“Forsaking Church” introduces many themes- mercy, migration, religion, politics, scripture, grief, resilience, and more. If you’d like to invite the author to your book group, please see the Appearances tab at the top. If you’d like to discuss the book with your group or contemplate some of the themes of the book alone, here are some guiding questions for you to consider:

• “Forsaking Church” utilizes the Parable of the Good Samaritan as a through line. How did the way in which the bible passage was used by both Torrey, Hector, and ultimately Wesley, help you wrestle with the theme of mercy?

• The border becomes an important setting for the book- the respite center in McAllen, the plaza in Matamoros, the church kitchen in Brownsville, the border control building on the bridge back to the United States- did the book inform your view of the US-Mexico border and if so, how?

• On the walk back to Brownsville, Father Gabbiadini claims that Torrey should try being an ignostic/igtheist for a while- someone who is looking for a definition of who or what God is. Does this way of looking at things hold any attraction to you and if so, what is it?

• The author uses animals, especially dogs, throughout the book. Eventually, we come to understand the purpose of the white “Cadejo” who comes to Elvin at the conclusion. What did you think of this mythological twist?

• Does mythology have its place in our increasingly secular world and if so, what is it?

• What do you think prompted Torrey’s rant at the end of his character arc? Could it have been prevented? If so, how?

• What do you imagine happened to Torrey and St. Peter of the Rockies after the book ended?

• Did you notice that Part III, which is supposed to be about Velvett, becomes a story about Torrey instead? What do you think the author is indirectly trying to say by crafting Part III in this fashion?

• What do you imagine happened to Velvett after the book ended?

• The last time we hear from Lola, she is watching a party, worried that she is the only person present who has ever met a lobbyist. Did you leave that section of the book hopeful for Altagracia and her community or worried about their future?

• The book discusses American involvement in Guatemala, primarily through Elvin. Do you feel any differently about migration from Central America because of that history?