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

"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"