Trauma and transformation at Ground Zero : a pastoral theology /
Storm Swain.
- x, 203 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm
Includes bibliographical references (pages 185-193) and indexes.
Introduction : The Trinity as a pastoral model in the face of trauma -- 1. The Trinity : from immanent to economic -- 2. Earth-making : the holding space -- 3. Pain-bearing : the suffering space -- 4. Life-giving : the transforming space -- Conclusion : Trauma, Trinity, and transformation : earth-making, pain-bearing, life-giving
From personal interviews with chaplains at the temporary mortuary at Ground Zero following the attacks on September 11, 2001, Storm Swain offers here a new model of pastoral care grounded in theology and practice. She explores the pastoral ethic of love and articulates a model for pastoral care as a way of being in the image of God in the interpersonal spaces of holding, suffering, and transforming. We see how this love looks in practice through the bracing and heartbreaking reflections of chaplains who cared for rescue workers and families of victims at Ground Zero. Within this model pastoral caregivers can move from a place of trauma to a place of transformation, which enables wholeness and healing for both caregivers and those for whom they care.
Pastoral theology. Suffering--Religious aspects--Christianity. September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001--Religious aspects--Christianity. Psychic trauma--Religious aspects--Christianity. Church work with disaster victims. Trinity.