Extent: Paperback
Pages: 176
Size: 215 mm x 138 mm
Publisher: Veritas Publications
Whilst a generation may have grown up without direct experience of ‘the troubles’ the memories of those times still haunt many of the minds of those who lived during that time and woke up each day to news of the latest atrocity or what was called tit-for-tat killing.
Retired Church of Ireland bishop Alan Abernathy and Catholic pastoral worker Jim Deeds, both of whom lived through those dark days and their aftermath within their own separate communities, have now collaborated in recounting their experiences at different stages of their lives and faith journeys in the context of a once bitterly divided community. It was a time described in the book’s Introduction as ‘a bewildering period of mayhem, murder, confusion and mistrust’. The communal fractures suffered by so many on both sides of the religious divide to which both Alan and Jim bear witness remain still in the earliest stages of healing.
Their joint efforts in creating Discovering Jesus in the Other for Veritas came from the friendship that had grown and developed between the two men over many years as they shared experiences and interactions. The journeys they made – which included physically walking together through the streets and places of worship in their stories – involved moving from rigid positions within their own sectarian backgrounds to a growing awareness prompted by the Spirit of the oneness of all people. At the heart of both their journeys has been the movement beyond demonisation to the discovery of what they describe as ‘the loveliness of Jesus’ in the other.Each of the eight chapters over 170 pages end with a set of questions that can be used individually or in parish or community groups and relevant scripture passages are provided for meditation and reflection.
The book is both inspiring and challenging in equal measure and has a message that relates beyond its subject matter of times past to the divisions and demonizations of our own time. Its wisdom and enlightenment deserves to be shared.
--Reviewer: Paul Clayton-Lea, Intercom, April 2024
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Description
This is a work of collaboration between retired Church of Ireland bishop, Alan, and Catholic pastoral worker, Jim, both of whom lived through the Troubles in Northern Ireland and the aftermath of that time. Challenged and enriched by each other’s life story, the authors discovered the value of understanding our history from the perspective of someone on the ‘other side’ of the community. Rather than demonising ‘the other’, they have been inspired to discover Jesus in the other.
In eight chapters, Alan and Jim recount their experiences at different stages of their lives and faith journeys in the context of the Troubles and a divided community. They remember the gentle nudges of the Spirit as they moved from their own sectarian backgrounds to a growing awareness of the oneness of all people. At the end of each chapter Alan and Jim offer reflection questions that can be used individually or collectively in parish or community groups, as well as scripture passages for meditation and reflection.
About the Authors:
Alan Abernethy was born and grew up in Belfast. His faith was shaped by the violence of that city. He is a husband, father and grandfather. He was ordained in the Church of Ireland and was bishop of Connor from 2007 until 2019. He is passionate about discipleship, spirituality and living in unity with other disciples.
Jim Deeds is a husband and father living in the wounded and wonderful city of Belfast. He works as an author, poet, retreat-giver and facilitator across the island of Ireland. His passion is for people to come to know the love of God – love that was made incarnate in Jesus and continues to be made incarnate in all creation.