New Book Store

‘Shares The Word’ For All To Read

By Kendra Bobowick

The grand opening celebration of Share the Word January 28 represented a small but potent a blessing to at least one member of Newtown’s religious leadership.

“This answered a prayer of mine,” said the Reverend Jack Tanner of Newtown Christian Church. “It has long been a wish of mine to see a Christian book store in Newtown.”

Owners Richard and Eileen Dunseith and Russ and Reggie Cernick have lived in town for several years and “came up with the idea during a retreat at St Rose,” Mr Dunseith said.

Wandering unobtrusively through the recently stocked shelves, the shop’s four owners spoke with patrons who came in support.

 “What you have here is more than a retail store, but an offer of the presence of God,” Mr Tanner said, adding that he and his wife had been, “waiting for this moment for 20 years.”

Faith more than money occupied everyone’s minds as the four collaborators planned to open Share the Word.

“This is as much about ministry as profit,” said Mr Dunseith. “It’s something the community has not had before and now it’s an opportunity to find religious books. Definitely something the town needs.”

Mr Cernick said the closest similar stores are in Danbury, forcing readers out of town to purchase religious books. Mr Dunseith shares a similar view, saying the store provides, “an opportunity for people in the community to find religious books.”

Only conceiving of the bookstore as recently as November, Ms Dunseith said they had no difficulties turning their collective inspiration into reality.

“The doors just opened,” she said. “That’s how we knew it was right, it just happened.”

Aisles are filled with various titles and authors, fiction and nonfiction. The selections are targeted to appeal to children, teens, and adults. Patrons will find titles designated for men and women, respectively. Shoppers can find the Bible, or tales from CS Lewis’s, The Chronicles of Narnia, including The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Books in answer to Dan Brown’s, The Da Vinci Code also fill an entire shelf.

Considering the work of fiction detailing murder and deceit in the high-stakes world of religious art, the author rereads religious indicators and artist’s intentions in Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa,” for example.

Although causing a stir of criticism when frost published, and prompting authors to “Answer” The Da Vinci Code, Mr Dunseith smiles and almost laughs at the uproar following Brown’s publication.

“I read it. The book was interesting but it was fiction,” he said.

Offering one explanation for the commotion over the book’s content, Mr Dunseith said, “When such a good book is written it comes across as a real story,” he said.

Other than books, sale items include Jerusalem stones. These objects are “mined in Jerusalem, made into a cross, crucifixes and sold,” Mr Dunseith said.

Opening Its Doors

St Rose’s Parish leader Father Bob Weiss provided his own blessing dedicated to the group gathered to celebrate Share the Word’s grand opening.

“Let all who enter here be blessed by God’s wonders,” he said. “Let all who enter here find a clearer understanding of You.”

Speaking of the storeowners, he said, “May Russ and Rich bring Your word to all who enter…and provide insight and enjoyment of the spirit of Christ.”

 “Come, sit and read a book. Take your time when you come in,” Mr Dunseith urged, as the religious officials concluded their blessings. “There is no rush.”

Store hours at Share the Word are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9 am to 6 pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm, and Saturdays 10 am to 5 pm; 364-WORD (9673).The store is at 71 South Main Street, in Ricky’s shopping center next to Subway.