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To Love and to Cherish
What's a young, idealistic, novice pastor got to learn from the congregation at Loving the Lord Community Church? A lot!
Twenty-six and single, Maggie Elzinga has just graduated from seminary and received a call to pastor a church in the town of Cherish, Michigan. Idealistic, impetuous, enthusiastic, and short on life experience, Maggie jumps in with both feet.
With her on the journey are a cast of colorful characters who support, amuse, and challenge her daily.
For Maggie it's a year of firsts: first funeral, first baptism; and the hope of a first wedding. But much more awaits her at Loving the Lord Community Church and in the little town of Cherish. Parking tickets, abandoned cats, and little white lies pop up to make her question what she believes is right and good and a sprinkling of romance provides a happy distraction.
Maggie faces her happiest moments and her deepest sorrow while serving the good people of her little church. She learns that being part of a community can be simultaneously suffocating and life-giving. Her bright attitude and hopefulness carry her through the difficult times, as she becomes a full-fledged pastor.
Praise for To Love and To Cherish
"I could hardly put the book down. Pastor Barb did an excellent job of character development and I always wanted to see what they would do next. Her style of writing is so readable and polished. Anxious to read Book Two."
~ Joy P. Nelson
Twenty-six and single, Maggie Elzinga has just graduated from seminary and received a call to pastor a church in the town of Cherish, Michigan. Idealistic, impetuous, enthusiastic, and short on life experience, Maggie jumps in with both feet.
With her on the journey are a cast of colorful characters who support, amuse, and challenge her daily.
For Maggie it's a year of firsts: first funeral, first baptism; and the hope of a first wedding. But much more awaits her at Loving the Lord Community Church and in the little town of Cherish. Parking tickets, abandoned cats, and little white lies pop up to make her question what she believes is right and good and a sprinkling of romance provides a happy distraction.
Maggie faces her happiest moments and her deepest sorrow while serving the good people of her little church. She learns that being part of a community can be simultaneously suffocating and life-giving. Her bright attitude and hopefulness carry her through the difficult times, as she becomes a full-fledged pastor.
Praise for To Love and To Cherish
"I could hardly put the book down. Pastor Barb did an excellent job of character development and I always wanted to see what they would do next. Her style of writing is so readable and polished. Anxious to read Book Two."
~ Joy P. Nelson
- GenresContemporaryFiction
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2015
35 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Edema
7 books7 followersBarbara Edema grew up in Southern California in a pastor's home. A trip to Israel led her into the ministry. She graduated from Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan with an M.Div. and a Doctor of Ministry while being the mom of four children and serving a church.
Barbara loves to write in her red and white checked wingback chair overlooking Pentwater Lake in Pentwater, Michigan. In Sickness and In Health is her fifth book in the Pastor Maggie Series. She lives in DeWitt, Michigan with her husband, Doug, and four rescue cats.
Barbara loves to write in her red and white checked wingback chair overlooking Pentwater Lake in Pentwater, Michigan. In Sickness and In Health is her fifth book in the Pastor Maggie Series. She lives in DeWitt, Michigan with her husband, Doug, and four rescue cats.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 14, 2020
After meeting the dynamic Barbara Edema at an author’s function, I knew I must read her novel. Just as I predicted, the book was as charming and delightful as the author herself. To Love and To Cherish chronicles Maggie Elzinga’s tumultuous journey as a young and idealistic new pastor in the charming Michigan town of Cherish. Edema’s debut—the first in her Pastor Maggie Series—provides a delightful peek into the life of an eager and naïve pastor, and allows the reader a hilarious look at the quirky members of the congregation. Edema masterfully writes Christian fiction from the heart, without being preachy or dogmatic. Above all else, To Love and to Cherish is a beautiful love story skillfully woven with warmth and tenderness. To Love and to Cherish is the perfect escape to a kinder, simpler time and place.
July 2, 2022
Fun cozy non-mystery
I normally read cozy mysteries but couldn't resist this small town novel about a young female pastor, having been a young pastor myself a decade or so ago. From that experience and my current work as a church consultant and clergy coach, I can testify that the main character's experiences represent many of the real joys and frustrations of that calling. The other characters are vivid and compelling as well. I couldn't put it down (even though at times it brought up some church conflict memories that were a bit stressful) because I was eagerly rooting for pastor Maggie to navigate her first year with grace.
I normally read cozy mysteries but couldn't resist this small town novel about a young female pastor, having been a young pastor myself a decade or so ago. From that experience and my current work as a church consultant and clergy coach, I can testify that the main character's experiences represent many of the real joys and frustrations of that calling. The other characters are vivid and compelling as well. I couldn't put it down (even though at times it brought up some church conflict memories that were a bit stressful) because I was eagerly rooting for pastor Maggie to navigate her first year with grace.
September 10, 2019
A brand new Lady pastor
I love the way the personality of the pastor develops. Her relationships with family, friends and her congregation. (not to mention her pets). A beautifully written book
I love the way the personality of the pastor develops. Her relationships with family, friends and her congregation. (not to mention her pets). A beautifully written book
May 10, 2017
I fell in love with Pastor Maggie from the start. I would enjoy being a member of her congregation and the town of Cherish.
February 4, 2018
The best!
Enjoyed Pastor Maggie and all the congregation. Story moved well. Only problem I had was reading while crying...it's tough to do. Great story.
Enjoyed Pastor Maggie and all the congregation. Story moved well. Only problem I had was reading while crying...it's tough to do. Great story.
October 1, 2019
I enjoyed this and just bought the second one. Similar to Jan Karon's Mitford series with a female pastor.
October 2, 2019
I love this book and the charactors
July 7, 2025
Listened on Audible.
I don’t remember where I saw this book recommended “for fans of Jan Karon’s Mitford series”, but that is how I came to try out this book. In my opinion, there are three reasons Jan Karon fans like the Mitford series: 1)wonderful characters in a small-town setting, 2) great literary writing, and 3) strong Christian values. I’ve read several other book series purporting to meet these criteria. Unfortunately, few hit the mark. I think this series is as close as I have come, so far.
This book definitely has the characters! At first I had my doubts as to whether or not I’d like them, or the book. The main character, Pastor Maggie, is fresh out of seminary and in her first church. She is called to minister to a rough and quirky bunch of people who don’t think she can handle the job—which made me wonder why they called her to their pulpit. She has three things working against her: her youthful inexperience, her gender, and her cat. The men tend to object to her leadership based on her gender. The women tend to object to her direction based on her youth. One character despises her cat. Pastor Maggie jumps in with great enthusiasm and attempts to wrangle them into shape.
There were a number of similarities between this book and At Home in Mitford (AHIM) that made me wonder if this author was trying to copy a formula for success. Both books have a pastor with a rambunctious pet. Both books have pastors who have to deal with an evil parishioner. Both books have a pastor who falls in love with a parishioner. Both books have a pastor who loves classic books/authors. I realize that these are literary devices, but sometimes it felt as if it was copied on purpose.
As for Christian values, well, there were some writing choices the author made that were a disappointment to me. 1) The choice to have Pastor Maggie willfully disobey the law instead of first seeking a solution to the issue by bringing the problem to her church board (which was ultimately the resolution another character proposed) did not set well with me. 2) The choice to allow this young, female pastor to meet with male parishioners alone in the parsonage (especially on a date) could be dangerous, and was definitely unwise. It would be just as dangerous and unwise for a male pastor.
Comparisons to AHIM aside, this is a good book. I enjoyed reading it for the sense of community, wrestling with deep spiritual issues, and some light-hearted antics from the cats. This is the only book in the series in audiobook format. It was well narrated. I will be enjoying the rest of the series on Kindle Unlimited.
I don’t remember where I saw this book recommended “for fans of Jan Karon’s Mitford series”, but that is how I came to try out this book. In my opinion, there are three reasons Jan Karon fans like the Mitford series: 1)wonderful characters in a small-town setting, 2) great literary writing, and 3) strong Christian values. I’ve read several other book series purporting to meet these criteria. Unfortunately, few hit the mark. I think this series is as close as I have come, so far.
This book definitely has the characters! At first I had my doubts as to whether or not I’d like them, or the book. The main character, Pastor Maggie, is fresh out of seminary and in her first church. She is called to minister to a rough and quirky bunch of people who don’t think she can handle the job—which made me wonder why they called her to their pulpit. She has three things working against her: her youthful inexperience, her gender, and her cat. The men tend to object to her leadership based on her gender. The women tend to object to her direction based on her youth. One character despises her cat. Pastor Maggie jumps in with great enthusiasm and attempts to wrangle them into shape.
There were a number of similarities between this book and At Home in Mitford (AHIM) that made me wonder if this author was trying to copy a formula for success. Both books have a pastor with a rambunctious pet. Both books have pastors who have to deal with an evil parishioner. Both books have a pastor who falls in love with a parishioner. Both books have a pastor who loves classic books/authors. I realize that these are literary devices, but sometimes it felt as if it was copied on purpose.
As for Christian values, well, there were some writing choices the author made that were a disappointment to me. 1) The choice to have Pastor Maggie willfully disobey the law instead of first seeking a solution to the issue by bringing the problem to her church board (which was ultimately the resolution another character proposed) did not set well with me. 2) The choice to allow this young, female pastor to meet with male parishioners alone in the parsonage (especially on a date) could be dangerous, and was definitely unwise. It would be just as dangerous and unwise for a male pastor.
Comparisons to AHIM aside, this is a good book. I enjoyed reading it for the sense of community, wrestling with deep spiritual issues, and some light-hearted antics from the cats. This is the only book in the series in audiobook format. It was well narrated. I will be enjoying the rest of the series on Kindle Unlimited.
May 6, 2017
Loved it! Great story with fun characters! Can't wait to read the rest of the series!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews