When I was first asked to write this article, my first thought was “What is there to say about selling books in the parish dining room?” You select the books, sell the books, and return unsold books. As I thought about it however, I realized how enriched I have been by being able to select the books and in the process read many of them. Like many people, I probably would never have found the time to visit the diocesan bookstore in Oxford had I not had this opportunity.

In our busy world, we often forget the rewards of reading a good book. Somehow it is easier to stay glued to the television set than to pick up that book, even though there are so many wonderful Christian books available. If the eyes are truly the “windows to the soul” then surely these wonderful books are nourishment for the soul.

As the Lenten season draws to a close, it is a good time to reflect on our own personal spiritual growth and how books can help us in that growth. We at the Chapel of the Cross are blessed with many resources and opportunities to serve others. The books we read can help us become better servants.

During Advent and Lent, the Chapel of the Cross offers books for sale to our parishioners. We try to provide not only prayer books and bibles, but also a broad selection of books that will enhance our spiritual growth.

During the few years I have been doing this, I have learned that we are an eclectic group with tastes ranging from St. Augustine to the great mystics to church history. We buy more children's books than adult books and frequently purchase books for gifts for Christmas, a wedding, or confirmation. It is interesting to note that, as a parish (I have been told) we sell more books then any other parish or book event acquiring books from Oxford.

The books are selected from the diocesan bookstore and what a wonderful resource it is!  If you haven't been there, the bookstore is crowded and cramped for space, but lovingly attended by several women of St. Stephen's parish and Harrison Simon, a retired Episcopal priest.

Proceeds from the book table benefit our parish library for the purchase of new books.  The parish library, a resource that is free to us, receives 20% of the proceeds from the book table. The balance pays for the books we acquire from Oxford. If you are unable to visit Oxford, I would urge you to visit our book table and our parish library.

Again, when I was asked to write this article I was asked to include what is involved in the process. Most times I go to Oxford the Friday before a sale. It takes most of the day to make the selections to bring back. The Monday following the sale, I return all unsold books to Oxford.

E.M. Forster once said, “"I suggest that the only books that influence us are those for which we are ready, and which have gone a little further down our particular path than we have gone ourselves."” So do visit our book table and find one of the books you may be ready for.

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The deadline is the first Thursday of the preceeding month.

© 2003 The Chapel of the Cross