One Single ACT - by Winnie Varghese (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

Simple acts of kindness can transform the world.

"If the state of our world has you wondering how to rise from despair and overwhelm, read this book!" --Stephanie Spellers, author of Church Tomorrow?

"Priest Varghese [...] is refreshingly optimistic without being naive, and bolsters her stories with concrete suggestions for doing good in small ways, from buying flowers for a friend "just because" to inviting a stranger into a conversation. The result is an earnest testament to an individual's power to make a difference." --Publishers Weekly

Imagine sharing gestures of kindness, compassion, and generosity for one hundred days and seeing how those choices ripple out and make a bigger impact in your community. One Single Act began as a viral campaign to spread joy, and Winnie Varghese expands on that idea in a series of vignettes that offer personal insights and inspiring reflections.

Grounded in the fundamentals of Christian Spirituality, she explores how both individual gestures and collective efforts can strengthen communities, inspire hope, and create lasting change. Through moving real-world examples, you'll see what one single act can look like in practice:

• a group of women coming together to bring gentle soap into a prison, restoring dignity to incarcerated people and helping them prepare for life after release;
• parishioners who donate the cost of just a single day's food to World Central Kitchen, helping provide more than 100,000 meals to people facing hunger;
• and simple gestures, such as a handwritten note tucked into a lunchbox or a small treat left on a coworker's desk, that remind someone they are seen and valued.

You'll be reminded how both humble and ambitious acts can become catalysts for personal transformation and global renewal.

Review Quotes

"[Winnie] is refreshingly optimistic without being naive, and bolsters her stories with concrete suggestions for doing good in small ways, from buying flowers for a friend "just because" to inviting a stranger into a conversation. The result is an earnest testament to an individual's power to make a difference."

"One Single Act is an antidote to helplessness in these times. Rev. Varghese reminds us that care, connection, and generosity are not small things--they are transformative forces for justice. Her moving stories invite every reader to believe that one person, one moment, and one act can truly make a difference."

"If the state of our world has you wondering how to rise from despair and overwhelm, read this book! With One Single Act, Varghese opens a treasure box filled with inspiring stories from her own life and others, each a beautiful reminder that we humans are more resilient, powerful and kind than we know. She roots us in the truths we need for these challenging times. First: God's justice needs our hands. And second: nobody can do everything, but everybody can do one thing."

"We all need hope right now. Dean Winnie Varghese awakens our imagination for what's possible. This book shares unforgettable stories and gives us ways we can make a difference in our own communities."