Edelen’s Odyssey

A brief overview of “a good number of years”

William Edelen was born in West Texas and spent his boyhood there and in Oklahoma City. He flew for twelve years as a U. S. Marine Corp, pilot, flying both fighter planes and transports in World War II and Korea. This included one tour of duty as one of six personal pilots assigned to the staff of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Washington D. C.

He requested a discharge and returned to Oklahoma State University where he received the Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture and Biology. He then entered McCormick Theological Seminary (on the campus of the University of Chicago) where he received his Masters degree in Theology.

Edelen’s history

• Two years graduate studies in anthropology, University of Colorado.
• Lecturer of religion and anthropology, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington
• Weekly columnist for many western newspapers
• Special studies with Joseph Campbell, whom the New York Times called “The pre-eminent scholar in Comparative Religions and Mythology.”
• Active ordained Presbyterian and Congregational minister, 30 years
• Author of Toward the Mystery, Spirit, and Spirit Dance

In 1990 he received a grant from the Annenberg Foundation to promote religious literacy through writing and speaking. His home base is Palm Springs, California where he and his wife, Elizabeth now live.

He has written a regular weekly column for many Western newspapers including The Desert Sun of Palm Springs, The Chieftain of Pueblo, Colorado, The Idaho Statesman of Boise Idaho and The News Press of Santa Barbara, California.

Elizabeth Edelen

Elizabeth Edelen (Jerry) grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, attended Middlebury College in Vermont and graduated from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts with a major in Religion.

She founded and was director of a non-profit corporation called Urban Concern, Incorporated, which for ten years focused on urban renewal and beautification project in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

An interest in folk art led her to the craft of rug hooking and she has completed many large rugs and wall hangings, each design interwoven with a spiritual message.