Sacristy Press

Are you frustrated—even angered sometimes—by the way Christian leaders are portrayed in the media? Discover the perfect antidote in this review of Archdeacon Grantly Walks Again from the Methodist Recorder. Clergy in the media are either anodyne, anaemic, simpering souls who spend t…

Image: Hugh Llewelyn/Flickr (CC BY-SA)  Among those who died in the First World War were many pupils of distinguished Catholic schools whose legacy is still remembered today. Mark Cleary, author of Educating in Faith, considers that legacy. Standing in the nave of the magnificent D…

Image: Flickr/DVIDSHUB (CC BY) For the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy on 6 June 1944, James Hagerty and Barry Hudd recall the brave ministry of Catholic military chaplains during Operation Overlord On Tuesday 6 June 1944 – D-Day – Allied troops landed …

Christopher Idle reviews First Flight Feathers in Congregational History Society Magazine Irony, paradox, parable and humour are all found in Holy Scripture, but may not sit so comfortably with our Sunday morning mixed congregation. Imagination, question, suggestion, creativity can be…

“It’s hard not to commend a work of theology that namechecks both Leonard Cohen and the Boar’s Head (Aberystwyth)”. Michael Lewis, former Bishop in Cyprus and the Gulf, reflects on John Holdsworth’s recent book, Hidden in Plain Sight: Unearthing and Earthing the Psalm…

David Clark, author of Meeting the Global Crisis, sadly died shortly after completing his manuscript. Here is a tribute to David from his colleague Maurice Staton. It is a privilege to be asked to write this tribute to Dr David Clark. We shared an interest in the work of the Methodi…

Back at the height of the Covid-19 Pandemic we were all asking the same questions. When would things return to normal? Would things return to normal? Should things return to normal? The Church in particular faced difficult questions as attendance (especially among the young) actually rose as se…

The Duke of Northumberland will host the launch of Northumberland: A Guide at The Guest Hall, Alnwick Castle on Tuesday 27 September 2022 at 6pm. Drinks will be served. The event is free of charge, and anyone is welcome to attend. So that adequate refreshments can be provided, please email the …

Throughout June we are going to be diving into two different approaches to the theme of injustice with the help of two of our authors as part of our #ThemeOfTheMonth. Watch the blog and our social media channels for more from these authors and their books. Kevin Carey is one of Sacristy Press&r…

Throughout April we are going to be diving into three very different aspects of Christian history with the help of three of our authors as part of our #ThemeOfTheMonth. Watch the blog and our social media channels for more from these authors and their books. ​Luke Miller is Archdeacon of L…

How can we as the Church hold the tension between seeking unity and celebrating our diversity? Is it possible to find unity and connection in the midst of diversity and difference? How should the Church navigate the complexity of our modern, divided world? This month we’re asking two of our …

Can you believe in God and Science? Can religion and science ever sit comfortably together? This month we’re asking two of our authors to help us dive deeper into these questions as part of our #ThemeOfTheMonth ​Daniel Ruy Pereira (B.Sc. Life Sciences) is a Christian science teacher in Ol…

As we draw a line under another year that has been uncertain and painful for many we have asked two of our authors to share their thoughts on lament as part of our January #ThemeOfTheMonth John Holdsworth, author of Honest Sadness: Lament in a Pandemic Age, debates the difference between lament…

What would it look like if we slowed down this holiday season? What if, instead of treating Advent as an obstacle race – with so many ‘to do’s’ to tick off, so many events to attend, so many awkward relationships to navigate – we approached it as a kind…

As we approach the beginning of a new liturgical year three of our authors reflect on the theme of new beginnings and introduce us to their liturgical resources. Graham Turner, the writer behind Alternative Collects: Prayers to a Disruptive & Compassionate God, is a full-time chap…

In a world filled with so much suffering, how do we respond to our own pain? To that of others? Find out what two of our authors have to say about this during the course of October as part of our #ThemeOfTheMonth Hilary Jane Hughes, the poet behind GASP!, invites us to contemplate the…

How does music inform Christian worship? How important is music to the life of the Church? Find out what two of our authors have to say about this during the course of September as part of our #ThemeOfTheMonth. Gillian Warson, author of Using Vintage Hymns in Worship, reflects on what…

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet top authors as Sacristy Press and Durham Cathedral once again join forces to host the 2021 Durham Book Festival “fringe”! Three exciting author events will be held in the beautiful medieval surroundings of Prior’s Hall at Durham Ca…

How should Christians treat Creation and respond to climate crisis? Find out what three of our authors have to say about this during the course of August as part of our #ThemeOfTheMonth. Ray Simpson, Founding Guardian of the Community of Aidan and Hilda and author of Celtic Christianity and Cli…

BOOK LAUNCH: Have the hymns we grew up with passed their sell-by date? Join musician and author Gillian Warson for the launch of her new book Using Vintage Hymns in Worship live at 8pm BST on Monday 12 July 2021 when she will be joined by Michael Garland of the Hymn Society. Many people cons…

Transgenderism, artificial intelligence (AI), our relationship to animals and the natural world... Join seven distinguished theologians for the launch of Made in the Image of God, live at 2.30pm BST on Friday 28 May 2021. This will be a wide-ranging and fascinating insight from members of …

What does it mean for Christians to grow to be mature members of the body of Christ? Find out in our April #BookOfTheMonth, Growing Up into the Children of God. A strong, mature faith is vital for Christians and for the life of the Church. Written out of the experience of his personal faith …

Sacristy Press is a Durham-based publishing company that has just reached a significant milestone. It was founded on 16 March 2011 and is today celebrating its 10th birthday. Over the past decade Sacristy Press has published over 100 titles, building a solid reputation for thought-provok…

Poems for prayer and reflection: our March #BookOfTheMonth is Lyn McCrave’s deeply personal and at times haunting collection, The Geese Flew Over My Heart. This beautiful collection reflects the search for God in the pain and vulnerability of life, in human relationships, in nat…

The Sikh Christian Forum invites you to the (virtual) book launch for Christian and Sikh: A Practical Theology of Multiple Religious Participation by John Barnett. Thursday 4 March 2021 at 7pm (please arrive a few minutes early) Watch Now on YouTube Note: The discount code mentioned …

Nearly a year into the pandemic, many readers are searching for resources to help them to reflect prayerfully on the current moment and to better express their hopes and fears for the future. We have put together a selection of books for this second locked-down Lent to point you in the r…

“Collects that follow in the wake of Cranmer”: discover our February #BookOfTheMonth. Alternative Collects: Prayers to a Disruptive & Compassionate God by Graham Turner These radical prayers break the mould of the “collect” prayers that are so familiar to million…

“An intelligent and fresh exposition of what the Christian faith is.” Discover our January #BookOfTheMonth, Kingdom Come. Kingdom Come: Essential Theology for the Twenty-first Century by Mark Philps Kingdom Come makes essential theological topics relevant and readable …

“Contains a wealth of distilled Christian wisdom … This is a book to savour, slowly.” Discover our December #BookOfTheMonth, a series of reflections and prayers inspired by the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. With God We Live Without God by Martin Lind Die…

Save over £8 on the complete Cuthbert trilogy by Katharine Tiernan! With rave reviews from the likes of the Historical Novel Society and the Church Times, this series is a fiction-lover’s paradise! Buy all three historical novels about St Cuthbert for just £29.99 (usual…

Christian musician Adrian Snell is delighted to invite you to the official launch of his memoir, Fierce Love, streamed live at 7pm GMT on Thursday 10 December 2020.  It is free to attend this live event, which is introduced by Ed Newell of BBC Radio 2 fame. Adrian will be interviewed by Le…

“A bestseller of great literary quality”: discover our November #BookOfTheMonth, a gritty, powerful story about the prominent role women played in the spread of Christianity in seventh-century Britain. The Song of Hild by Vibeke Vasbo and Gaye Kynoch (translator) #1 DANISH BESTS…

Our October #BookOfTheMonth is a beautiful collection of musings and reflections from the heart on the sometimes choppy voyage of life. GASP! by Hilary Jane Hughes “wonderful gifts of insight, empathy and compassion” Pam Rhodes Prayer is a strange thing. Simple yet profound.…

Sacristy Press and Durham Cathedral are hosting three online events as part of the 2020 Durham Book Festival “fringe”. Following the announcement that this year’s Durham Book Festival is going online, Sacristy Press and our friends at Durham Cathedral have been busy prepa…

British musician Adrian Snell returns to tell a life story that reflects the redemptive power of music… in surprising ways. You will likely be familiar with the music of Adrian Snell. His long career in music saw the British artist and composer present works like The Passion, Alpha &…

Sometimes humorous, often challenging, and always accessible, our September #BookOfTheMonth is perfect for anyone who doesn’t know where to start with the Old Testament. From Cosmos to Canaan by Jock Stein Does the Christian Bible seem somehow remote, inaccessible, or difficult t…

A radical and controversial challenge to conventional church leadership: discover Mission From Below, our August #BookOfTheMonth. “A book that needs to be taken very seriously” Philip North, Bishop of Burnley “Challenging lessons for the modern church&r…

WATCH: Gavin Wakefield speaks to Pam Rhodes on Premier's Sunday Night Live about some of the holy people and places of Yorkshire. Gavin Wakefield is Director of Training for Missional Ministry in the Diocese of York, overseeing a team responsible for lay and clergy development. H…

What is the future of England’s great cathedrals? Find out in Holy Ground, our July #BookOfTheMonth. “At last a group of informed writers tackle questions crucial to the future of religion in Britain, and perhaps of the wider human condition.” Sir Simon Jenkins &ldquo…

A gift that “will give great pleasure”… Our June #BookOfTheMonth is a beautiful hardback with stunning colour plates and detailed analysis. The Old Rectory is the perfect present for anyone interested in architecture or Church history. “A humdinging page-turner of …

Christian bookshops are fighting for their survival. Now more than ever they need us to shop with them. Despite having to close their doors, many are keeping their ministry alive by offering home delivery or click-and-collect during the Coronavirus lockdown. Sacristy Press has compiled a…

A thrilling story of Nazi appeasement and sympathy at the highest levels of British government in the days leading up to the Second World War – discover our May #BookOfTheMonth. Recovering from the horrors of war and the Great Depression, Britain clings to dreams of peace as Europe s…

Pay a visit to the beautiful historic city of Durham from the safety of your home with our April #BookOfTheMonth. “Generations of painters have sought new pictorial songs to sing in depicting Durham and its great Cathedral. I was no different in this respect, until I became awar…

Here’s a cheeky peek at Church and Revolution to whet your appetite… In 2001, I was on a train chartered to take anti-capitalist activists, of whom I was one, from French ferry ports to anti-G8 protests in Genoa, Italy. As it happens, our train had attracted some attention in the p…

Our March #BookOfTheMonth, God B.C., makes for perfect Lenten reading. “A classic of biblical interpretation” Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury “A gem of Old Testament introduction. … It is hard to image a better entry poi…

We are delighted to hear that Kevin Carey, author of multiple books with Sacristy Press, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of York. Kevin’s wife Margaret writes: Kevin has been awarded his honorary doctorate in recognition of his service to disabled peop…

As we approach Lent, our February #BookOfTheMonth is perfect material for the penitential season. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love fo…

UPDATE 04/03/2020: London Book Fair has been cancelled by the organisers due to COVID-19 coronavirus. If you were due to meet with us, we will rearrange appointments to take place in London on Friday 13 March, or by phone at a mutually convenient time. Come and meet the Sacristy Press team at…

January is often considered the most miserable month of the year: Christmas cheer is over (in the secular world, at least…) and there seems to be no end to the long, dark nights. However, David Grieve shows in our January #BookOfTheMonth that there is still plenty of Hope in …

As we enter the darkest month of the year (for our northern hemisphere readers, at least...), check out our December #BookOfTheMonth, The Divine Heart of Darkness. “A fascinating read ... intelligent and accessible” The Independent There is a universal assumption …

Whether you’re after the perfect Christmas stocking-filler, a coffee table book to impress, or you just want a steer for your Advent reading, read on for our top tips for 2019… Reflection and Resources: Advent | Christmas Perfect Presents: Coffee Table Classi…

Our Christmas delivery deadlines are earlier than you might expect. Make sure your loved ones find lots of lovely books under their tree – order quickly for guaranteed Christmas delivery! Scroll down for the cut-off dates. If you are considering buying someone one of our books for Chr…

Our November #BookOfTheMonth is Parish Nativity Play. Bring the Christmas narrative to life with Kevin Carey’s moving interpretation, suitable for all acting abilities, ages, and experience levels. Nativity plays for adults often demand great acting skills, props and costumes. But he…

Five years ago, when Sacristy Press was still finding its feet in the big wide world of publishing, we unexpectedly found ourselves sowing the seeds for something that has taken root and blossomed into a wonderful thing: the Durham Book Festival Fringe. Founded in 1990, the Durham Book Festival…

Our October #BookOfTheMonth is Animating Liturgy, a book that invites you to consider the liturgical offering which stands at the heart of the Christian faith. Liturgy forms both individuals and the community in the faith and life of the Christian gospel. In doing this it offers back to God the…

Sacristy Press and Durham Cathedral are hosting two events as part of the 2019 Durham Book Festival “fringe”. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and quiz our authors. For fiction-lovers, novelist Katharine Tiernan will be talking about her new novel Cuthbert of Farne&nbs…

Our September #BookOfTheMonth is God’s People and the Seduction of Empire, “an accessible, radical and rare example of the vitality and relevance of both the Old and New Testaments”. As human beings we are continually seduced by the thought of appearing more impressive an…

Our August #BookOfTheMonth is From Over the Edge, an intimate account of struggling with depression and breakdown as a Christian. Many Christians who suffer from depression and mental breakdown struggle to rationalise it with their faith. In this honest and thoughtful book, Jon Grogan…

Our July #BookOfTheMonth is Theonomics, offering “powerful and persuasive insights into the possibilities for our collective economic well-being.” At a time when economics, banking and commerce are never out of the headlines, Theonomics asks if theology is capable of infor…

Our June #BookOfTheMonth is Susan Bell's A Similar Devotion, a dual narrative set at the dawn of the twenty-first century and in the compelling political landscape of the Jacobite Uprising. This tale shows that while the world may change, love stays just the same. In the North East of E…

Our books have been going down a treat with reviewers recently. Not sure which of our titles to pick up next? Have a read of what the experts think… Cuthbert of Farne The first historical novel about Cuthbert, much-loved saint of the North, a one-time warrior whose destiny it was to recon…

May's #BookOfTheMonth is Patrick Whitworth's “immensely helpful and refreshing” Gospel for the Outsider: The Gospel in Luke & Acts. Gospel for the Outsider not only serves as a useful guide for church leaders and preachers as they look again at Luke’s writings from the …

April's #BookOfTheMonth is Michael Sadgrove's Christ in a Choppie Box: Sermons from North East England. As we move deeper into Lent, this collection of sermons is the perfect companion to sustain you on your journey through Passiontide to the great feast of Easter. Foreword by Justin We…

PRESS RELEASE: The first mainstream historical novel about St Cuthbert is published today on St Cuthbert’s Day (Wednesday 20 March 2019) by Sacristy Press. The novel, Cuthbert of Farne, has been written by Northumberland author Katherine Tiernan. It brings new life to the legendary Ang…

Kingdom Come makes essential theological topics relevant and readable without diluting the Gospel message, drawing on the work of numerous prominent thinkers. If you can't wait for your copy to arrive (or just want a taster before buying), read the first chapter right here... The Kingdom of God s…

We were sad to learn of the death of author John Davey a few weeks ago. Not long before he died, he wrote an article for our blog, as we had planned to feature Living Prayer as our Book of the Month in March. At the request of John's widow Mary, the article will be published as plan…

Christmas is a distant memory now, so it's time to get that pancake pan out and prepare for Lent. Here at Sacristy Press, we have something for everyone, whether you want a book to read on your own, with a friend or in a small group, so select one of our excellent Lent companions to help you to th…

February’s #BookOfTheMonth is Paula Clifford's A Brief History of End Time, a thoroughly entertaining exploration of end-time ideas and beliefs. Blake, Nostradamus, Christian fundamentalists, and latter-day prophets are just some of the many individuals and groups—both relig…

GUEST BLOG: Judith Jesch, Professor of Viking Studies at the University of Nottingham, gives her expert opinion on the gritty and powerful novel The Song of Hild. St Hild, abbess of Whitby, lived 33 years in the world, “while she dedicated an equal number of years still more nobly to t…

Come and meet the Sacristy Press team at the London Book Fair! 12–14 March 2019 at Olympia, London. You can find us on stand 6E70, which we share with the Independent Publishers Guild (IPG) and a variety of other wonderful independent publishers. If we’re not on the stand whe…

January’s #BookOfTheMonth is David Willem’s St Cuthbert's Corpse: A Life after Death, a book that provides a unique history of St Cuthbert from his death to the present day. The miracle of St Cuthbert’s incorrupt corpse has been the subject of much fascination since hi…

One of our authors is opening up the digital world to blind readers. Until now, if you wanted to read the internet (or any other digital content) using Braille, you would have to stump up £4,000 for a “refreshable Braille” device. But not anymore, thanks to Sacristy Press…

Fifty years to the month since the Durham Light Infantry laid up its colours in Durham Cathedral in 1968, our December #BookOfTheMonth is Liberating Belsen, the story of the Durham infantrymen who uncovered monstrous crimes at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp seventy years ago, and the tr…

VIDEO and Q&A: Hilary Jane Hughes reads a poem from her forthcoming anthology GASP! and answers our questions about her stunning, thought-provoking poetry.  What is Loy Krathong? Loy Krathong is Thailand’s Festival of Lights. The name Loy Krathong means ‘floating …

With Advent nearly upon us, here is a taste of Graham Turner's radical new set of collects “that follow in the wake of Cranmer”. Most days now we hear somebody talk about Christmas and how soon it will be upon us. But before that we have the magnificent season of Advent and the s…

Our Christmas delivery deadlines are earlier than you might expect. Make sure your loved ones find lots of lovely books under their tree – order quickly for guaranteed Christmas delivery! Scroll down for the cut-off dates. UPDATE 4 December 2018: The following delivery cut-offs now a…

As a new liturgical year approaches, our #BookOfTheMonth is the perfect companion to the liturgy of the Book of Common Prayer, guiding you through the year Sunday by Sunday. Anyone who finds solace in the words of the Book of Common Prayer will welcome this companion to its Collects, Epistle…

Our October #BookOfTheMonth is The Writing on the Wall, a fascinating book containing 65 well-known phrases that you probably didn't realise came from the King James Bible. In today’s secular culture the Bible attracts little interest yet the story it holds moulded the values of wester…

We are delighted to announce that our September #BookOfTheMonth is Northern Gospel, Northern Church, edited by Gavin Wakefield and Nigel Rooms. Northern Gospel, Northern Church is a must-have book for anyone seeking to understand the challenges of proclaiming the Gospel in the North of England. …

Sacristy Press and Durham Cathedral are hosting two events as part of the 2018 Durham Book Festival “fringe”. We have a real treat lined up for you at this year’s Durham Book Festival. Danish bestselling author Vibeke Vasbo and translator Gaye Kynoch will be talking about the gr…

Our August #BookOfTheMonth is a captivating tale of dark intrigue, a perfect read for a warm summer’s evening... Secret Lives by Barbara Greig. The Gharsias hold a secret which means they can never be safe. 1530: Hernando Gharsia flees Spain with Luis, the traumatised grandson he is …

Jetting off to even sunnier climes in the summer holidays? Don't forget to pack our new releases and some of our old favourites. (No room in the suitcase? Most of our titles are available on a range of e-book platforms!) Recent Releases The Song of Hild by Vibeke Vasbo (translated from the Dani…

PRESS RELEASE: Sacristy Press, a UK independent publisher, is today (15 July 2018) publishing the translation of a number one Danish bestselling novel about the life of St Hild of Whitby by prize-winning Danish author Vibeke Vasbo. The Song of Hild is a powerful story about the prominent role tha…

Excitement is building for the release of #1 Danish bestseller The Song of Hild. Can't wait to start reading it? Here are the first few pages to whet your appetite... Had you been able to look down through the thick woodland covering the uplands north of the Vale of Pickering, and seen into …

We are delighted to announce that God B.C. is available to pre-order now! God B.C.: God's Grace in the Old Testament is a clear and profound introduction to the spiritual world of the Old Testament, providing a highly readable introduction to the nature of the God whom Jesus called “Father&…

BOOK LAUNCH: Join us at Church House Bookshop for a trip to the countryside as we launch The Old Rectory by Anthony Jennings. 6 June 2018 at Church House Bookshop, Westminster31 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BN RSVP to bookshop@chbookshop.co.uk or 020 7799 4064.

We are delighted to announce that Mary Grey’s The Spirit of Peace: Pentecost and Affliction in the Middle East has been chosen as our Book of the Month for May 2018. Whatever happened to the Arab Spring? Not long ago there was the dawn of a vision of peace and justice in the Middle Ea…

OUT NOW: Traditional English rectories and vicarages have been neglected by the Church in the post-war years, but have become highly desirable to property buyers, and are now cherished by their new private owners. They combine many coveted qualities: their fine architecture, their air of civilisat…

We are delighted to announce that Marcus Paul’s The Evil That Men Do: Faith, Injustice and the Church has been chosen as our inaugural Book of the Month. The Evil That Men Do is a refreshingly frank treatment of the Church’s past failings, which fills a gap in our understanding of wha…

“Deeply moving, beautifully written and – even though this seems like the wrong metaphor – illuminating!” “Powerfully inverts our customary imagery surrounding light and dark” Two glowing reviews of Catherine Bird’s The Divine Heart of Darkness have been…

Come and meet the Sacristy Press team at the London Book Fair! 10–12 April 2018 at Olympia, London. You can find us on stand 6E70, which we share with the Independent Publishers Guild (IPG) and a variety of other wonderful independent publishers. If we’re not on the stand whe…

Time to dig out your pancake pan and select one of our excellent Lent companions to help you to think and reflect more deeply and purposefully this year. Here at Sacristy Press, we have something for everyone, whether you want a book to read on your own, with a friend or in a small group. Here ar…

PRESS RELEASE: Sacristy Press, based in Durham City, launched a new collection of poems written by a depressive priest on Blue Monday (Monday 15 January) at Durham Cathedral. “Hope in Dark Places” is a 50-page collection of poems about depression and Christianity. Written by Da…

BOOK LAUNCH: Approximately 300 million people worldwide suffer with depression (WHO, 2017). For those who suffer from this invisible disease, it’s not just the loss of the glitz of Christmas that’s can make them feel low – it’s a reality that they live with day to day.&nbsp…

Don’t make Christmas Bear sad – order quickly for guaranteed Christmas delivery! UPDATE 8 December 2017: The following delivery cut-offs now apply for guaranteed Christmas delivery to the UK only (while stocks last). Economy Delivery: 3pm on Tuesday 19/12…

As the nights get darker, join us at Church House Bookshop to launch The Divine Heart of Darkness: Finding God in the Shadows by Catherine Bird. 11 December 2017 at Church House Bookshop, Westminster31 Great Smith Street, London, SW1P 3BN RSVP to bookshop@chbookshop.co.uk or 020…

PRESS RELEASE: In association with Sacristy Press, Durham Cathedral will host two events as part of the Durham Book Festival Fringe. On 10 October the Dean of Durham and others will take part in a lively debate on the relevance of cathedrals in the modern world, and on 11 October novelist Dav…

Sacristy Press and Durham Cathedral are hosting two events as part of the 2017 Durham Book Festival “fringe”. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and quiz our authors. For fiction-lovers, novelist David Lowther will be talking about espionage and WWII fiction. Or you can come an…

PRESS RELEASE: Sacristy Press, based in Durham City, will be publishing an English version of a Danish best-selling and critically-acclaimed book after securing two grants to fund the book’s translation. What to be the first to know when The Song of Hild is released? Sign up to our…