Chrism Winter 2020 editorial
If past global crises are anything to go by, their impact on society and community takes years to understand, and usually profoundly change what normal life had been. Take as an example the Second World War, and the resultant changes on healthcare, gender equality and politics. And just like the war had an impact on our theological understandings of God and how God interacts with creation, so too we must assume that the impacts, socially, politically and theologically, of the COVID19 pandemic can not be underestimated.
But this should not be seen in a negative way and indeed we should grasp the opportunity to create something better. Dr Bessel van der Kolk explained in a recent podcast on the impact of trauma, that traumatised people are often some of the most spiritually wise people for two reasons. The first is that the suffering reveals the world as it is, and such revelations might then lead to opportunities to improve. The second is that they are energised by their experiences and given the confidence to live in a new way if healing can be found.
Therefore, it can be said, that it is out of suffering that wisdom at human level might grow; the hope is that at a community and national level there might be an equal potential for growth in wisdom.Â
We are not at the stage of rearranging the deck chairs on the titanic, but we are certainly still mid way through this crisis, and apologies must be given for the delay in the publication of this journal which has been impacted by events. And there might be sense in waiting until it is over to seek the meaning in the events. However, we are publishing in this edition articles that explore healing from four key angles: reconcilation, the engagement of the arts, the role of community and a voice from the front line.
The Revd Ruth Harvey, leader of the Iona Community, writes about the key role of reconciliation in health, and Kathryn Walker explores Art and healing through an installation designed for communities to reflect on the trauma we are presently undergoing. The Revd Dr Carla Grosch-Miller examines healing from a community angle, and health care chaplain The Revd. Mia Hilborn offers some insight into frontline care.
I have found these articles offer angles of approach that, though disparate, take seriously the potential for humans to seek deep and profound healing, and that together might offer some hope in these dark days. I hope you do too
Contents:
- p.4 Editorial
- p.6 Where Healing and Reconciliation Meet – The Revd Ruth Harvey
- p.11 Art and Healing: The leaves of the trees are for the healing of the nations – Kathryn Walker
- p.14 Community Dwelling, The Revd. Dr Carla A Grosch-Miller
- p.16 Health Care Chaplaincy and Covid19 – The Revd Mia Kyte Hilborn
The Revd Dr. Gillian Straine, Editor and CEO of the Guild of Health and St Raphael
Please note that the journal is a PDF download, not a physical product that would incur postage costs.