Resources

•  Catholicism

Beginning Experience (Organization)

Beginning Experience offers programs for adults and children grieving the loss of relationships—whether through divorce or death. The core weekend programs are supplemented with "pre-weekend" and "post-weekend" workshops.

Catholic Divorce Ministry (Organization)

A ministry of the North American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics, Catholic Divorce Ministry offers groups, resources, and trainings that address "the religious, emotional, financial, and parenting issues relative to separation, divorce, and remarriage.

Catholics Experiencing Divorce: Grieving, Healing, and Learning to Live Again (Revised Edition) (Book)
Vicki Wells Bedard and William E. Rabior, Authors. Ligouri, MO: Ligouri Publications, 2004.

Of value to both Catholics and non-Catholics, this book provides comfort and support to those going through divorce. Included are comments on the annulment process, the rite of confession, and approaches to the prospect of remarriage.

Divorcing, Believing, Belonging (Book)
James J. Young, Author. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1984.

James Young discusses the emotional processes involved in divorce, from separation to remarriage. The author also addresses prayer, forgiveness, trust, and the role of the Catholic church.

Finding Your Way through Divorce (Book)
Kathy Brewer Gorham, Author. Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 2006.

Drawing on both personal experience and research, Kathy Brewer Gorham helps persons who are divorcing cope with loneliness, fear, resentment, numbness, despair, guilt, and grief. She also explains how to forgive, move on, and re-connect with others.

Healing the Wounds of Divorce: A Spiritual Guide to Recovery (Book)
Barbara Leahy Shlemon, Author. Notre Dame, IN: Ave Maria Press, 1992.

Barbara Leahy Shlemon writes of the deep pain she experienced when her marriage of 30 years ended, and of her healing process. Chapters in this book focus on coping with difficult emotions as well as on dealing with finances, children, and relatives.

Pieces to Peace (Book)
Jackie Blair, Claire Briand, Helen E. McCabe, Editors. Hancock, MI: NACSDC, 2003.

Written by and for members of the North American Conference of Separated and Divorced Catholics, this book addresses the difficulties and growing edges faced by anyone experiencing the loss of a relationship.

This Blessed Mess: Finding Hope Amidst Life's Chaos (Book)
Patricia H. Livingston, Author. Notre Dame, IN: Sorin Books, 2000.

Patricia Livingston's stories and insights explore the science of chaos and the reality of life's messiness. They also offer personal and spiritual resources for responding with humor, hope, and grace. Readers are encouraged to "laugh amidst the mess," to look for goodness, to "hang in there," and to pray.

•  Judaism

Divorce Is a Mitzvah: A Practical Guide to Finding Wholeness and Holiness When Your Marriage Dies (Book)
Perry Netter, Author. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 2002.

Rabbi Perry Netter discusses Jewish wisdom about divorce, helping readers understand its impact on oneself, one's family, one's friends, and one's children. Questions addressed include "Is divorce kosher?"; "Why is this happening?"; and "How do we continue to raise children together?"

Jewish Lights Publishing (Publisher)

Jewish Lights Publishing is devoted to producing and selling books "that reflect the Jewish wisdom tradition for people of all faiths, all backgrounds." Readers interested in divorce and other life transition issues may want to check out the "Grief and Healing" or "Life Cycle and Parenting" sections of its website.

Lifecycles: Jewish Women on Life Passages and Personal Milestones (Book)
Debra Orenstein, Editor. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing, 1998.

Many life transitions—such as menstruation, childbirth, menopause, and divorce—are not honored in traditional Judaism or other faith traditions. Rabbi Debra Orenstein seeks to remedy this situation by bringing together 50 writers who offer prayers, poems, and rituals for such occasions.

Mayyim Hayyim (Organization)

Based in Newton, Massachusetts, Mayyim Hayyim seeks to honor the mikveh (or "ritual bath") as a significant Jewish ritual for times of transition—including divorce. In addition to providing a place for this ritual practice, Mayyim Hayyim offers articles and other educational materials as free downloads from its website.

National Center for Jewish Healing (Organization)

Begun in the early 1990s, this organization has established local healing centers throughout North America and provides consulting, education, publications, and program models for those seeking Jewish healing resources. Its website supplies numerous links to relevant sites. Bibliographies and downloadable reports cover topics ranging from getting closer to God to forming healing circles.

The Outstretched Arm: 2004 Special Edition, "The Crisis of Divorce" (Booklet)
New York, NY: National Center for Jewish Healing, 2004.

The Outstretched Arm, published by the National Center for Jewish Healing, features articles focusing on healing and covering many topics—from addiction to separation to forgiveness. Each issue is between eight and ten pages long. The fall 2004 issue deals specifically with divorce.

Parenting through a Divorce (Booklet)
Perry Netter, Author. Woodstock, VT: Jewish Lights Publishing.

Part of the "Life Lights" booklet series from Jewish Lights Publishing, this booklet, written by Rabbi Perry Netter, provides advice on parenting responsibly and nurturing relationships with children during times of separation and divorce. Twelve copies are sold per pack, making it a good purchase for congregations or support groups.

Ritualwell.org (Web Resource)

This website is part of the Jewish Women's Project of the JCC in Manhattan and the Jewish Women's Gender Studies program of the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College. Rituals for many life passages, including separation and divorce, are featured on this site. Website visitors are encouraged to be creative in adapting these rituals to their needs.

Talking to God: Personal Prayers for Times of Joy, Sadness, and Celebration (Book)
Naomi Levy, Author. New York, NY: Alfred Knopf, 2002.

This book from Conservative Rabbi Naomi Levy discusses prayer and presents prayers for many occasions—from daily life to major life transitions. Included are prayers for those facing marital troubles, divorce, and a second marriage.

To Begin Again: The Journey toward Comfort, Strength, and Faith in Difficult Times (Book)
Naomi Levy, Author. New York, NY: Ballantine Books, 1999.

Naomi Levy focuses on grieving and healing in the aftermath of personal loss. Holding that God cannot prevent tragedy, she invites readers to consider "how can I go on?" after loss has occurred, rather than "why did this happen to me?"

•  Evangelical and Mainline Protestantism

Celebrate Recovery (Organization)

A ministry of Saddleback Church, Celebrate Recovery helps participants deal with addictions and other issues. It emphasizes personal responsibility, mutual accountability, adherence to biblical teaching, and a commitment to Christ. Its website includes resources, conferences, and contact information for local groups.

Divorce Care (Organization)

DivorceCare supports healing and renewal for people going through divorce. In addition to providing contact information for local groups, its website points visitors to relevant books, brochures, and leadership training materials. An online six-week Bible study is available for personal or group study through the website's "Hope, Help, and Healing" section.

Divorce Recovery (Menlo Park Presbyterian Church) (Organization)

Menlo Park Presbyterian Church offers a divorce recovery ministry that includes small groups, speakers, book referrals, and online links to sources of useful information—including state divorce laws, a divorce blog, interactive bulletin boards and message centers, and the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement.

Singles Conferences of the National Baptist Convention
(Organization)

The National Baptist Convention holds yearly conferences for single individuals; conference themes vary from year to year. In 2008 the theme was "Singles, Looking Unto Jesus: The Author and Finisher of Our Faith." The conference also published "Singles: Strengthened, Secure, and Spirit Filled," which highlighted the 2007 conference. This publication is available for $12.50 from Penny Howell, Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, 224 North Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Tallahassee, FL, 32301.

•  Unitarian Universalism

Let's Talk About Divorce and Broken Relationships (Booklet)
Colleen McDonald, Author. Boston, MA: Unitarian Universalist Association.

This booklet offers a Unitarian Universalist (UU) perspective on separation and divorce. It explains how UU principles shed light on divorce, how divorce affects families, and how congregations can support those who are experiencing major life transitions such as divorce. Reflection questions and suggested action steps are included.