From the Shores of Silence

From the Shores of Silence is a unique, touching, diligent book that does justice to the vast and varied work of Nicola Slee as the driving force of the exploration of a creative theology that has the potential to move those involved in it in new and unexpected ways. It shows the true strength of genuine creativity: to move others to become creators as well. As the authors engage in more and less explicit dialogue with Slee’s work and research themes, the book indeed becomes the conversation its editors hoped it would be. The volume is moreover a testimony to the radical potential of a theology that is practiced in a community of friends, where lasting commitments enable its practitioners to emerge from behind theology’s formalities and structures and instead become attuned to the body, issues of power and the beauty of language and words. -- Mariecke van den Berg, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Here is a book that not only duly honours the amazing work of precious practical theologian Nicola Slee, but also expands several theological fields by threading them on mutual belonging, challenge and transformation. Feminist practical theology is not only an option in the menu of theological choices but a fundamental one if we are to do justice to the Christian faith. Amidst silence(d) and many voices heard, human and more than human, this work invites us into a larger conversation and into deep listening, ‘Until there is not one last woman remaining…’. -- Cláudio Carvalhaes, Union Theological Seminary, New York City
This splendid collection of essays has grown from ongoing conversations with Nicola Slee, herself at the very heart of a multicultural and multinational group engaged in much-needed provocative re-thinking and re-writing of theology. The contributors celebrate her as a poet-theologian who has listened to what they have been able to say both in response to her and to one another, with good reason remaining a critical silence about much of the theology they have inherited. In her honour they offer their readers an invitation to become sensitive yet again to the ‘sacramental’ words to be found in the inventive and courageous ‘practical’ theology so characteristic of Nicola Slee herself. -- Ann Loades, Durham University, UK
Engaged with the depths of the Christian traditions and the breadth of their practice, From the Shores of Silence weaves together and performs the poetry of faith. The volume gathers up and reimagines how women’s diverse experiences shape not only our practical reflections on the faith, but also our visceral experiences of it. With right insight, stunning imagery, and gorgeous poetry and prose, From the Shores of Silence sets the agenda for the next stage of feminist theology in the UK and beyond. -- Natalie Wigg-Stevenson, Emmanuel College at Victoria University