EVEN IN CAMBRIDGE - Reflect

October 2022 In Review

10/31/2022

OCTOBER 2022 | IN REVIEW
READ | WRITE | DISCUSS | PRAY | SERVE | REFLECT

Even outside of Cambridge

Read

Cloud Cuckoo Land

Join Mr. Doerr’s characters on a quest braided across centuries as they seek to preserve an ancient text that both connects them to each other and encapsulates their greatest and simplest desires. It really does come together by the end. You’ll be amazed.

Write

See Ya Later, Alligator: Reflections on Lyle, Lyle Crocodile

Like the Primms, my family also moved to a new city this year. There was no scaly surprise in my bathtub, but I did have to reflect on a few differences that brought many changes, both tangible and developmental.

Discuss

Project Hail Mary

Consider this book a challenge to all of you who claim to be science nerds. See if you can follow his experiments, and then consider whether you’d follow this (sort of self-absorbed and spineless) protagonist to the end of the world, and beyond.

Pray

Grace be with us all

During this month of breast cancer awareness, I lost a writer friend to a recurrence. A decision to move to hospice care gave her better last months with her daughter and granddaughters, and allowed her to taste so much of the good food she loved. I mourn your loss, Grace, and I look forward to seeing you again.

Serve

Feed My Starving Children

I have served on many food ministries in the past, but this operation, however, gave my daughter and I the chance to participate on the ground level – actually bagging the raw ingredients that would be shipped overseas and then cooked by people in need. Proof all over again that the assembly line really works!

Reflect

Reflect

Check out the reflect button on the homepage where you can view this and all monthly newsletters.

Looking forward to reading & discussing with you!

September 2022 In Review

9/30/2022

SEPTEMBER 2022 | IN REVIEW
READ | WRITE | DISCUSS | PRAY | SERVE | REFLECT

Even in Cambridge

Read

Sea of Tranquility

This is the best book I have read in a long time. Even if you aren’t into science fiction…or apocalyptic novels (though who isn’t after going through a pandemic?), enjoy the ride as Ms. Mandel’s characters try to make sense of humanity across the space time continuum.

Write

Four Thousand Weeks

In his recent self-help book on time management, Oliver Burkeman argues that the key to achieving our goals is to understand our limits. Instead of beating ourselves up over failing to meet our own deadlines, he invites us to embrace “settling,” explaining how it can free us up to appreciate the options in front of us.

Discuss

The Paper Palace

This is a masterfully-woven though challenging read. I found myself cringing and wanting to look away many times, but by the end, I truly appreciated the depth of the character relationships explored in this text. While the men were a bit underdeveloped, the women give testament to the fierceness of sister-sister and mother-daughter bonds.

Pray

The Worry Worksheet

My family returned to in-person church on Palm Sunday this year. Shortly after that, I was invited to a prayer meeting where we used this worksheet as a starting off point. Devised by the mother of a good friend of mine, I offer it here for you, as a tool for when you want to pray but don’t know where to begin.

Serve

Suicide Prevention Awareness Month

If you turn that into an acronym, it spells SPAM. Still, don’t scroll past this. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has resources to help. You may never need them, but you can know where to turn if your neighbor does.

Reflect

Reflect

Check out the reflect button on the homepage where you can view this and all monthly newsletters.

Looking forward to reading & discussing with you!

August 2022 In Review

8/31/2022

AUGUST 2022 | IN REVIEW
READ | WRITE | DISCUSS | PRAY | SERVE | REFLECT

Even in Cambridge

Read

The Book of Lost Friends

Covering racism, ableism, women’s rights, and ultimately the interconnectedness of communities, Wingate’s newest novel is nothing other than timely. Read along as fictional Hannie Gossett of 1875 Louisiana discovers true stories of Lost Friends from the Reconstruction era and learn why this all matters today.

Write

Reflecting on a year of writing

I waited years to take Grub Street’s Memoir Incubator course. It took over my life for a while, but post-graduation, I’m so grateful for the experience.

Discuss

Beautiful World, Where Are You

Dear Book Club, I’m so glad we met one last time in my kitchen this past May. Thank you for the send off party in June. I miss you – and the beautiful world we created together – already.

Pray

I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet

Sometimes a book finds you at exactly the right moment. Thank you to my sister for sending this one my way. It turns out I’m not the only one to turn forty and suddenly wonder where she’s going in life. Shauna Niequist’s writing may be vague in terms of certain details, but the messaging hits it right on the head.

Serve

Jimmy Fund Walk 2022

This year, my daughter and I are participating in the 2022 Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk with our dear friends whose daughter succumbed to DIPG in 2017. Diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma is the deadliest pediatric cancer, but Dr. Mariella Filbin is working to change that. Would you consider making a donation to support her work? Any amount helps. Thank you for considering.

Reflect

Reflect

Check out the reflect button on the homepage where you can view this and all monthly newsletters.

Looking forward to reading & discussing with you!

December 2021 In Review

12/8/2021

DECEMBER 2021 | IN REVIEW
READ | WRITE | DISCUSS | PRAY | SERVE | REFLECT

Even in Cambridge

Write

Cultural Infusion
by Caroline Stowell

I am thrilled to announce that today my writing was published for the first time ever. Please toggle over to The Other Journal to read my essay Cultural Infusion, which is part of my memoir in progress called I Can’t See Where You’re Leading Me. I am incredibly grateful to... (keep reading here)

Reflect

Reflect

Check out the reflect button on the homepage where you can view this and all monthly newsletters.

Looking forward to reading & discussing with you!

August 2021 In Review

8/31/2021

AUGUST 2021 | IN REVIEW
READ | WRITE | DISCUSS | PRAY | SERVE | REFLECT

Even in Cambridge

Read

A Survey of Summer Reading and Lessons that are Never Too Late to Learn

Why read books that plunk you down right in the middle of the worst events in history? Isn’t the news bad enough? Why suffer more? As I reflected on several books I read this month, I was reminded of why we should put ourselves through it: The emotional experience of art draws empathy, and the attention to detail breathes life into those whose dying wish was to be remembered.

Write

Men We Reaped

Jesmyn Ward’s memoir provides a personal look of the larger story of the inequities and injustices of growing up Black in the South, in her community in Mississippi, as she explores the question of why her brother died while she lived. My writing class read this book collectively, in order to learn more about the memoir craft. Here is a summary of our summer lessons.

Discuss

The Invisible Life of Addie Larue

Overall, people really liked this one, even though we were a little stumped by some of the terms of the deal Addie made with the devil. As we followed Addie on her quest for freedom, we enjoyed reimagining what that looked like, ultimately concluding that the answer lies in self-expression.

Pray

Rain, and a vaccine

While walking my dog this month, I reflected on my prayer requests from last summer, how they had been answered, and how intimidated I was to ask for anything more.

Serve

Code Talker

During our end of summer road trip to the Grand Canyon, I came across the memoir of the last original Navajo code talker from World War II. What was even more incredible than reading about how this spoken code secured victory in the Pacific, was learning the tremendous sacrifice and courage of a group of people who weren’t even treated like American citizens, who, with their actions, redefined what it means to serve one’s country.

Reflect

Reflect

Check out the reflect button on the homepage where you can view this and all monthly newsletters.

Looking forward to reading & discussing with you!

July 2021 In Review

7/31/2021

JULY 2021 | IN REVIEW
READ | WRITE | DISCUSS | PRAY | SERVE | REFLECT

Even in Cambridge

Read

We Ride Upon Sticks

Yes, this is a book about a high school girls’ field hockey team that dabbles in the occult. It’s also an examination of racism and classism in the Boston suburbs in the late 1980s. “Stick” with this one. By the end, you’ll be yelling with the girls: “Field field field!” and “Hockey hockey hockey!”

Write

How did you come to the word?

A few weeks ago, my writing instructor asked an icebreaker question that threw me for a loop. Maybe I tend to overthink things in general, but in the end, I enjoyed what I had to discover about what drew me to writing. How would you explain what inspires you?

Discuss

The Duke Who Didn’t

We read this independently published romance last winter when we were in search of a lighter read, although we agreed that we accidentally went a little too light. No, it isn't going to win any awards, but we were mildly entertained, mildly moved and only mildly scarred. Ms. Milan got readers, and we got a laugh. So I think it was a win win all around. If you missed this one, don’t worry, just go on to the next title on your beach read list!

Pray

Summer Blast 2021: Press Play and Get in the Mix

Once again, our church put on a phenomenal virtual Vacation Bible School program. Unfortunately, my kids had trouble getting into it this year, perhaps completely spent on virtual programming. Still, they were thrilled and captivated by some of the teaching buried within. We hope you and your kids can enjoy the fresh perspective and laughs of...the So & So Show!

Serve

Might be late for dinner; have to call 911

A day trip to the Rockies game from my parents’ house seemed doable. We weren’t counting on the monsoon on the return to the mountains...or our SUV completely losing power. At the end of the day, I realized how many people I wanted to thank for helping us make it home in one piece.

Reflect

Reflect

Check out the reflect button on the homepage where you can view this and all monthly newsletters.

Looking forward to reading & discussing with you!

June 2021 In Review

6/30/2021

JUNE 2021 | IN REVIEW
READ | WRITE | DISCUSS | PRAY | SERVE | REFLECT

Even in Cambridge

Read

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry

This was perhaps not the book to read during the busiest spring season our family has ever had. Talk about a humbling reminder to slow down. And yet, the reason for slowing down was new to me. I have read dozens of books about the teachings of Jesus, but this is the first that spoke on Jesus’s lifestyle -- how he could be as satisfied with solitude as he was while slacking off with sinners. Pick up a copy and discover that Jesus himself has an MO.

Write

I Must Be Dreaming: GrubStreet’s Memoir Incubator

Are you a dreamer? I mean, do you have vivid dreams at night that you remember in the morning? Or actually, is there something in your life that you’ve always wanted to do? Dreams like this -- both kinds -- came alive for me this spring. They were unexpected and freaked me out, but in a good way. And they have me eager for more.

Discuss

Transcendent Kingdom

This is the kind of book that makes writers jealous. Though I was raised evangelical and studied neuroscience and have asked many of the questions that Gifty wrestles with, the similarities stop there. A timely portrait that addresses the complexity within issues that loud voices insist are black and white, Gyasi’s highly original story deepens with every page as she weaves layers of richness that challenge us to consider what matters most -- both to Gifty, and in our own lives.

Pray

The Bible Challenge 2021

After a sluggish spiritual season marked by waning church attendance, I appreciated our family pastor’s reminder to not let time pass us by. Our second grader had mastered reading. It was time to present him with the greatest book of all time. But first, he had some work to do.

Serve

Misión de Caridad

This past spring I found myself in good company with friends and neighbors searching for a way out of the pandemic, though apprehensive about what this change would mean for our families and for ourselves. As I sank into the disappointments accrued over the past year, I reconnected with this organization and discovered a potential new path that might connect my goals with theirs.

Reflect

Reflect

Check out the reflect button on the homepage where you can view this and all monthly newsletters.

Looking forward to reading & discussing with you!

May 2021 In Review

5/31/2021

MAY 2021 | IN REVIEW
READ | WRITE | DISCUSS | PRAY | SERVE | REFLECT

Even in Cambridge

Read

Everything Sad is Untrue

This month I was hoping to grace the world with my first official publication, a story of my friendship with an Iranian Muslim mom, but fortunately, since my submission didn’t pan out, Daniel Nayeri has a much, much better memoir for you. Please read his book and be humbled by the faith of his own Iranian Muslim-turned-Christian mother.

Write

Parachutes

The friend who recommended this book is right: it addresses some really big issues both for girls and women and for certain cultural groups. I’m just not sure I’d give this YA book to anyone under the age of 18. Is it just me, or is our reading culture becoming much more aggressive and explicit in the subject matter it tackles? Here’s my take on how to temper our portion control.

Discuss

The Vanishing Half

We all found this story incredibly engrossing. My favorite character was Desiree, but the rest of you said, hands down, that yours was Jude, whom we admired for her steadfast acceptance of who she was in the midst of great antagonism and racism. A fascinating inquiry on what it means to be successful and how characters are able or unable to separate that from attaining whiteness, this book is definitely one to try.

Pray

Adventure Awaits: Mother Daughter Retreat

After a year hiatus, my daughter and I returned to Camp Berea for a weekend retreat, where once again she challenged me with her questions, and I realized all over again why this was worth renting a car and picking off ticks and dodging maskless others who might spread COVID: Some things are eternal.

Serve

How to serve other people’s children

Before I started my current job as a lunch and recess monitor at an elementary school, I hadn’t thought much about a teacher’s perspective. I could barely imagine it. Now I look at the students around me and wonder, how can I reach them? Fortunately, educators like Lisa Delpit started researching this question decades ago, and in my community, her ideas are gathering strength like never before.

Reflect

Reflect

Check out the reflect button on the homepage where you can view this and all monthly newsletters.

Looking forward to reading & discussing with you!

April 2021 In Review

4/30/2021

APRIL 2021 | IN REVIEW
READ | WRITE | DISCUSS | PRAY | SERVE | REFLECT

Even in Cambridge

Read

I Confess I Balked at This Title

It took me two years to crack the cover of this book. I think I wanted to believe I had learned all of this antiracist stuff already, and yet, here I offer you a few take-aways that reinforce how this is an on-going personal process, how in our own lives, a little bit at a time, we can continue to change our white-normalized culture.

Write

The Coddling of the American Mind

There is much to discuss in this book, but for this essay I focus on the writers’ claim that the decline of free play is harming our kids. I recommend reading the entire book, but in the meantime, consider how you might restrain your tendency to hover and intervene. I tried it myself recently, and let me tell you: it’s hard.

Discuss

Such a Fun Age

Most of us found this compelling, and yet, if we had difficulty with it, it was often because we wished for more growth from rounder characters. Still, as readers shared vulnerably about parenting struggles or times when they may have operated from a position of racial and/or class privilege, perhaps what vexed us the most was how easily we could identify with Reid’s characters, and how we wished for growth for ourselves.

Pray

Easter 2021

Last Easter I cried out to God to help our world, and I watched at least three services online. This year, by contrast, I only felt empty. I signed up for the Easter choir in an attempt to be a part of something, but I had no idea that come Easter morning I would be blown away by a message that once again seemed to speak directly to me. What you are feeling makes sense, it said. This is the empty tomb. Please watch. See for yourself as we hope for a year of jubilee.

Serve

Back to School (in more ways than one)

Throughout the pandemic I’ve had competing feelings about wanting to help versus wanting to hide. Recently though, I realized all of it boiled down to this: I simply needed to get out of the house. I never imagined I’d end up working as a lunch and recess monitor at an elementary school, but somehow, for now, it seems like the very place I’m meant to be.

Reflect

Reflect

Check out the reflect button on the homepage where you can view this and all monthly newsletters.

Looking forward to reading & discussing with you!

March 2021 In Review

3/31/2021

MARCH 2021 | IN REVIEW
READ | WRITE | DISCUSS | PRAY | SERVE | REFLECT

Even in Cambridge

Read

Tattoos on the Heart

Get your tissues ready and be prepared to let go of all of the grief you have stored up over the past year. Boyle may be sharing stories about his work with gangs in L.A., but the lessons he has to teach us apply to any time when we have felt like our efforts have failed us. Let him (and Jesus) remind you what success looks like.

Write

Breath

Does it really matter how we breathe? Why do certain breaths feel more satisfying than others? Can breathing actually heal your body? Take a meandering trip through human evolution, western science and eastern breathing techniques as Nestor tries to get to the bottom of the relaxing power of a really deep breath.

Discuss

Braiding Sweetgrass

Our book club read Kimmerer’s book last fall, but I wanted to highlight it here because I think it pairs so well with Hope Jahren’s The Story of More. Reading these books in combination gives us a more holistic view of how our planet works, and how we can take care of it and each other.

Pray

Be the Bridge

In her book, Morrison shares her journey of waking up Black, and also provides a framework for initiating multicultural and multi-racial conversation in small group settings, places where Christians can listen and learn about how they can take part in the process of racial reconciliation.

Serve

The Story of More

A small primer for anyone with a question about climate change, Jahren writes with a humor and humility that begs to be reread and shared with others. Bring your questions and your open mind, and be prepared to be moved to ask yourself how you can help.

Reflect

Reflect

Check out the reflect button on the homepage where you can view this and all monthly newsletters.

Looking forward to reading & discussing with you!