Bøger af Marty Meyer-Gad

Sara Cowley is wounded by family tragedy. Moving to rural Whistlestop, MN helps abate her grief. When alerted to dogs disappearing she joins Kim Porter to form the Kimsara Detective Agency. These seventh graders mobilize others to convince the police the dogs aren't just running away. With the help of parents, a stray dog and police they uncover more than lost dogs.

This memoir traces one woman's the call to Catholic priesthood. A taste of her convent life begun at 14 is enhanced with teaching scenarios. After leaving the convent, she launches a start-stop career in church work in Detroit, Chicago and Minnesota. Though opposed to the ordination of priests, the actions of the American Catholic Bishops push her to seek it. The hundred plus women ordained Catholic priests each have a unique story. Marty's includes using "chicken shit" and a cigarette pack as sermon hooks, teaching contraceptives, making referrals to pet therapy, an independent study of sex, and rationale for Catholic Churches to pay property tax. The state of health care reform weaves through stories of the author's experiences as a VA and hospital chaplain. Written for everyone, the non-Catholic gains insight into why the Catholic Church is having problems. Sprinkled with hope for the future of the Catholic Church, hard issues are discussed including: abortion, suicide, contraceptives, end of life, PTSD and clergy abuse. The vision of the Second Vatican Council weaves through the memoir. Highlighted by Pope Francis, it's return to the forefront gives optimism for a relevant, dynamic, Catholic Church in the near future.

The Kimsara Detective Agency grows from the two founders, Kim Porter and Sara Cowley, into all students: Keeping Informed, Making Social Alliances, Reporting Anomalies. When report grades are hacked, firewood is stolen, a homeless boy needs help, a classmate is bullied: Kimsara steps up. A former classmate, Andy Parta, expands their influence as he finally realizes he's a bully. Geared to junior high through adult. Excellent resource for parents to discuss with preteens and teens.

Seventh grader, Sara Cowley is unsettled when the FBI expose what happened when her family died two years ago. When she and her partner, Kim, discover a secret closet they hope the contents will help Sara discover who her father really was. This gets complicated when her DNA doesn't match her paternal grandfather's DNA. The story is set in fictitious Whistlestop, MN; a small town in Sherburne County. Having moved from Elk River she spreads her rural wings with a coop full of chickens. Being a bride for her Aunts' same sex marriage leads Sara to question her sexual identity. The simple expose invites a conversation between readers, especially parents and their children.

Imagine a democratic Catholic Church run by the parishioners. Molly Winters experienced that in Massachusetts. She didn't expect to find another such parish when she returned to Minnesota, until one found her. Since childhood, she wanted to be a priest and, in many ways, she functioned as one. Despite wondering if ordained priests would become obsolete, she prepared for ordination. She refused to be ordained until she was called by a worshipping community. A dilapidated building, tornado and a bishop who wanted priests back on their pedestals, created such a possibility. The bishop wanted St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church closed and the parishioners merged into other parishes. He scolded them for allowing divorced Catholics to receive Communion, welcoming same sex couples and refusing to use the official 2011 translation of the prayers for worship. He knew closure was impossible. His successor suppressed the parish only to have the Catholic Community of the Apostle Mary Magdalene become a reality, and the ordination of Molly Winters a necessity. Over the years Molly observed one of her parishioners, Amanda Donato, deteriorate after learning her parents were not her biological parents. She drowned her mother's abandonment in alcohol. While she despaired, her brothers searched for her birth family. After rehab Amanda is forced to join her pastor driving around Lake Superior. Molly's priesthood had been threatened by nasty notes and stalkers who saw women priests as destroying the Catholic Church. Molly's expectation that in leaving town she was escaping these threats was unfounded. Along the way police assist as together the women face addiction, kidnapping and car bombs; as well as beautiful foliage. As their journey winds down, Amanda's brothers connect their sister to her birth family. The story begins with campaigning for Senator Paul Wellstones. As the books nears its end Amanda finds a shocking reason why Donald Trump might be elected president. She's sure