Description: Joining God in the Thin Places affirms that everyone is a theologian. Authentic theological reflection emerges in natural disasters as people experience disruption and margins. That theological reflection carries the authority of the well-being of people who begin as vulnerable or excluded by injustice. The mutual accountability of God and all creation shapes resilient communities. I have threaded my own experience in disaster events as a staff leader in the national United Church of Christ's disaster, refugee, and sustainable development ministries with public discourse emerging from these and other disasters. This book utilizes resources of Bible, theologies, quantum science, history, art, and liturgy. Disaster theology is creation theology. This book links climate change and natural disasters by rooting theologies active in natural disasters in who God is and what God does as creator, redeemer, and sustainer. Accelerated climate change makes disasters more frequent, intense, and extended in duration than ever before. It adds urgency to interacting well with creation that is complex and continuing for the sake of well-being and flourishing. Examples of local and global response and rebuilding demonstrate theologies of accompaniment, partnership, and solidarity seeking justice. Those seeking practical ways to get involved will find them here.
Brief description:
Mary Schaller Blaufuss serves as vice president for advancement and strategic partnerships at Eden Theological Seminary. Between 2005 and 2019, she served on the United Church of Christ national staff as executive for volunteer ministries and as team leader for national and global ministries in disaster, refugee, and global sustainable development. Mary is an ordained minister in the UCC and has taught mission studies at the United Theological College in Bangalore, India.