School of Social Work
University of Windsor
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© Copyright 2008
University of Windsor
Welcome to
Critical Social Work
Critical Social Work
2006 Volume
Introduction to the Second Issue on Spirituality
by
John Coates, PhD (Guest Editor)
Professor
Department of Social Work
St. Thomas University
Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
and
John R. Graham, PhD, RSW(Guest Editor)
Murray Fraser Professor
Faculty of Social Work
University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
This dedicated issue recognizes the growing interest in spirituality among academics, practitioners and students and we welcome the role that Critical Social Work has taken in giving recognition to this significant area of research and practice. This issue contains papers arising primarily from the Fourth Annual Canadian Conference on Spirituality and Social Work held at King’s University College, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, May 26-28, 2005.
The articles in this issue reflect the variety of areas of research and practice, in which spirituality is impacting social work and social welfare - areas include direct practice, organizational change, program evaluation, organized religion, and Indigenous social work. Additionally, there are articles that have broader scope – one, a historical overview and analysis of the place of spirituality in Canadian social work; second, an article on the impact of American religion on Canadian social welfare, and the third, an invited paper based on a conference keynote address -- a reflection on how psychology has addressed spirituality and religion, and the implications for social work. We think that these articles can stimulate not only the development of theory and practice, but can also serve as examples of new directions for research.
The Canadian Society for Spirituality and Social Work (CSSSW) has sponsored the annual Canadian Conferences on Spirituality and Social Work. Financial support from Canada’s Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, and from a number of Canadian schools of social work – St. Thomas University, Renison College, University of Calgary, King’s University College, and the University of British Columbia, contributed substantially to the success of the conference. Information on upcoming conferences can be found on the CSSSW website at http://people.stu.ca/~jcoates/cnssw/ . The CSSSW is an informal network of educators, students and practitioners and provides a venue for ongoing dialogue and research regarding spirituality in professional practice and education.
As many understand there is a great deal of ‘behind the scenes’ work precedes the publication of this edition. We are grateful for the assistance and support of the conference organizing committee, authors and reviewers, and School of Social Work at King’s University College who hosted this conference. We wish also to acknowledge the editorial board of Critical Social Work for the encouragement and support provided
Spirituality Among African Nova Scotians: A Key to Survival in Canadian Society
David Este, Ph.D., Wanda Thomas Bernard, Ph.D.
Engaging with Spirituality: A Qualitative Study of Grief and HIV/AIDS
Susan J. Cadell, Ph.D.; Linda Janzen, Ph.D., R.S.W.; Dennis J. Haubrich, Ph.D.
Listening for Meaning: A Research-Based Model for Attending to Spirituality, Culture and Worldview in Social Work Practice
Janet L. Clark, Ph.D.
Seeking the Spiritual and Anti-Oppresive Organizational Change
Thecla Damianakis, Ph.D., M.S.W., B.A.,
Is There a Place for Social Work Within the Catholic Church?
Joanne Ebear, B.S.W., M.S.W. (cand), R.S.W.; Rick Csiernik, Ph.D, R.S.W.;
Reverend Michael Béchard, MA, M.Div.
Spirituality as a Guiding Construct in the Development of Canadian Social Work: Past and Present Considerations
John Graham, Ph.D., R.S.W.; Diana Coholic, Ph.D., R.S.W.; John Coates, PhD
Spiritual Wounding and Affliction:Facilitating Spiritual Transformation in Social Justice Work
Edward Kruk, M.S.W., Ph.D.,
Threat From the South: Is American Religion Bad News for Canadian Social Welfare?
James R. Vanderwoerd, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Allying With the Medicine Wheel: Social Work Practice with Aboriginal Peoples
The author wishes to thank Behnam Behnia for her assistance in the preparation of this manuscript.
Laura Verniest, B. A. Adv. (Psychology), B.S.W., M.S.W
Psychology’s Potential for Reconciliation with Spiritual and Religious Traditions: Caveats and Recommendations for Social Workers
Richard Walsh-Bowers, Ph.D.
Program Evaluation Re-Imagined: Discerning the Spirit of the Whole Child Project in Whitehorse, Yukon
Michael Kim Zapf, PhD, RSW