March letter 2026
Dear Friends
One of the success stories in 2020s English culture has been Book Groups.
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Many people belong to a Book group. It is an informal group which meets every month or two to discuss a book. In the previous weeks, the group members have read the book and they come to the meeting with things to say about it.
Was the book good? Was it gripping? Or dull? Did it have a good plot? What does it tell us about life? Or was it wonderful escapism? Was it full of truth? A fantasy adventure? Maybe full of comment on society? Or a love story? Or something else?
Good books are windows through which we can see things more clearly and enjoy things vicariously. Our country has a great heritage of writers and publishing houses. At the least, we might appreciate their efforts. More than that, surely we wish the utility of books to continue, especially in the digital age.
As Christians, we are readers of the Greatest Book Ever Written, the best seller in every age, the Bible. And since The Bible is a book of books, all of them inspired by God for our teaching, correcting and training in righteousness; shouldn’t we be supporters of the general idea of Book Groups – particularly of Book Groups which include the Good Book in their list.
St Luke’s had a January Questionnaire on Small Groups. The results have encouraged us to try four new groups, one already started and the others starting in Lent. One of the new groups will be a Church Book Group.
Meeting every 6 weeks (about twice a term) the Book Group will seek to encourage the reading of Christian books, and some Bible books, and maybe some thoughtful articles.
Wednesday evening is the planned time. Rob is leading the group and the first meeting is at the vicarage. Following meetings might be held at the Mellers’ house in the centre of the village.
At the first meeting we will encourage everyone to bring a favourite Christian book. Then we might tell one another why it’s a favourite (briefly).
Details of all of our small groups are in the Link notice sheet, available at Sunday services.
Is this Lent a time for you to try a small group at St Luke’s?
Yours in Christ,