Hops and Hope: Book and Discussion Group

Join us each month as we read a book on faith, justice and what it means to find hope in Christ amid a messy and complex world. Each month we will read a book and will gather at a local brewery to discuss and explore how the words we read impact the lives we live. All are welcome to join, whether you finish the book or not.  

Hops and Hope gatherings are moving to the Third Thursday of every month. This means that for the Fall we will be meeting September 18th, October 16th, November 20th, and December 18th.  All from 6:00-7:30pm and for now we will plan to have at least the first two gatherings at Immanuel (out by the firepit if weather is nice, and in the library if not). Drinks and snacks to share are always welcome! 

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2025

We will be reading the book "I Never Thought of it That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times" by Mónica Guzmán. We will be discussing parts 1-3 in September, then in October we will wrap up with Part 4, 5 and the Epilogue. Guzmán serves as an advisor to Braver Angels. Most of her work is centered around how to have conversations with those who you disagree with, which most certainly feels like a valuable skill to explore further!

If you are unable to read the book, here are some additional videos/podcasts you can watch to learn about Guzmán’s work and the book: 

• “How Curiosity Will Save Us” Mónica Guzmán Ted Talk 
• “Braver Way Podcast” 

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2025

We will be reading a new book called "Hungry for Hope: Letters to the Church from Young Adults" edited by Jeremy Myers and Kristina Frugé.

"Hungry for Hope" was written as part of an initiative led by the Riverside Innovation Hub aimed at amplifying and taking seriously the voices, wisdom, frustrations, and hopes of young adults in our church. Over the course of a couple years, young adults from all across the country gathered to discuss themes that were important to them and from those themes a group of young adult authors were paired with scholars to develop and write chapters of a book that offer actionable insights and guidance for the church. You can read more about this project here. 

Ordering Books

Savannah will be ordering a copy of each for the Immanuel library if you’d like to borrow it, or if you prefer to buy a copy of your own, here are a couple links that help you support local bookstores through your purchase. If you’re looking to support a Native owned bookstore, Birchbark Books in Minneapolis is a great option!

• Bookshop - online book retailer with lots of inventory, and you choose the bookstore that will be supported through your purchase  
• Book Store Link - helps you order directly from local bookstores (can either have them delivered or picked up)
• Take a look at a list of some possible books, but there are many more options out there!

Some ideas for topics include (but aren’t limited to):

• Racial Justice / Womanist or Black Theology
• Liberation Theology
• Mujerista Theology
• Native/Indigenous Theology
• Immigration and Welcoming the Stranger
• Asian Theology
• Interfaith / Global Perspectives
• Faith and Sexuality
• Environmental Theology
• Women’s Rights / Feminist Theologies
• Food or Economic Justice
• Theology and Mental Health

Questions?

Please contact Deacon Savanah Olaphson, savannah@immanuel.us