Helpful Score: 2
"By now I expected to be a seasoned parish minister, wearing black clergy shirts grown gray from frequent washing. I expected to love the children who hung on my legs after Sunday morning services until they grew up and had children of their own. I even expected to be buried wearing the same red vestments in which I was ordained. Today those vestments are hanging in the sacristy of an Anglican church in Kenya, my church pension is frozen, and I am as likely to spend Sunday mornings with friendly Quakers, Presbyterians, or Congregationalists as I am with the Episcopalians who remain my closest kin. Some-times I even keep the Sabbath with a cup of steaming Assam tea on my front porch, watching towhees vie for the highest perch in the poplar tree while God watches me. These days I earn my living teaching school, not leading worship, and while I still dream of opening a small restaurant in Clarkesville or volunteering at an eye clinic in Nepal, there is no guarantee that I will not run off with the circus before I am through. This is not the life I planned, or the life I recommend to others. But it is the life that has turned out to be mine, and the central revelation in it for me -- that the call to serve God is first and last the call to be fully human -- seems important enough to witness to on paper. This book is my attempt to do that." Barbara Brown Taylor.........
I found this memoir to be so close to my own feelings in all three stages of her spiritual life that it was shocking to me. I, too, have "left the church" and can relate so very much to what she has written. We certainly haven't left God, by the way. She is very eloquent in expressing herself and this book had me chuckling at times and at other times I found tears on my cheeks. I would read anything this author has written, and will certainly be seeking out more of her works. This book is one of my "keepers" and an all-time favorite that will be in my heart for as long am able to remember it.
I found this memoir to be so close to my own feelings in all three stages of her spiritual life that it was shocking to me. I, too, have "left the church" and can relate so very much to what she has written. We certainly haven't left God, by the way. She is very eloquent in expressing herself and this book had me chuckling at times and at other times I found tears on my cheeks. I would read anything this author has written, and will certainly be seeking out more of her works. This book is one of my "keepers" and an all-time favorite that will be in my heart for as long am able to remember it.
Helpful Score: 1
A wonderful book of the struggle many find themselves in....and even better when written by one we have looked up to to help find the answers. A great read.
I read this book aloud to my husband when we were on a long road trip--we both found it fascinating and well written. Most amazing was her description of finding "church" outside of the traditional walls, especially after she had dreamed of and longed for a more typical experience. Anyone who is interested in the spiritual insights of an unorthodox priest will really appreciate this memoir.
Excellent book...I read this aloud to my husband on a road trip and we were both engrossed by the story. We are faithful members of a close congregation but could identify with the author's growing frustration with organized religion. Really a great read.
An engaging look at a time of transitions, from assisting at a large urban parish to becoming rector of a small town church to finally becoming an academic at a university. The Rev. Taylor is called on to be less than authentic with her parishioners and herself in running the church. Still she is very successful, until she realizes she must leave for her own spiritual health.
