Dear friends,

It is early Wednesday morning and I realize that I haven’t written my weekly meditation. In this situation I am both writer and editor. The editor in me is telling me to start writing, while the writer is complaining that he is on a short vacation (and so is inspiration). 

However, there is news to share, which is that my new book, Blessed by God, is coming out in March 2025. Like Above & Below, it’s a collection of meditations on the Christian life, with the inclusion of some longer essays. Many have never been published before. They include ruminations on whether God exists, where home is found, the secrets of growing old, saintly revelations, the silent witness of ancient churches, and the power of prayer and praise. 

The book includes the meditation - “The Queen is Dead” - which attracted more comments than any I have published before. Blessed by God also introduces many vignettes drawn from encounters with friends and parishioners. Their stories illustrate how, in times of suffering and hardship, God blesses, restores and leads us to new life. 

The book is beautifully illustrated and priced at a very reasonable $20. As soon as I have further details I will share them. At some point we are planning a book launch at the Rectory at Christ Church Christiana Hundred. I would also like to bring copies to sell at churches where I have served before. You will be able to order the book through the Cedar Tree website. There will also be a Kindle version. 

The Foreword to the book was written by Rev. John Zagarella, the Prior of Daylesford Abbey in Paoli. Here is a short extract from it:

“What a gift! What a wonderful collection of reflections for me and for you, especially as we search everywhere for examples of God’s love and peace in the world. Well, we can find those examples, and David Beresford gives us that pathway to look no further than our own backyard to be Blessed By God.”

Your brother in Christ,

Father David