Jan's pocket prayers are Christmas number one
 2009: Jan McFarlane, the Archdeacon of Norwich and Director of Communications, has had her first book published and it is proving to be a Christmas best-seller. Pocket Prayers for Advent and Christmas is a collection of prayers, old and new, familiar and challenging, taking the reader from Advent Sunday through to Candlemas.
The Church Times has named the book at the number one best-seller in religious bookshops so far this Christmas.
Jan said: "I'm delighted that the book is selling well. It would indicate that we've acheived the aim of providing something which is both a pocket-sized resource for Christians, and a gift book for those on the edge of the church who, at Advent and Christmas, draw a little nearer. But I don't think I'll be able to retire on the proceeds just yet!"
The book, which is published by Church House Publishing, and retails at £5.99 is aimed at people on the edges of the Church, and those who find themselves drawn to the Church at Christmas. The pocket-sized book is deliberately formatted to be carried around and dipped into at spare moments through the day.
"I was pleased to be asked to compile this book, " said Jan, "And I agreed to do so on the understanding that it would be finished before beginning my new post as archdeacon in March.
"Having agreed, I then remembered that all my books were in storage while my new office was being built, so I had to beg, borrow and steal (well perhaps not steal!) resources from colleagues. I'm really pleased with the attractive cover design and hope that it will make a suitable gift for those with friends who are open to the real message of Christmas."
Pocket Prayers for Advent and Christmas is available from the Cathedral Gift Shop and the Norwich Christian Resource Centre
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