Tom Gordon – författare

A silent clapboard church on a barren Arctic landscape is more than just a place of worship: it is a symbol that can evoke fraught reactions to the history of Christian colonization. In the Inuit homeland of Northern Labrador, however, that church is more likely to resonate with the voices of a well-rehearsed choir accompanied by an accomplished string orchestra or spirited brass bands. The Inuit making this music are stewards of a tradition of complex sacred music introduced by Moravian missionaries in the late 1700s – a tradition that, over time, these musicians transformed into a cultural expression genuinely their own.Called Upstairs is the story of this Labrador Inuit music practice. It is not principally a story of forced adoption but of adaptation, mediation, and agency, exploring the transformation of a colonial artifact into an expression of Inuit aesthetic preference, spirituality, and community identity. Often overlaying the Moravian traditions with defining characteristics drawn from pre-contact expressive culture, Inuit musicians imbued this once-alien music with their own voices. Told through archival documents, oral histories of Inuit musicians, and the music itself, Called Upstairs tracks the emergence of this Labrador Moravian music tradition across two and a half centuries.Tom Gordon presents a chronicle of Inuit leadership and agency in the face of colonialism through a unique lens. In this time of reconciliation, this story offers a window into Inuit resilience and the power of a culture’s creative expressions.

A silent clapboard church on a barren Arctic landscape is more than just a place of worship: it is a symbol that can evoke fraught reactions to the history of Christian colonization. In the Inuit homeland of Northern Labrador, however, that church is more likely to resonate with the voices of a well-rehearsed choir accompanied by an accomplished string orchestra or spirited brass bands. The Inuit making this music are stewards of a tradition of complex sacred music introduced by Moravian missionaries in the late 1700s – a tradition that, over time, these musicians transformed into a cultural expression genuinely their own.Called Upstairs is the story of this Labrador Inuit music practice. It is not principally a story of forced adoption but of adaptation, mediation, and agency, exploring the transformation of a colonial artifact into an expression of Inuit aesthetic preference, spirituality, and community identity. Often overlaying the Moravian traditions with defining characteristics drawn from pre-contact expressive culture, Inuit musicians imbued this once-alien music with their own voices. Told through archival documents, oral histories of Inuit musicians, and the music itself, Called Upstairs tracks the emergence of this Labrador Moravian music tradition across two and a half centuries.Tom Gordon presents a chronicle of Inuit leadership and agency in the face of colonialism through a unique lens. In this time of reconciliation, this story offers a window into Inuit resilience and the power of a culture's creative expressions.

Regarding Fauré , the result of a 1995 conference on Fauré's important contribution to classical music, was written by Tom Gordon, artistic director the Ensemble Musica Nova and a professor in the Department of music at Bishop's University in Quebec. Also included are contributions from some of the world's most renowned Fauré scholars including Jean-Michel Nectous, Robert Orledge, Edward Phillips, and Steven Huebner. With a lifetime that spanned the developments of Chopin, Debussy, Schoenberg, and Stravinsky, the great French composer Gabriel-Urbain Fauré (1845-1924) lived during one of the most interesting periods in music history, yet steered a course uniquely his own. Exploring the composer's role as an educator, critic, composer, and advocate for French music, Regarding Fauré is critical, analytical, and interdisciplinary in its approach to understanding Fauré's prodigious works and life. Also includes musical examples. His numerous compositions include more than 100 songs (known as 'melodie', or French a

A second book of stories for every week of the Christian year, and a few more besides. Relates to lectionary cycle A. Tom Gordon's stories are a product of his awareness of the issues of our current age. As a consequence, what he offers are truly contemporary parables, drawing our attention to facets of our modern living and pointing us to lessons and truths that have universal relevance. As a parent and a minister, a hospice chaplain and a bereavement specialist, a grandfather and a teacher, a husband and a poet, Tom has listened to people through the years and learned from countless experiences. He has absorbed important ideas, worked with and refashioned them, and now offers them as unique stories full of meaning and purpose, with accompanying poems and reflections of depth and emotion. His writing will take you on a journey where you will meet many fascinating characters, find yourself in new and interesting places, and learn much that you will value for your own journey of life and learning. 'You will be delighted to discover stories that are funny, moving and fresh - and encounter different ways to think about the signposts of the Christian Year.I have a hunch that you will enjoy this pilgrimage.' The Very Reverend Alan McDonald, from the Preface Comments about Tom Gordon's other books, A Need for Living and New Journeys Now Begin: 'Stories told with sensitivity and clarity of real people and their experiences.' Wellspring Community, Australia 'Making much use of stories and images, the book is full of pastoral wisdom.' Church Times 'A gem - it's earthy, it's real, it's a joy to read - a tremendous resource.' Scottish Journal of Healthcare Chaplaincy 'Written with such skill - the use of images and stories are easily absorbed.' Review on Amazon 'He puts into words what so many would be unable to express for themselves - I have been enthralled from start to finish. There is hope and inspiration.' www.thegoodbookstall.org.uk 'Stories which are deeply emotional - with a lightness of touch and real humour.' www.Anglicanshop.com 'Beautifully written from the heart and a useful resource for my own work.' A parish minister 'Highly recommended.' Christian Family Network

From his rich experience of church and family life, of ministry in parish and hospice, and through his ability to observe and reflect on the diverse events of life's journey, Tom Gordon writes about what he knows. By drawing us into the lives of ordinary people - call centre controllers, shopkeepers, 'rodent operatives', social workers, clergy, doctors, miners' wives, children, farmers and many others - he offers insights into issues of universal relevance in an immediate, contemporary and imaginative way. The things that happen to his characters are the tiny, insignificant happenings of daily life that we all know well. Yet, seen in a different light, located in funny, poignant and unexpected circumstances and set against familiar readings and events in the Christian year, they make us laugh and cry, they encourage and challenge us. But, most of all, with these modern parables illuminated by more of Tom's poems, prayers and reflections, we are offered meaning and clarity, and a fresh perspective on important issues of life and faith. This volume relates to lectionary cycle B.

Life is lived one day at a time. Each day brings its own challenges, and any day may need a word of guidance and reassurance. Having completed his trilogy of contemporary parables - a story for every week of the three-year Church Lectionary - Tom Gordon turns his hand, in an equally compelling, contemporary fashion, to the day-by-day nature of our living. Through stories and fables, tales of people and places, historical incidents and personal experiences, he encourages you to 'look well' to the insights and inspiration you might need. If your day is about survival, Tom's daily reflections are a reminder that you are not alone in the struggle. If you are facing something new, you will find different perspectives. And if you are simply looking for a thought to carry with you, or a meaningful illustration for a talk or a sermon, Tom offers you a rich resource. This book will encourage you to 'look well to this day' and to do so with Tom's wisdom and thoughtfulness.

This is the age of the ‘sound bite’, the short and memorable one-liner or clever idea from politicians, celebrities and pundits. No longer, we are told, can people cope with complex ideas, lengthy speeches or complicated sermons. In our reflections on what gives life meaning, it is no different. We might wish people spent more time looking more deeply at issues, but the reality is that we look for what is easy to absorb and understand.In Look Well to This Day, published previously, Tom Gordon offered what proved to be a useful resource as people faced the joys and sorrows, challenges and decisions of each day. In The Very Life of Life, he returns to this approach, offering a second year of daily reflections. When our time is limited, a short reflection can be as much as we can manage. When life is complex and difficult, a simple idea may be all we need. When each day is about making sense of what’s happening to us, a reflective sound bite might help us through. Tom Gordon’s reflections are simple and direct, but from his experience and wisdom he offers deep insights for the ‘very life of life’ we are living today.Tom Gordon is a former hospice chaplain, a storyteller, a member of the Iona Community and the author of several books.

Bereavement is integral to the human condition. Despite living in a more open society than we’ve ever known, those who are bereaved today find that this apparent openness isn’t translated into the genuine support they seek, leaving many to struggle with loss in isolation and loneliness. Even within families and close friendships, opportunities for bereaved people to be listened to, or to explore issues that are strange and confusing, are not as readily available as they hope or expect.Tom Gordon’s extensive experience over many years of working with bereaved people, both individually and in support groups, gives him a deep understanding of and sensitivity to these issues, as well as providing him with a fund of stories about how people have coped with bereavement, and have overcome and adapted to the changes and challenges of the losses in their lives. In this book, Tom gives a voice to these people, allowing us to be drawn into the world they inhabit, sharing their joys and anxieties, and hearing them speak of learning and normality, painfulness and hope, failures and successes, devastation and adjustment. As ordinary people have found insight and support in the isolation of their losses, Tom believes that their whispers of wisdom are needed to help others who are bereaved know that they too can be understood and supported in their grief.

In his work as a hospice chaplain, Tom Gordon has often found that traditional beliefs are not enough and has come to use word pictures, which help people articulate their feelings about the meaning of life. Containing a series of these images, woven together wtih stories of people with whom they have been used, this is a book for people facing a life crisis and for those who care for the dying. A book for everyone but especially those for whom traditional words and symbols have failed and who need new images to help them live again.

Bereavement is a journey to be travelled, not an illness to be treated or a problem to be solved. When grief continues, bereaved people often feel they have failed, have been abandoned by others, or let down by God. As a result, their journey into the future is a hard one. Author of "A Need for Living", Tom Gordon writes with sensitivity and clarity about real people as they begin to understand their journeys of bereavement. He draws on his experience as a parish minister and hospice chaplain and his extensive involvement with bereavement support, as well as offering honest insights from his own journey of discovery. The book helps us understand the unplanned and often frightening twists and turns grief forces the bereaved to face. In recognising the new and overwhelming feelings of anger and distress as normal, it gives carers important insights into the processes of loss. Through prayers and poetry, it gives a voice to both anguish and hope. Above all, it offers companionship on the journey of bereavement to those who thought no one could ever understand their loss and grief.

As an observer of life, Tom also draws on his experiences in parish ministry and hospice chaplaincy to create a rich, creative resource for personal or public use. His stories will make you smile and shed a tear, allow you to ponder your own related experiences and take you into uncharted territory. But, along with his prayers and poems, they will always make you think, offering reflections on life and faith that will help you be aware of familiar things in a new and imaginative way. This volume relates to lectionary cycle C. See below for link to an excerpt.