Lenny Duncan is the unlikeliest of pastors. Formerly incarcerated, he is now a black preacher in the whitest denomination in the United States: the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). Shifting demographics and shrinking congregations make all the headlines, but Duncan sees something else at work--drawing a direct line between the church's lack of diversity and the church's lack of vitality. The problems the ELCA faces are theological, not sociological. But so are the answers. Part manifesto, part confession, and all love letter, Dear Church offers a bold new vision for the future of Duncan's denomination and the broader mainline Christian community of faith. Dear Church rejects the narrative of church decline and calls everyone--leaders and laity alike--to the front lines of the church's renewal through racial equality and justice. It is time for the church to rise up, dust itself off, and take on forces of this world that act against God: whiteness, misogyny, nationalism, homophobia, and economic injustice. Duncan gives a blueprint for the way forward and urges us to follow in the revolutionary path of Jesus. Dear Church also features a discussion guide at the back--perfect for church groups, book clubs, and other group discussion.

“I couldn’t put Dear Haiti, Love Alaine down!” —New York Times bestselling author Jasmine Guillory Co-written by sisters Maika and Maritza Moulite, this exceptional debut novel captures a sparkling new voice and irrepressible heroine in a story sure to thrill fans of Nicola Yoon and Ibi Zoboi! Alaine Beauparlant has heard about Haiti all her life… But the stories were always passed down from her dad—and her mom, when she wasn’t too busy with her high-profile newscaster gig. But when Alaine’s life goes a bit sideways, it’s time to finally visit Haiti herself. What she learns about Haiti’s proud history as the world’s first black republic (with its even prouder people) is one thing, but what she learns about her own family is another. Suddenly, the secrets Alaine’s mom has been keeping, including a family curse that has spanned generations, can no longer be avoided. It’s a lot to handle, without even mentioning that Alaine is also working for her aunt’s nonprofit, which sends underprivileged kids to school and boasts one annoyingly charming intern. But if anyone can do it all…it’s Alaine. “Delightful.” —Essence magazine "Stunning.” —Booklist (starred review) Also by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite: One of the Good Ones

In "The Hours of Youth, the author tires to capture an Eastern flavor of romantic intimacy with the use of rich lyricism. This can be appreciated in the rhythm and powerful imagery composed in the love poems. When coupled with the mystery of the unnamed Beloved who appears in the poems, an ecstatic state of passion, full of joy, harmony and inner peace is created. There are many patterns of themes woven into the poetry which depict romance and youth as universal desires for something greater than ourselves, which when surrendered to the powers of, act as a sort of spiritual energy that draw us closer to our true essence and being. The poetry is composed as a sort of lyrical symphony, meant to transform the reader and listener alike; to take them out of themselves and to make them drunk with the True and Eternal. It further intends to create a tapestry of meaning, language and music and in so doing enkindle a bright flame of energy, tension, imagery and lucidity in the mind of each. The poems are an attempt to rekindle a fire within us, to achieve transcendent awareness of our emotions and affections and thus break free from the mold of solitude to a greater and more life-enhancing whole.