The church library recently added two books by J. Phillip Newell, a Celtic teacher and author of spirituality who calls the modern world to reawaken to the sacredness of Earth and every human being. Echo of the Soul (234 N) examines the body as sacred. There are chapters on aspects of spiritual awareness that are related to specific parts of the body; for example, the forehead represents the place of wisdom, the arms stand for strength, the legs for eternity and glory. In Christ of the Celts (230 N), Newell writes about his conviction that there is a widespread yearning for peace and a great need to reconnect with the earth. He offers the ancient traditions of Celtic Christianity, with its emphasis on the presence of the sacred in nature and all creatures, as a way forward in healing humankind and the earth.

Carol Jensen, Church Librarian