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5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a complete joy to read, Feb 12 2004
If you enjoy the novels of Jan Karon, you will appreciate this, the second offering by author Philip Gulley. Gulley is a Quaker pastor from Danville, Indiana. And like Ms. Karon, he writes about everyday life in a small town congregation, with a master storyteller's keen eye. Gully relates the odd doings of a kindly but befuddled pastor named Sam Gardner and the distinctively quirky members of his more-typical-than-one-might-admit congregation in a small Midwestern town. Since the author serves a congregation in a place not unlike the fictional pastor Gardner, his main character could be the author's, or any, pastor's alter ego. Who could resist such hilarious activities as the implausible ideas that emerge from the free-for-all annual "Goal-Setting Sunday" and lengthy discussions over what color the new laminate in the ladies room vanity should be? The book relates silly proposals that actually get voted "in" such as a new outreach initiative, the "Scripture Egg" project, in which small verses of Holy Writ are fed to chickens, so that when their eggs are broken, the verse emerged. No, I am not making this up! You will be amused by everything from near slapstick church meetings to the newspaper columnist who unwittingly sparks and flames the rumors of the town's gossip mill from his observation window overlooking the town's main street. Any you may even be reminded of similar situations you have experienced yourself. Because a second glance at even the most amusing of these improbable people will confirm your first suspicion: This is completely true to life. The author knows his subject through and through. This book made me laugh out loud many times, as I read about everything whimsical in Harmony, Indiana. Yet there are also serious issues, addressed skillfully and sensitively, in the midst of the fun. Church members deal with unexpected prosperity and adversity. Pastor Gulley deals with his own doubts. His congregation (almost in spite of themselves) manages to help him find his way to firm ground. So, the hilarity occurs in the midst of all of the other, more important work of the church of Jesus Christ, as lives are refreshed, comfort is given, prayers are prayed and the year unfolds with grace, in a very ordinary yet special place. Even if it is indeed "just shy of harmony".
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by Philip Gulley
by Philip Gulley
by Philip Gulley
by Philip Gulley
by Philip Gulley
