The Faith Lutheran Book Club’s February selection was Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline. This also happens to be the book that has been selected for suggested community-wide reading.

There are actually two stories that unfold throughout the book. Molly Ayer is nearly 18 but has been in foster care due to the death of her father and abandonment of her mother. A community service position helping an elderly woman clean out her attic is the only thing keeping Molly out of juvenile detention. The elderly woman, Vivian Daly-Maynard, age 91, an orphaned Irish immigrant who rode an orphan train to Minnesota, has a difficult time disposing of the things stored in her attic because of the memories and secrets they hold. Together Molly and Vivian learn that they aren’t that different and Molly helps Vivian answer the mysteries of her life.

This novel exemplifies the resilience of people, the ability to endure upheaval and the unusual friendships that develop in life. We all enjoyed the book, and it generated great discussion among the group.

Several community events are scheduled around this book. Sun. March 30, 2-4pm there will be a book discussion at the Hutchinson Public Library. On Sun. April 27, 2-4pm a meet-the-author event is scheduled at the Hutchinson Event Center. Both of these events are free to the public.

The Faith Book Club meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7:30pm in the Luther Lounge (near the 3rd floor elevator). Questions? Email Marsha Schmit or call 320-587-2093.

 

The Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down by Neta Jackson is the second in her series of Yada Yada Books. In the first book, Jodi Baxter, a first-year third grade teacher, is invited by Avis, her principal, to attend the Chicago Women’s Conference. During the conference, hundreds of women are randomly placed in diverse prayer groups. As the conference ends, they cannot break the meaningful connections they had established, so they agree to meet twice monthly in one another’s homes to share their joys and sorrows, to pray, share scripture and sing spiritual songs.

While there are many problems shared and prayed for in Yada Yada Prayer Group Gets Down, one involves a robbery at Jodi’s home in the midst of one of their prayer meetings. Held at knife point, this near-tragedy brings the group even closer as they pray for not only their own healing, but also that of the twenty-three-year-old girl who was so desperate to get money for drugs. This leads them to pray, help, make visits to the jail and finally to forgive the robber.

This is just one of many life events they pray through. Others include a tragic auto accident, getting a child back after going to prison and caring for a parent with dementia. They truly become a family that overcomes life’s trials by following the words found in I Thessalonians 5:17: “Pray without ceasing.

To be a part of the monthly book read and discussion, join the Faith Book Club. The group meets the second Monday of each month at 7:30pm. Please contact Marsha Schmit (320-587-2093) for more information.