Trauma and Pastoral Care

This handbook is for ministers and lay leaders who are faced with leading an individual or a church community through a traumatic event and its aftermath. It helps churches to respond in a healthy way to the impact of tragedies, local and global, through training in good practice, careful reflection, and personal resilience.

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This handbook is for leaders who are faced with leading an individual or a church community through a traumatic event and its aftermath. It arises out of the Tragedy and Congregations Project which helps churches to respond in a healthy way to the impact of tragedies through training in good practice, careful reflection, and drawing on faith resources.

*Part One examines the physical and mental impact of trauma, and offers a rapid response pastoral toolkit and guidance on appropriate continuing care.
*Part Two offers pastoral and liturgical strategies for collective trauma, suggesting ‘habits of the heart’ that will build resilience.
*Part Three reflects on the changing story of life and faith as meaning is made from traumatising events, and reflects on recovery.