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	August 2004				Parting Words Barbara C. Harris. Cowley Publications, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA 2003. RRP $23.95
		Book review Parting Words reviewed by Philip Blake
			This book is remarkable both in its authorship and in its plain subject matter. The author is Barbara Clementine Harris who was the first woman to be ordained to the episcopate in the Anglican Communion. Barbara Harris served as Bishop Suffragan in the Diocese of Massachusetts for over thirteen years! Her election as bishop was even more remarkable because she is a black American. Being aware of these facts, as far as some dioceses are concerned, could result in her book being placed on the diocesan Index. What we feed The book consists of sermons preached by Barbara during the closing years of her episcopate, prior to her retirement in early 2003. The pain that she suffered during and after her election is implied rather than detailed. Her homilies are grounded in the scriptures and they reveal the influence that negro spirituals and the old hymns played in her life. It should serve as a reminder that what we feed musically and liturgically to our younger people will either support and encourage them on their pilgrimage or have the opposite effect! One of Barbara’s sermons was preached at a confirmation service shortly after the September 11 attack. It was entitled ‘Easter Grace on a Good Friday World’ and reminded me of one of Sheila Cassidy’s themes. The nine homilies in this short book conclude with the pastoral charge which Barbara gave at the episcopal ordination of her successor on 18 January 2003. She reminded her that the ring, the staff and the mitre were only symbols - and not her life! We can identify John B. Chane, the Bishop of Washington wrote, ‘None can escape the deep roots of Barbara’s personal journey as it is contained in these pages. Parting Words reminds us that Barbara never really belonged to the Church, let alone to the world, for Barbara Harris has always belonged to Jesus, and in this collection invites us all to join with her in that relationship.’ In this book we are privileged to enter, at least in part, into the pilgrimage of a very special pilgrim. As we read it we may be surprised at the way in which we can identify with her and her mission in life.