other writings; it is a testimony of a man who truly cherished life and love … Using ten overlapping categories, I have sought to organize his reflections, trusting that they are comprehensive of his thinking and theology."

New book - Caught in the Crossfire: Helping Christians Debate Homosexuality

Title: Caught in the Crossfire: Helping Christians Debate Homosexuality
Call number: 312 GEI










Few contemporary subjects divide persons within the Christian community more sharply than issues related to homosexuality.

In this volume, writers with divergent points of view deal with questions at the center of concern as persons of faith attempt to reconcile issues of human life and church teachings

Following each chapter, general editors Geis and Messer restate the major themes and offer questions to simulate individual thought and group discussion. This book is the ideal tool for groups that wish to discuss homosexuality and how this issue confronts and is confronted by the church.

4 new books on AIDS and world hunger by Dr Donald Messer

Dr Donald Messer, a United Methodist theologian, author, former college and seminary president, was in Singapore recently to give a talk on AIDS at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church. In support of that talk, the church library has added the following books written/co-written by him on AIDS and world hunger:

Title: Names, Not Just Numbers: Facing Global AIDS and World Hunger
Call number: 320 MES

Names, Not Just Numbers movingly presents the faces and the stories of people struggling to conquer hunger and disease, as well as explains the factual underpinning of this global crisis and what each of us can do about it. Urging all of us to stop turning a blind eye, author Donald E. Messer reveals the stark personal, statistical and political realities of the AIDS epidemic and world hunger.

Title: 52 Ways To Create An AIDS-free World
Call number: 320 MES

Using the strategy of fifty-two weeks of the year, Messer emphasizes that the creation of an AIDS-free world requires a daily commitment and engagement of persons from all walks of life. Other books help readers explore the HIV and AIDS pandemic in-depth, but this short book of basic ideas makes an urgent appeal to people of all ages who wonder what they can do to make a difference.

Title: Breaking the Conspiracy of Silence: Christian Churches and the Global AIDS Crisis
Call number: 320 MES

“This important book is a powerful cry from the heart authored by a brilliant and esteemed educator and religious leader. Dr. Messer … eloquently calls upon Christians to wake up and respond with compassion and action. To do less is to spurn the central message of the Lord and Saviour – that we care for ach other and especially the afflicted.” George McGovern, Former US Senator and first UN Global Ambassador on World Hunger

Title: Ending Hunger Now: A Challenge to Persons of Faith
Call number: 320 MCG

“For people of faith, taking action to eradicate hunger is not an option. In this important book, the authors model why people who may disagree on a while range of issues must make common cause to end hunger now, precisely because it is central to what it means to live out one’s faith.”
Rebecca Larson, Executive Director, Division for Church in Society, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Christianity Today: February 2011 issue now in the library

Christianity Today February 2011 issue












This month's issue includes articles on:

• Muslims and the ‘Son of God’ – A recent translation of the phrase is seeing dramatic success – and dividing scholars, missionaries, and local believers.
• The Year’s Best Books, Music, and Movies
• Boycotting Outrage
• The Sex Market Crash
• Headless Snake