Bringing in the Sheaves: Wheat and Chaff from My Years as a Priest by Richard Coles - Non Fiction - Paperback

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781474600866
Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson
Age Range: Adult

Overview
Bringing in the Sheaves: Wheat and Chaff from My Years as a Priest is Reverend Richard Coles's candid, funny and moving account of life as a Church of England parson. Following on from his acclaimed memoir Fathomless Riches, this collection of stories and reflections charts a year in parish ministry, from ordination through Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter, offering readers a rare, honest glimpse behind the vestry door into faith, community and the everyday absurdities of clerical life.

About the Book
Structured around the rhythm of the Church calendar, this paperback memoir takes readers on a journey through Reverend Coles's daily life as a village priest. Moving between the solemn and the comic, he recounts baptisms, funerals, parish politics, choir mishaps and quiet moments of pastoral care with the same wit and warmth that made him a beloved broadcaster and public figure. Having traded a former life of pop stardom with the Communards for a dog collar, Coles brings an unusually rich perspective to questions of belief, doubt and belonging. His reflections range from the deeply personal to the wryly observational, capturing both the joy and the drama of ministry in modern Britain. Fans of his broadcasting on Saturday Live will recognise the same sharp eye for character and gentle humour here. This is a book about vocation, community, and what it really means to serve a parish today - thoughtful, funny, and unfailingly humane. Whether read cover to cover or dipped into a chapter at a time, it rewards readers with genuine insight into the life of a modern clergyman, delivered without sanctimony or self-importance.

• Warm and witty writing: short, engaging chapters combine humour with genuine pastoral insight.
• Written by a trusted, well-loved public figure: Reverend Richard Coles brings authenticity from real parish experience.
• Structured around the Church calendar: ideal for reflective reading through Advent, Lent, and Easter.
• Great gift choice: perfect for clergy, churchgoers, or anyone who enjoys thoughtful memoir.
• Portable paperback format: easy to carry to services, book groups, or for bedside reading.

About the Author
Reverend Richard Coles is an English writer, broadcaster and Church of England priest. Before ordination he was a member of the pop duo the Communards, achieving chart success in the 1980s. He later trained for the priesthood and served as a parish vicar, becoming widely known as a presenter on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live. Coles has written several memoirs, including Fathomless Riches, and is also the bestselling author of the Canon Clement crime novels.

Why You'll Love This Memoir
Honest, funny and full of heart, this paperback offers a rare and refreshing look at modern ministry from one of Britain's most engaging voices - equally at home discussing faith, doubt, and the everyday chaos of parish life.

Please Note: Image shown is for illustrative purposes; you will receive the UK edition with UK ISBN as listed.