Imagining the World – Book launch 12th July

Daily Reflections for the Season of Creation

Rev’d John Mann’s new book “Imagining the World” was launched in the Cathedral in Peel on Sunday 12th July.

John explained that the inspiration for the reflections he has prepared is the Season of Creation, an ecumenical and global season for Christians to turn their thoughts to God’s creation.  It is observed in September, and “Imagining the World” provides a reflection for each of the 34 days from 1st September to 4th October.  It is published by Darton, Longman and Todd and the publisher’s notes about the book are here.

Ecumenical resources are provided for the yearly Season of Creation, with a specific theme each year.  At the launch John explained what motivated him to produce the reflections for more personal and general engagement with creation during the Season, or at any time throughout the year, using reference to the Bible and the writings of Christians a century ago.  (You can listen to some of his talk here.)

He also described how he wanted to visualise creation from the perspective of a child’s innocence – how a child thinks about the world and explores things, and he wanted to offer a reflective approach that starts from there.  He is delighted that the front cover of the book has an illustration painted by his grandson Patrick, age 4.

John designed the book for personal reflection.  To complement and broaden its use, our Diocesan Net Zero Officer, Louise Whitelegg, has created a four-session study guide which will be available for use by groups.  Louise was with John at the launch.

John encourages everyone interested in “Imagining the World” to buy from the Churches Bookshop

Alison Cowin, Churches Bookshop team

If you are buying a copy, I would urge you to get it from the shop, as they will have a supply of the books at no cost to the shop, so each purchase means that the full price of £10 will support out Island’s Christian bookshop. Best wishes to you all for a summer break and a return for the Creation Season in September! 

You can also listen to a radio feature about the book broadcast on At Your Service beforehand.  In the feature hosted by Judith Ley, John is joined by Louise Whitelegg, and by Graham Makepeace-Warne, CEO of Manx Wildlife Trust, to discuss the book and its implications.