By LORETTA FULTON

Noted author Kathleen Norris will be in Abilene in early November as a guest of the Episcopal Church of the Heavenly Rest.

Norris’ presentations will be open to the public. Most events are free, but there will be a $50 charge for a cocktail reception, book signing, dinner, lecture and Q&A on Tuesday, Nov. 7. That event will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the courtyard at Heavenly Rest, 602 Meander St., and in Gerhart Hall. 

“She will share special writing projects and what is currently energizing and strengthening her life of faith,” said David Romanik, rector at Heavenly Rest.

Kathleen Norris

Space is limited for the Tuesday night event, and reservations are required. Contact ccabes@heavenlyrestabilene.org for more information about this gathering.

On Wednesday, Nov. 8,  the weekly dinner will begin at 6 p.m. in Gerhart Hall. Admission is free. A book sale and signing will follow. Nursery and childcare for children and youth are available at the parish house on Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.  At 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, Norris will speak on “Holy Invitation” in the Nave,. A Q&A will follow. On Sunday, Nov. 12, Norris will deliver the sermon during the 10:30 a.m. worship service. 

The following promotional note is from The Steven Barclay Agency:

“Norris is the award-winning poet, writer, and author of The New York Times bestsellers The Cloister Walk, Acedia & Me: A Marriage, Monks, and a Writer’s Life, Dakota: A Spiritual Geography, Amazing Grace: A Vocabulary of Faith, and The Virgin of Bennington. 

Exploring the spiritual life, her work is at once intimate and historical, rich in poetry and meditations, brimming with exasperation and reverence, deeply grounded in both nature and spirit, sometimes funny, and often provocative.”

Norris’ visit is made possible by the Galloway Memorial Fund of the Heavenly Rest Church Foundation and in partnership with McMurry University, Abilene Christian University, and Highland Church of Christ. During Norris’s stay, local bookseller Seven and One will offer a pop-up bookshop featuring best-selling titles by Norris. 

Loretta Fulton is creator and editor of Spirit of Abilene