Spirituality is an area of thought and practice that is attracting an increasing amount of attention and interest from social work practitioners, theorists, and instructors. Spirituality and Social Work: Selected Canadian Readings explores the history, practice, and diversity of faith traditions with which spirituality and social work are intertwined.
Exciting and relevant chapters in this collection include:
Spirituality As a Guiding Construct in the Development of Canadian Social Work
Reframing Spirituality, Reconceptualizing Change: Possibilities for Critical Social Work
From Ecology to Spirituality and Social Justice
Making Circles: Renewing First Nations Ways of Helping
Black Churches in Canada: Vehicles for Fostering Community Development in African-Canadian Communities
Islamic Theology and Prayer: Relevance for Social Work Practice
Dedication Acknowledgement Contributors Copyright Acknowledgements Introduction – John Coates
Section 1: History Introduction – John R. Graham Chapter 1: Spirituality as a Guiding Construct in the Development of Canadian Social Work: Past and Present Considerations – John R. Graham, Diana Coholic, and John Coates Chapter 2: The Haven, 1878-1930: A Toronto Charity’s Transition from a Religious to a Professional Social Work Ethos – John R. Graham Chapter 3: The Social Gospel – Richard Allen Chapter 4: Excerpts from The Values of Life – E.J. Urwick Chapter 5: Moral and Spiritual Values in Social Work – Rev. Shaun Govenlock
Section 2: Spirituality in Social Work Practice Introduction – Brian Ouellette Chapter 6: Exploring the Spiritual Dimension of Social Work – Michael McKernan Chapter 7: The Helpfulness of Spiritually Influenced Group Work in Developing Self-Awareness and Self-Esteem: A Preliminary Investigation – Diana Coholic Chapter 8: Listening to Our Stillness: Giving Voice to Our Spirituality Spirituality and Clinical Practice) – Wanda Wagler-Martin Chapter 9: Reframing Spirituality, Reconceptualizing Change: Possibilities for Critical Social Work – Michele Butot Chapter 10: Feminist Community Organizing: The Spectre of the Sacred and the Secular – Sarah Todd Chapter 11: Engaging with Spirituality: A Qualitative Study of Grief and HIV/AIDS – Susan Cadell, Linda Janzen, and Dennis J. Haubrich Chapter 12: Circles of Resistance: Spirituality and Transformative Change in Social Work Education and Practice – Cyndy Baskin
Section 3: Spirituality and Emerging Areas of Practice Introduction – John Coates Chapter 13: From Ecology to Spirituality and Social Justice – John Coates Chapter 14: Profound Connections between Person and Place: Exploring Location, Spirituality, and Social Work – Michael Kim Zapf Chapter 15: Spirituality, Stress, and Work – Rick Csiernik and David W. Adams
Section 4: Diversity and Faith Traditions Introduction – Barbara Swartzentruber Chapter 16: Making Circles: Renewing First Nations Ways of Helping – Gord Bruyere Chapter 17: Communities in Cooperation: Human Services Work with Old Order Mennonites – Linda Snyder and Sarah Bowman Chapter 18: Black Churches in Canada: Vehicles for Fostering Community Development in African-Canadian Communities – A Historical Analysis – David Este Chapter 19: Islamic Theology and Prayer: Relevance for Social Work Practice – Alean Al-Krenawi and John R. Graham Conclusion – Barbara Swartzentruber
Biography
John Coates is Professor of Social Work at St. Thomas University, Fredericton, New Brunswick. He is also Chair of the Canadian Society for Spirituality and Social Work and has written on the relevance of ecology and spirituality for social work.
“[The authors] make a significant contribution to the exploration of spritiuality in the field of social work… I particularly liked the chapter Communities in Cooperation. This chapter will meet the highest expectations of BSW students; it is clear, readable, interesting, informative and it challenges the stereotypes students may hold of Mennonite culture.”— Jane Birbeck, University College of the Cariboo
