
A Spirituality of Survival
Enabling a Response to Trauma and Abuse
Barbara Glasson(Author)
Continuum Publishing Corporation
Published on 30. November 2009
Book
Paperback/Softback
176 pages
978-1-4411-9255-4 (ISBN)
Description
Written for both professional practitioners and a lay readership this offers practical steps to enable churches to be safer spaces for victims of abuse. 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 'survivre', 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 individuals' 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'!
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'!
Reviews / Votes
The wealth to be found in this book consists of the many personal stories which Glasson recounts. * Renew newsletter June 2010 no. 154 * 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 * Full of theological depth and human resilience. * Methodist Recorder, December 2009 * From her personal presence amid various of our world's problems, British Methodist minister Barbara Glasson has written A Spirituality of Survival: Enabling a Response to Trauma and Abuse.. She enables greater earnest awareness of wars, social problems, natural disasters, individual crises. Her 'response' is aware that there are more questionas than answers. * Review for Religious, February 2010 *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 213 mm
Width: 137 mm
Thickness: 10 mm
Weight
227 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4411-9255-4 (9781441192554)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

E-Book
09/2009
1st Edition
Mowbray
€16.49
Available for download
Person
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.
Content
Chapter 1 The hearing; Chapter 2 The presenting; Chapter 3 Being Lost; Chapter 4 Boundaries; Chapter 5 Breaking the Power; Chapter 6 Redeeming Relationships; Chapter 7 Surviving Church; Chapter 8 Consider; Appendix: Further enquiry and contacts.