The  Library

The church owns a 3,000 book library housed in an historic building on the church property.  Everyone is welcome to use the library each Sunday.  The library is open for a coffee house on the first Friday of each month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

This Library is devoted to serving the information needs of all of our members and community friends.  Unlike many public libraries which discriminate and include only heterosexual fiction, this library includes fiction for everyone, including heterosexuals and GLBT members and community friends.  Unlike many church libraries which limit their collections to conservative, denominational materials only, this library may include religious materials on a wide range of religious faiths, human spiritual experiences, and traditions.

Online Library

For Books:

To go to the Church's online library catalog, click here:  http://www.librarything.com/catalog/godshouse   

(The catalog is hosted and powered by LibraryThing.com.)

For Magazines and Newspapers:

Go to the Alabama Virtual Library (AVL), click here:  http://www.avl.lib.al.us/    Get your AVL card with I.D. and password from any Alabama Public Library (free, just ask for it).

Selected subjects from the library catalog:

Fiction     Includes many classic fiction titles as well as many titles published in the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

Children’s books     Many classic stories.  More than 125 titles and more to come.

Lesbian fiction     Good collection of titles from major presses such as Naiad Press and others.

Biography     More than 140 titles and more to come.

Hymns     Links to web sites for online hymns and hymn history.

Table of sample / selected topics:  To access these topics, click on catalog link above, enter topic in the search window, in second window select Tags or Subjects, and press the Search button.

Tips on using catalog:  Look down the page in the Tags column.  If you see a Tag that interests you, click on that Tag and a list of books on that Tag (or Subject) will appear.

Click on List View to see an alphabetical title list of the library collection.  Click on any title to see further info about the book.  Click on Cover View to see an alphabetical title list of the covers of the books.

Locations

 

Library books are shelved under 11 broad subject categories or locations.  Subjects or topics included in each category are listed here:

 

Biography:                 Includes biography, poetry, history.

 

Children’s Books:  Includes children’s animal stories, fairy tables, fantasy, short stories, picture books, comic books, etc.  May include poetry, rhymes, songs.

 

General Fiction          Includes hardcover fiction, large-size paperbacks, trade paperbacks.  Includes wide range of classic and recent action, adventure, detective, historical, mystery, romance, science-fiction.  Includes heterosexual characters, themes, love stories, romance, relationships, issues.  Includes short stories.

 

Hobbies                     Includes ceramics, cooking, crafts, drawing, games, gardening, interior design, photography, sewing, etc.

 

Men’s Fiction             Men characters, themes.  Includes gay men’s fiction (may include gay characters, themes, gay issues, gay detective, mystery or romance, gay relationships, family issues, etc.).  May include bisexual or trans-gendered fiction.  Includes short stories.

 

Religion                      Includes religious themes, discussions, essays, Bible studies, devotionals, religious biography, hymnology.  May include materials from other religious backgrounds including astrology, Buddhism, etc.

 

Self-Help                    Includes medical, alcoholism, drugs, mental health, death and dying, family issues, grief, health.

 

Social Issues             Social issues, political issues, African American history and concerns, gay and lesbian concerns and issues, marriage, other issues (abortion, environment, green earth, pollution, etc.).

 

Standard Paperbacks          General paperbacks, 4 1/8 by 6 7/8 inch size.  Includes wide range of classic and recent action, adventure, detective, historical, mystery, romance, science-fiction.  Includes heterosexual characters, themes, love stories, romance, relationships, issues.  Includes short stories.

 

Women’s Fiction       Women characters, themes.  Includes lesbian fiction (may include lesbian characters, themes, lesbian issues, lesbian mystery, detective or romance, lesbian relationships, family issues, etc.).  May include bisexual or trans-gendered fiction.

 

Young Adult                Includes fiction with primarily teen or young adult characters, themes, issues, relationships, family issues, etc.  Many young adult novels include a growing-up or maturing, or coming-of-age theme.  Includes both fiction and non-fiction books.  May include travel guides, health, advice, teen concerns, money management, relationship counseling or guides, dating information, sexuality, marriage, careers, education, etc.  Young adult vs. adult:  Young adult books often have young adult protagonists, while adult books have adult protagonists. YA plots also usually involve some kind of coming-of-age theme.

 

General Selection Criteria

Individual selections need not meet each of the following general selection criteria but should fall within the parameters set by them.  Materials selected for inclusion in the God’s House Community Church Library should promote the stated objectives of the library and be relevant to the needs of the church and its members.  In addition, selections may:

1. Be related to current teaching needs, such as Bible study, preaching.
2. Be useful for personal devotional, inspirational, informational, or recreational reading needs.

3. Broaden intellectual, emotional, and creative experiences of church members.
4. Be authentic and accurate.
5. Be appropriate and relevant to the ages of all members and users in terms of reading level, vocabulary, concepts, and use.              
6. Be organized and accessible.                 

7. Represent a high quality of writing and/or conception and/or be written or produced by a reputable and credible author, producer, or publisher.                 

8.  Serve reference or research purposes.

9.  Conform to budgetary constraints in initial, supplemental, storage, and replacement costs.

10. Be of local interest or production.

11. Generally, be written in the English language.

 

Note:  Materials not selected include those that incite or promote violence or crime, promote the overthrow of the U.S. government, promote disrespect or persecution of racial or other minorities or groups of people, are blatantly homophobic or prejudiced materials, or are religious materials that distort the teachings of Jesus and limit God’s love to certain religious groups, denominations, sects, nationalities, genders or sexual orientations only.  Extremist religious materials that incite hatred or violence, or browbeat or demean or belittle people are not included.

Online Article Library

The following is what we call our "article library."  This online library provides links to articles and resources that we have found helpful, encouraging, and supportive.

Issues surrounding sexual orientation confront many denominations and churches today.  Here are articles on religion and homosexuality that members and friends have found useful:

Is Homosexuality a Sin? by Rev. Dr. Kathlyn James, First United Methodist Church, Seattle.

Homosexuality: Not a Sin, Not a Sickness by Rev. Elder Don Eastman. Los Angeles Universal Fellowship Press, 2005.

The Bible and Homosexuality   Metropolitan Community Churches, 2005. Revised by Mona West.   Originally published as: 'Homosexuality: What the Bible Does and Does not Say,' 1984.

Homosexuality and the Bible  Jesus Metropolitan Community Church.  Sermons by Rev. Jeff Miner.  Scroll down to mid-way on the page to Homosexuality and the Bible: Parts 1 - 4. 

"Our Story, Too . . . Reading the Bible with "New Eyes."  by Rev. Nancy L. Wilson, 2005.

Coming Out As Sacrament  by Dr. Mona West.  Metropolitan Community Churches, 2005.

Queer Spirituality  by Dr. Mona West.  Metropolitan Community Churches, 2005.

The Power of the Bible by Dr. Mona West.  Metropolitan Community Churches, 2005.

HIV/AIDS: Is it God's judgement?  This pamphlet was originally produced in 1985 in cooperation with the UFMCC Commission on Faith, Fellowship,  and Order: Rev. Jennie Boyd Bull, Chairperson. The revisions are by Rev. A. Stephen Peters, Metropolitan Community Churches, 1994.

Answers to your questions about sexual orientation and homosexuality.  Answers to commonly asked questions about sexual orientation and homosexuality from the American Psychological Association. 2006.

Being gay is just as healthy as being straight.  Evelyn Hooker's pioneering research debunked the popular myth that homosexuals are less mentally healthy than heterosexuals, leading to significant changes in how psychology views and treats people who are gay.  2003.

When Christ was gay: what many Christians seem to forget  by Brian Elroy McKinley. 2005.  

How to fight the religious right: a guide to defending yourself against Fundamentalist Christians  by Brian Elroy McKinley.  A look at social issues often raised by the religious right to attack others.  Author refutes misuse of the Bible to abuse and attack others. 2005.

Thank a homosexual for your Bible.  Liberated Christians, Phoenix, Arizona, 1998.

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