Bringing Together Leading Voices on What Can Be Done to Address Serious Cultural Issues Now
Adelphia, NJ – May 18, 2021 – 2020 put a spotlight on the inequities, systems of oppression, and deep division in our society. Much has been written that acknowledges and describes racial, political, religious, and other divides, but there is little practical information on what can be done about them. How to Heal Our Divides is a project that builds awareness and highlights organizations that are taking real action to address these issues and heal divides in effective and practical ways.
How to Heal Our Divides: A Practical Guide is an anthology with over thirty contributors who highlight organizations working to address racial, political, religious, and other forms of serious division. The book includes essays written by thought leaders Brian McLaren, Diana Butler Bass, Frank A. Thomas, Michael W. Waters, Shane Claiborne, Alexis Salvatierra, Parker J. Palmer, and many more! . Compiled and edited by Brian Allain and Adam Thomas, the book releases on Tuesday May 18, 2021.
Contributor Dr. Catherine Meeks, Executive Director of the Absalom Jones Center for Racial Healing, said: “We appreciate the opportunity to participate in How to Heal Our Divides to help spread the word about the work of the many outstanding organizations featured in the book.” She describes the work of her organization as “providing tools and experiences that allow faith communities – and the larger community of individuals – to engage in dismantling racism through education, prayer, dialogue, pilgrimage, and spiritual formation.”
Parker J. Palmer, who also contributed to the book, is the Founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal. “I am happy to participate in How to Heal Our Divides to come alongside other organizations working with similar goals,” Palmer said. “For twenty-five years, the Center for Courage & Renewal has helped people reclaim the wholeness that is everyone’s birthright gift, so they can bring their identity and integrity more fully into their personal, vocational, and public lives.”
Seth Henderson, Program Manager at the Aspen Institute’s Citizenship and American Identity Program, offers “The Better Arguments Project is a national civic initiative created to help bridge divides – not by papering over those divides but by helping Americans have better arguments. We appreciate the opportunity to participate in ‘How to Heal Our Divides’ to illuminate the many ways in which organizations are effectively working to improve our country’s civil discourse.”
“Jesus’ final prayer with his disciples (John 17) asked for one thing: that we his followers demonstrate a profound unity that will both convict and attract the watching world. In this time of deep division, this book shows how to do exactly that,” said Philip Yancey, author of “What’s So Amazing About Grace.”
The book’s ISBN number is 9798745784286.
Additional organizations featured in the book include: Arrabon, Red Letter Christians, The Julian Way, Matthew 25 / Mateo 25, Peace Catalyst International, Telos, The Center for Native American Youth, and Vote Common Good.
In addition to the book, the “How to Heal Our Divides” project includes a website, social media (Facebook, Twitter, YouTube), podcast, and virtual bookstore.
Sponsors of the project include Writing for Your Life, Publishing in Color, and Compassionate Christianity.
You can learn more about the project at: https://howtohealourdivides.com/
For additional information contact Brian Allain at brian@howtohealourdivides.com.
