Two Books Addressing Faith and Suicide Added to the Church Library
Please note: If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or having thoughts of suicide, help is available. Life’s challenges can be difficult. You do not need to face this alone. The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988. You will be connected to listening ears and emotional support. The FCCB Pastoral Care Line is 360-733-4255. You will receive confidential care if you call.
Also note: If you are struggling with suicide grief after the death of a loved one, you may not be ready to read either of the following books. Keith Kraft’s book was written closer to his loss of his son and is an honest struggle with faith and grief. Rhonda Lee’s book is more theoretical and theological but can be challenging reading for those for whom grief is recent and raw.
Pain Seeking Understanding: In Search of Hope and Healing, by United Church of Christ Pastor Keith Kraft. is a collection of writings inspired by the grief over the death by suicide of his young adult son. Keith invested four years writing through pain, thoughts, and experiences of the death of his son, Ben. He combines his perspective as a loving father with his pastoral care of his congregation. He writes about the shock of first learning of Ben’s death, the sadness of losing a child, and the effects of hidden mental illness. He explores how the church and people of faith can become instruments of hope for those suffering mental illness and for those on the journey of suicide grief.
Suicide and the Communion of Saints by Rhonda Mawhood Lee, who is an Episcopalian priest and spiritual director. She is also a daughter whose mother died by suicide. She presents an excellent introduction to suicide grief alongside a frank discussion of how to talk about this challenging subject. In the second section of her book, she draws on her vocation and life to speak of consequences of Christian teachings about suicide. Searching for a better approach than traditional condemnation of those who die by suicide she turns to her theology of the communion of saints to reframe her relationship with her mother and with others who have died by suicide.
These books are in the Caregiving section of the church library. For more information on the church library, you can contact Ted Huffman, current church librarian.
