All God's Children

The inspiration for this story is the courage and faith of women who, across the ages, heard Spirit's call and answered, in spite of convention, resistance, even death. The author crafts a tale about one such woman: The Reverend Calline Simpson, first female minister of High Dunes First United Congregational Church. Spanning a period of six months, late 1980s, the action takes place in the fictional town of High Dunes on the shores of Lake Michigan. Serendipity, and the theology, personality, age, ethnicity and agenda of the characters collide to rock the foundation of the 150-year-old church. While the congregation splits over hiring an out gay man (the A.I.D.S. epidemic is rife), the minister torments herself for violating The Code. Nothing less than a near-death experience can shift the minister's theology and self- appraisal, and nothing more than divine alchemy can bring all God's children to sing their Hallelujahs.