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Stumbling Toward God: A Prodigal's Return
STUMBLING TOWARD GOD traces a woman’s spiritual search with an unusual twist – from an “atheist who prays” to unorthodox membership in two contrasting churches: Unitarian and Episcopal. In the second edition of Margaret McGee's forthright memoir, she shares new adventures on her spiritual quest, culminating in personal encounters with a God of love. An honest, satisfying read for anyone questioning or seeking a spiritual path. Includes Reading Group Guide.
Responses to the Second Edition:
“With a mystic’s heart and a scientist’s precision, Margaret McGee traces the path of her journey away from religion, back again, and onward to a pilgrimage of transformation by love. This book rewards those willing to venture past comfortable boundaries into unexplored terrain. — Rev. Dr. Marlene Kropf, Professor Emerita of Spiritual Formation and Worship, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Indiana
“Honest, elegant, and smart—this book is essential reading for anyone grappling with life’s big questions, inside and outside what we call church.” — Christine Hemp, author of WILD RIDE HOME: LOVE, LOSS, AND A LITTLE WHITE HORSE – A FAMILY MEMOIR and THAT FALL (poems)
"STUMBLING TOWARD GOD chronicles the journey of a thinking person's inexplicable pull toward the mystery of Faith. But mostly, this is a story about love. Love of creation, of human fellowship, and the deep abiding love of God which resides at the core of all that is." — Sarah Stockton, spiritual director, poet, and author of A PEN AND A PATH: WRITING AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE (Church Publishing 2005)
Responses to the First Edition:
“An offbeat, engagingly written, appealingly uncertain spiritual memoir.” —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (May) © 2002 Cahners Business Information.
"This book is the real stuff. Read it carefully—carefully because the fine writing will repay your attention, and carefully because it's the kind of quietly dangerous material that just might change you." —Bill McKibben, author of THE END OF NATURE
Responses to the Second Edition:
“With a mystic’s heart and a scientist’s precision, Margaret McGee traces the path of her journey away from religion, back again, and onward to a pilgrimage of transformation by love. This book rewards those willing to venture past comfortable boundaries into unexplored terrain. — Rev. Dr. Marlene Kropf, Professor Emerita of Spiritual Formation and Worship, Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, Elkhart, Indiana
“Honest, elegant, and smart—this book is essential reading for anyone grappling with life’s big questions, inside and outside what we call church.” — Christine Hemp, author of WILD RIDE HOME: LOVE, LOSS, AND A LITTLE WHITE HORSE – A FAMILY MEMOIR and THAT FALL (poems)
"STUMBLING TOWARD GOD chronicles the journey of a thinking person's inexplicable pull toward the mystery of Faith. But mostly, this is a story about love. Love of creation, of human fellowship, and the deep abiding love of God which resides at the core of all that is." — Sarah Stockton, spiritual director, poet, and author of A PEN AND A PATH: WRITING AS A SPIRITUAL PRACTICE (Church Publishing 2005)
Responses to the First Edition:
“An offbeat, engagingly written, appealingly uncertain spiritual memoir.” —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (May) © 2002 Cahners Business Information.
"This book is the real stuff. Read it carefully—carefully because the fine writing will repay your attention, and carefully because it's the kind of quietly dangerous material that just might change you." —Bill McKibben, author of THE END OF NATURE
- GenresNonfictionReligionMemoir
139 pages, Paperback
First published February 6, 2004
46 people want to read
About the author
Margaret D. McGee
6 books11 followersMargaret D. McGee has been a writer ever since she could read. Born and raised in Ohio, she is the great-granddaughter of family farmers, the granddaughter of two Protestant ministers, and the daughter of the superintendent of public schools in the town where she grew up. McGee has had a varied career, including a time at the Microsoft Corporation, where she was employed as a master writer. She now lives in the Olympic Peninsula with her husband, David.
McGee's books include Stumbling Toward God (2nd edition published March 2020), Sacred Attention, and Haiku – The Sacred Art, as well as numerous user guides and other technical pieces written for software companies over the years. Her short work has appeared in such publications as Alive Now, Frogpond, The Heron's Nest, bottle rockets, Englewood Review of Books, and Modern Haiku. She is a licensed lay preacher and worship leader in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. Her liturgical prayers and skits have been used by faith communities across the United States, and can be found at her website, InTheCourtyard.com.
McGee's books include Stumbling Toward God (2nd edition published March 2020), Sacred Attention, and Haiku – The Sacred Art, as well as numerous user guides and other technical pieces written for software companies over the years. Her short work has appeared in such publications as Alive Now, Frogpond, The Heron's Nest, bottle rockets, Englewood Review of Books, and Modern Haiku. She is a licensed lay preacher and worship leader in the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia. Her liturgical prayers and skits have been used by faith communities across the United States, and can be found at her website, InTheCourtyard.com.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 2, 2015
This is a good one. Margaret was brought up Methodist, and in college she can no longer justify the methodist beliefs. She decides she is an Atheist. In mid-life she is going through some difficulty and writes a prayer to god which she calls her 'Atheist's Prayer'
Dear God, sustain me in my hour of need.
Stay with me; be my friend.
When I misstep, light my path.
When I hurt, comfort me.
Help me see that I'm not the only one in pain.
Give me the strength to accept myself for what I am.
Amen.
A short time after she decides to re-seek a spiritual life on her own terms. She is not willing to blindly accept beliefs just because someone else tells her they are true. She decides to visit the local Episcopalian and Unitarian congregations, and she becomes a member of BOTH congregations. She discovers the similarities are greater than their differences.
I have finished the book and I really enjoyed it. The obvious conclusion of belonging to two church homes is of course that it proves to be too much for one person to do, and receive full benefit. I was suprised when she eventually kind of quit going all-together (a while after she chooses just one church). She did both church homes for 2 years.
She comments in her reflection of being a member at both for a time - that (paraphrase ahead) you get out of church what you put into it. I wholeheartedly agree, and have made the same type of statement myself before.
The book has a group guide for questions to ask to initiate discussion. It also has a nice collection of books listed at the end that had influence on Margaret's faith journey. I appreciated that she gave a short comment about each of the books to help let you know a little of what they were about.
Highly recommended to my UU friends, and anyone who has a spiritually seeking nature.
Dear God, sustain me in my hour of need.
Stay with me; be my friend.
When I misstep, light my path.
When I hurt, comfort me.
Help me see that I'm not the only one in pain.
Give me the strength to accept myself for what I am.
Amen.
A short time after she decides to re-seek a spiritual life on her own terms. She is not willing to blindly accept beliefs just because someone else tells her they are true. She decides to visit the local Episcopalian and Unitarian congregations, and she becomes a member of BOTH congregations. She discovers the similarities are greater than their differences.
I have finished the book and I really enjoyed it. The obvious conclusion of belonging to two church homes is of course that it proves to be too much for one person to do, and receive full benefit. I was suprised when she eventually kind of quit going all-together (a while after she chooses just one church). She did both church homes for 2 years.
She comments in her reflection of being a member at both for a time - that (paraphrase ahead) you get out of church what you put into it. I wholeheartedly agree, and have made the same type of statement myself before.
The book has a group guide for questions to ask to initiate discussion. It also has a nice collection of books listed at the end that had influence on Margaret's faith journey. I appreciated that she gave a short comment about each of the books to help let you know a little of what they were about.
Highly recommended to my UU friends, and anyone who has a spiritually seeking nature.
March 23, 2020
Stumbling Toward God: A Prodigal's Return is one special read. Margaret D. McGee wrote both a deeply felt book as well one that ask hard questions of one's faith. This wonderful read works on more than one level and there is something for everyone.
A young woman raised in her faith leaves. She lives a good life with family and a career, but some thing is missing. Margaret D. McGee looks to return; this is her story. Yet, it is much more than just her tale and that is the real beauty.
Stumbling Toward God: A Prodigal's Return is really two separate stories intertwined to create the bigger picture. It is both a perfect balance as well as the perfect blend that makes this one work so well. It is quite a neat trick to pull of such a deeply felt spiritual journey without being too sappy, preachy, or self-congratulatory.
First: there is the tale of how Margaret D. McGee lost her faith and how she rediscovered it. In part, it is her journey with the play on the Prodigal Son apropos and works as a nice back drop. Much of what the story consist of is the wondering through her various stops at different denominations of Christianity.
Second: there is plenty of questions on her thoughts on God and theology. This is perhaps the best part of the story because of the in-depth thought placed into her analysis. This is a layman's version of theology and the deeper meaning of both God and faith. Yet, this is well thought out and the questions are not easy. I truly loved the questioning of faith and the meaning of God. This is not easy stuff, but the thought process and how she develops her answers is jaw dropping. This is not the ramblings of a wild eyed zealot, but the musing of someone that has put much thought and hard work into her search for meaning. This is a serious travel and it is deeply personal. This is not about religion, but spirituality. thsi is not about the right way, but the right for her only.
Stumbling Toward God: A Prodigal's Return was a bit surprising to read because of its inherent humor, but also how all involved did not seem to judge the journey. Margaret D. McGee tells of her parents reaction, but also the various reactions of church members she visited. They all seemed to be OK with her search and nobody condemned or judged her. They all seemed more concerned for her well being. That is a far cry from what one normally reads with these types of tales. It was a bit refreshing and does a little to restore my faith in humanity.
Stumbling Toward God: A Prodigal's Return as noted is the perfect analogy to Margaret D. McGee's spiritual journey. The Prodigal Child returns home. However, it is more than just the return. What is discussed all throughout, but never directly taken on is how this prodigal child returned, but changed from the journey. She is wiser and happier with her end, but the journey is what really mattered. Doubting Thomas may have stumbled along, but she found her way.
Stumbling Toward God: A Prodigal's Return by Margaret D. McGee is very well written, deeply personal, and left me in a much better mood for having read it.
Take the time, this is a very good one.
A young woman raised in her faith leaves. She lives a good life with family and a career, but some thing is missing. Margaret D. McGee looks to return; this is her story. Yet, it is much more than just her tale and that is the real beauty.
Stumbling Toward God: A Prodigal's Return is really two separate stories intertwined to create the bigger picture. It is both a perfect balance as well as the perfect blend that makes this one work so well. It is quite a neat trick to pull of such a deeply felt spiritual journey without being too sappy, preachy, or self-congratulatory.
First: there is the tale of how Margaret D. McGee lost her faith and how she rediscovered it. In part, it is her journey with the play on the Prodigal Son apropos and works as a nice back drop. Much of what the story consist of is the wondering through her various stops at different denominations of Christianity.
Second: there is plenty of questions on her thoughts on God and theology. This is perhaps the best part of the story because of the in-depth thought placed into her analysis. This is a layman's version of theology and the deeper meaning of both God and faith. Yet, this is well thought out and the questions are not easy. I truly loved the questioning of faith and the meaning of God. This is not easy stuff, but the thought process and how she develops her answers is jaw dropping. This is not the ramblings of a wild eyed zealot, but the musing of someone that has put much thought and hard work into her search for meaning. This is a serious travel and it is deeply personal. This is not about religion, but spirituality. thsi is not about the right way, but the right for her only.
Stumbling Toward God: A Prodigal's Return was a bit surprising to read because of its inherent humor, but also how all involved did not seem to judge the journey. Margaret D. McGee tells of her parents reaction, but also the various reactions of church members she visited. They all seemed to be OK with her search and nobody condemned or judged her. They all seemed more concerned for her well being. That is a far cry from what one normally reads with these types of tales. It was a bit refreshing and does a little to restore my faith in humanity.
Stumbling Toward God: A Prodigal's Return as noted is the perfect analogy to Margaret D. McGee's spiritual journey. The Prodigal Child returns home. However, it is more than just the return. What is discussed all throughout, but never directly taken on is how this prodigal child returned, but changed from the journey. She is wiser and happier with her end, but the journey is what really mattered. Doubting Thomas may have stumbled along, but she found her way.
Stumbling Toward God: A Prodigal's Return by Margaret D. McGee is very well written, deeply personal, and left me in a much better mood for having read it.
Take the time, this is a very good one.
April 16, 2009
I read this for Lent and it was very worthwhile for me. It is the thoughts of a woman who started life as a Presbyterian and then became a happy atheist for many years and finally began attending both the Episcopal and Unitarian churches. Since that pretty much describes my spiritual journey it seemed like a book I ought to read. She is not a really great writer but had some interesting ideas. I particularly liked the way she tried to personalize and come to terms some of the strange myths/symbolism in Christianity such as the virgin birth. Those have ceased to be barriers for me but I enjoyed her discussion. Most of all the book made me feel good about both the Episcopalians and the Unitarians.
May 1, 2020
McGee pours her whole heart and soul into sharing this story with us. McGee is a person of action – even when exposes her story in a way we all wish we could do. It was so well written. A beautiful story that will stay with me. Thank you for sharing with us!
April 29, 2020
Join the spiritual journey of a woman that I'm sure many can relate to. Are you uncertain? Do you have questions? I think many do and I think this is a great book that is so different than the other Religious Non Fiction Books out there. Find your faith in a interesting and different way!
April 30, 2020
This book is so inspirational and thought provoking. It leads one to spiritual enlightenment. I would recommend this book to those seeking spirituality rather than a religion.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews