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Sing a New Song:
Portraits of Canada's Crusading Bishops
Foreword by The Most Reverend Andrew Hutchison
Primate of Canada"...compelling and timely."
"...very good, extremely well researched"
"...vivid personal portraits"
For the first time, Sing a New Song, tells the stories of four Canadian bishops who embraced unpopular causes with their eyes wide open. George Hills, David Somerville, Douglas Hambidge, and Michael Ingham encountered severe opposition as they fought for the rights of blacks, aboriginals, women, and gays and lesbians. One was at the centre of the only Anglican schism in Canadian history; two jeopardized their careers; and one was voted the sixth most important person of the twentieth century whose world view has transformed society.In finely drawn and thoroughly researched biographies, Julie H. Ferguson chronicles the impact these four ground-breaking bishops had on Canadian society, while delving with compelling insight into their personal and spiritual lives. Meet the quartet of crusading bishops in Sing a New Song.
(350 pages; 60 illustrations)
ISBN: 1-55002-609-7
PRICE: Canada - $35.00; UK - £17.00 (hardcover only)
S & H: $9.00CAD
TO ORDER: email orders@beaconlit.com OR visit amazon.com here
PRE-PUBLICATION ENDORSEMENTS OF SING A NEW SONG:
The author has not only given us four vivid personal portraits, she has shown what the episcopal office can achieve when it is held by people of deep faith, rich inner resources, and great courage. She has also shown us the face of a church responding magnificently to such leadership even when that response involves the stress and pain of differences deeply felt and sincerely held.
The Rev`d. Canon Herbert O'Driscoll, Author, theologian
(Click here for O'Driscoll's review in Topic, June 2006)In Sing a New Song, Julie Ferguson reminds us that tension and division are nothing new in the life of the Church. Her compelling portraits of the lives and ministries of four prophetic bishops who were not afraid to respond to the changes and challenges of their own day provides a timely opportunity to reflect on what it means to be part of the one holy catholic and apostolic church at the beginning of the 21st century.
Norman Knowles, PhD
Associate Dean-Faculty and Associate Professor-History
St. Mary's University College, CalgaryIt is refreshing to find an author who has discovered a well-kept secret: church history is not nor need not be dull. In writing about these four bishops Ms Ferguson reveals to her readers men of passion, commitment and courage who shaped and continue to shape the lives of all Canadians whether religious or non-religious. This is a good book for non-religious readers who want a glimpse into how the Anglican Church has been a force for positive change in Canada and for religious readers who want to delve more deeply into the history of Canadian Anglicanism.
The Rev`d. Dr. Richard G. Leggett
Professor of Liturgical Studies, Vancouver School of Theology
POST-PUBLICATION RESPONSE TO SING A NEW SONG...My husband lost me to the book. [It] was AMAZING, wonderful, inspiring, intriguing, thought-provoking, invigorating, and one even a non-Anglican like me could understand. You have made me respect these people even more than I already did - such an incredible legacy. THANK YOU - for writing this book, and for the copy you gave us. It is a true gift.
Melanie Wallace, Provincial Synod Archives BC and Yukon, May 24/06Spent the last four days reading "Sing a New Song", and just finished it. I am simply ecstatic!! If ever a book seemed to have been written just for me personally, this was it. And you did such a beautiful job of telling the stories faithfully and coherently. I laughed and I cried and I cringed and I rejoiced!
Laura Lansford, parishioner in the Diocese of New Hampshire, June 24/06Thank you, Julie for this fantastic book! We have been truly blessed by the ministries of these crusading bishops, and you have told their stories well. Not only have you expertly led us through each 'crusade', you have given us a glimpse of the men behind the mitre.
Janet Morris, parishioner in the Diocese of New Westminster, June 28/06There are electric moments - Edward Cridge's passionate and angry eruption in the newly opened Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, directed at...his bishop - Douglas Hambidge entering a Nisga'a wedding ceremony wearing the tribal blanket as a magnificent cope only to realize that both men and women were weeping with joy to see their symbols honoured once again - David Somerville in his episcopal chair in Christ Church at the first ordination of women, bracing himself for public protest - Michael Ingham quietly but firmly correcting Carey - then Archbishop of Canterbury - at a meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council in Hong Kong.
Excerpt from Herb O'Driscoll's review in Topic, June 2006 (see the full review here)What a great read! N.T., Burnaby, July 2006
What a stunning, well written glimpse into how four extraordinary men influenced Canadian society, culture and behaviour. A poignant reminder that locked behind the Canadian Rockies, both church and state struggled with the Great Divide.
Eileen Reppenhagen, CGA, August 2006Sing a New Song: Portraits of Canada’s Crusading Bishops is a captivating blend of history, biography, and religion told through the lives of four charismatic B.C. Anglican bishops.... An easy-to-follow, compelling read.
Debra Purdy-Kong, novelist, August 2006Julie H. Ferguson's Sing A New Song paints poignant, fast-paced portraits of the incumbent and three of his predecessors.....Anyone who enjoys following literary character development and heroic figures facing big challenges will be intrigued by this book.
"Poignant, fast-paced portraits of four bishops," a review by Wayne A. Holst, University of Calgary, in the Anglican Journal, November 2006. (Click here for full review.)Sing a New Song offers a well-written portrait of four Anglican leaders.... Ferguson does a fine job of reminding us of important chapters of Anglican - and B.C. - history.
"Two local Anglicans have important tales to tell," a review by Flyn Ritchie, in BC Christian News of CanadianChristianity.com, December 2006. (Click here for full review - scroll half way down page)What an amazing, informative book. I stayed up all night to finish it. Barb Gardiner, January 2007
Read this book before the next Lambeth Conference!
"Leaders in the fight for a fair future," a book review in the British Church Times, January 2007. (Read full review here.)
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A freelance writer since 1971, Julie H. Ferguson is the author of two other books on Canadian history (Through a Canadian Periscope - Dundurn 1995; Deeply Canadian - Beacon 2000) and seven books for writers and teachers. She is also a sought-after professional speaker and instructs at a community college. An Anglican since conception, Julie attends St. John the Apostle Church, Port Moody, BC.
PUBLISHER: The Dundurn Group, #500-3 Church Street, Toronto, ON, M5E 1M2
P: 416.214.5544
F: 416.214.5556
E: info@dundurn.com
www.dundurn.com/bookid/0485
AUTHOR: Unit# 5-300 Maude Road, Port Moody, BC, V3H 2X6, Canada
P: 604.469.1319
F: 604.469.1316
E: jhferguson@beaconlit.com
www.beaconlit.com
©
Julie H. Ferguson 2005-08
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