Sanctuary of Healing - by Julia Matallana Freedman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A timely and compassionate resource that equips religious leaders to engage with the reality of trauma within their congregations.

Grounded in both lived experience and theological depth, this guide sheds light on the pervasive impact of sexual, racial, and generational trauma in the U.S., urging faith communities to become intentional spaces of refuge and restoration. Through a powerful call to "hold space," it offers practical tools for pastors and ministry leaders to walk alongside those carrying deep wounds. It reframes the role of the Church--not merely as a place of spiritual guidance, but as a sanctuary where healing and wholeness can take root. With a focus on embodiment, community, and the sacredness of vulnerability, Sanctuary of Healing provides a vital roadmap for transforming congregations into havens of empathy, resilience, and hope.

Review Quotes

"Sanctuary of Healing is a powerful resource that has the potential to help humanity actively heal from centuries of trauma. This book represents what I believe is the true vision of why humans created religious spaces in the first place, and it highlights how we can learn from the detrimental mistakes we have made along the way. Sanctuary of Healing educates the reader on what needs to be done differently so we can actually achieve what was intended; these spaces were meant to be a way to create healthy, affirming communities where humans are encouraged to live authentically and positively connect with one another through empathy and spirituality/God. Rev. Julia is a determined advocate helping every reader understand how and why we have fallen short of this vision and what we can do to make religious spaces a sincere reflection of God's love by celebrating the breathtaking diversity of God's creation and prioritizing trauma-informed interactions to help contribute to the healing of humanity."-- "Dr. Abena Berry, psychologist and author of Bold. Black. & Becoming: A Psychology Guide to Heal & Thrive"

"At once deeply spiritual and eminently practical, this compact book offers resources for leaders who must minister to those in recovery from trauma--which is pretty much everyone. Julia Freedman's refreshing honesty about her own life grants permission for a similar honesty in the reader, as well as the assurance of safety in the project of speaking one's truth. Leaders, both lay and ordained, will find it a treasure."-- "The Rev. Barbara C. Crafton, retired priest and author of Jesus Wept: When Faith and Depression Meet"

"This book is an invitation to pastors, lay leaders, and parishioners alike to move beyond the platitudes that too often characterise religious responses to suffering and to embrace the complex, sacred work of healing. It is a courageous, timely, and necessary offering for a Church in desperate need of renewal. I commend this work to you, trusting that it will inspire a new generation of healers, community builders, and cycle-breakers. May we have the courage to build the sanctuaries of healing that our fractured world so urgently needs."-- "The Rev. John Swinton, Chair in Divinity and Religious Studies, University of Aberdeen, and author of Finding Jesus in the Storm: The Spiritual Lives of People with Mental Health Challenges"