The One Loaf

God of small beginnings
and rising hopes,
may we see eternity
in each wheat grain:
ours for today”s bread
and tomorrow”s planting;
food of life; gift to the future
and seed of hope.

– Joy Mead

A book which explores the making and the mystery of bread – growing, making, baking, sharing – in story and recipe, poetry and prayer. In bread we see the true connectedness of all life – the uniting of body and soul, spirit and material. It is not just a symbol of life, it is life itself. Without food, life is impossible, so eating becomes sacred. Take and eat means take and live; to share food is to share our life. Jesus, in a simple act, made eating and sharing sacred. This beautiful illustrated book helps us to love the ‘dailiness’ of bread, the holiness of eating and the justice of sharing.

160 pp

Joy Mead is a poet of great sensitivity and subtlety. She is a deeply religious poet, without being a Religious Poet, if you know what I mean. Genuine spirituality is located in the material, in the embodied: that seems to be how our God works. Joy Mead’s spirituality is grounded in the depths of so-called ‘ordinary’ life – the extraordinary life. That’s why she is one of my favourite poets.
Ron Ferguson, author and award-winning journalist

Book Sample