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Dear friend,
Many of us may have chosen Allendale UMC for its progressive, inclusive stance and affirming atmosphere. However, it’s not uncommon at times to still feel tension, anxiety, or fear, especially if you’ve experienced harm or exclusion in other religious settings. This October, on Wednesday nights at 6 PM, Rev. David Franks will lead a class on Traumatizing Theology.
This class addresses the emotional and psychological wounds that may arise from “adverse religious experiences,” a term coined by researchers at the Religious Trauma Institute. These experiences can create a lasting sense of unease or danger, even in places like Allendale that are designed to be welcoming and inclusive.
Matthias Roberts, an author for Sojourners, shared in a recent article about an experience that resonates with many: Despite being in a welcoming environment, his body signaled caution and danger. “Be careful; environments like this aren’t safe,” his body seemed to say. Even with an affirming congregation and progressive theology, the scars from past experiences can take a toll on one’s sense of safety and well-being, not only in “church” but in our relationships with others, i.e. family, friends, and coworkers.
Changing one’s beliefs does not automatically equate to emotional/spiritual healing. In this class beginning October 4, Rev. David Franks will guide us through the complexities of healing from religious trauma, offering the tools and support needed to progress from intellectual shifts to deep emotional, psychological, and spiritual healing, as well as opportunities to be agents of such healing.
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