Lutheran women are always up for a challenge, right? (Remember our 90-ton challenge?) This challenge comes from the #ELCA, through the #TruthandHealing Movement. The challenge is to read a book written by a Native author this summer and then gather for conversation about the book. Women of the ELCA is offering up two books. Read one or both, and then join an online discussion. The two novels are The Road Back to Sweetgrass by Linda LeGarde Grover (2014) and Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Ford (2020). We’ll gather online for discussion, but book groups are encouraged to hold a local, in-person discussion if desired.
First, a few words about the Truth and Healing Movement. The movement is an opportunity for us individually and collectively to increase our understanding of colonizing impacts on Indigenous people in the past and present. More information is available here. An online class, Introduction to the Truth and Healing Movement, is happening July 24th from 7 to 8 p.m. CDT. There’s also an Indian 101 class be offered on July 26th. No -pre-registration is required to participate. Follow the link in this paragraph for more information about both classes.
Second, the details for our online book discussions. We will discuss The Road Back to Sweetgrass by Linda LeGarde Grover on Sunday, August 20 at 6:30 p.m. CDT. The following week, on Sunday, August 27, we will discuss Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Ford, also at 6:30 p.m. CDT. Each discussion will be one hour. Advance registration is required. Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom.
The books are available from Native Reads, an online bookstore, or from your choice of local or online booksellers.