Both science and common sense tell us that human activity is damaging our planet’s ability to support life. Many people would like the opportunity to talk through these issues, to explore, discuss and share fears and hopes for the future. Through reading together, we can provide that space and opportunity to talk together about the environmental crisis through the themes and topics of the books we read and discuss.

Our Book Club chooses both fiction and non-fiction books, both accounts and personal stories, and touches on themes of wide concern: air pollution, over-population, deforestation, urban heat sinks and sustainable green cities, organic farming, rural life and isolation, coastal erosion and ocean acidification; our programmes gradually offer a fuller picture, problems fall into place and a sense of fellowship emerges. We include faith and secular perspectives and world views; we look at how people and planet interact. We start to see the world more imaginatively and to think more carefully about the issues which concern us and possibilities are opened up. You can find reviews of the previous books below. Film adaptations and thematic film and tv explorations will be discussed at each meeting.

Next meeting: Tuesday 19th September, 7.30pm-9.30pm

Places of Enchantment: Meeting God in Landscapes by Graham B. Usher (SPCK)
Bishop Graham is the lead Bishop for the Environment in the Church of England.

Followed by:

Tuesday 17th October – Striking Out: Poems and Stories from the Camino (Stephen Cottrell)
Tuesday 21st November – Greenfingers : A ‘ Blooming Comedy’ (with Clive Owen, Helen Mirren and David Kelly)

Please register your interest for the autumn programme to Christine Jack by Tuesday 12th September at the latest. The Zoom link will be emailed to interested participants the day before the meeting. Newcomers welcome for either the whole course or individual sessions.