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 her forthright memoir, McGee 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. “An offbeat, engagingly written, appealingly uncertain spiritual memoir.” —PUBLISHERS WEEKLY (May) © 2002 Cahners Business Information. “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 "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 “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)

Margaret McGee's parents were both preacher's kids, and her father pursued a successful career in public education. These two themes, applied faith and applied intellect, returned in her middle years when she joined the Episcopal parish and Unitarian Universalist fellowship in her small town. She says, "Going back and forth, week on, week off, between the "prayer-book" Episcopalians and the free-thinking Unitarians provided an essential bridge in my spiritual path, a bridge that led me to a new place." 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. Her books include SACRED ATTENTION and HAIKU - THE SACRED ART, both published by Skylight Paths Publishing. She is a licensed lay preacher and worship leader in the 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.