A Box of Crosses

The Reverend Stirling McCutcheon is a Scottish Presbyterian minister who has been called to serve as senior pastor at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in Albany, New York. As one who has placed in juxtaposition Dostoyevsky's notion that there is nothing lovelier than the Savior alongside Grunewald's grotesque portrayal of the Crucified Christ, McCutcheon defines his own identity as a devotee of fractured beauty, an identity that rivets him to the beauty of his parishioners fractured by misfortune and tragedy. A variety of crosses--icons that come to him in various ways--represents the suffering of his people, each cross possessing its unique story. In addition to dealing with the age-old question of a loving God that allows inexplicable suffering in his beautiful world, McCutcheon wrestles with the unnerving query of whether God is expendable.McCutcheon's predecessor apparently hanged himself in front of his congregation during a Good Friday dramatic presentation of Paul Claudel's Death of Judas. Was it an accident, or did his disillusionment cause him to identify too closely with Judas? In contrast to his predecessor, McCutcheon holds fast to his ordination vows as a shepherd of his flock, even at his own personal expense and that of his family.Most pastors will not have experienced the dramatic adventures of fictional pastor Stirling McCutcheon. However, some may relate to the problems of dealing with a former pastor's widow or coping with a divorce during one's ministry. Still, the events in McCutcheon's ministry are real. Wilson tells a story about what is always secretly present in every congregation because he has been there! Running beneath the story, nonetheless, is that deep current of amazing grace.--F. Morgan Roberts, Pastor, Shadyside Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaBorn to trouble as surely as eagles fly upwards, human life soars from sweet heights to bitter depths. This sweep is powerfully presented by Coolidge Wilson when the boxes of crosses is opened.--Charles Partee, Professor, Pittsburgh Theological SeminaryI highly recommend A Box of Crosses by Cal Wilson. You have heard the phrase, 'We each have our crosses to bear.' Though we are drawn into this shadow world of faith, questions, relationships, and inner struggles, the author speaks to each of us and the existential struggles all humans must face. . . . What makes a good book a classic? It must touch upon the deepest emotions of a reader and whisper, You are not alone in this world, for I share your secret. I believe you will be adding A Box of Crosses to your list of classics very shortly!--Grafton T. Eliason, Coordinator, Clinical Mental Health Program, Graduate School,California University, PennsylvaniaC. Coolidge Wilson lives in Pittsburgh where he serves as Presbyterian Minister-in-Residence at First Lutheran Church and where he is the former Associate Pastor for Congregational Care of Shadyside Presbyterian Church. He is the author of an adult Christmas fantasy titled The Little Toy Soldier on the Covered Bridge and companion essay, The Role of Fantasy in Faith; two full-length plays, A Breach of Confidence and As Heaven Intends; and numerous poems, including Intrusion.