Skinner House Books
Skinner House Books is an imprint of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) of Congregations, publishing books to aid individuals and congregations in their search for truth and meaning. Learn more.
The 2009 Skinner House Catalog (PDF, 32 pages) features our latest books. You may also browse our complete list of titles or view our books by category:
- Children's Books
- Church Administration & Leadership
- Contemporary Issues and Social Justice
- Inspiration
- Meditation Manuals
- Religious History & Commentary
- Worship
What's New from Skinner House Books?
Seven Principles Activity Booklets
Pictures, Puzzles, Mazes & More
Terry Stafford
Activities include mazes, hidden pictures and puzzles and can be done individually or as a group. Booklets have some words, but are appropriate for pre-readers. Author and illustrator Terry Stafford has RE background. Enough for 10 children; ages 3 to 6. $14/$3 (set of one)
With or Without Candlelight
A Meditation Anthology
Victoria Safford, Editor
The 2009 UUA Mediation Manual. $8
The Arc of the Universe is Long
Unitarian Universalists, Anti-Racism and the Journey from Calgary
Leslie Takahashi Morris, Chip Roush and Leon Spencer
The recent history of the UUA journey toward becoming an anti-racist, anti-oppressive, multicultural movement. Covers the fourteen years that begin with the passage of the racial and cultural diversity resolution at Calgary, in Canada, in 1992 and traces developments through General Assembly 2006. Using interviews and written records, the authors bring to life the voices and stories that represent many perspectives, all addressing issues of race and ethnicity in our congregations and our association. $24
Heart to Heart
Fourteen Gatherings for Reflection and Sharing
Christine Robinson & Alicia Hawkins
Resources for fourteen gatherings on topics such as forgiveness, loss, nature, money, and friendship. A reimagined model of small group ministry, Heart to Heart offers readings, journaling suggestions, and thought-provoking exercises to help participants prepare for the spiritual practice of sharing in community. Promotes listening rather than back-and-forth discussion. $14
Earth Day
An Alphabet Book
Gary Kowalski
Children and adults will delight in Earth Day, a poem of gratitude that celebrates life on earth. From apricots to groundhogs to junebugs, from quahogs to zinnias, zucchini and zebras, plants and animals come alive with Rocco Baviera's bright and imaginative illustrations. $12
Be the Change
Poems, Prayers & Meditations for Peacemakers and Justice Seekers
Stephen Shick
This collection is designed to inspire and sustain activists and others who are working for a better world. Shick draws on his four decades of activist experience to offer motivation and encouragement to those just starting out and an oasis of reflection and insight to veteran justice-seekers. Brimming with poignant and inspirational quotations and verse from Jesus to Shakespeare to Edna St. Vincent Millay, Rachel Carson and Maya Angelou. $12
Welcome
A Unitarian Universalist Primer
Edited by Patricia Frevert
This handsome new introduction to Unitarian Universalism features prayers and readings—including the Principles and Sources—chalice lightings, quotations from UUs of yesterday and today, and a glossary. Plus introductions to UU history, religious education and social justice. Perfect for newcomers and visitors. $5
In Between
Memoir of an Integration Baby
Mark Morrison-Reed
The personal story of a pioneering African-American minister, from his early years attending a predominantly white church in Chicago, to later marrying an Anglo-Canadian and serving in co-ministry with her to two Unitarian Universalist congregations. Honest, painful and beautiful. $18.00
Come Sing a Song with Me
A Songbook for All Ages
Edited by Melodie Feather
25 popular and beloved songs from Singing the Journey and Singing the Living Tradition in simple, child-friendly arrangements. A commentary by Judy Harrison introduces each selection, describing the song’s origin or its cultural context. A great resource for religious educators, multigenerational worship services, families and summer campers. Easy-to-read 9 x 12” format, spiral-bound. Provides both piano arrangements and guitar chords. $14.00
Going Out Dancing
Poems
Ric Masten
More than 70 poems from the bard of Unitarian Universalism and author of the beloved hymn, “Let It Be a Dance.” This collection reveals his humorous, unflinching and edgy take on mortality and living with illness. $12.00
Sonata for Voice and Silence
2008 Meditation Manual
Mark Belletini
Elegant collection of 54 prayer-poems. Weaving together themes of silence, music, and the spirit, Belletini offers heartfelt yearnings to pray with or reflect upon. Ideal for both public worship and personal contemplation. $8.00
A Child’s Book of Blessings and Prayers
Collected and Introduced by Eliza Blanchard
Ancient and modern graces, prayers and blessings drawn from Hindu, Sioux, Islamic, Jewish, Christian and Unitarian Universalist traditions, to name only a few. Includes words to bless the morning, share at bedtime, honor a birthday, even give thanks for a friend next door. This diverse collection highlights the common threads that can unite people of all faiths. Beautifully illustrated by Rocco Baviera. Eliza Blanchard is the minister of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Grafton and Upton, Massachusetts. For ages 4 and up. $12.00
Uncommon Community
One Congregation’s Work with Prisoners
John Speer
In 2003 members of the Henry David Thoreau Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fort Bend County, Texas, began a letter-writing program with prison inmates. Soon afterward they launched a creative-writing workshop and then a program that allowed prisoners to serve as writing mentors to college students. Readers will learn how these programs began and evolved, what worked and what didn't, and how the experience was transformational for all involved. John Speer, a lay leader in the Thoreau Congregation and a lifelong activist, is chair of the government department at Southwest College of Houston Community College. $14.00
The Cambridge Platform
Contemporary Reader's Edition
Edited by Peter Hughes
Skinner House is pleased to present a new edition of the Cambridge Platform, the 1648 document that first articulated the foundational principle of congregational polity—the independent form of church governance that is the common heritage shared by Unitarians, Universalists and other congregationally ordered churches. Now Peter Hughes has made the Cambridge Platform available and accessible to a new generation of ministers and laypeople, with clarified scriptural citations, modernized spelling and punctuation, and a preface that addresses the contemporary value of this touchstone of religious liberty. Includes an introduction by Alice Blair Wesley. $8.00
Wrestling with Adulthood
Unitarian Universalist Men Talk About Growing Up
Edited by Ken Beldon
Ken Beldon, James Coomes, Erik Kesting, Joseph Santos-Lyons, Anthony David, Kent Matthies, Forrest Gilmore, Greg Pelley, Nathan Ryan, Scott Gerard Prinster and Manish K. Mishra explore the challenges they faced and the choices they made becoming adults. February 2008. $15.00
Come Into the Circle
Worshiping with Children
Michelle Richards
A comprehensive how-to guide for creating meaningful religious experiences for children. Includes an extensive collection of child-friendly resources, from opening words and chalice lightings to complete orders of service. $15.00
Worship That Works
Theory and Practice for Unitarian Universalists
Wayne Arnason and Kathleen Rolenz
Revitalize your worship life with practical, specific advice on symbols, music, cultural sensitivity, inclusion and more. The authors’ share lessons learned from more than thirty visits to both UU (Unitarian Universalist) and non-UU services. $16.00
A Wind Swept Over the Waters
Reflections on 60 Favorite Bible Passages
John Nichols
Well-known and beloved verses from the Old and New Testaments, plus reflections on how these passages speak to our daily lives. $15.00
How to Bury a Goldfish
And Other Ceremonies and Celebrations for Everyday Life
Virginia Lang and Louise Nayer
From helping a single friend begin a new home life, to making the transition into retirement, to relieving a child’s grief at the loss of a cherished pet, this collection offers a wealth of creative ceremonies for everyone and every lifestyle. $15.00
For more information contact skinnerhouse @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, September 25, 2009.
