The JPW Library hosts two book groups, one weekly and one monthly.
Awakening the Spirit is led by First Church’s Acting Associate Pastor Rev. Amie Giguere and Lauren Dube, Student Minister for Children & Families. They meet every Monday from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the JPW Library or via Zoom teleconference. They read non-fiction and biography that explore spirituality, the nature of God, faith, theology, the Bible, and diverse religions, among other topics. To join them, sign up here.
A monthly book group led by JPW Library Director Jennifer deSimas, Food for Thought meets at 5:30 – 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month in the JPW Library. The group reads books that explore faith, God, and spirituality through fiction, humor, biography, sociology, memoir, social justice, and more. To join them, sign up here.
Awakening the Spirit resumed meeting on September 13 to discuss Bishop Michael Curry’s Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times. “As the descendant of slaves and the son of a civil rights activist, Bishop Michael Curry’s life illustrates massive changes in our times. Much of the world met him when he delivered his sermon on the redemptive power of love at the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle at Windsor Castle. Here, he expands on his message of hope with moving lessons from his own life. Walk the path of love with one of the warmest, most beloved spiritual leaders of our time, and learn how to put faith into action” (Amazon). Books are available to check out at the JPW Library.
Food for Thought will resume meeting on October 7 to discuss Anxious People, by beloved Swedish author Fredrik Backman. “A failed bank robber takes a group of strangers hostage. And all of them – the bank robber included – desperately crave some sort of rescue. Backman injects poignant observations about life and death; love and marriage; parenting and divorce; and social and economic stress throughout the novel. An absurdist black dramedy and lasting treasure for Backman fans” (Amazon; Washington Independent Review).
Resources for external book groups
We are happy to lend sets of multiple copies to any book group.
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Contact us to learn more!
Located beneath the First Church Meeting House, the JPWL is the go-to place for books and media related to sermons, Sunday School, social justice issues, and so much more!