Pastors Book Discussion Group ~ “For Such a Time as This ~ Hanna Reichel”
For Such a Time as This
Thursdays, beginning May 7 (in-person) and continuing on Zoom until August 27 (in-person).
We are living in extraordinary times of societal upheaval and political fragility. Pastors know this acutely, as they seek to proclaim the Gospel in a church and community that is rarely of one mind and often divided. It is hard enough to know what to do at these times, let alone feel safe in expressing your honest feelings, whatever they may be.
Beginning on Thursday, May 7, Highlands Presbytery is offering its ministers of Word and Sacrament and pastors an opportunity to share with their colleagues their own thoughts, feelings, and questions. (Another opportunity, open to anyone interested, is under consideration. Please contact Steve Shussett if interested.)
We will be reading from Hannah Reichel’s book, For Such a Time as This: An Emergency Devotional, which “offers a timely resource for ordinary Christians seeking to live faithfully in extraordinary times of societal upheaval and political fragility.” This widely acclaimed book is being read around the church and the world, to faithfully, theologically, and personally consider life at such a time as this.
We will begin with on May 7th from 12-2pm in person at the First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown. Please bring your own lunch to this meeting. Following Reichel’s “First Aid Kit” schedule (found in her book), we will be reading Chapters 1, 2, and 16; this is a devotional, so these chapters are quite short.
On Thursdays from May 14 to August 20, we will continue meet at noon, via Zoom. It is not expected that anyone will attend all of these sessions, but you are invited to do so as much as you are available and interested. We will continue with the First Aid Kit schedule, which will be available on the Presbytery website. Find the Zoom Log In Registration to the right of this page.
Then, on August 20, you are invited to attend a final gathering from 12-2pm in person at the First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown. Lunch will be provided, and an RSVP will be necessary.
Introduction to Hanna Reichel
Hanna Reichel is Charles Hodge Professor of Systematic Theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. Raised an ecumenical Lutheran, Reichel now serves as a ruling elder in the PC(USA) and on the Theology Working Group of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.
About the Book
A guide for ordinary Christians seeking to live faithfully in extraordinary times
“This is not the first end of the world. Many worlds have ended.”
In an era of political polarization, eroding democratic norms, and rising authoritarianism, many Christians find themselves disoriented, wondering how their faith should inform myriad daily decisions. Drawing upon both scholarship and pastoral wisdom, theologian Hanna Reichel offers a timely resource for believers seeking spiritual grounding amid societal upheaval.
For Such a Time as This provides a thoughtful framework for discernment rooted in scripture, historical wisdom, and the core commitments of Christian faith. Through meditations on scripture, reflections on historical precedents including the Confessing Church’s resistance to Nazi Germany, and portraits of inspiring figures who maintained their integrity in the face of oppression, Reichel guides readers toward their own Christian response to the present moment.
Written specifically for ordinary believers, this accessible volume acknowledges that while some are called to dramatic public witness, all must face the daily challenge of living faithfully as long-established institutions and systems reveal their fragility. Neither alarmist nor complacent, Reichel reminds readers that Christians throughout history have faced the collapse of worlds they once took for granted—and have discovered unexpected liberation in the process.
For anyone troubled by current political trends and searching for ways to disentangle faith in God from misplaced trust in political systems, For Such a Time as This offers both challenge and comfort. Readers will come away with practical wisdom for navigating our uncertain times, a deeper understanding of Christianity’s resources for resistance, and renewed energy for the urgent tasks that faithful discipleship demands today.
“None of this is unprecedented; what is unprecedented is that today it is we who have to do the hard work of seeing idols smashed, grieving and picking up the pieces, holding them into the sun, and seeing new refractions of light in their edges.”
(from the publisher)
First Aid Kit – Anticipated Reading Schedule
| Thursday at 12PM | Chapters |
| May 7 (in-person) | 1, 2, 16 |
| May 14 (zoom) | 7, 20, 25, 28 |
| May 21 (zoom) | 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 20 |
| May 28 (zoom) | 3, 8, 12, 13, 14, 23 |
| June 4 (zoom) | 3, 5, 6 |
| June 11 (zoom) | 6, 10, 22 |
| June 18 (zoom) | 15, 17 |
| June 25 (zoom) | 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 |
| July 2 (zoom) | 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 22 |
| July 9 (zoom) | 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 19, 22, 23 |
| July 16 (zoom) | 17, 18, 20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28 |
| July 23 (zoom) | 5, 7, 11, 19, 20, 21, 28 |
| July 30 (zoom) | 7, 17, 20, 21, 27 |
| August 6 (zoom) | 2, 5, 7, 20, 25 |
| August 13 (zoom) | 6, 19, 24, 26 |
| August 20 (in-person) | 5, 9, 15 |
ZOOM LOG IN
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/9gzYU3CZRgGbTdmG-q5L_Q
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
In sum:
May 7th, 12-2pm in person at the First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown. Please bring your own lunch to this meeting. Read Chapters 1, 2, and 16
May 14-August 13, 12-1pm (Thursdays) via Zoom. Following the First Aid Kit – Anticipated Reading Schedule.
August 20, 12-2pm in person at the First Presbyterian Church of Hackettstown. Lunch will be provided, and an RSVP will be necessary.
