Last year, we journeyed through powerful stories of faith, doubt, and transformation—and we’re doing it again. Spiritual memoirs help us see how God shows up in real lives, in unexpected places, and often in our own stories, too. Each month, we’ll read the life story of someone who has dared to tell the truth about their journey with God. Then we’ll gather on Sunday evenings from 6 to 7 p.m. to reflect, discuss, and deepen our understanding of grace at work in the world and in us. This year’s books include:
The Cloister Walk by Kathleen Norris (September 7): A poet’s unexpected journey into Benedictine spirituality opens up a contemplative view of time, prayer, and presence in everyday life.
Pastrix by Nadia Bolz-Weber (October 05): With fierce honesty and biting humor, this tattooed Lutheran pastor tells her story of grace, recovery, and finding God among misfits and sinners.
My Life with the Saints by James Martin, SJ (November 02): A Jesuit priest introduces the saints who shaped his life—offering stories of faith, friendship, and the surprising relevance of holy lives.
Darling by Richard Rodriguez (January 11): Part memoir, part cultural meditation, Rodriguez explores God, desert spirituality, and religious identity in the modern world.
This Here Flesh by Cole Arthur Riley (February 08): A deeply poetic and powerful meditation on dignity, lament, and liberation by an African American writer who invites us to encounter God through embodied Black experience and ancestral memory.
The Seven Storey Mountain by Thomas Merton (March 22): This modern spiritual classic traces Merton’s journey from worldly success to monastic life, offering a timeless portrait of the soul’s search for God.
Whether you joined last year or are new to the group, all are welcome at any time for any book. To learn more or sign up, email Pastor George at george@fumcbelmont.org.