In this series, we highlight books we think our readers may enjoy, written by authors affiliated with the Collegeville Institute.
Birthed: Finding Grace Through Infertility
Chalice Press, 2017
by Elizabeth Hagan, 2011 summer writing workshop participant
When infertility painfully interrupted Elizabeth Hagan’s plan to start a family, the path of grace offered her another way. In her book Birthed: Finding Grace Through Infertility, readers join Hagan as she journeys through a long season of grief. Her book will provide solace to the one in eight couples who face infertility, as well as insight to those friends and family members of infertile couples. There are no “one size fits all” answers to a fertility journey—medically, emotionally, or spiritually—but, Hagan argues, the worst thing that friends and family can say is nothing at all. For those facing fertility issues and their loved ones, Birthed: Finding Grace Through Infertility is certain to provide valuable insights and comfort.
In Search of God’s Power in Broken Bodies: A Theology of Maum
Palgrave Macmillian, 2013
by Hwa-Young Chong, 2012 summer writing workshop participant
Hwa-Young Chong believes that we need a new approach to a theology of body. Interweaving feminist theology, Asian spirituality, and the witnesses of sex-slaves during World War II, Chong examines the multi-layered meaning of the broken body Christ. Utilizing Christological, sacramental, and ecclesiological perspectives, she explores the centrality of body in theological discourse. She argues that the theology of body wrestles in the wide space between crucifixion and resurrection, where broken bodies cry for healing. In Search of God’s Power in Broken Bodies concludes that the church, as the gathering place of broken bodies, ultimately offers hope for life, justice, and peace for our hurting world.
Wisdom Walking: Pilgrimage as a Way of Life
Church Publishing, 2017
by Gil Stafford, 2013 and 2016 summer writing workshop participant
We all take pilgrimages in life; some are intentional, and others are not. Choosing to embrace our journeys with intention is the focus of Gil Stafford’s new book Wisdom Walking: Pilgrimage as a Way of Life. Stafford incorporates Jungian typology to explore how we gain wisdom, identifying a four-stage spiral process of pilgrimage. Using anecdotes from his own pilgrimage walks in Ireland and his experience navigating other life issues, Stafford illustrates how to embrace life’s transformational process. He also tells the stories of others’ pilgrimages in a very readable fashion. Those interested in the transformative power of the spiritual journey will find resonance in this book.
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As I have worked as a healer through Eastern Medicine, counseling and spiritual guidance, the best moment is when the patient got pregnant. The oldest person I helped was 54 years old federal employee who got pregnant but miscarried. It was a quite painful experience to the patient and somewhat to me also. Adopting a child or consider a pet as a child is another happenings substituting a child bearing in reality. But until we internalizing the matter of conception and childbearing through theologizing, it may continue to haunt us. In many cases, it is a try to add one more child on what a woman already has. Not too bad.
A girl begin to know the presence of a boy at the age of 7. Can be pregnant at 14(7×2), reaching the maximum condition for childbearing at 21(7×3), going down in the fertility capacity and become twice more difficult at 35(7×5) and finishes the possibility through closing of their body at 42(7×6) and reaches the complete closing at the age of 49(7×7). I was born when my mother was 42 years old after having 6 daughters. It was quite an unlikely happening and biggest joy to my parents but I had to bear some kind of embarrassment whenever my school friends considered her as my grandmother. ;))
Jesus Christ did not marry but begotten many children through his life, death, and resurrection. There are some chosen people for this task by not marrying or not having children as they consider all people they serve as their beneficiaries. And it is more natural and beautiful when they do it willingly.
Childbearing and child rearing experience all contribute to the formation of parental hearts. What percentage is instinctual or formed through experience is matter of discussion. But as I have observed various men, and smaller percentage of women, I don’t like some of them for their irresponsibilities and lack of caring heart. If there is one thing which can make us grow and mature internally. I mean something which can make our hearts getting bigger, it is childbearing and child rearing experience. After we go through all injustices and happiness given to us by our most beloved children, we somewhat begin to understand begger picture of human society and God’s order for this world. Theologian’s task in this area is to make each important life stage as a sacramental stage by celebrating these moments. Then even unavoidable messiness of real life can be reinterpreted and become sacred gaining possibility of redemption. After all, we leave all we worked for fight for and return to our true Parent, God. And our life is God’s child bearing experience.