Sober Spirituality - by Erin Jean Warde (Paperback)

About the Book

A priest, spiritual director, and sobriety coach invites us to bring mindfulness into our relationships with alcohol as a pathway of awakening to the beauty of our lives in mind, body, and soul.

Book Synopsis

"Perfect for Christians looking to reassess their relationship with alcohol."--Publishers Weekly

When author and Episcopal priest Erin Jean Warde quit drinking, she heard from many others in a similar situation seeking support. In Sober Spirituality, she combines personal storytelling with theological reflection to offer encouragement, wisdom, and practical insight for readers who want to reexamine their relationship with alcohol.

Warde explores the way our culture promotes alcohol consumption and shows how we can choose to change our perception of alcohol in our spiritual communities. She names not only the challenges of sobriety and spirituality but also the tremendous gifts and blessings that come through quitting drinking or being more mindful about alcohol use.

Readers will emerge with a deeper understanding of how their faith informs daily habits and choices. Sober Spirituality also calls the church to a better understanding of how it can ally with recovery communities. Ultimately, this book declares we are all worthy of an abundant and joyful life in mind, body, and soul.

From the Back Cover

"A trustworthy guide for those who are sober or sober-curious"

Priest, spiritual director, and sobriety coach Erin Jean Warde invites us to bring mindfulness into our relationships with alcohol as a pathway of awakening to the beauty of our lives in mind, body, and soul.

"I'm so grateful for this necessary and hopeful book on the joy that can be found in a sober spirituality. What a healing gift to the church!"
--Sarah Bessey, editor of the New York Times bestseller A Rhythm of Prayer and author of Jesus Feminist

"Warde writes a poetic, tender, and spiritual book grounded in the kind of compassion that is born of deep love. A gentle invitation to explore the divinity within us."
--Beverly Gooden, author of Surviving: Why We Stay and How We Leave Abusive Relationships

"What a balm this book is! And not just for those acquainted with addiction (but for them too). Warde offers hard-won wisdom and precious pastoral guidance to anyone in need of tangible hope to get through the day."
--David Zahl, author of Low Anthropology and director of Mockingbird Ministries

"My favorite spiritual writing reveals the sacramental nature of all of life, which is exactly what Warde does in Sober Spirituality. She offers a courageous tenderness to the reader and a loving challenge to the church, identifying areas of our complicity in propping up a culture that prevents people from approaching relationships with alcohol mindfully."
--Terry J. Stokes, pastor and author of Prayers for the People

"This book speaks gospel truth--truth that is painful, paradoxical, and beautiful. Both soulful and practical, Sober Spirituality is a trustworthy guide for those who are sober or sober-curious. An absolute gem of a book from a gem of a human."
--Danielle Shroyer, author of Original Blessing: Putting Sin in Its Rightful Place

About the Author

Erin Jean Warde (MDiv, Seminary of the Southwest) is an ordained Episcopal priest, spiritual director, sobriety coach, and speaker who lives in Austin, Texas. She offers a course (Discerning Sobriety), Substack community, and podcast. She is also a founding editor and editor-at-large of Earth & Altar and has written for Mockingbird, the Christian Century, and Grow Christians.