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Noteworthy
Sept 26 Author Event: Women Leaders in Religion
Update for September 26 Event: Author Maureen Fiedler will discuss her new book at the Little River United Church of Christ, 8410 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003 on Sunday, September 26 at 11am. Check here for additional updates during the launch of this new book.
Originally Released July 21, 2010
Contact: Bill Falvey, Church Publishing Inc., 917-373-8510, wfalvey@cpg.org
Public Radio Host Tracks Rise of Women Leaders in Religion
With New Collection of Interviews – Book Launch Events Now Underway
(New York, NY) – With a series of more than 40 interviews produced over the past seven years with contemporary women leaders in religion, Public Radio Host Maureen Fiedler has documented the emergence, challenges, and discrimination still faced today by women in multiple faith traditions around the world.
Fiedler, host of Interfaith Voices on Public Radio, personally conducted nearly all of these interviews. The collection includes a foreword by Kathleen Kennedy Townsend and a formal launch is scheduled in Washington, DC this month. The new book – from Seabury Books, an imprint of Church Publishing Incorporated – is also generating considerable acclaim, including this endorsement by MS Magazine:
"For Fiedler, a feminist Roman Catholic nun, interfaith work seems as important as personal faith. Here, she conducts long, impassioned interviews with women religious and spiritual leaders, scholars and activists, finding common threads in their efforts to ensure women’s full participation in their realms of worship and belief.”
Breaking through the Stained Glass Ceiling:
Emerging Leadership in the World of Women and Religion
Maureen Fiedler, Editor | 978-1-59627-120-3 | $22.00 | Paper | 224 pgs | 6 x 9
**Review copies, interviews, and excerpts available on request.**
Fiedler’s candid, Q&A-style conversations engage well-known women leaders in denominations, plus the areas of spirituality, social justice, theology/academics, and feminism, including The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church; the Rev. Susan Andrews, First Woman Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), plus Sr. Joan Chittister, Ann Lamott, Amy-Jill Levine, Asra Nomani, Amina Wadud, Phyllis Trible, Karen King, Elaine Pagels, Sr. Helen Prejean, Rosemary Radford Reuther, and others. But the author also extends and complements the new work by interviewing lesser known but still accomplished activists, including Julia Butterfly Hill, who sat in a redwood tree to save it; Native American LaDonna Harris; recognized Wiccan leader Starhawk, plus Dr. Ingrid Mattson, first woman president of the Islamic Society of North America.
The book is recommended for general readers of all types, and is especially relevant for women, clergy, book groups, parish study groups, religious formation specialists, plus scholars and students of religion.
Maureen Fiedler’s public radio show, Interfaith Voices, is now heard in 70 markets throughout the country. Fiedler holds a Ph.D. in Government from Georgetown University and is a Sister of Loretto. Prior to her radio career, she was a recognized religious feminist in the Roman Catholic Church. She was also an interfaith activist for the Equal Rights Amendment (1978-82) and head of Catholics Act for ERA. In 1982, she was one of eight women who fasted for 37 days for ratification of the ERA. She lives in Maryland.
Additional Reviews and Endorsments
“This compelling collection of interfaith women’s voices signals the various ways women have and will continue to step into leadership roles in their religious communities. We should listen closely to these powerful voices of the future.” —Emilie M. Townes, Andrew W. Mellon Professor of African American Religion and Theology, Yale Divinity School
“In bringing together a stunning array of some of America’s most influential and inspiring religious women’s voices, Maureen Fiedler captures both the frustrations and inspiring progress on the path to full gender equality. Fiedler, one of America’s most respected public interpreters of religious issues through her public radio show ‘Interfaith Voices,’ has woven through these voices a compelling argument for women’s equality and leadership—and a moral and spiritual eye-opener to all men who continue to dominate too many religious institutions.” —Rabbi David Saperstein, Director, Religious Action Center
“In writing this book, Fiedler has a bird’s eye view of the gender rights struggle in a wide variety of faiths. She sees not just the beauty but also the difficulties; the core commonalities and the delicate differences. Breaking through the Stained Glass Ceiling is a testament to women’s resilience across faith communities as they struggle to serve both God and society.” —Asma T. Uddin, Editor-in-Chief, altmuslimah.com: exploring both sides of the gender divide
“Surely one of the defining breakthroughs of the last century has been the ascendancy of women into places of leadership, not least in the various religious traditions around the world. Maureen Fiedler’s new book not only documents this advance, but gives voice to a number of such faithful and courageous women ‘in their own words.’ This is a fascinating and important book.” —Bishop Christopher Epting, Former Deputy for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations, The Episcopal Church
“As a Christian reader, it is vital, in the literal meaning of the word, that Maureen Fiedler gives voice to the biblical proposition that women as well as men are created in the image of God. That is life transforming for both and thus our world. This book of religious women’s stories makes my heart sing; I believe it will do the same for you.” —The Right Reverend Jane Holmes Dixon, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, Pro tempore, Retired
The new book can be ordered through any Episcopal, religious, or secular bookstore; through any online bookseller, or direct from the publisher by calling 800-242-1918 or by visiting www.churchpublishing.org
Founded in 1918 and headquartered in New York City, Church Publishing Incorporated is the publisher of official worship materials, books, and music for the Episcopal Church, plus a multi-faceted publisher and supplier to the broader ecumenical marketplace. Publishing imprints include Church Publishing, Morehouse Publishing, and Seabury Books. Additional CPI divisions include Morehouse Church Supplies, a provider of church supplies, ecclesiastical furnishings, and vestments, in Harrisburg, PA; and Morehouse Education Resources, producer of lectionary-based curriculum, faith formation programs, plus e-publishing resources and services, in Denver, CO.
Tear sheets and/or advance notice of publication is encouraged and appreciated.
last updated on: Thursday, August 19, 2010
CPI Launches Speaking of Faith® for Small Groups™
For Immediate Release August 24, 2010
Contact: Bill Falvey, 917-373-8510, wfalvey@cpg.org
Church Publishing Inc., 445 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016
CPI Launches Speaking of Faith® for Small Groups™;
New online resource utilizes radio interviews by Krista Tippett
(New York, NY) – As part of a unique new partnership between a publisher and weekly radio broadcast, Church Publishing Incorporated (CPI) has developed and released a series of new, online church-group resources in conjunction with the popular radio program, Speaking of Faith® with Krista Tippett, produced by American Public Media.
Titled Speaking of Faith® for Small Groups™, the new program resources are designed for high school, young adult, and adult study groups and revolve around topical, interfaith conversations and interviews conducted by Krista Tippett on previously broadcast programs. Four modules of Speaking of Faith® for Small Groups™ are now available, including:
Sustainable Faith: God, the Environment and Human Responsibility
Einstein’s God: Science, Faith and the Life of Wonder
Spiritual Heroes: Women and Men on the Frontiers of Faith
Living Islam: Beauty, Truth, Compassion
The modules can be previewed and purchased exclusively at www.churchpublishing.org/speakingoffaith:
“This is a totally unique approach for contemporary discussions on life, meaning, and responsibility,” said CPI vice president Pete Velander, who led the development and launch of Speaking of Faith® for Small Groups™ thru the company’s Denver affiliate, Morehouse Education Resources. “Plus we’re making it easy to sample and try. We’re offering free sample recordings and study guides for each of the modules on our website, so church leaders and educators can see just how powerful and engaging these programs are, to say nothing of easy to use. We’re also offering special launch pricing on all of the modules until October 15.”
Each module includes five episodes, enough for at least five sessions, and can be used alone or in concert in any order. The fully downloadable components for each module include both printable participant’s guides, presented as pdf files, and related audio files, presented as mp3s. Users can reproduce as many copies of the printed material as needed; there is nothing else to buy. The regular price is $39.95 per module. The introductory price, valid now through October 15, 2010, is $29.95 per module when using promo code SOF10DM at checkout.
“Speaking of Faith® for Small Groups™ is part Christian formation, part community building, and totally stimulating and invigorating,” said Velander. “It opens countless new doors into the types of conversations that change lives.”
Speaking of Faith® is public radio’s conversation about religion, meaning, ethics and ideas. Each week, Peabody award-winning host Krista Tippett focuses on a different theme, asking writers, scientists, historians and others to discuss how religion shapes everyday life. (Visit speakingoffaith.org to find when the program airs in your area.) Speaking of Faith® learning materials are developed with major funding from Lilly Endowment, Inc. American Public Media is the nation’s second-largest producer of public radio programs, including: A Prairie Home Companion®, Marketplace®, Speaking of Faith®, The Splendid Table® and Performance Today®.
Coincidentally, the launch of Speaking of Faith® for Small Groups™ follows less than ten weeks after publication of Breaking through the Stained Glass Ceiling by Morehouse Publishing, another CPI imprint. The new book is a compilation of interviews with contemporary female religious leaders conducted and originally broadcast by Host Maureen Fiedler on public radio’s Interfaith Voices program.
Founded in 1918 and headquartered in New York City, CPI is the publisher of official worship materials, books, and music for the Episcopal Church, plus a multi-faceted publisher and supplier to the broader ecumenical marketplace. Publishing imprints include Church Publishing, Morehouse Publishing, and Seabury Books. Additional CPI divisions include Morehouse Church Supplies, a provider of church supplies, ecclesiastical furnishings, and vestments, located in Harrisburg, PA; and Morehouse Education Resources, which produces lectionary-based curriculum, faith formation programs, plus e-publishing resources and services, in Denver, CO.
Tear sheets and/or advance notice of publication is encouraged and appreciate
last updated on: Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Simple, Elegant & Specialized, Books for Musicians
For Immediate Release August 18, 2010
Contact: Bill Falvey, 917-373-8510, wfalvey@cpg.org
Church Publishing, 445 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016
New Music Books from Church Publishing Feature 30 New Works, plus Vocal Descants for 101 Hymns
(New York, NY) – Church Publishing Incorporated continues to expand its church-music offerings with the publication of two new books – one devoted to original and easily sung, yet elegant original compositions suitable for all congregations, and the other, a specialized guide to singing vocal descants for church choir directors and sopranos.
A Field of Voices: Hymns for Worship, by James E. Clemens & David Wright
978-0-89869-653-0 $15.00 88 pgs Paper * 978-0-89869-655-4 $15.00 Online Recordings
With a songbook and recorded music available online, the 30 new hymns of A Field of Voices can be easily learned and sung a cappella or accompanied, unison to four-part. The lyrics range from meditation and prayer to confession and praise. Careful blending of words and music shows respect for voices raised together in song, as well as the diversity of the contemporary church. Each hymn includes background on its origin, context, theology, and use in corporate worship. Many of them can be sung without paper or projection, and most can be sung without accompaniment.
“As I look through these new contributions to hymnody, I’m struck by the amount and quality of intelligence at work here,” said Alice Parker, composer and author of The Anatomy of Melody and Melodious Accord: Good Singing in Church. “Yes, there is artistic ability aplenty in both poet and composer, but also a very human sensitivity to phrase, moment, and action. These songs connect to our daily life: Grace as near as a neighbor’s hand. Many congregations will be delighted with this collection: I know mine will want it!”
Collaborator Jim Clemens composes a wide variety of vocal and instrumental music. He enjoys living in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia with his family. His musical partner, David Wright, lives in Central Illinois and teaches writing and literature at Wheaton College. Together they have completed a number of commissions, have published hymns and works for choirs, and have composed pieces for solo voice.
Vocal Descants For 101 Noteworthy Hymns, by Lorna Tedesco Barker
978-0-89869-649-3 $18.00 128 pgs 8.5 x 11 Spiral-Bound Plus Free Download
In the foreword of Vocal Descants, career musician and composer/author Lorna Tedesco Barker summarizes the problems and perceptions that her new book addresses: “One, descants are too high. Two, there are too many skips for the average soprano to learn quickly and sing successfully under pressure. Three, the singers can’t find the beginning pitch after having sung the melody of the previous verse. And four, when sung alone, the descant is not a very attractive melody.”
The lifelong church musician wrote Vocal Descants with the intention of solving these major problems by simply avoiding them. In the new book, descants “do not exceed a high G above C,” she explained. “Each descant begins on either the opening or final pitch of the hymn melody. When the hymn melody repeats a phrase, the descant also repeats its melodic phrase, which makes learning and singing these descants much easier. Finally, because hymns may have a variety of uses and lengths in the worship service, I have included both stanza three and the last verse of longer hymns under the descant melody to maximize their potential use during a worship service.”
For church-music directors who hesitate to teach descants to sopranos because it takes so much rehearsal time, she also has prepared a free recording of each of the 101 hymns, beginning with a brief piano introduction of a hymn phrase, followed by the melody played beneath the descant melody. Singers can learn a descant before rehearsal and reinforce that learning between rehearsal and Sunday morning by visiting www.churchpublishing.org/vocaldescants.
Dr. Lorna Barker has Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees, all in piano performance. She has been actively involved in church music for thirty five years and for twelve years was the pianist for the Charleston Symphony Orchestra in Charleston, South Carolina. Dr. Barker is active in the Charleston area performing as a soloist, accompanist, and as a chamber musician. She is currently the music director at Christ Episcopal Church in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, a position she has held for twenty years. This book of descants reflects Dr. Barker’s
lyrical style and her rich and extensive understanding of the needs and abilities of church choirs. The new books can be ordered through any Episcopal, religious, or secular bookstore; through any online bookseller, or direct from the publisher by calling 800-242-1918 or by visiting www.churchpublishing.org.
**Review copies, interviews, and excerpts available on request.**
Founded in 1918 and headquartered in New York City, CPI is the publisher of official worship materials, books, and music for the Episcopal Church, plus a multi-faceted publisher and supplier to the broader ecumenical marketplace. Publishing imprints include Church Publishing, Morehouse Publishing, and Seabury Books. Additional CPI divisions include Morehouse Church Supplies, a provider of church supplies, ecclesiastical furnishings, and vestments, located in Harrisburg, PA; and Morehouse Education Resources, which produces lectionary-based curriculum, faith formation programs, plus e-publishing resources and services, in Denver, CO.
last updated on: Thursday, August 19, 2010
New Products and Staff Announcements
Marcus Borg: Why We Believe What We Believe
Engaging Preaching through Body, Breath, and Voice
Church Publishing Launches Environment/Faith Resources
CPI's Green Initiatives
Trial Edition of Holy Women Holy Men Now Available
MusicRiteAway Providing –and Publishing–Original New Music for Church Musicians
Confirm not Conform Launches New Website
Church Publishing Apoints New UK Distributor
Online Parish Scheduler is 3rd New rite Product of 2009
Church Publishing and explorefaith.org Launch New Partnership
Convention Authorizes CPI to Explore New Hymnal
CPI Now Distributing Confirm Not Conform Program
CPI Blazing Trail in E-Products and E-Publishing
CPI FAQ for Authors, Media Relations, EBA Member Stores, & Vendors
Church Publishing Repositions Itself for Greater Service to the Church
last updated on: Thursday, August 19, 2010
Church Publishing Responds to Tight Economy
For Immediate Release
Contact: Bill Falvey, wfalvey@cpg.org, 917-373-8510
Church Publishing Responds to Tight Economy
(
“Most businesses expect payment in 30 days, and we typically are no exception,” said Mark Dazzo, CPI vice president of sales and marketing. “However, with the significant challenges being posed by our economy – especially for churches, and at this busy time in the church year – we hope to relieve some budgetary pressures by providing 90-day terms on purchases between now and year’s end for our core institutional customers.”
In view of the recent market volatility, CPI addressed the need for an immediate response to its church customers during strategic meetings in
The extended terms are applicable on any and all purchases from Church Publishing Incorporated, including Episcopal Church staples such as the Book of Common Prayer and the 1982 Hymnal, Singers Edition. It extends to include all curriculum offerings from Morehouse Education Resources, including the popular Godly Play Christian formation program, plus the comprehensive offerings from Morehouse Church Supplies.
To take advantage of the extended terms, churches must cite promo code _________ on all orders totaling $400 or more placed between now and the end of the year through the customer service department at (phone) 800-242-1918, (fax) 717-541-8136, or (mail) 4775 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112. The offer is available to any church or congregation. CPI will reinstate its normal payment terms on January 1, 2009, although it reserves the right to change the terms of this offer at anytime.
Church leaders are encouraged to browse CPI’s new website, www.churchpublishing.org, to see the latest product offerings. In addition, CPI will highlight the extended payment terms in its popular Christmas catalog to be mailed to churches later this month.
Founded in 1918 and headquartered in
last updated on: Friday, March 05, 2010
Copyright Update
Celebration (Celebration Services in the UK) is no longer affiliated with the Copyright Company.
Contact Celebration directly for all reprint and usage permissions at:
Celebration
Copyrights
PO Box 309
Aliquippa, PA 15001
724-375-1510
fax 724-375-1138
You can visit Celebration at the Community of Celebration website.
last updated on: Thursday, September 12, 2002
Copyright Update
Theordore Presser Company has moved. The new address is
588 N. Gulph Road
King of Prussia, PA 19406-2800
last updated on: Monday, September 02, 2002

