As we shift into the slower paces of summer sun and time off, great reads for the beach, cabin, or patio tend to be on our minds. We'd like to offer the following list of books that clergy and staff are reading this summer as recommendations for you!

From Rev. Thomas Szczerba, Associate Rector

• I'd like to recommend the book I mentioned in a recent sermon, How We Learn to Be Brave, by Marian Edgar Budde.  Bishop Budde is the bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, DC.  The decisive moments in life are those pivot points when we’re called on to push past our fears and act with strength. With How We Learn to Be Brave, Bishop Mariann Budde teaches us to respond with clarity and grace even in the toughest times. Being brave is not a singular occurrence; it’s a journey that we can choose to undertake every day.

From Elliot VanHoy, Director of Youth Ministry  

• This summer I am reading Mary Oliver's book of poems, Blue Horses. Oliver's poems demand an attuned attention to the rhythms of the natural world around us, calling the reader to a newfound wonder and respect for the holiness and beauty of creation. Spending time in these poems, especially in the lull of summer, invites you to participate in a time of sabbath rest and hopefully brings to mind the words of Jesus, "The Sabbath was made to serve people, people weren't made to serve the Sabbath."

From Maria Leal, Director of Children's Formation  

• I’m planning on reading Lifelong Faith – Formation for All Ages and Generations by John Roberto this summer. My hope is to fine tune my personal goals so that I can mature in my own faith and also how I can help others throughout their stages of life; childhood thru adulthood form a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

From Natalee Hill, Director of Communications

• I prefer lighter, easy reads when I'm reading for pleasure, and I'm a huge fan of young adult fantasy fiction. My middle school aged son is a huge fan of fictions built off of mythologies and other religions, so we regularly dip into books by Rick Riordan and other titles from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. I'm just starting the final book in the five-part Pandava series by Roshani Chokshi titled Aru Shah and the Nectar of Immortality. I love all the books in the series for the action, adventure, diversity, and universal themes about friendship and family. I especially enjoy the touches of other religions and cultures, which pique my interest to learn more. Reading these alongside my son also gives me openings for conversations of all kinds.

From The Rev. W. Frank Allen, Rector 

• Atlas of the Heart by Brené Brown is the latest in Dr. Brown’s books about the importance of human connection and the power of love at work in our lives, even in difficult and challenging times.
• Believing is Seeing by Dr. Michael Guillen is a fascinating read of how a college physics professor and devout atheist moves to Christianity. It is as accessible work that cites the latest discoveries in neuroscience, physics, astronomy and mathematics to describe the mystery, power, and truth of a the life of faith.
• Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman was my favorite read during the height of the pandemic as it describes how human beings over time have been successful as a species, Bregman’s thesis is that humans have survived and prospered because it has chosen kindness. It’s a long book, but filled with interesting stories and insights through history of the way human beings have developed and can develop into the future.
• And, of course, as we are reading through the Gospel of Luke on Sundays, I recommend a one month read of Luke’s Gospel.  Nereida Gordon, Gift Shop and Art Gallery Manager, recommends Luke for Everyone, by N. T. Wright.