Harwich Community Church has it all, from all appearances. A large, historic and affluent Protestant church along the California coast, it is well-known for its Christian ministry. But now, things are terribly wrong: one of its members has been brutally murdered, an attempt has been made on another and one of its ministers has been arrested for rape. Harwich Community Church is in trouble. The police are called in to deal with the crimes. The Reverend Uma Glicksburg, an earthy and educated Christian clergywoman with a rich personal life is called in to deal with the congregation - but is it no easy task. Through murder, sexual misconduct, dangerous religious fundamentalism, and church politics she balances maintaining her spiritual life and her marriage with helping the members of the congregation through its dark night of the soul into the light of hope and faith.