Christchurch C. S. Lewis Reading and Discussion Group

This month we're planning to read aloud Lewis's essay "Religion and Rocketry", a lesser-known essay in which Lewis muses on the existence of aliens ("extra-terrestrial animals", as he calls them), and whether their existence would be a blow to the Christian faith. In some ways this essay is a condensed, non-fiction version of his earlier novel Out of the Silent Planet.

Franci and I will put on a nice spread of food and drink to go with the evening. If you are willing and able to contribute a small donation, we'll have a koha/donation jar (you can also transfer to our bank account 11-7116-0034925-00 / Benjamin Hoyt). Suggested donation $5, but no obligation if you're not in a position to or would just rather not.

I am limiting it to 15 attendees due to space reasons in our living room, so please do RSVP. :-)

If you're new, welcome! Our address will be provided privately when you RSVP (we'd rather not post our home address publicly here). If you don't receive a message on Meetup, text Ben on 022 341 2746.

NOTE: this event is on the second Friday of the month.

This month we'll be doing something different: reading a small selection of C. S. Lewis's poems (and maybe a few poems by others). As a young man, Lewis actually wanted to be a great poet, but he turned out to be a much better essay writer and storyteller than poet. So the goal is to read a few of his better poems and chat about them.

Franci and I will put on a nice spread of food and drink to go with the evening. If you are willing and able to contribute a small donation, we'll have a koha/donation jar (you can also transfer to our bank account 11-7116-0034925-00 / Benjamin Hoyt). Suggested donation $5, but no obligation if you're not in a position to or would just rather not.

I am limiting it to 15 attendees due to space reasons in our living room, so please do RSVP. :-)

If you're new, welcome! Our address will be provided privately when you RSVP (we'd rather not post our home address publicly here). If you don't receive a message on Meetup, text Ben on 022 341 2746.

This is a good topic just before Christmas: a little essay in the collection The Weight of Glory called "On Forgiveness". I was once talking to an old boss (who was not particularly religious), and he asked me, "What's the key thing about your faith?" I said, "forgiveness". But let's see what Lewis has to say about the topic!

Franci and I will put on a nice spread of food and drink to go with the evening. If you are willing and able to contribute a small donation, we'll have a koha/donation jar (you can also transfer to our bank account 11-7116-0034925-00 / Benjamin Hoyt). Suggested donation $5, but no obligation if you're not in a position to or would just rather not.

I am limiting it to 15 attendees due to space reasons in our living room, so please do RSVP. :-)

If you're new, welcome! Our address will be provided privately when you RSVP (we'd rather not post our home address publicly here). If you don't receive a message on Meetup, text Ben on 022 341 2746.

We'll kick off the meetups in 2026 by looking at one of Lewis's novels: Till We Have Faces, which is a retelling of the ancient Greek myth of Cupid and Psyche. This is one of Franci's favourite Lewis works. It's a significant chunk to read, but you'll have all summer to read it as we don't meet in January. So come prepared if you can, but don't worry, we'll let you scrape in if you haven't read it. :-)

Franci and I will put on a nice spread of food and drink to go with the evening. If you are willing and able to contribute a small donation, we'll have a koha/donation jar (you can also transfer to our bank account 11-7116-0034925-00 / Benjamin Hoyt). Suggested donation $5, but no obligation if you're not in a position to or would just rather not.

I am limiting it to 15 attendees due to space reasons in our living room, so please do RSVP. :-)

If you're new, welcome! Our address will be provided privately when you RSVP (we'd rather not post our home address publicly here). If you don't receive a message on Meetup, text Ben on 022 341 2746.