The prize is awarded to encourage the most promising contemporary theological writing. The shortlisted books are:-

Thomas E. Reynolds, Vulnerable Communion (Brazos Press)
Christopher Cocksworth, Holding Together (Canterbury)
Richard Harries, The Re-enchantment of Morality (SPCK)
Angel F. Montoya, The Theology of Food (Wiley-Blackwell)
Robert Hughes, Beloved Dust (Continuum)
David Bentley Hart, Atheist Delusions (Yale University Press)

The winner of the £10,000 prize will be announced at a Gala Prizegiving Lunch at the Hay on Wye Literary Festival on 27th May 2011. For more information visit www.michaelramseyprize.org.uk

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Internet Evangelism Day is a strategic resource to help the worldwide church understand these issues and use the Web to share the good news. It is both a year-round online guide and an annual focus day. Churches are encouraged to use Internet Evangelism Day resources to create a presentation for their members on that Sunday (or any time in May). The IE Day site offers free downloads: PowerPoint, video clips, handouts, drama scripts, music and posters. Website: www.InternetEvangelismDay.com

Also... Open Letter to Missions Reveals New Gospel Opportunities
In August, the 5-billionth digital device was connected to the Internet! Digital media are changing our world for ever. The majority of mobile phone and computer users live outside the West. This offers a growing range of opportunities for online outreach and discipleship. Internet Evangelism Day, an advocate ministry for digital outreach, has produced an Open Letter to Missions to highlight this dramatic potential around the world.

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Spring Harvest presents...
The Good Book Tour - the story of the Bible in common English
Featuring Lacey Theatre Company, poet Gerard Kelly and historian Derek Wilson.

Spring Harvest is joining forces with a few of Britain's Cathedrals and some larger churches to commemorate 400 years of the King James Bible and celebrate the retelling of scripture for every generation. They're joined by poet Gerard Kelly and historian Derek Wilson for an eightdate tour, sharing insights and reflections on the text, set alongside Lacey Theatre Company's extracts from the award-winning 'Word on the Street' (formerly 'the street bible'). Ancient meets modern, text meets expression and people meet scripture in an ever-unfolding story. It will be an opportunity to explore how the Bible has shaped and influenced our culture, and to enjoy an evening of theatre, poetry and more.
See www.thegoodbooktour.com for more information

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2011: The Year of the Bible is the theme of the Annual Conference of the Librarians' Christian Fellowship which is to be held in the Bertha Wright Room, Carrs Lane Church Centre, Carrs Lane, Birmingham, B4 7SX on Saturday 2 April 2011, from 10.30.a.m.

The speakers will be the Rev. Dr. Rob Cotton, who works for the Bible Society as their Campaigns Manager and also co-ordinates the Biblefresh project for the Evangelical Alliance, and the Rev. Dr. Pete Wilcox, Canon Chancellor of Lichfield Cathedral.
Rob Cotton will be speaking about the Biblefresh programme and the contemporary application of the Bible, possibly including the application of the Bible in the contemporary workplace.
Pete Wilcox will be speaking about Lichfield Cathedral Library, with special reference to the history of the Bible in English.

The Conference fee is £25.00, including lunch and refreshments, with a reduced rate of £20.00 for unwaged delegates. For information, please contact The Secretary, Graham Hedges: email: secretary@librarianscf.org.uk  Website: www.librarianscf.org.uk

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www.christianity.org.uk has been re-launched as a public facing website for anyone intersted in the Christian faith. Hosted by the Christian Enquiry Agency as a service for all churches, and designed for all ages of enquirer, it provides a host of information and the opportunity for people new to Christianity to enquire.
www.christianity.org.uk

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John Ritchie Ltd, who acquired STL's Carlisle-based distribution business at the start of 2010, have announced that they are consolidating their UK trade operations under one roof at Carlisle. The press release from John Ritchie Ltd is at ukcbd.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/carlisle-consolidation-press-release-14-10-10.pdf, courtesy of christianbookshopsblog.org.uk

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The Church of England has launched a new section of their Weddings website, to help people plan their wedding, whether they go to church or not: www.yourchurchwedding.org/project

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These were announced at the Christian Resources Exhibition on Tuesday 11th May 2010 at the Christian Resources Awards Evening.

• Book of the Year
  WINNER
  • The Vicar of Baghdad - Andrew White
    (Monarch Publishing, 9781854248763)
  Also nominated were:
  • Inside Story: The Life of John Stott - Roger Steer
    (IVP, 9781844744046)
  • The Reason for God - Timothy Keller
    (Hodder & Stoughton, 9780340979334)
• Reference Book of the Year
  WINNER
  • The World of the Bible - John Drane
    (Lion Hudson, 9780745952505)
  Also nominated were:
  • The Longest Week - Nick Page
    (Hodder & Stoughton, 9780340979808)
  • The One-Stop Guide to Christianity - David Winter
    (Lion Hudson, 9780745953236)
• Children's Book of the Year (Under 12)
  WINNER
  • 50 Weirdest Bible Stories - Andy Robb
    (CWR, 9781853454899)
  Also nominated were:
  • The Barnabas Classic Children's Bible - Rhona Davies
    (BRF/Barnabas, 9781841017875)
  • God and Me - 365 Daily Devotions - Penny Boshoff
    (Authentic, 9781905051786)
• Children's Book of the Year (Over 12)
  WINNER
  • The Lion Encyclopedia of the Bible - Peter Atkinson
    (Lion Hudson, 9780745960104)
  Also nominated were:
  • The Book of Life - Kathy Lee
    (Scripture Union, 9781844273690)
  • Cherished - Rachel Gardner
    (IVP, 9781844743896)
• Praise and Worship Album of the Year
  WINNER
  • The New Best Praise and Worship Songs Ever - Various
    (Kingsway, KMCD6063)
  Also nominated were:
  • We shall Not be Shaken - Matt Redman
    (Survivor Records, SURCD5136)
  • Year of Grace - Robin Mark
    (Integrity-Provident, 46412)
• Contemporary Album of the Year
  WINNER
  • History Makers: Greatest Hits - Delirious?
    (Survivor Records, SURCD5171)
  Also nominated were:
  • Heart Strings - Moya Brennan
    (Fierce! Music/Kingsway, FIERCD43)
  • Until the Whole World Hears - Casting Crowns
    (Beach Street Record, 6025341013529)
• Gospel Album of the Year
  WINNER
  • WOW Gospel 2009 - Various
    (Integrity-Provident, 886974167525)
  Also nominated were:
  • One Voice - Various
    (Kingsway, OVCD001)
  • The Power of One - Israel Houghton
    (Integrity-Provident, 45512)
• Media Award (Adult) - for items such as DVDs and software
  WINNER
  • Glo Bible DVD-ROM
    (Hodder & Stoughton, 9780981990217)
  Also nominated were:
  • Faith Like Potatoes - Angus Buchan
    (Global Creation Studio / Integrity-Provident, 6001651035094)
  • Fireproof - Alex Kendrick
    (Sherwood Pictures / Integrity-Provident, 602341003391)
• Media Award (Children) - for items such as DVDs and software
  WINNER
  • Kid's Colossal Jumbo Digi-Songbook CD-ROM - Spring Harvest
    (ICC/Elevation, ICC1211B)
  Also nominated were:
  • Tomato Sawyer and the Big River Rescue - Veggietales
    (Authentic, 311177)
  • Saint Nicholas: A Story of joyful giving - Veggietales
    (Authentic, 311459)

There were also awards for...

• Christianity Magazine Book of the Year: Breakout - Mark Stibbe & Andrew Williams
  (Authentic)
• The Ultimate Christian Library Book: One Step Beyond - Gram Seed
  (CWR Publishing)
• Best Church or Community Newsletter: Frontline News, Wavertree, Liverpool - Editor: Grace Snow
• Creativity with the Bible: Best Mates - Bob Hartman
  (Illustrated by Mark Beech)
• Resource of the Year 2010: Why on earth did Jesus Come? - John Blanchard
  (Evangelical Press)
• Accessible Product of the Year 2010: KJV Giant Print New Testament
  (Cambridge University Press)

Information at www.backtochurch.co.uk.

Have you ever been into a public library and wondered where the Christian books were? So often they are tucked away, hidden among other titles or not there at all.

Now you have an opportunity to make a change. There is a search on for the best new book that all public libraries should have. The search is being organised by Speaking Volumes which is a charity that promotes reading, through placing Christian books into libraries.

Often a book is the first thing someone will look at to find information about the Christian faith, so they need to be in libraries in the community where they are accessible to many people. Speaking Volumes allows this to happen by inviting individuals or groups to buy a selection of books, at a reduced cost, to put in libraries, schools and other places where borrowing a Christian book could be a life changing experience.

If you think you could use the Speaking Volumes scheme to make a difference to people in your community, please check out the website www.christianbookpromotions.org.uk

Also look at the website www.christianbookawards.org where members of the public can vote for what they think is the best new Christian book that should be in every public library. Visit the website to see the shortlist from which to choose and vote. Every entrant will get a free ticket to the Christian Resource Exhibition in May where the winners will be announced.

Resourcing the church across the UK.

• East of England CRE 2011
  Peterborough
  Thurs 24 - Sat 26 Feb 2011
  
  
• National CRE 2011
  Sandown Park, Esher
  Tues 10 - Fri 13th May 2011.
  
  
• Heart of England CRE 2011
  TIC Telford
  Thurs 20 - Sat 22 October 2011.
  

Part of the Internt Evangelism Day website, and a useful and engaging way to assess your own church's web presence. Fill in the online questionnaire, see what you score, and get a report back. It makes some relevant points in an attention-grabbing way, which is unusual for US-based advice on this subject.

More at www.InternetEvangelismDay.com/church-site-design.php.

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GoodChurchWebsites.org.uk is a new website providing comprehensive but digestible advice on creating... good church websites.

It's for all UK churches, but particularly aims to encourage smaller local churches with limited resources. It includes examples of existing church websites (and promises to award special mugs to the web managers of any churches featured).

More at www.goodchurchwebsites.org.uk.

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