In the life of the church, we often talk about reading Scripture together—and rightly so. But from time to time, it is also good for us to read stories together. Stories have a way of slipping past our defenses, naming truths we didn’t know how to articulate, and inviting us to see God, ourselves, and one another with fresh eyes.

That’s the heart behind Ardmore Reads, our congregational book club, and I want to warmly invite you to join us in February. On Sunday, February 15 at 4:00 PM, we will gather in Room F-102 to discuss The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall. This beautiful and searching novel follows two couples connected through a church and its pastors, exploring themes of friendship, marriage, faith, doubt, vocation, and the quiet ways grace unfolds over time. It is a book that takes the church seriously—not sentimentally, but honestly—and it asks gentle, important questions about what it means to love one another faithfully across seasons of joy, disappointment, certainty, and change.

Our discussion will be led by my wonderful wife, Jessica Tankersley, who brings both a deep love of literature and a thoughtful pastoral sensibility to the conversation (after all, she knows very well how crazy pastors can be). Whether you are an avid reader or someone who doesn’t always make time for novels, you will find this to be a welcoming space. Ardmore Reads is not about having the “right” interpretation or impressing anyone with insight; it is about listening well, sharing generously, and letting a good book open us to meaningful conversation.

If you are longing for connection, thoughtful dialogue, or simply an excuse to slow down and read something nourishing, this is for you. Come with your questions, your reflections, or just your curiosity. And if you haven’t finished every page of the book—come anyway.

I hope you’ll mark your calendar, pick up a copy of The Dearly Beloved, and join us on February 15. There is something deeply fitting about reading together as the people of God—and I believe this will be time well spent.

Grace and peace,

Rev. Tyler Tankersley