The story behind the stories! Why I wrote my new book: “Why Gather?” By Martha Tatarnic. Available now at https://www.churchpublishing.org/whygather
Why Gather?
As the COVID pandemic began to shut down the world, even within the church we found our busy hamster-wheel lives grind to a halt.
In the midst of a global crisis, the author found herself in a crisis of vocation, wondering whether or not there might be something else she could do with her life, other than serve the church. The church as a whole began asking questions of a similar and urgent nature. Why be together in Jesus’ name? Does any of what we do as the church in gathering, in proclaiming, in serving, in being together, in not being together, does any of it matter?
-FROM THE PUBLISHER
Why Gather? The Hope & Promise of the Church was published June 14th, 2022. Why Gather? is framed by the things we have been learning about ourselves and our church during the pandemic. It is filled with the real stories of real people revealing how God shows up, who the church really is, and why the church matters as a response to our hurting world.
Learn more and pre-order here: https://www.churchpublishing.org/whygather?fbclid=IwAR0_vmr8GesUDf6UCa7r4IWqx8GgPpWbykWU40mU6p2QNDarQmVGpAXfdJA
Martha talks about Why Gather?
The Vicar’s Crossing – Season 6 Episode 17: Martha Tatarnic
Listen to this episode from The Vicars’ Crossing on Spotify. Today We welcome priest, writer, & speaker – Martha Tartanic. In the midst of a global crisis, Martha found herself in a crisis of vocation, wondering whether or not there might be something else she could do with her life, other than serve the church. The church as a whole began asking questions of a similar and urgent nature. Why be together in Jesus’ name? Does any of what we do as the church in gathering, proclaiming, serving, being together, in not being together, does any of it matter? The result of Martha’s important questions and thoughtful discernment is a book that is food for the hungry and water to all who thirst.
Pew & Beyond with Neil Mancor – Season 2 Episode 17
Watch here: https://www.facebook.com/nmancor/videos/354982103094028
Rev. Kyle Norman In Conversation with Martha Tatarnic
Readers talk about Why Gather?
Why gather,? Because it matters to enjoy the sweetest of God’s realities, in peace, friendship and community.
-Anita Djurkovic, Community & Social Justice Team, St. George’s St. Catharines
Martha Tatarnic’s latest book is a must-read!
-Vicar’s Crossing Podcast
Your wise words have inspired me to re-engage with my favourite church in Saskatoon.
-Dr. Jennifer Lang, Associate Professor of Music Education/Choral at University of Saskatchewan
After two years of social gatherings and communities being limited, I need this challenge for regrouping and joining a church community again.
-Janine Moffett, Behaviour Therapist, Bethesda Services, St. Catharines
This is soooooo good! Inspiring, revelatory, emotional, hopeful.
-The Reverend Rob Henderson, Parish of Holy Trinity St. Stephens Memorial London, Co-host of Vicar’s Crossing Podcast
Martha is a parish priest, a mom, a long distance runner and a prophetic voice in the Canadian church. Her writing is raw and honest. Reading this book, I found myself challenged and reassured. Reading Martha’s sharing about the ways Jesus is present in her life, even in the messiness of the now, and how she outlines how the Body of Christ has sustained her even in the wake of the misogyny she has experienced in the church I was able to once again see Jesus as friend, saviour, teacher and Lord.
-The Reverend Kevin George, St. Aidan’s Church in London ON, Co-host of Vicar’s Crossing Podcast
I hope that the whole church reads and reflects deeply on the words you share and the stories you lift up. Your ultra-real message of the nearness of God is truly a light on our path out of the darkness of these past two years, and it will empower and equip so many for ministry and service in our Church for years to come.
-Adam McNeil, Student at University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Music