News archive

Past news items are listed below.   Special offers applied at the time of publication and are no longer valid. 

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 NEWS

Combine compassion with caution this Christmas

With gloomy predictions for the global economy affecting us all, the old saying “There is always somebody worse off than yourself” could never have been more relevant.  Charities are often the first to suffer at times like this.  The Apostle Paul’s description of the Macedonian Christians whose “extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2  Corinthians 8:2) is a challenge to all Christians.

Re:fresh books & christian resources in Tolworth has special offers to help customers save money on their Christmas purchases.   Re:fresh is also selling charity Christmas cards and other products that will benefit those less fortunate than ourselves.

Compassion Art is an inspiring new venture by twelve leading Christian songwriters to produce a CD/DVD and a book with the proceeds from sales and royalties going to charity.  The artists, who include Matt Redman, Darlene Zschech, Chris Tomlin and Graham Kendrick, met for a week-long retreat beside a Scottish loch and produced 14 brand new worship songs spanning a wide range of genres.  They were joined by Amy Grant and other vocalists to record their album at the Abbey Road studios.   The CompassionArt CD also includes a 55-minute DVD giving an account of the project and PDFs of song sheets for all the songs in the album.  Cost is just £13.00.   There is also a 320-page book with contributions from all 12 artists. Price £12.99.

Charity Christmas cards: This year’s range of charity Christmas cards from Tearfund, Toybox and Samaritan’s Purse includes some of the best ever.  Christmas cards are a way to express goodwill to family and friends at Christmas, but charity Christmas cards are also a practical way of showing goodwill to the world’s less fortunate people.

The Re:fresh Top Ten:  Re:fresh has prepared a list of it’s Top Ten suggestions for Christmas presents.  It includes books, Bibles, gift items, CDs and DVDs.  Even if you do not choose one of the items suggested, the list may give you ideas for a related product.   Ask at the shop or click HERE to see the list.

Give a Bible this Christmas: What more valuable gift could you give to anybody at Christmas than a Bible, described in the Coronation ceremony as “The most valuable thing this world affords.”  The brand new NLT Study Bible was developed over a seven-year period by a team of 40 scholars.  It contains 26,000 notes, 400 themed articles, people profiles, word studies and much more including the words of Jesus in red.  It is available as a hardback at £24.99 or bonded leather (black or burgundy) at £43.50.  Visit re:fresh to see the wide range of Bibles available, some of which are offered at special prices.  These include the Cover to Cover Complete Bible, designed to be read in a year, with notes by Selwyn Hughes and Trevor Partridge, reduced from £19.99 to £17.99.

Children’s books: The 3 for 2 offer on Candle and Lion children’s Christmas books runs to the end of December.  Most of these are new and all are beautifully presented.  Many have pop-up figures, some of which can be manipulated to simulate donkeys walking, babies waving their arms etc.  Other suitable presents for children include the updated Lion Storyteller Bible by Bob Hartman, which now includes a CD.  Cliff Richard’s 50 Favourite Bible Stories also includes a CD.

Christmas Lights:  Once again re:fresh is selling the Silent Lights range of Christmas lighting.  This offers a Christian answer to all the illuminated Santas, Rudolfs, Snowmen and other items that decorate homes at Christmas.  The choice includes stars, angels, peace doves, and nativity scenes.  All are suitable for exterior use and most consume no more electricity than a normal filament lamp.   Prices start at £16.99.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2008 NEWS

Where can you buy quality Christmas cards and benefit less fortunate people?  Where can you buy good Christian books, music, DVDs and gifts?   Is there a Christian response to all the reindeer, Santas and snowmen that decorate houses at Christmas?

 You can get answers to all these questions and much more at re:fresh books and christian resources at 23 The Broadway, Tolworth (close to Marks & Spencer.)

Refresh has large stocks of charity Christmas cards from Tearfund, Toybox and Samaritan’s Purse.   This year’s Tearfund cards are particularly attractive; each Toybox card has a panel telling the story of a street child in Latin America who has been helped; the attractive Samaritan’s Purse cards help support the work of the charity which is best-known for its Christmas shoe box appeal.   Re:fresh also has Advent Calendars, 2009 calendars and diaries. 

Make your own statement about the significance of Christmas with illuminated nativity scenes, stars, peace doves and angels outside your home or church.   The Silent Lights products, available at re:fresh books & christian resources, are similar in construction to the Christmas lights sold in DIY stores and other retail outlets but convey a Christian ethos.  Most are designed for hanging or free-standing use.   They come with a weatherproof connector and 3m cable.  Most units consume less than 100W.   Demonstration units can be seen at re:fresh which uses them in its own windows.

 Books
There is a special 3 for 2 offer on an exciting new range of children’s Christmas books from Candle and Lion at re:fresh books.  Ranging in age from 2 to 12 they include books with animated pop-up figures, sticker books and imaginative and beautifully illustrated story books.  You will wish you were young again when you see the selection!

You can still take advantage of re:fresh books’ birthday offers as long as stocks last.  These include What kind of God? by Michael Ots, Working it out by Ian Coffey, Love one-another by Gerald Sittser, Did you think to Pray? by RT Kendall and The Reason for God by Timothy Keller.  All are reduced by £2.00.

 Gifts
The possibilities for gifts this Christmas are endless – the Prince Caspian DVD is due to be released in mid-November; popular books like William Young’s best-seller The Shack (buy one get the second half price at re:fresh) make excellent gifts, new CDs such as Brian Doerksen’s It’s Time and Michael W Smith’s New Hallelujah are offered at £2.00 off at refresh.  The Willow Tree range of figures has been introduced by re:fresh since last Christmas – this is a secular range of simple yet attractive figures conveying messages about peace, love, friendship etc.  Re:fresh also has an extended range of pictures.

For a free 76-page Select colour catalogue packed with details of Bibles, books, software, DVDs, music and other Christmas gifts, many at special prices, write or email shop@refreshbooks.co.uk or, better still, call at the shop at 23 The Broadway, Tolworth.

And if you are still not sure what gifts to get but want to support your local independent Christian retailer, re:fresh gift vouchers are redeemable against anything in the shop.

 Re:fresh books also has nativity sets with prices starting from £6.50.

SEPTEMBER 2008 NEWS Good News on the Retail front Re:fresh books & christian resources on Tolworth Broadway is celebrating its fourth birthday in October.  The good news is that, despite the gloomy scene in the retail sector generally, re:fresh has made its budget for the financial year … just!   “We are grateful for the support and encouragement of our loyal customers, many of whom recognise that re:fresh is more than just a shop” says Manager, Marguerite Williams.  “It is a mission-field which is dependent on sales to support its work” she adds.  “Recent months have seen many opportunities to minister to the needs of individuals who have come into the shop at times of spiritual and emotional need.  We want re:fresh to be a place where people feel they can step aside from the busyness of life and spend time browsing.  If they need to talk it is our prayer that we will have discernment and wisdom in what we say.”  Birthday offers To celebrate its fourth birthday, re:fresh books has many special birthday offers on books, Bibles and music during October.  There are also pick-and-mix offers and even free books and CDs linked to some purchases.  On the birthday weekend, Saturday October 25, there will be free cake and other refreshments.  Special birthday offers, exclusive to re:fresh, include £2 off the latest RT Kendall book, Did you think to pray? the Chris Tomlin worship album, Hello Love; a handy resource book, 100+ games, quizzes and icebreakers by Shirley Bloomfield; and three new IVP titles – What kind of God  by Michael Ots, Working it out by Ian Coffey and Love one another by Gerald L Sittser. Visit the shop to see lots of other special offers. Discounts for students and young readers: With the start of the new academic year, re:fresh books is introducing a student discount card offering 10% off the full price of books to college, university and theology  students. This year is officially ‘National Year of Reading’ and re:fresh has two new ideas to encourage younger readers.  It is introducing a Bookworm Clubcard so that younger readers can earn vouchers to spend more on books.   During the half term week (October 27-31) re:fresh is planning to have story readings for younger customers.  these will be between 10.30am and 12.00 and between 3.00pm and 4.00pm each day. Christmas gifts and cards With Christmas only a couple of months away, re:fresh has stocked up with charity Christmas cards from Toybox, Tearfund, the Leprosy Mission and Samaritan’s Purse.  There are also calendars, diaries and gifts.  During the year re:fresh has introduced the popular Willow Tree range of figures.   The gift selection also includes jewellery, pictures, 3D laser-etched glassware, wood carvings, mugs and scented candles.   JUNE 2008 NEWS   Plan your holiday reading at re:fresh Taming the Tiger, the dramatic story of three-times World Kung Fu Champion, Tony Anthony, is now available from re;fresh books and christian resources in a ‘Mass market Edition’ at only £2.99.   This is an ideal book for our “Take it and Leave it” initiative (See below) Meanwhile, throughout June and July re:fresh books & christian resources has a range of Christian fiction and biographies, all reduced by £2.   While stocks last there is also a FREE sampler book with chapters from ten biographies and ten novels in this offer.   A novel that is currently proving popular is The Shack by William Young.  This tackles the issue “Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain” through the medium of Christian fiction. Take it & leave it Once again re:fresh books is encouraging christians to take a good book on holiday and leave it behind for somebody else to read.   This is similar to ‘bookcrossing’.  Many Holiday Hotels and Accommodations have a ‘library; where guests can leave books they have finished reading and pick up books left by others.   Why not take a good book to read and leave?   Choose something like Taming the Tiger that is not overtly ‘Christian’ but has a general appeal.  One of the novels or biographies from the re:fresh summer promotion is another possibility. Prince Caspian is coming – June 27 On June 27 the second movie in the CS Lewis Chronicles of Narnia series opens in cinemas.  Harper Collins is producing a whole range of film tie-ins.  Meanwhile re:fresh books always has stocks of all the books in the Chronicles of Narnia series. Special to re:fresh – 3 for 2 on Candle Bible for Toddlers range The Candle Bible for Toddlers is an excellent introduction to the Bible, with 133 Bible stories from the Old and New Testament told in clear, simple sentences with colourful illustrations.  There is also a Candle Prayers for Toddlers plus a whole range of other products – Mix and Match Bible Stories, Noah and his great ark, Carry along Bible fun, Jigsaw fun etc.  These are all available in a 3 for 2 offer at re:fresh books.     Going up to University for the first time? FRESH is a 176-page resource for freshers from the publisher who knows the University scene best – IVP.   Designed to help Christian students maintain a strong personal faith, it provides five weeks’ worth of daily information on everything from writing essays to writing home, from making friends to making the grade, and from debt to dating. NOTE: On June 21 there is a ‘FRESH’ day conference for new students at St Pauls’ Church, Cheam, see the re:fresh website www.refreshbooks.co.uk/localevents.htm for details. …and music Two newly-released CDs are on special offer, £2 off, exclusively at refresh books: One is Lou Fellingham’s Promised Land and the other is String Heaven, an inspirational orchestral arrangement of 15 popular worship songs.   Meanwhile, Great God who Saves, is the debut album from a new singer, Laura Story, from whom we shall surely  be hearing a lot more.  Sufficient to say she wrote the popular Chris Tomlin song Indescribable and backing vocals on some of the tracks are provided by Amy Grant! Meanwhile, there are three new albums containing fresh acoustic mixes of some of the best songs from Hosanna Music.  Published as renew, restore and refresh, each contains 12 or 13 tracks at only £7.99. APRIL/MAY NEWS 2008    What’s new and re:freshing on Tolworth Broadway? Tolworth Broadway has a new look – gone is the subway that few people used and gone are the green railings that formed a visual and physical barrier between the road and the shops.  Now there is a controlled pedestrian crossing and the railings have disappeared. Instead there are pay and display parking bays right outside re:fresh books & christian resources.  Meanwhile, inside the shop there are changes too!   Willow Tree figures now available from re:fresh re:fresh books has recently added the Willow Tree range of figures to its gift selection.   They join a wide range of new cards and gifts suitable for Anniversaries, Birthdays, Baptisms, Christenings, Confirmation and First Holy Communion. Willow Tree products can be an excellent way of expressing love or thanks to other people.   They use simple yet expressive figures to communicate sentiments or represent themes like peace, love, thanks, care and blessing.  The figures have no facial detail but rely simply on the tilt of the head, the pose of the body or the position of the hands to convey meaning. There are figures that express relationships like grandfather, grandmother, father and daughter, brother and sister etc.   See the re:fresh website www.refreshbooks.co.uk or visit the shop to see examples.   Many are less than £10.00.   “Re:fresh aims to offer high quality cards and gifts that are different and will appeal both to our regular Christian customers and the general public.  The Runnymede range of 3D laser-engraved crystal glass products has been popular since we opened and we believe the Willow Tree figures will be equally popular” says re:fresh Manager, Marguerite Williams. Bible promotion A cracking £9 off the beautifully bound soft-tone NIV Study Bible,  £2 off the  brand new NIV Popular Bible and £3 off the Hardback Good News Sunrise Bible, are just some of the special offers on a wide range of Bibles available throughout April and May at re:fresh books & christian resources.  Of particular interest are offers on NIV, Good News and NCV Youth Bibles. Hot off the press is Hodder’s new NIV The World’s Most Popular Bible range in a distinctive white cover with Scripture passages printed on the spine and in a cross shape on the front.  This means that the words of Scripture can be read whether the Bible is displayed ‘face out’ or ‘spine out’ on a bookshelf.  This new hardback edition, for the first time includes both the Gideon ‘Helps’ and a Bible Guide.  Re:fresh is offering this new edition at a special introductory price of £15.99 instead of £17.99.   Other editions include a pocket-sized  hardback gift edition which would make an ideal wedding, confirmation or first communion gift. Love your local school – Give some Bibles! Another special for re:fresh is the offer of an additional 10% discount off the promotional price on Good News HARDBACK Sunrise or Rainbow Bibles to anybody ordering 20 or more to give to their local school – maybe for school leavers, or for class use.  This deal would save over £4 a Bible, bringing the price down from £15.99 to £11.69 per Bible.   There are also offers available on the NCV NEW updated Hardback Youth Bibles. National Year of Reading With 2008 designated “The National Year of Reading” re:fresh books & christian resources  has many books to help stimulate an interest in reading amongst children and young people, they range from Cecil the Lost Sheep to Prince Caspian.    With the release of the second Chronicles of Narnia movie, Prince Caspian, in cinemas from June 26, a tie-in version of the CS Lewis allegory is published by Harper Collins at £5.99.  Come and see the full range of Narnia titles at re:fresh. Cliff Richard’s 50 Favourite Bible Stories is a book and CD package specially commissioned to mark the singer’s 50 years in Show Business.  Cliff narrates the stories while the hardback book brims with colourful illustrations.  At £14.99 it will make an ideal gift for a family or for Cliff Richard fans of all ages.  Worn out by work?  Get a life!  That is the title and the message of a brand new IVP book on special offer at re:fresh.  Written by Paul Valler, it looks at what causes our tiredness and suggests solutions.  Going on holiday or taking time off?   Come and browse our greatly extended range of fiction.  Other new titles, also on special offer, include John Piper’s The Future of Justification, a response to Tom Wright; and Cherishing the Earth by Martin and Margot Hodson;  A different sort of fantasy game Also for the family is a new Pilgrim’s Progress board game at £14.99 from re:fresh books & christian resources.  With an accompanying book by Tim Dowley, it offers children the opportunity to enter into the spirit of John Bunyan’s classic story.  Players meet terrifying monsters, huge giants, raging lions and scary dark places as well as making good friends on the journey to the Celestial City.  Here is a Christian response to some of the games available to children today – and it is based on a Classic of English literature. Courses and resources Running an Alpha course, marriage course or parenting course?  Don’t forget to order your course materials through re:fresh books & christian resources.  In most cases you can save on postage and get a discount.   And if you send details of your course, re:fresh will publicise it, free of charge, on the shop website at www.refreshbooks.co.uk. MARCH NEWS 2008   NEW things springing up at re:fresh Who is Cecil? Does he know about Fairtrade Fortnight? Has he come for some Divine Fairtrade chocolate? Does he read our new range of fiction? Is he part of our 3 for the price of 2 Easter titles? Has he come to collect his free Passion Narrative from Mark’s Gospel? Cecil is part of a new range of hardback children’s storybooks retailing at only £2.50 as a re:fresh special offer for a limited period. Some of them are based on Bible stories, others on concepts such as trust and belief and being part of the Vine.  All of them have stunning artwork and teacher’s tips.   Some are available on one cd-rom Storytelling kit  entitled God’s Love (£14.99),  while others are available as  BIG BOOKS.  One or two in the range also have a hidden punchy meaning that only adults can really appreciate.   Check out Webster the preacher duck or Bob the Bird. Two new books from IVP on special offer at re:fresh are John Piper’s The future of justification at £2 off and Mike Cain’s Real Life Jesus based on John’s gospel, currently £1 off.   In comparing the works of Tom Wright to the text of the apostle Paul’s letters, John Piper’s book lifts us above the controversies and shows us again how the glorious mercy of God was revealed to us in Jesus Christ.  It is described as essential reading for pastors and theology students.  Mike Cain’s book is a challenging and very accessible book that uses everyday illustrations to encourage us to fully enjoy our relationship with Jesus Christ – that by believing, we may have life in his name – the life we were meant to live.  This would be suitable for people exploring christianity, including those who have recently become christians and those who are further along the journey.   If you want to be inspired or challenged by reading a daily extract from one of IVP’s new titles, click on www.refreshbooks.co.uk and click the Lent reading link on the welcome page.   This is a very good way of previewing some of the latest books. There are still limited copies left of the free book Spread the word that gives you sample chapters of a variety of new books.   Update on the free gospels advertised in our last newsletter.   Due to production costs, Hodder & Stoughton are now offering just the Passion Narrative from Mark’s gospel free of charge in packs of 25, instead of the full NIV gospel of John.   This is still a good offer and I have 3,000 due to arrive before the end of February.  There is still time to order so don’t miss this opportunity of a free quality resource to use in evangelism. Courses and re:sources This is just a reminder that if you are planning any courses, be they evangelistic, marriage, parenting, Freedom in Christ, family etc, may we encourage you to order through re:fresh as we can offer you bulk discounts and save you postage on most of these items.   We would like the chance to quote for you anyway!!   Also, don’t forget that orders from CPO, Church Publicity Organisation, placed through us will at the very least save you postage and we can usually offer some discount also!

 

JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2008 NEWS

Free Gospels and new NIV Bible linked to BBC production BBC 1 will be screening a new dramatisation of the Passion during Easter week.   To tie in with this, re:fresh books and christian resources is giving away free copies of Luke's Gospel and a free Passion Narrative from Mark's Gospel.  Packs of 25 Passion Narratives are also available from re:fresh for evangelistic use.  Meanwhile a matching hardback NIV Bible is also being produced. The BBC drama, entitled The Passion, will inevitably provoke discussion, with opportunities for Christians to talk about the significance of the death and resurrection of Jesus.  It is written by Emmy Award-winner Frank Deasy (Prime Suspect 7) and produced by Nigel Stafford-Clark (Bleak House).   It will run across Easter week, covering the events of that historic week, and reaches its climax on Easter Sunday. The Passion Narrative is in the New International Version (NIV) and has been produced by publisher Hodder & Stoughton.  The cover has an extract from John’s Gospel printed in the shape of a cross.  The matching Bible has a similar format, with the full text of Psalm 23 in the shape of a cross on the cover and on the spine.  The purpose of this is for customers to see the words of Scripture, without even opening the book, when it sits on the shelves in secular bookshops.   It will also include the Gideons’ helps and the Bible Guide (previous editions had one or the other.)  The Bible will retail at £17.99 and is available in white or with a brown photographic image.  White pocket gift editions will also be produced, priced £14.99, suitable for weddings and christenings. Other booklets that may be used for evangelistic purposes at Easter include Why Easter? a new edition of Nicky Gumbel’s Why Jesus? published by Alpha and The 3:16 promise containing extracts from Max Lucado’s recently-published book 3:16, the numbers of hope. Bible sales encouraging In the run-up to Christmas, sales of Bibles were particularly strong at re:fresh books – a real encouragement to the management who are passionate about seeing people read God’s Word.  One local minister encouraged church members to purchase the CWR Cover to Cover Bible, which presents a daily reading plan to study the whole Bible in a year – they bought more than 100 copies!  But even without such special efforts, sales of Bibles at the bookshop were exceptionally strong. Meanwhile, the first few days of January saw two meaningful conversations with people who came into the shop with emotional and spiritual needs.  Please pray for this aspect of the shop’s work, and help ensure its continuance by giving re:fresh your custom.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2007 NEWS 

Light up Christmas with re:fresh Outdoor lights depicting nativity scenes, stars, angels and peace doves are a new line for re:fresh books & christian resources in Tolworth.  They are offered as a Christian response to the popular trend to decorate homes and streets with images of Santa, Rudolph and snowmen.  The lights are suitable for indoor or outdoor use in homes, churches, schools or other buildings.  Prices range from £14.99 for a 60mm high star to £89.99 for a multi-coloured set of three nativity figures up to 1.2m high.  The figures are mounted in robust metal frames and come complete with hooks for suspension on walls or in windows, and with easel supports for free-standing use.  Pegs are also supplied for use as ground anchors in gardens.  Each unit has a 3m weatherproof cable.  Weatherproof 7m extension cables are also available.  A demonstration unit can be inspected at re:fresh books and details of the various units, with prices, can be seen on the re:fresh website,  Units are sold to order only and there is a ten-day delivery so orders need to be in as soon as possible to be sure of delivery.  A price list is available on request.   “We were impressed when we saw the lights at a trade show in February and immediately ordered a unit for our own use in the shop window over Christmas” says re:fresh Manager, Marguerite Williams.  “At Christmas we try to use our window to tell passers-by the true story of Christmas.  We are thrilled when we overhear people reading the Christmas story, or parents explaining the nativity scene to their children.  We believe the illuminated Nativity Panel will add impact to the message this year.”  Re:fresh also has a large stock of attractive Christmas cards, with the emphasis once again on Charity Cards from Tearfund, Samaritan’s Purse, Toybox and the Leprosy Mission.  There are also calendars, diaries, Advent calendars, candles and numerous gift items.  The special 3rd Birthday offers, exclusive to re:fresh, will continue through November as long as stocks last.  They include a number of brand new books including the Candle Beginners Bible for children;  3:16 The Numbers of Hope, Max Lucado’s study of John 3:16;  Baroness Cox – Eyewitness to a broken world, a new biography of this remarkable Christian woman; and The Bible Promise Book, an ideal gift packed with inspirational readings.  A wide range of DVDs and CDs includes the latest Hillsong album, Saviour King and Chris Tomlin’s See the Morning.   The Amazing Grace DVD would make an excellent Christmas present while there are special offers on the popular Nooma DVDs.  Why not make re:fresh books your One Stop Shop for cards, books, gifts, and even Christmas lights, this Christmas?

JULY 2007 NEWS

EXCLUSIVE 3 FOR 2 OFFER ON SELECTED BIOGRAPHIES AT re:fresh books Through July and August, re:fresh books and christian resources has an exclusive 'Three for the Price of Two' offer on biographies from Monarch.  The list includes the newly-released story of cricketer Hansie Cronje, classics such as The Heavenly Man, the official 'book of the film' Amazing Grace and many telling stories of faith in adversity around the world. The Hansie Cronje Story by Garth King ( £9.99 ) #  Just Published # This is one for cricket fans in particular. It tells the story of an internationally popular South African cricketer, also known for his Christian beliefs. In 2000, he made a dramatic public confession to match fixing and was banned for life.  Tragically, he died two years later in a plane crash as he was still picking up the pieces of his life and faith.  A balanced story it also contains interviews with some of his critics.   The Tears of my Soul by Sokreaksa S. Himm ( £6.99 ) Sokreaksa survived the massacre of his family by the Khmer Rouge in 1975. After climbing from the mass grave hatred burned in his heart. Could he possible forgive his killers? Read about God’s grace and mercy in his life.   After the Heavy Rain by Sokreaksa S. Himm ( £7.99 ) Inspirational follow-up to the previous book. Sokreaksa discovers what it truly means to forgive as he tracks down his family’s killers in a culture where revenge is the usual response. He and his family now serve as missionaries in Cambodia.   After the Locusts by Meg Guillebaud ( £7.99 ) Rwanda is full of terribly stories but Meg Guillebaud tells story after story of grace, reconciliation and healing from pain. Survivors tell how they are learning to forgive those who caused harm.  Only in changed hearts is there hope.   The Hospital by the River by Dr Catherine Hamelin ( £ 8.99 ) The story of a midwifery school in Ethiopa set up by Catherine Hamelin and her husband over 40 years ago that has become a major teaching institution. Their work enables women to life normal lives after suffering traumatic birth experiences.   Betsy by Jean Hatton ( £ 8.99 ) The dramatic story of prison reformer Elizabeth Fry. Unhappy child, troubled adolescent, dissatisfied wife, a woman at odds with convention she became a minister of the Society of Friends. She walked into Newgate Gaol in 1816 and began transforming the lives of female prisoners. She changed her generation’s perception of offenders and helped create a professional prison service at a cost to herself and family. Jean  Hatton uses Betsy’s 47 handwritten journals containing her private thoughts to write this story.   Amazing Grace by Eric Metaxas ( £11.99 ) Another chance to catch up with the story of William Wilberforce if you missed it earlier in the year. This is the book of the film and contains stills from the film.   Pelican Crossing / Midwife in Crisis by Hilary Cotterill ( both £6.99 ) Hilary tells the story of her training as a nurse and then as a midwife. She recalls the patients and medical staff she meets along the way with keen observation and humour.   Out of the black shadows by Stephen Lungu ( £7.99 ) Set in Zimbabwe, this is the story of a young man who had an unsettled childhood and preferred living on the streets.  As a teenager he was recruited into an urban gang.  Sent to bomb an evangelistic event, instead he stayed to listen.  What followed is an amazing story.   The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun ( £ 8.99 ) Another classic biography telling the dramatic story of how God took a young boy from a poor village and used him mightily to preach the gospel despite horrific opposition. Brother Yun is one of China’s house church leaders.   Jesus in Beijing by David Aiken ( £ 9.99 ) A portrait of Christians in China: house groups and their leaders, artists and song writers, stories of those who risk their lives because they dare to stand up for their faith. Aiken provides an historical perspective and an up to date analysis of the state of Christianity in China.   Dead Women Walking by Jennifer Su ( £9.99 ) The story of women’s lives in Taiwan and how no situation is beyond the reach of God even in a society where the traditional and ultra-modern live side by side.   And You Visited Me by Penny M Wheat ( £ 6.99 ) Penny Wheat describes her journey into a powerful ministry of visiting and writing letters to prisoners under sentence of death in the U.S. justice system. This is a gripping account of friendship, faith and humour in defiance of the death penalty.   Tried by Fire by Anna Lee Stangel ( £ 6.99 ) Testimonies of courage and hope from Peru’s Christian prisoners who suffered during the long struggle in the 1980s and 1990s against the Shining Path Guerillas when the Peruvian Government imprisoned many innocents including Christians.   Through the Eyes of a Street Child by Angela Murray ( £7.99) Angela Murray went to Guatemala with the Toybox charity and it changed her life.  She tells the stories of some of the children she met and how they became individuals to her.   God’s Golden Acre by Dale le Vack (£8.99) A biography of heather Reynolds who started the sanctuary named in the title for AIDS orphans in South Africa. She and her husband dedicated their lives and savings to help the orphans and fight the AIDS pandemic.  Faith took them through the hard times and they had help from donors who were touched and challenged by the work.   Things We Couldn’t say by Diet Eman (£6.99) The  emotional and dramatic story of a young couple who risked everything to help save Jews in wartime Holland . It paints a vivid picture of safe houses, evading Gestapo patrols, house-to-house searches, escapes and frightened ‘customers’. Diet and Hein aided the resistance.  This led to her loss of freedom and his death but their faith in Christ and love for each other shine through.

MAY 2007 NEWS

Re:fresh launches a loyalty card

Re:fresh books & christian resources has introduced a loyalty card scheme for customers who regularly buy books, cards, music, gift and other goods at the Tolworth shop.

Every time the customer spends £10 or more on personal purchases in any one visit, it will be recorded on their card.  If they fill the card within a year they will receive a £10 re:fresh gift voucher.  The scheme covers any purchases made in the shop, including book tokens and gift vouchers – even books on special offer!   It is for personal purchases only; separate discount schemes apply for churches, schools and other groups.

Manager, Marguerite Williams says “We really appreciate the loyalty shown by many people who buy their books and other goods in re:fresh.  At the same time, we want to encourage more people to come and see the wide range of Bibles, Christian books, cards, gifts, CDs and DVDs we have available.  Like many other Christian bookshops, we are challenged by competition from the Internet but we want people to see us as an extension to the mission of the local church – a shop window for the Good News of Jesus.”

Re:fresh books and christian resources is at 23 The Broadway, Tolworth, a short distance from Tolworth Tower and Marks & Spencer.  It is close to the Tolworth Junction on the A3 with free parking for up to an hour in the public/M&S car park below Tolworth Tower.  Buses (406, 418, 265, 281, K1 and K2) stop outside Marks & Spencer.

Contacts:-
     Marguerite Williams, Manager on 020 8390 5400      
     shop@refreshbooks.co.uk
     David Williams at Word Service on 020 8949 2733
     David@wordservice.net

JANUARY 2007 NEWS

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2006 NEWS

Re:fresh books and christian resources has just completed its second year in business at 23 The Broadway, Tolworth.  We thank God for his goodness.  During this second year we have achieved our most optimistic budget but that does not mean we are making a huge profit!  Re:fresh is about more than just sales. 

Recently, we have been encouraged by a number of people who have said how they have been helped when they visited the shop at a time of particular need.  One lady subsequently committed her life to Christ and is eagerly studying the Bible and considering going to Bible College.  Another couple had just learned of the death of their son.  Please pray that when needy people come into the shop, we will be able to give them time and will have sensitivity and wisdom in knowing how to help them.

With Christmas fast approaching, re:fresh has a large range of attractive Christmas cards from five leading Christian charities, plus seasonal items such as Advent calendars and Nativity sets.  Throughout November and December there are some superb offers on books and Bibles, many of which will make excellent Christmas presents.  They include books by popular authors and ‘3 for the price of 2’ offers on Christian biographies and Christmas books for children.

Visit the lights of Broadway!     On Wednesday November 22, the Christmas Lights will be switched on in Tolworth Broadway.  Re:fresh books and christian resources plans to stay open until 7.30 on that evening and on the following two Wednesday evenings and will be offering light refreshments. Here are a few ways in which you can take advantage of this late night opening:- ·         Tolworth Broadway has many eating places to suit every pocket and every taste – visit re:fresh  and go on for a meal afterwards. ·         If you are a small group leader or youth group leader, bring your group for an hour and combine it with a social event such as bowling or a group meal. ·         If you pass re:fresh on your way home from work, make good use of time by calling in to buy books, music, cards or gifts Please pray for the shop during this Christmas season that staff will be able to share the Light of the World with those in spiritual darkness.

 

Christmas cards and gifts
Re:fresh is majoring on charity cards this Christmas because these are preferred by many customers.  This is a way to show friends and relatives that we remember them and, at the same time,  to help those less fortunate than ourselves.  The shop is stocking cards from five Christian charities – The Leprosy Mission, Samaritan’s Purse, Spurgeon’s Child Care, Tearfund and Toybox.  There are some distinctive and attractive cards from each of these charities (for examples see our website www.refreshbooks.co.uk and click on ‘Christmas Cards’.)

Other seasonal items include advent calendars and nativity sets.  Nativity sets range from £3.99 to £200 !   Meanwhile there is a wide range of gift items at prices to suit every pocket.    See also the selection of pictures, pewter photo frames, glassware, mugs, jewellery, and specific gifts for men and women.   Re:fresh also sells its own gift tokens, redeemable against any goods in the shop, or National Book Tokens that can be redeemed at Christian or secular bookshops.

 Books for Christmas
There are a number of new books at re:fresh that will make excellent Christmas presents.  Philip Yancey’s thought-provoking new book Prayer – does it make any difference? is reduced by £1 only at re:fresh.  Selwyn Hughes’ Joy for Today – a new pocket-sized one year devotional, is reduced by £2.00 to £5.99.  For preachers and teachers, John Blanchard’s Complete Gathered Gold is a collection of 16,000 quotations and illustrations from a lifetime of preaching. 

 Exclusive to re:fresh, and only available while stocks last, are a number of special offers on Bibles and books to celebrate the shop’s second birthday.  They include £8 off the hardback NIV Study Bible, reduced from £39.99 to £31.99 – an excellent buy for anybody who wants a readable and yet scholarly Bible with a concise commentary and background notes.  Hardback copies of TNIV (the  2005 revision of the popular New International Version of the Bible) are reduced by £7 from £16.99 to £9.99 while ‘Soft-Tone’ Editions are reduced from £24.99 to £16.99.   Finally the pocket edition of The Message New Testament and Psalms is on sale for £2.99.

 Also in this exclusive offer are a number of CWR books at half price including Selwyn Hughes’ autobiography, My Story at £4.99 and three Cover to Cover Bible study guides, at £4.99 each.  Meanwhile the 40-day devotional guide for women, How to be a Secure Woman, is reduced to £3.99.

For children, re:fresh currently has a ‘3 for the price of 2’ offer on selected Lion and Candle Christmas titles.   This offer is only available in independent Christian bookshops like re:fresh, as is a second ‘3 for the price of 2’ offer on popular biographies such as The Heavenly Man, Killing Fields Living Fields, Nobody’s Child, Faith like Potatoe,  God’s Golden Acre and many more!

In common with many other Christian bookshops, re:fresh is also part of the ‘Select’ promotion with £2 off a large selection of popular books by well-known authors including John Eldredge, Richard Foster, J John, RT Kendall, Rob Lacey, Max Lucado, John Maxwell, Stormie Omartian, John Ortberg and Philip Yancey.  There is also £1.00 off three of the popular Alpha course books by Nicky Gumbel – Questions of Life, Searching Issues and A Life Worth Living.  There is £3.00 off Francine Rivers’ modern interpretation of the story of Hosea, Redeeming Love, and £2.00 off two other novels by this award-winning writer.

 … and music
Special offers on Christian CDs include £1.00 off the latest Stuart Townend and Chris Tomlin CDs – Monument to Mercy and See the morning.  These are exclusive to re:fresh and while stocks last.  The new Delirious album Now is the Time is now in stock while two other Delirious albums, Mission Bell and World Service, are reduced to £10.00 and £9.00 respectively.

The best thing is to come in and see!

OCTOBER 2006 NEWS

2^nd Birthday celebrations for re:fresh

Re:fresh books & christian resources  celebrated its second birthday in October.

The shop opened on October 23, 2004.   In February this year it won the Small Retailer of the Year Award at the Christian Booksellers' Convention, after only 16 months in business.  Last year it made budget, despite the difficult retail environment, and this year it looks set to achieve its most optimistic budget with a 30% increase in sales.

But re:fresh is not just about sales - the mission of the shop is to work in conjunction with local churches to help people come to faith in Jesus, to grow in their faith and to become more effective in their Christian service.

Re:fresh books & christian resources is at 23 The Broadway, Tolworth (close to Tolworth Tower.)  There is free parking for one hour in the M&S/public car park nearby and meter parking all day Saturday in Tolworth Broadway.

 June News

With the Holiday Season fast approaching, re:fresh books and christian resources has books for every taste including Christian biography, devotional books and Christian fiction – many on special offer.   Why not look for opportunities to leave a good book where somebody else may pick it up – see our Take it & Leave it initiative below. Camps and Holiday clubs If you are planning a summer camp or holiday club, re:fresh books can provide books and other items (pens, stickers, bracelets etc.).  Some children’s books are available on special offer – but only while stocks last! New!  Expanded DVD range Re:fresh books has introduced an extensive new range of DVDs for adults and children including Christian biography, teaching materials, movies etc.   Topical subjects are The Prize, The Ultimate Goal and More than a game which feature spectacular football action with world-class players discussing their dreams, disappointments and motivation.  Childrens’ titles include classics such as Treasures of the Snow and Tanglewoods’ Secret.  Classic films such as  John Wesley and Martin Luther are available along with biographies of well-known Christians past and present.  The evangelistic DVD So, Who is this Jesus? featuring The Bill actor Russell Boulter is an excellent resource for youth discussions or seeker groups (See review on www.refreshbooks.co.uk.)       Holiday Reading Take it and Leave it Many holiday venues have a ‘library’ or book corner where holidaymakers can leave books they have read and pick up books left by other holidaymakers. Why not take a good Christian book on holiday – the biography of a well-known Christian, or a good Christian novel – and leave it for somebody else to read?  Holidays are times when otherwise-busy people have time to relax and read. This is an opportunity to leave something that may awaken somebody’s spiritual interest or change their life!  Think about the book.  Look for something that will have topical appeal or grab a person’s interest – a sporting theme, crime or intrigue, a well-known personality in the world of sport, entertainment or politics.  Try to avoid something that is too overtly “Christian”.  Look for an attractive cover and a publishers’ blurb that will appeal.  Read the book first yourself to make sure that you are happy with its content … but avoid the temptation to underline passages that you think especially pertinent for non-Christians!   Holiday Reading - Biography Here are a few suggestions for books that you could enjoy on holiday and then leave for somebody else:- Taming the Tiger by Tony Anthony, three-times World Kung Fu Champion. Startling Beauty by Heather Gemmen – one woman’s spiritual journey after rape. The Cross & the Switchblade by Dave Wilkerson – still compelling after 40 years. Saddam’s Secrets by Georges Sada – The book that made headlines in January. Walk on: The Spiritual Journey of U2 by Steve Stockman – New edition, explores the spiritual themes behind U2’s music and lead singer Bono. Bernhard Langer my autobiography – his golfing achievements and Christian faith. Pride and Perjury by Jonathan Aitken – The fall from grace of the former Cabinet Minister and his journey to faith. End of the Spear by Steve Saint - Fifty years after five missionaries were martyred in the jungles of Equador, the son of one of them tells the story of the Waodani (or 'Auca') Indians Holiday Reading - Fiction Re:fresh books has special offers on Christian fiction by authors like Karen Kingsbury, Frank Peretti, Dee Henderson and Ted Dekker.  It includes all 17 titles featured in the recent free sampler, Escape with a good book, and more! Billy Graham Billy Graham has been used by God to win thousands for Christ over the last 60 years. His new book The Journey reflects his lifetime of Christian experience and ministry with a wealth of practical advice on how to live an effective Christian life in an uncertain world.  Meanwhile John Pollock’s biography of Billy Graham has been updated and is available at a reduced price of £6.99 (RRP £8.99.) New!  Just in and hot off the press is Billy Graham – living in God’s love - the complete transcript of his historic June 2005 New York Crusade.   New! Help for small groups There is a variety of modern resources for cell groups and home groups including helps for worship and DVD-based study materials, in addition to long-established group study materials such as the ever-popular Lifebuilder series.  Re:fresh books has introduced a new section on Small Group Resources to its website, www.refreshbooks.co.uk.  This includes reviews of CDs for use in worship (beautiful scenery, musical accompaniment and lyrics on screen), and DVD-based study materials.  Look at the site and visit the shop. Evangelistic Courses If you are planning any autumn Alpha or Christianity Explored courses or something similar, don’t forget we are happy to publicise these in the shop and on the Courses & resources section of our website.  Please send specific details on start date, venue, time and contact number.

April 2006 News

An evening with Jennifer Rees Larcombe Re:fresh books & christian resources, in association with Hodder & Stoughton and Holy Trinity Church, Claygate, hosted a book event with Jennifer Rees Larcombe on Monday April 24th.    Jennifer spoke about her latest book Journey into God’s Heart, which retells the story of her troubled childhood, her life-threatening illness and subsequent miraculous healing and more recent events including the trauma of bereavement and divorce.  Re:fresh wins Retailer of the Year Award Re:fresh books & christian resources won the ‘Small Retailer of the Year Award’ at the recent Christian Booksellers Convention in Telford.  The Award is one of two awards made each year at the Convention, one for “small” bookshops with a turnover up to £200,000 a year and the other for “large” bookshops.  There are approximately 600 Christian bookshops in the UK of which the majority are “small”.  Criteria used by the judges include organization and control of business activity, originality and creativity in presentation and marketing activity, turnover growth, customer care, community involvement, stock turn and staff development.   The Award is especially pleasing because re:fresh books only opened 18 months ago. Easter offers at re:fresh Re:fresh books offers a wide range of attactive Easter cards and gifts.  The much-anticipated DVD of The Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is available.   Meanwhile the March book promotion is continuing through April, giving customers more time to purchase books that were featured in the free World Book Day sampler.  These include Jesus – Safe, Tender, Extreme by Adrian Plass, End of the Spear by Steve Saint, Spoken from the Heart by Selwyn Hughes, Dinner with a Perfect Stranger by David Gregory and The Busy Christian’s Guide to Busyness by Tim Chester. Back to Narnia The DVD of the Disney/Walden Media film The Chronicles of Narnia – the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is now in stock, making an ideal Easter gift for Narniacs.  The release of the film just before Christmas provided re:fresh staff with opportunities to talk to people about the spiritual realities behind CS Lewis’ imagery.   Now the DVD will offer Christians the chance to watch the movie again with family or friends and discuss the meaning behind the story.  Re:fresh books still stocks copies of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and other related books including Christin Ditchfield’s Family Guide to the Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe.  These are reviewed on the re:fresh website www.refreshbooks.co.uk. Answers to The Da Vinci Code The movie version of The Da Vinci Code, starring Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou and Sir Ian McKellen, is scheduled to be released on May 19.   Despite it’s attacks on some of the fundamentals of the Christian faith, Dan Brown’s book can offer the opportunity for Christians to tell non-Christian friends what they believe and why.  Re:fresh books stocks a number of books and pamphlets dealing with issues raised by The Da Vinci Code.  They include Nicky Gumbel’s helpful booklet The Da Vinci Code – a Response at £1.00 and Richard Abanes’ The truth behind the Da Vinci Code at £4.50.   Reviews of these and other books on the Da Vinci Code can be seen on www.refreshbooks.co.uk.

MARCH 2006 NEWS

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Re:fresh wins Retailer of the Year Award

Telford: February 27, 2006

Re:fresh books & christian resources won the Retailer of the Year 2006 Award at the annual Christian Booksellers’ Convention in Telford this week.

The bookshop, which only opened 16 months ago, won the “Small Retailer of the Year 2006” Category in the annual awards.   There are around 600 Christian Bookshops in the UK, the majority of which fall into the “small” category, with a turnover of up to £200,000 a year.

Criteria used by the judges in making an award include organization and control of business activity, originality and creativity in presentation and marketing activity, turnover growth, ministry impact, customer care, community involvement, stock turn and staff development.  Bookshops are normally nominated for an award by the publishers’ sales representatives but judging of the final shortlist includes a visit by an independent assessor.

Re:fresh books & christian resources is an independent Christian bookshop, set up in October 2004.  In its first year of trading it managed to achieve its budget despite the downturn in retail sales generally.  This has hit the Christian book trade along with most sectors of the retail trade.  Figures to date indicate that  re:fresh will achieve a planned 25% increase in sales in its second year.

Re:fresh has a spacious, well-lit interior with seating.   Customers often comment on the breadth of stock.  Special features include a well-stocked children’s corner, a music centre with CD browser and listening post.  In addition to the wide stock of Bibles and Christian books, it also stocks quality greetings cards, gift items and fair trade goods.

Re:fresh books & christian resources is located at 23 The Broadway, Tolworth (close to Boots and Marks & Spencer) a few hundred yards from the Tolworth Junction on the A3.  This makes it easily accessible from many parts of SW London and North Surrey, and there is free parking in the public/Marks & Spencer Car Park nearby or meter parking in The Broadway.

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FEBRUARY 2006 NEWS

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World Book Day
Thursday March 2 is World Book Day.  Schools, libraries and bookshops will be holding special events to encourage reading.  The Christian book trade, including re:fresh books, is running its own initiative through March with a free sampler book containing chapters from books by well-known authors including  Patrick Johnstone, Selwyn Hughes, Eugene Peterson, Joyce Meyer, Adrian Plaas and Jonathan Aitken.  There will be discounts of £1.00 or £2.00 off the related titles.

Thought about a reading group?
Reading groups are increasingly popular, encouraged by leading publishers, National Newspapers, radio and TV shows such as Richard and Judy’s Bookclub.  
Re:fresh books is exploring ways in which it can encourage Christian reading groups.   We are extending our discount scheme for churches and schools to include reading groups when they purchase five or more copies of a book.  We are also prepared to publicise local groups on our website and in the shop.  An article on reading groups, with links to suitable resources can be found on the re:fresh books website www.refreshbooks.co.uk.

What about a library for your church or group?
One local church-based Mums and Toddlers group recently purchased a stock of books in order to start a small library.  The books were mainly geared to parenting and related issues, including Rob Parsons’ Sixty Minute Mother, currently on special offer at £4.99 instead of £6.99.  The library provides an opportunity to introduce non-church parents to positive Christian values.     

New books
J. John’s new novel, The Road Home, is a retelling of the story of the Prodigal Son.   With the continuing interest in CS Lewis and The Chronicles of Narnia, a new evangelistic book Knowing Aslan by Thomas Williams (£1.99), is suitable for people who have been to see the movie. New from RT Kendall and Andrew Sampson is Can you handle the Truth (£8.99) which uses 2 Timothy to challenge readers to be sure of what they believe and to stand by their faith.  Other new titles include A Universal Heart: The Life and Vision of Brother Roger of Taizé (£10.99) 

Planning a Holiday Club?
Pyramid Rock is the new Scripture Union five-day Holiday Club programme for 5s-11s featuring the story of Joseph.   The leaders’ book costs £8.99 while there is an accompanying DVD with the five daily episodes (£14.99) and Joseph’s Jotter, for the children (£1.99) which includes the Bible text in a child-friendly format and activities to help the children explore each day’s theme.

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January News

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Website developments

We are continuing to develop the re:fresh website www.refreshbooks.co.uk.  It includes a list of courses such as Alpha, Christianity Explored and the York Course for Lent – Where is God?  If your church is running courses that should be added to this list please email our administrator at refresh@wordservice.net with details

Beyond Narnia

The release of the movie The Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe has promoted new interest not only in CS Lewis’ children’s books but also in Lewis’ other writings such as Mere Christianity.   This has given opportunities to talk to people in the shop about the message behind Lewis’ writings.  Click HERE for details of some of the titles available, including family guides to The Chronicles of Narnia and to The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, which explore the spiritual lessons behind the imagery.  

Not such good news will be the release in May of the movie of The Da Vinci Code, starring Tom Hanks.  Despite its scurrilous and inaccurate attacks on the Christian faith and on the character of Jesus, the Da Vinci Code does present Christians with the opportunity to talk about the truth of Jesus Christ when challenged.   Re:fresh books stocks a number of books examining The Da Vinci Code  including Nicky Gumbel’s helpful booklet The Da Vinci Code – a response.  At £1.00 this is a useful booklet to have available to give to friends and colleagues who ask questions.  Click HERE for information on books about The Da Vinci Code.

Re:fresh books & christian resources celebrated its first birthday on Saturday, October 22^nd. 

Re:fresh books opened on Saturday 23^rd October, 2004.  We feel really blessed and give thanks to God – and to our customers - that we made our first year’s sales target a few days before the anniversary.  We seem to have bucked the trend in a year that the press has reported as showing the worst retail sales trends in 15 - 20 years.  

Whilst we need to make ends meet financially, re:fresh is about mission.  We have had many good conversations with people and ask you to pray that lives will be changed through what they read and experience here at the shop.  One church has even nominated us for the Christian bookseller of the year award for “impact to ministry” through our recent initiative in co-ordinating details of evangelistic courses running this autumn and advertising them on our website and in the Surrey Comet and Kingston Guardian.  They have had many enquiries apparently.   It would be good to get feedback from some of you as to the impact of the advertising so that we can assess the effectiveness of different approaches.  

Come and enjoy the new things at re:fresh:- the Fairtrade tea, coffee, chocolate, juices and Geobars now on sale;  the calendars, diaries, Christmas cards, advent calendars, gifts, and nativity sets – on sale NOW at the request of our customers; the T shirts, WWJD watches, posters.   On top of all this is the fantastic October Bible promotion with some popular Bibles and study Bibles being reduced by £8 or £9 pounds.  Why not think about some early Christmas presents – or refresh your stocks of youth Bibles or Bibles for evangelistic courses.  The Living Water Bible in the new living translation is on offer at just £5.99, reduced from £14.99.  Stocks at the warehouse on this one are low, so don’t miss out.

Marguerite and Dave Williams

re:fresh books & christian resources