A Spirituality of Survival: Enabling a Response to Trauma and Abuse - Softcover

Glasson, Barbara

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1441192557 ISBN 13: 9781441192554

Publisher: Mowbray, 2009

Synopsis

Drawing on her travels in South Africa and South America and her current role as Director of the face2face project at Holy Rood House, the author asks how the stories of 'survivors' can begin to transform society and the Church. What helps some people 'sur vivre' , that is, to live over and above their stories of trauma and abuse and begin to flourish? What is it that brings resilience to the human spirit, what are redemptive relationships and how can we make 'safe enough' spaces for hidden stories to come to light? How can inappropriate power relations be challenged, and forgiveness be a community activity rather than an individual's burden?

This book comes out of the author's experience as a Methodist minister working alongside survivors of abuse, which began when a survivor arrived unannounced on her doorstep. 'It scared me. I wasn't trained for this and I felt totally out of my depth. As the weeks went by, I learned both the trauma and the resilience that were present in my unexpected visitor -- and the need to find a bridge between this experience and an informed theology.'

Survivor stories are grounded and echoed in tales from an allotment: of the toil and preparation that are needed, both above and beneath the surface, to enable fragile shoots not only to emerge from the darkness but to grow and flourish. Glasson challenges the victim motif of crucifixion and claims the challenge of the resurrection -- for all people, and for the Church -- to 'live'! '

About this title

About the Author

Barbara Glasson is a Methodist minister, based at an emerging church in Liverpool city centre that bakes bread. She is also Director of the face2face project (supporting survivors of sexual abuse within faith communities), based at a centre for therapeutic healing and wholeness at Holy Rood House in North Yorkshire. She is the author of Mixed Up Blessing (Inspiration Press 2005) and I Am Somewhere Else (DLT 2006), and a contributor to Unmasking Methodist Theology (MPH), Turning Points (CAFOD Lent Book), The Church at the Centre of the City (MPH, ed Paul Ballard), Bible Reading Notes (ed Nicola Slee), The One Loaf (Joy Mead, Wild Goose Publications) and the Time to Talk of God Report (MPH).

Review

"Full of theological depth and human resilience."Methodist Recorder, December 2009

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 "From her personal presence amid various of our world'sproblems, British Methodist minister Barbara Glasson has written A Spirituality of Survival: Enabling aResponse to Trauma and Abuse.. She enables greater earnest awareness ofwars, social problems, natural disasters, individual crises. Her 'response' isaware that there are more questionas than answers: —Review for Religious, February 2010
(Review For Religious)

Reviewed in Renew newsletter June 2010 no. 154

'The wealth to be found in this book consists of the many personal stories which Glasson recounts'

'A sobering read for all' (Church Of England Newspaper)

'If, as individuals, as communities, or even as nations, we were to adopt Glasson's approach to trauma and abuse, the world would be a much better place for many people.' (The Way)

'I would recommend this book to the lost and silenced, to those who wish to journey alongside them and to local congregations who wish to become more inclusive.'

(The Project for Spirituality, Theology and Health)

Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 “From her personal presence amid various of our world’sproblems, British Methodist minister Barbara Glasson has written A Spirituality of Survival: Enabling aResponse to Trauma and Abuse.. She enables greater earnest awareness ofwars, social problems, natural disasters, individual crises. Her 'response’ isaware that there are more questionas than answers: —Review for Religious, February 2010
(Review For Religious)

Reviewed in Renew newsletter June 2010 no. 154

'The wealth to be found in this book consists of the many personal stories which Glasson recounts’

'A sobering read for all’ (Sanford Lakoff)

'If, as individuals, as communities, or even as nations, we were to adopt Glasson’s approach to trauma and abuse, the world would be a much better place for many people.’ (Sanford Lakoff)

Edition details

• Publisher: Mowbray
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 1441192557
• ISBN 13: 9781441192554
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 176