A program year has ended here at the Presbyterian Church of Western Springs and summer activities are filling our days and evenings.  It’s a different pace, and a welcome one for anyone who grows tired of a regimented schedule or routine (parents of school age children might disagree with me on that last point).

Any season is a good season to take stock of how things are with our own souls. Maybe you’re a reader, like me. Here are some of the books I’m reading this summer, that are proving to be wonderful sources of thoughtful reflection:

Take This Bread (Sarah Miles)- a wonderful memoir about one woman’s journey to faith through service in founding a soup kitchen in northern California.

Humble Pie (Carol Bonomo)- another winsome work of non-fiction by a woman who finds what she’s missing in life through her attention to and study of humility as a virtue.

Writing to God (the adult version and the kids’ version) (Rachel Hackenberg)- great books to help us all pray more comfortably and less self-consciously. Stay tuned for a parenting class about this in the fall at PCWS along with some fun experiences for our children as well!

The Artist’s Rule (Christine Valters Painter)-This is a simply lovely book of guided reflections and opportunities for artistic and other creative expression as one seeks to draw closer to God. I really love this book and the gentle writing style of the author.

Happy reading! Happy summer! May you experience Sabbath rest and renewal…early and often!