by Forrest Church
from Beacon Press
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Editorial ReviewOn a February day in 2008, Forrest Church sent a letter to the members of his congregation, informing them that he had terminal cancer; his life would now be measured in months, not years. In that remarkable letter, he wrote: "In more than one respect, I feel very lucky." He went on to promise that he would sum up his thoughts on the topics that had been so pervasive in his work--love and death--in a final book.
Church has been justly celebrated as a writer of American history, but his works of spiritual guidance have been especially valued for their insight and inspiration. As a minister, Church defined religion as "our human response to the dual reality of being alive and having to die." The goal of life, he tells us "is to live in such a way that our lives will prove worth dying for." This last book in his impressive oeuvre is imbued with ideas and exemplars for achieving that goal. The stories he offers--drawn from his own experiences and from the lives of his friends, family, and parishioners--are both engrossing and enlightening. Forrest Church's final work may be his most lasting gift to his readers.
"Forrest Church, a deeply spiritual but always practical visionary, is a minister to us all with this moving and instructive book on the lessons of life and death. A lovely, important book."
--Tom Brokaw
"Truly a gift, one that will echo in my own preaching and teaching, and in my own life as well. Like Moses gazing at the Promised Land he would not enter, Forrest Church blesses us with his eloquence, his faith, and, mostly, his love."
--Rabbi Harold Kushner, author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People
"Love & Death is transformative. I was not prepared for the power of this splendid, soaring book. It totally captured me."
--Sylvia Ann Hewlett, author of Creating a Life
"In the midst of an extremity for which there is no euphemism--the prospect of his own imminent death--Forrest Church has written a book that defies the usual adjectives. It is poignant, moving, candid, and eloquent; but it is also so much more. Love & Death, a meditation on the end of life, is really a book about life--a book that shows us how to love ourselves and others, how to know God, how to live. I read it with inexpressible gratitude."
--James Atlas, author of My Life in the Middle Ages
"Forrest Church is one of our great prophetic intellectuals and compassionate voices. His poignant and wise words on the two ultimate realities of our journey--love and death--reveal his grand courage and vision."
--Cornel West, author of Race Matters
"This beautiful book by a matchless preacher, poet, and author is Forrest Church in his finest hour."
--Senator George McGovern
Customer Reviews:
- Avg. Customer Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
- Dr. William H. Collins, Jr. Minister of Music
This book by Dr. Church was very inspiring and encouraging. We meet persons who express various views concerning death at different stages of their dying process. Each one speaks according to his or her situation. This book can be a vital source of help to those who experience difficulty in dealing with death.
- Excellent Book
This is a wonderful book. What a shame to lose such a wonderful man. He truely lives the UU principles.
- Share This Book with the People You Love
This book is more about love and life than it is about dying and death. I finished it in two days, and will begin to read it again, more slowly to absorb its wisdom. I have just bought multiple copies to share with people I love. Let Rev. Church guide you in all of our journeys.
- Love After Death
This is a MUST READ for anyone fearing their own death (and who doesn't?) or dealing with the death of a loved one. Written by a Unitarian Universalist minister dealing with his own impending demise, Forrest Church (son of the late Senator Frank Church of Utah) encourages us to appreciate the fact that we are very blessed to be alive at all, given the amazing series of events leading to our births.
Rev. Church acknowledges that, while he doesn't know what - if anything - awaits us after the death of... more info
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