Parsonage: A Memoir of Shelter and Sharing

by Shannon Almquist

Who lives in the Parsonage? An immigrant family? A runaway teen? An abused mom? A homesick Ethiopian? A kindergarten foster child? They all do, in this story of sheltering and sharing life in a church parsonage. The author describes the life of her Lutheran pastor husband and children, as they opened their home to anyone in need. Sometimes hilarious (kids giving communion to the tombstones in their cemetery) sometimes poignant (the death of their son), always inspiring, she tells of their attempt to be parsonage, both literally and figuratively. Toward the end, she describes how, as an international consultant, she welcomed the stories of the teachers and parents she trained, giving them shelter to tell their tales.

92 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 8, 2021

Reviews

[Kathleen Goldberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and heartwarming!

A story of a life well lived! I feel lucky to have read this! Caring
For others is the ultimate way of worship! Shannon and others like
Her need to have their life and work given parsonage too!

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short memoir of the wife of a Pastor... brief but sweet stories of her family, neighbors, those whose lives she has touched... and those that have touched hers.

[Danielle McCleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this story of how this couple that I love so much became shelter for so many over the years.