Thom Shuman

Worship for a time of lockdown, of partial lockdown, of adjusting to ‘the new normal’: worship that can be adapted to these ever-changing times. When the Covid-19 pandemic began in 2020, and church buildings were closed, Thom Shuman began composing a series of morning and evening liturgies to share with his congregation on Zoom – expressing what was happening in the life of the community, in his own life and in the life of the world. How shall we pray this morning? For what shall we pray this night? includes some of those liturgies, along with two weeks of Bible readings and poems, to make up a month of worship resources for a time of pandemic. Thom M Shuman is a pastor in Ohio, USA, and the author of several books, including Grace Will Walk Us Home (Wild Goose).

We may read the Bible to score political points. We may read it to get ideas for addresses and talks. But how often do we read the Bible to feed our heart and soul? In over 30 years of ministry Thom Shuman had taught studies on just about every book in the Bible and had gone through the cycle of Sunday readings many times. He’d spent a lot of ‘professional’ time in the Bible, but realised he’d never really read the Bible from beginning to end to feed his spiritual life. So that’s what he did, each day discovering a word, phrase or verse which spoke to him, letting it play around in his mind, and then writing a short prayer or ‘nudge’. At the end of the year, he had 365 of them, which are shared with you here. ‘I hope they speak to your heart and soul in some way,’ Thom says. you begin by crafting grace out of chaos; grace is the best friend who never abandons us; grace will walk us home to you.

Bible readings, reflections and prayers for Advent, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This little book is for all those who find themselves serving, eating, resting and singing in diners (real and metaphorical) in this holy season, and in all the days before and after – in hope that there they will discover God, serving and eating and resting and singing and welcoming them with open arms. Thom M Shuman is the author of The Jesse Tree, Gobsmacked, and The Soft Petals of Grace (Wild Goose). He lives in Columbus, Ohio where he serves as a transitional pastor. He is an Associate member of the Iona Community. Help us to search the shadows for your children, God of Advent, so we may take them by the hand, bring them into the light of hope and grace, honour them for their gifts and recognise them for who they are: your beloved children. Amen

A collection of communion liturgies and other resources covering Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost, Trinity and Transfiguration. Thom Shuman writes: ‘So much of the ordinary is truly extraordinary, so much of what we take for granted are the soft petals of grace strewn on the paths we walk, so much of the air we breathe is filled with wonder, hope, joy and peace.’ An awareness Thom first experienced while on sabbatical at the spiritual centres of Taizé, the Abbey of Gethsemani and Iona, where these liturgies and prayers first took root. Thom lives in Columbus, Ohio and is an Associate member of the Iona Community.

you came a tiny vulnerable baby lungs screaming for life, fingers grasping for something to hold on to, your whole being completely depending on us (!) to feed you change you clothe you protect you love you and we were gobsmacked. For several years now, pastor/poet Thom Shuman has written daily devotions for Advent, sending them out through his popular blogs and books. In this collection of readings for the four weeks of Advent, Thom introduces us to, among others, 'Dusty the Church Dog', Mr Pete the 'Drum man', and to his son, Teddy, and wife, Bonnie. In this collection Mary, the mother of Jesus, goes for a contemplative skate on a frozen pond where 'praises piggyback until her soul topples over', and John the Baptist tries to explain his purpose to a very perplexed Senator and chairman of the board. These are personal and universal, imaginative and biblically rooted reflections. 'Reading one of Thom's books is like walking and talking with a friend. Someone who understands the fragility and failings of being human (and himself) but who continues to laugh, and to hope and work for the coming of the Light. I can't think of a better companion to journey through Advent with.' - Neil Paynter

Discusses questions such as what about the people who might only be mentioned once in the Bible? What about the women, the prophets, the exiles who, while not linked to Jesus genetically, nevertheless passed on their 'spiritual DNA' to him and us?