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Camden Theological Library

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25.01.2022 Like most of us, Damon Gameau has spent most of his adult years overwhelmed into inaction by the problem of climate change and its devastating effects on the planet. But when Damon became a father, he knew he couldn't continue to look away. So he decided to do what he does best, and tell a story. And the story became an imagining of what the world could look like in 2040, if we all decided to start doing things differently, right now. The result is the era-defining documentar...y 2040&;a meticulously researched plea for the adoption of community-building, energy-generating, connection-forging, forest-renewing, ocean-replenishing measures that science tells us will reset our planet's health, drive our economies and improve lives across the globe. 2040: A Handbook for the Regeneration shows us how we can stitch this magnificent vision into everyday life by engaging in activities such as cooking, shopping, gardening, sharing, working and teaching our kids. It shows us that climate change is a practical problem that can be tackled by each of us, one small step at a time, and that we can make a genuine difference, if we know what to do. Brimming with practical wisdom and even 50 delicious recipes, the book empowers you to become the change you want to see in the world. Includes conversion chart. See more

25.01.2022 Congratulations to the UTC principal Peter Walker for publishing an article in the St Mark's Review: 'On learned ignorance: the worship and knowledge of God.' A rich and wide-ranging engagement with Katherine Sonderegger's work.

24.01.2022 As many of us are aware, this year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII. It also marks the 75th anniversary of the death of the German theologian Diet...rich Bonhoeffer, who was executed in April of 1945 for resisting National Socialism. This year I am going to be teaching a MTh level class in which we read through Bonhoeffer’s magnum opus Ethics over a number of weeks, and grapple with the complexities of Christian resistance and action. My hope is that this will have a little value as we all continue to try to find a way forward in our current political, ecclesial, economic and environmental crises. Anyway, I’d love to have you in the class, either as a student or just sitting in. We will meet at the UTC in Parramatta on Friday mornings, beginning on 6th March. Drop me an email ([email protected]) if you are interested.

22.01.2022 Check out our new books, now available for loan! http://www.libraryaware.com//08d38647-22fd-4b39-8b7d-12dfa

21.01.2022 The author of The Signals Are Talking presents a call-to-arms about the broken nature of artificial intelligence and the powerful corporations that are turning the human-machine relationship on its head. 35,000 first printing

16.01.2022 In secular mainstream America, meditation has become as ubiquitous as yoga. But how does meditation fit into Christianity, and how does it differ from prayer? One Breath at a Time: A Skeptic's Guide to Christian Meditation reframes meditation for those who are skeptical because (1) they doubt their ability to be still and quiet and (2) they doubt the validity of meditation as a Christian spiritual practice. Using scripture, theology, and examples from the early church, this b...ook challenges the prayer habits of Christians that leave little room for enough silence to experience and listen for God. Using five approaches--breath meditation, lectio divina, centreing meditation, loving-kindness meditation, and devotional meditation--One Breath at a Time provides a practical, 40-day guide to beginning and sustaining a Christian meditation practice in an often chaotic world. See more

13.01.2022 We're back open again. Starting next week we'll be open for normal hours from 10:30am to 6:30pm Monday to Thursday and 10:30am to 5:00pm Friday.

12.01.2022 In today's highly charged social and political environment, we often don't know how to talk well with others--especially with people whose backgrounds differ from our own. C. Christopher Smith, coauthor of the critically acclaimed and influential Slow Church, addresses why conversation has become such a challenge in the 21st century and argues that it is perhaps the most-needed spiritual practice of our individualistic age. Smith likens practicing conversation to the working ...of the human body. Bodies are wondrous symphonies of diverse, intricate parts striving for our health, and our health suffers when these parts fail to converse effectively. Likewise, we must learn to converse effectively with those who differ from us in the body of Christ so we can embody Christ together in the world. In community, we learn what it means to belong to others and to a story that is bigger than ourselves. Smith shows how church communities can be training hubs where we learn to talk with and listen to one another with kindness and compassion. The book explores how churches can initiate and sustain conversation, offers advice for working through seasons of conflict, suggests spiritual practices and dispositions that can foster conversation, and features stories from several congregations that are learning to practice conversation.

11.01.2022 The gospel story is filled with meals. It opens in a garden and ends in a feast. Records of the early church suggest that believers met for worship primarily through eating meals. Over time, though, churches have lost focus on the centrality of food-- and with it a powerful tool for unifying Christ's diverse body. But today a new movement is under way, bringing Christians of every denomination, age, race, and sexual orientation together around dinner tables. Men and women nervous about stepping through church doors are finding God in new ways as they eat together. Kendall Vanderslice shares stories of churches worshipping around the table, introducing readers to the rising contemporary dinner-church movement. We Will Feast provides vision and inspiration to readers longing to experience community in a real, physical way.

11.01.2022 Have you noticed something new at UME and UTC HQ? Pulse and the team at UME and Uniting Venues have collaborated to make a series of exciting of indoor and out...door interactive prayer spaces reflecting on a variety of themes of Christmas! The spaces are set up for all of Advent for people to explore, so come and visit and share your photos and experience with us! Keep an eye on our social channels over the coming weeks for more updates about our spaces, and try setting one up at home or at your Church in the lead up to Christmas! #InteractivePrayer #AdventSeason #Christmas #ChristmasFun

11.01.2022 It is increasingly being acknowledged that current generation of church leaders are inundated with well-intentioned but nonetheless economically-defined leadership measures and strategies which threaten to corrupt the basic thrust of ministry and pervert the common life known as church. Reflecting theologically on the nature of leadership at the same time as considering the reality of its practicalities, this Study Guide seeks to call it back to theological essentials, locate... it in the unique context of the Church, and then re-address modern pressures and needs from within a decidedly Christian framework. Resisting the urge to instruct with a more polemical voice, the SCM Studyguide to Church Leadership will encourage ordinands and trainee church leaders to reassess modern pressures and priorities and to re-orient creatively around the callings, giftings, and approaches that are suitable to Christ and particular to the Church.

10.01.2022 Cities are one of the most significant contributors to global climate change. The rapid speed at which urban centres use large amounts of resources adds to the global crisis and can lead to extreme local heat. The Urban Fix addresses how urban design, planning and policies can counter the threats of climate change, urban heat islands and overpopulation, helping cities take full advantage of their inherent advantages and new technologies to catalyse social, cultural and physic...al solutions to combat the epic, unprecedented challenges humanity faces. The book fills a conspicuous void in the international dialogue on climate change and heat islands by examining both the environmental benefits in developed countries and the population benefit in developing countries. Urban heat islands can be addressed in incremental, manageable steps, such as planting trees and painting roofs white, which provide a more concrete and proactive sense of progress for policymakers and practitioners. This book is invaluable to anyone searching for a better understanding of the impact of resilient cities in the monumental and urgent fight against climate change, and provides the tools to do so. See more

09.01.2022 Helps Christian communities understand the benefits and challenges of new media, including social media, and enables them to address its use in constructive, pastoral ways.

09.01.2022 This innovative and imaginative resource offers learning and worship activities and whole service outlines to help churches engage with the outside world and increase connectedness with the communities where they are placed, whether rural or urban. Current trends encourage us to reconnect with nature & schools are building outdoor classrooms, 11,000 organisations belong to the Wild Network which encourages children to get outside, while Forest Church, the Eco-congregation and... the rewilding spirituality movements reflect this trend in the church. Definitely not just for energetic outdoorsy types, it creatively blends the Christian year with the natural seasons, such as an all-age Advent outdoor adventure, creating an outdoor Easter garden, kite flying at Ascension, building life-size David and Goliath, going on a prayer pilgrimage, autumn leaves and tree ribbons for remembrance, and much more.

08.01.2022 Vegetarianism and veganism are fast-growing approaches to diet in the West -- but Christians have often been slow to evaluate these from an ethical point of view. Our calling to be stewards of creation invites us to ask major questions. How does our diet affect animal welfare, the environment, those experiencing food shortages, and our own health? Plant-based diets offer a challenge we can no longer ignore.

07.01.2022 Today is the first of February. So I know we're all starting to think a bit about what to buy as a valentine's gift for that special someone. Need an idea? W...hy not gift your beloved deeper knowledge of the source of all love: God. At UTC we're taking enrollments for THL111: Introduction to Theology. Classes will be on Monday evenings beginning March 2nd. A chance to explore ideas about God and Christianity. All welcome and no previous study required. Look forward to seeing you (and/or your beloved) there. See more

04.01.2022 We live in a visual culture. Today, people increasingly rely upon visuals to help them understand new and difficult concepts. The rise and stunning popularity of the Internet infographic has given us a new way in which to convey data, concepts, and ideas. As teachers and lovers of sound theology, Challies and Byers have a deep desire to convey the concepts and principles of systematic theology in a fresh, beautiful, and informative way. In the bestselling Visual Theology, the...y have made the deepest truths of the Bible accessible in a way that can be seen and understood by a visual generation. As a companion to Visual Theology, the Visual Theology Study Guide is a ten session study designed to help you grow in godliness by practicing what you learn, and it includes application for both personal and small group study. Each chapter includes key terms, group study discussion questions, and exercises for personal reflection in God's Word. See more

03.01.2022 As a result of the COVID-19 situation, it has been decided to close the Centre for Ministry and Camden Theological Library at 5pm on Friday 20th March until further notice. We apologise for the short notice. A full description of the support the Library will be trying to provide will be available on our website https://www.library.nswact.uca.org.au/ before COB Friday 20th March. This will be updated when the situation changes. Please monitor this site for updates. It may be our best means of communication.

02.01.2022 New books now available for loan http://protect-au.mimecast.com/s/iZ_ZCJypJZT5Ej6Fzf1d9

02.01.2022 New books now available for loan http://www.libraryaware.com//6002aa66-93a0-4b0d-a0d6-3b501

02.01.2022 What are you reading at the moment? Would you recommend it to someone else to read?

01.01.2022 Build a school where students flourish academically while also meeting their social and emotional learning needs. In this practical school leadership book, author Jane A. G. Kise offers a toolkit of strategies specially designed to support the leadership development goals and daily work of school leaders. Learn how to overcome ongoing school leadership challenges, navigate competing priorities, and unite your entire school community around one common purpose: supporting whole-child learning.

01.01.2022 Getting ready to lead worship during Advent? We've got your back. Check out our Advent and Christmas resources. All available for loan. http://www.libraryaware.com//f1b3c802-f612-43ea-9d86-8277c