It’s the weekend, and I’ll be preparing for my first ever sermon/talk at my church – that I’m giving in a couple of weeks, on Jesus healing a blind man in John 9. I’ve done talks in other places, and contributed to talks at my church, but this is New Territory. Wish me luck, or something more spiritual!
I hope you have a good weekend lined up. As ever in the miscellany, I’ll send you on your way with a book, a link, and a blog post…
1.) The book – praise be for Michael Walmer, continuing to republish the wonderful Stella Benson. I’ve read the four they’ve already published, and now I’ve bought Pipers and a Dancer and am looking forward to getting started on that one. Order your own, or catch up on Benson’s quirky, funny, inimitable backlist, over at his website.
2.) The link – this New York Times article by Sophie Hughes on literary translation is fascinating, and brilliantly interactive in the way it’s laid out.
3.) The blog post – I enjoyed the overview of 2023 reading so far from You Might As Well Read – so many excellent choices, and some very tempting ones I haven’t read.
Hi Simon: Many thanks for the shout out, I’m so glad you enjoyed the post. We’ll have to compare notes after another Pamela Hansford Johnson or two! Best of luck (and grace) on your talk this Sunday, it’s lovely topic. I’ve seen the Hughes article but haven’t read it yet; I’ll definitely move it up on the list as there’s so much to be said on that topic. As for Michael Walmer’s publications, I do check them from time to time out but haven’t yet gotten to Stella Benson yet, so it sounds like I have a treat in store!
Thanks! I’m particularly keen to read my copy of Impossible Marriage now.
I will try to pray for you as you prepare your sermon (and hope you won’t have to resort to your father’s bottom drawer!).
The article on translation was brilliant. I really enjoyed watching and reading that. Thank you.
Thank you, Sarah! I’m sure Dad has preached on John 9 many times, so I really should have gone to the source…
Prayers for a successful talk at your church Simon.
Also has anyone read the book Catching Fire by Daniel Hahn? It is a memoir, the subtitle says a translation diary, about when the author translated the book Never Did the Fire by Diamela Eltit. I haven’t read either one but heard that the translation diary is a great read.
I had never heard of Catching Fire, but I ordered it immediately upon reading that description!
Sending you many blessings from a New England Congregationalist in Connecticut, a church that was the town’s meeting house and spiritual center at its founding in 1639.. Every Sunday we are reminded from the pulpit of the congregation’s vote 25 years ago to become an Open and Affirming church.
Thank you v much, Jeannike!
Stella Benson is new to me so thanks for the recommendation. Your “50 books you must read but many not have heard of yet” list is wonderful. I love some of those books and am adding a lot more to my tbr. I’ll never live long enough to finish my tbr, but it’s fun knowing all these wonderful books are there. And there will be a library in Heaven….right?
I’ll be praying for you as you prepare for your talk. My daughter, like you , had spoken in other situations but preached her first sermon at church just a while ago. A bit nerve-wracking but you’ll only have to do it the first time once! She says it gets easier after that. God bless you as you prepare.
Thank you so much, Dianne, I do hope you enjoy the books you track down! I am very confident books will play some role in Heaven – after all, God chose to speak to us through 66 books already, so He is clearly a fan!
Thank you so much for your prayers – and well done to your daughter.
I have Piper, too, and am looking forward to starting it soon. And best wishes for your sermon, I’m sure you’ll do very well.
Thank you Liz!
Any chance that your church livestreams its services? Hearing/watching your talk/sermon would be wonderful. It’s going to be good.
Oh thanks for asking – yes, it does! It’s Oxford Community Church, and streams on their website and facebook (as well as having the option to watch it later)