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A one-day retreat featuring renowned biblical novelist Ellen Traylor is planned Saturday, Oct. 14, at Christ Lutheran Church in Whitefish.
The session, “Beauty for Ashes — Day of Reflection,” will run from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the church, 5150 River Lakes Parkway. Coffee and breakfast treats will be served at 7:30 a.m., and lunch is included.
The cost is $15 if registration is made by Oct. 8; otherwise the cost is $20 at the door. Scholarships are available.
Traylor, who splits her time between homes in Montana and Oregon, has written a number of novels that tap into biblical themes.
She began her first novel, “Song of Abraham,” while she was still in college. Raised in a Christian home, amid relatives who were preachers and teachers, Bible history was always a topic of conversation. A biblical novel seemed only natural for Traylor.
“Song of Abraham” was published in 1973, after Traylor had nearly given up trying to get it in print.
“It was an act of devotion between myself and God,” she recalled in an earlier interview with the Daily Inter Lake.
Traylor has written a dozen novels about prominent people in the Bible, such as Mary Magdalene, Noah, Esther and Joseph. “Jerusalem: The City of God,” is a sweeping epic archaeological novel that weaves intrigue and inspiration into the hauntingly beautiful cityscape of the Holy City.
“The Priest,” her first contemporary novel, is a story of international intrigue regarding the Israeli efforts to rebuild their ancient temple and the forces that conspire against their dream. “The Oracle” is the sequel, following the further adventures of hero David Rothmeyer, a young archaeologist, and his friends, and “The Cornerstone” is the third in the trilogy.
A former English and journalism instructor, with a master’s degree in English, Traylor has taught courses at virtually every level, including those she created on writing for publication for Whitworth College and Eastern Washington. She previously lived in Polson and owned a bookstore there; Traylor now owns Port Hole Bookstore in Gardiner, Oregon, specializing in new/used and rare books, book searches, special orders and appraisals. Her Port Hole Publishing publishes the works of other authors.
To register for the retreat or for more information, call Dorothy at 406-752-7023 or Ginny at 406-544-7851.
Satsang service
The Kalispell chapter of the Montana Satsang Society, an affiliate of Eckankar, will host its monthly spiritual service, “Experiences with the Light & Sound of God,” on Sunday.
The service will feature a discussion topic of “learning to trust your inner guidance.”
The event will take place from 11 a.m. to noon at the Holiday Inn Express meeting room in Kalispell.
For more information, call 253-1954.