Helps readers understand the imaging of the church as a woman and mother in its beginnings and the implications for the contemporary church.

Mothers of the Church: The Witness of Early Christian Women will reinforce Catholics understanding of the part played by women in the early Church. Drawing upon a wide spectrum of sources, it illustrates the many kinds of women that left their mark on sacred history by responding to God s call. Whether they were martyrs, abbesses, mothers, desert solitaries, or managers of large family businesses, these women s stories will encourage you and deepen your faith. Each chapter features a concise biography that is supplemented by quotes from the Fathers writings concerning the woman in question, poetry concerning her, and other ancient testimonials. The Mothers of the Church include: Holy Women of the New Testament --St. Blandina --St. Perpetua and St. Felicity --St. Helena --St. Thecla --St. Agnes of Rome --St. Macrina --Proba the Widow --St. Marcella --St. Paula --St. Eustochium --St. Monica --Egeria the Tourist

Loehr asks, "Why do we refer to the Church as she or Mother Church? And what does this reveal about the nature of the Church and the nature of motherhood?" Each chapter of The Church Is Our Mother explores one theme mothers and Mother Church have in common: creation, caring, teaching, acceptance, sacrifice, healing, and celebration. A study guide offers relevant meditations from the liturgy, the Catechism, the saints and the sacraments, and also shares personal stories from seven other mothers to inspire readers on their own journeys of faith and family.

What Wild at Heart did for men, Captivating is doing for women. Setting their hearts free. This groundbreaking book shows readers the glorious design of women before the fall, describes how the feminine heart can be restored, and casts a vision for the power, freedom, and beauty of a woman released to be all she was meant to be.

GOD HAS PLACED IN EVERY CHRISTIAN'S LIFE a strong desire and abilities to make a difference in the world. You don't have to be ordained, rich or famous to use your talents to make a significant impact to benefit others and honor God. We have a rich Church heritage of ordinary believers who sacrificially chose to address ignored human needs with remarkable faith and action. In seven testimonial letters, discover the secrets for their success, from how Judge Deborah became the Joan of Arc of her day to a teaching nun becoming the 20th century's most admired humanitarian. Let these heroic "Mothers" of the Faith inspire and challenge you to fulfill your destiny and unique service to Christ. "No one is better equipped to write a book on Church Mothers than is Rev. Ehrenborg. She has not only extensively studied these women, but has also lived them in her dramatic performances. Well researched, the book is engaging and accessible to those in ministry as well as lay people, male and female. Indeed, this is a volume for men as much as it is for women. We all expand our horizons when we come to grips with the lives of our fascinating Church Mothers." RUTH A. TUCKER, PH.D., Seminary professor and author of Extraordinary Women of Christian History, Dynamic Women of the Bible, Katie Luther, Parade of Faith, Daughters of the Church, and more titles. " 'Our Church Mothers' gives readers a chance to "meet" and appreciate seven faithful women whose service to the people of God spans over three millennia. Author Gwen Ehrenborg's choice to introduce us to them by composing letters from them based on serious historical research makes her book not only pleasurable but also inspiring. It deserves wide readership." E. CALVIN BEISNER, PH.D. Founder and National Spokesman for The Cornwall Alliance for the Stewardship of Creation; Christian Scholar, Apologist, Seminary Professor, Author, Editor " 'Our Church Mothers' is a significant read that I highly recommend. Rev. Gwen, as author, has an engaging way of writing. I want her to write about more women so that I might be edified by their stories." BISHOP MARY ANN SWENSON, United Methodist Church

"This is the first book I will recommend to those who want to study what the Scriptures teach about the roles of men and women both in marriage and the church. . . I was amazed at how much wisdom is packed into this short book. Everything in the book is helpful, but the practical application section alone is worth the price of the book." — Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary A Biblical Primer on Men and Women in the Church There is much at stake in God making humanity male and female. Created for one another yet distinct from each other, a man and a woman are not interchangeable—they are designed to function according to a divine fittedness. But when this design is misunderstood, ignored, or abused, there are dire consequences. Men and women—in marriage especially, but in the rest of life as well—complement one another. And this biblical truth has enduring, cosmic significance. From start to finish, the biblical storyline—and the design of creation itself—depends upon the distinction between male and female. Men and Women in the Church is about the divinely designed complementarity of men and women as it applies to life in general and especially ministry in the church.