The Bishop's 2024 Lenten Book Announced

Bishop Susan Bell has chosen Archbishop Rowan Williams' book “Being Disciples: Essentials of Christian Life” as her 2024 Lenten Book.

“Working on deepening our faith is foundational to our growth as a Church,” says Bishop Bell, “we need to know Jesus in order to become like him and do his ministry and this wonderful book helps us as disciples more fully live into God’s mission of Love.”

The book, first published in 2016, offers a series of short reflections calling readers into the slow, deep simplicity of living into discipleship. It is a beautifully written contemplative book guiding readers in the ways to become more like the One whom they worship.

“Many parishes across the diocese have chosen deepening discipleship as a Mission Action Plan goal," says Emily Hill, parish development missioner. "This book will help. Rowan Williams is gifted at speaking to people at all different stages of the Christian journey. His words are sure to equip and inspire us to grow as followers of Jesus this Lent.”

Being Disciples builds on Being Christian, an earlier book by Archbishop Williams which focuses on four essentials of the Christian journey – the Bible, the Eucharist, baptism, and prayer. Being Disciples encourages readers to make the connection between entering into God’s presence and being present with the world. “Discipleship is a state of being,” says Archbishop Williams. “Discipleship is about how we live; not just the decisions we make, not just the things we believe, but a state of being.”

Williams sees the church as a learning community where Christians learn to ask how what we do, what we think, and how we speak is open to Christ’s and Christ’s spiirit, and how we can grow deeper into our relationship with God and with each other.

Being Disciples is available for purchase wherever books are sold, and buying from a local independent bookstore is encouraged. Study guides will be available before Lent begins. If you have questions, please contact Emily Hill, parish development missioner, at emily.hill@niagaraanglican.ca.

Archbishop Rowan Williams served as the 104th Archbishop of Canterbury from 2002 to 2012; he visited the diocese in 2022.