Thursday, October 23, 3:00–4:00 p.m. (AZ/PDT)
Facilitator: Sheri Brown
Register: spiritinthedesert.org/events/spirited-book-club-active-hope
In a world marked by climate change, economic upheaval, and uncertainty, Active Hope by Joanna Macy and Chris Johnstone invites readers to move beyond despair toward creative action and resilience. The Spirited Book Club at Spirit in the Desert Retreat Center will meet on Thursday, October 23, to explore this groundbreaking work and reflect together on how faith communities can respond to the challenges of our time with courage, compassion, and hope.
Drawing from Macy’s “Work That Reconnects,” Active Hope offers a transformative framework grounded in spirituality, science, and community. It teaches that hope is not a feeling we passively hold, but a practice we actively live—rooted in gratitude, connection, and the conviction that even small acts contribute to the healing of the world. This process, called “the Great Turning,” reminds us that renewal begins when we choose to act for the flourishing of creation.
Joanna Macy, a pioneering eco-philosopher, Buddhist scholar, and systems thinker, passed away in July 2024 at age 96. Her work continues through collaborators like co-author Chris Johnstone, a physician and resilience trainer who helps people find meaning and motivation amid global crises. Together, their book provides a roadmap for moving from anxiety to action, from isolation to community, and from despair to purpose.
Join the Spirited Book Club to explore these themes and discover how Active Hope aligns with the Christian call to love and stewardship. As 1 Peter 3:15 reminds us, “Always be ready to give an account for the hope that is in you.” Through conversation and reflection, participants will discover practical ways to embody that hope—for ourselves, our neighbors, and the Earth.
➡️ Register today: spiritinthedesert.org/events/spirited-book-club-active-hope