Any of the following books by Tom Owen-Towle may be ordered from Amazon.com or directly from Tom. The purchase button will indicate where the book will ship from. If you have any questions regarding your order, please contact me here.
WomanSpirit
The Rise of Feminism and the Empowerment of Women in Liberal Religion
Voices of Change: The Women Ministers Who Revitalized a Tradition
“A thoughtful work about hopeful realism in the face of adversity. These twenty-first-century women helped transform our denomination into the multicultural, multiracial denomination that it is today.”
-The Rev. Addae A. Kraba, Minister Unitarian Universalists of New Braunfels
At Union Theological School in 1970, a professor stepped up to the podium and greeted his class of ministerial aspirants, “Good morning, Gentlemen.” A voice called out, “And women!”
WomanSpirit is a collection of twenty essays by extraordinary Unitarian Universalists who illuminate their journey of empowerment and evolution. It’s a tribute to their dream of a more inclusive, equitable future-and, in doing so, reshaped the very fabric of the denomination.
Through poignant reflection and vivid storytelling, this compelling anthology captures the struggles and triumphs that reshaped an entire denomination. It speaks of a shared journey of resilience, solidarity, and the power of collective action while celebrating the courage of brave women who dared to challenge the status quo, redefine possibilities, and transform their denomination from within.
• Price: $24.95
• Pages: 396 pages
• Binding: Softcover
• Religion/Feminisism/Essays
Making Peace with Our Own Death
Pastoral Notes from a Unitarian Universalist Elder
“Owen-Towle’s text is a prayer to push away the fear we often associate with the end of life.”
—from the Foreword by Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd
Plainly, I’m neither a scientific investigator nor a professional thanatologist. I’m a pastor, and my advice is straightforward: whatever the manner or date of our extinction might be, it behooves us to reflect deeply and prime diligently for our death, while we’re still awake and kicking. May we refrain from taking a spiritual bypass and face our own end as boldly and creatively as possible. Doing so will deliver unspeakable gifts both to ourselves and to our loved ones.
“Making Peace with Our Own Death may become one of the most important things we will ever do.”
—From the opening chapter “Reflecting Upon Death Amidst a Pandemic”
• Price: $20.00
• Pages: 244 pages
• Binding: Softcover
• Inspirational/Self-Help
Growing All the Way to Our Grave
Conscious Aging & Mindful Dying
Reflections from the heart of Tom Owen-Towle
“In this meditative volume, Owen-Towle takes us by the hand to comfort and cajole, shepherd and steer, accompany and attend, for we are all in this certain aging together.”
—Dr. January Riddle, communications professor and founder of Write Doubt Communications Coaching
Heaps of fine books on the physical and medical, legal and financial issues of aging already exist, so Growing All the Way to Our Grave (Conscious Aging & Mindful Dying) pivots upon the spiritual assignment of seniors completing our lives as purposefully as possible. Clearly, most golden agers yearn to stay evergreen and harvesting to their death. But before we rest in peace, we strive to live in peace—daily. This book of poetic reflections will assist you in balancing self-possession and solitude, questing and soul-work, joy and service, anguish and hope, bequest and surrender.
—from the Prologue
“Whenever we’re tempted to retreat, this book can become an extended meditation as we grow into the gifts of aging and dying. There are precious jewels here. Be not afraid.”
—Rev. Gail Collins, author of eight books of nonfiction
• Price: $20.00
• Pages: 368 pages
• Binding: Softcover
• Inspirational/Self-Help
Self
Caring for Our Best Gift
We possess minds, bodies, spirits, hearts, souls, and consciences, and each of these six distinct realms of the self must be tended daily in one manner or another. Nurturing the whole self is the most important job we have. Each zone of self-care will be addressed in a separate chapter, followed by relevant quotes and questions for personal reflection and group discussion.
“Keep Owen-Towle’s book close by. It is a wonderful, timely, and necessary map through the brambles and briar patches of today’s world.”
—Paul Pinegar, Ph.D.
• Price: $20.00
• Pages: 316 pages
• Binding: Softcover
• Inspirational/Self-Help
Unwrapping
the Inner Gifts of Christmas
The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day can send us into a funk. UNWRAPPING the Inner Gifts of Christmas is a guide to help us face—even embrace—the many holiday emotions (joy, sadness, compassion, and silence), so that we may be able to truly grow our souls. It is filled with hopeful stories and helpful exercises that lead to a healthier and holier life.
“Tom Owen-Towle has taken stories and songs and woven a new holiday tapestry. Each page contains the kernel for a potential meditation or sermon.”
—Denise Tracy, UU Minister
• Price: $15.00
• Pages: 162
• Binding: Softcover
• Holiday Inspirational
Wake Up!
Daily Lessons for a More Liberated and Loving Life
Wake Up! Is for anyone who wishes to experience greater illumination and clarity in his or her own life.
“Reading Tom Owen-Towle’s book can be risky; if you read it you may actually wake up.” —Rabbi Rami Shapiro, author of Recovery, the Sacred Art.
• Price $18.00
• Pages: 302
• Binding: Softcover
• Spiritual Awakening
Theology Ablaze
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary Year of Unitarian Universalism
Unitarian Universalist theology has caught fire in the past 50 years. We have matured spiritually. Drawing from our unique history, Tom shares insights into the essential theology of Unitarian Universalism.
This book explores 29 classic themes with questions for both personal reflection and group discussion following each chapter.
• Price: $20.00
• Pages: 328
• Binding: Softcover
• Progressive Religion
Homestretch
The Art of Finishing Life Well
This book will assist seniors, as well as “juniors”, in balancing the core life pursuits of solitude and quest, joy and service, surrender and legacy.
• Price: $12.00
• Pages: 143
• Binding: Softcover
• Spirituality/Aging
Staying Together
40 Ways to Make Your Marriage Work
Simple, usable suggestions for committed couples who want greater fun and fulfillment from their partnership.
Owen-Towle draws on personal experience as well as decades of couple counseling.
• Price: $7.00
• Pages: 77 pages
• Binding: Softcover
• Marriage/Relationships
Friendship Chronicles
Letters Between a Gay and a Straight Man
In this intimate exchange of letters, Tom and his friend Chris Hassett explore a wide range of issues. Although their perspectives on life and death, sex and love, more often blend, the differences are notable.
Their shared friendship will touch every reader.
• Price: $9.00
• Pages: 192 pages
• Binding: Softcover
• Men’s Issues/Friendship
Wholly Joy
Being Happy In an Unhappy World
This set of inspirational essays explores the heart of life’s mission—finding and spreading joy wherever we’re planted on this earth.
Indeed, as the Hindus remind, “only the Whole is joy.”
• Price: $9.00
• Pages: 151
• Binding: Softcover
• Inspirational Life
Sauntering
A Soul Journey In the Woods with Thoreau as My Guide
150 years after Thoreau took his celebrated journey to Walden Pond, Owen-Towle spun this book of meditative essays—the fruits of explorations into soul and nature.
“Tom has given us a simple and sincere account of a modern spiritual journey. This is a book about finding, or perhaps re-finding, oneself.”
— Dr. Robert D. Richardson
• Price: $9.00
• Pages: 170 pages
• Binding: Softcover
• Thoreau/Personal Growth
Generation to Generation
Passing Along the Good Life to Your Children
One father’s attempt to share wisdom and humor with his children while he is still living. Fifty-two “love letters” form an “ethical will.” His kids found they couldn’t put it down and neither will you.
Share this book with the people you cherish.
• Price: $7.00
• Pages: 143
• Binding: Softcover
• Home/Family Life