Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith: The Archbishop of Canterbury's Lent Book 2024: Foreword by Justin Welby

by Selina Stone

'Wonderful'JUSTIN WELBY

'Tarry Awhile... is one of the most profound and beautifully written Lent books that I have ever read.'CHURCH TIMES

Tarry here and watch with me . . . (Matt 26.38, KJV)

Tarrying is a Black Christian spiritual practice in which believers actively wait to experience the manifestation of God's presence. It answers yes to the question Jesus once asked his will you tarry here and watch with me? Whether in the vibrancy of music and singing, or in the hushed silence of the congregation, people of all ages anticipate an encounter with God that will transform what they know, feel and experience day to day.

This book makes the wisdom of Black spiritualities and faith available for all people. It focuses on seven darkness as a place of encounter with the divine; the unity of all things; movement, belonging and migration; the Spirit as one who moves in unexpected ways; quiet contemplation as essential to spiritual growth; healing in community; and weeping that turns to joy.



Tarry Awhile centres the stories of often overlooked people and communities, offering wisdom for all people who hope to encounter God in the midst of wearying times. It provides fresh reflections on familiar biblical passages, and draws on personal stories, theology and the spiritual wisdom of ancestors who have gone before us.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Spirituality

208 pages, Paperback

Published January 18, 2024

Reviews

[Bronwyn Hansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book that has given me a lot to think about. I was particularly struck by the notion that for black people and others of ethnic minorities in the UK, the wrestle described in Ephesians 6 against ‘principalities, powers and rulers of this world’ is not just a spiritual one but a very real physical one in which institutions such as the criminal justice system are active oppressors. I had never thought of this verse in this way, which caused me to reflect on how my experience in regards to my skin colour/background effects the way that I read/notice certain things in scripture.

This reiterates to me the importance of hearing faith perspectives from people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, sexualities etc, because there is only so much we can be taught by people who are just like us. I have often found that the most fruitful spiritual growth can come from being confronted with perspectives that challenge our own and force us to step outside of our own narrow experiences.

I also loved the emphasis on contemplation and silent prayer as a place of refuge for those who feel they have to constantly fight to be heard and recognised.

Selina is a wonderful writer and thinker. I would highly recommend!

[Jeremy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely and thoughtful book that opened up my perpsectives and which I've found immensely enriching. I've very glad that it was selected as the Lenten book for 2024.

[Martyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting look at the intersections of
Black and white cultures and theologies.

[Jane Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book recommended on a Christian blog and was drawn to it, having friends at Church who grew up in church in Ghana and speak of the different practices there. Then I saw that it was the Archbishop of Canterbury's recommended Lent Book for 2024 and, thinking that it represented a bold and interesting choice from the Church of England, tipped the balance for me to purchase it and follow it through Lent.

With so many denominations within the Christian church, it is all too easy to get stuck in a rut with one's practices and routines, becoming closed to new or different ideas and, sadly, even thinking that Western practices are somehow better than others. It is always beneficial to learn from others, to consider other views etc and this book gently introduces thoughts, routines and practices from Black spirituality, wrapping it in explanations of origin from history.

This has been a slow read, a chapter a week, to tie in with the small Lent devotional book - Watch & Pray - produced by the Church of England, which gives daily readings and points to consider on each of the chapters. Whilst I found the devotional a little lacking in depth, the fact that following it encouraged me to read the book slowly, taking in and reflecting on each chapter, was a good thing because there is a lot to consider and take in and perhaps adopt in one's own daily faith.

This feels like a gentle read with a powerful punch, if that is possible.

[David Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a quite amazing book.

I am a Church of England priest, and came across Tarry Awhile during Lent. Selina Stone writes in a non-technical style which general readers will appreciate. She uses examples from life to illustrate her wisdom as she tackles seven areas of faith - Darkness, One, Movement, Spirit, Quiet, Healing and Weeping. Along the way she suggests questions to take us further. There's also extensive notes at the end of the book, and even a song list.

Personally, I found Weeping to be an especially powerful chapter. We all have our disappointments in our professions and personal life. Priests are just as subject to disappointments in their church as anyone else. Here she offers some thoughts and ways through.

This book deserves to be in the hands of many Christians, priests or lay. It is immensely readable and full of wisdom. Best of all, it is rooted in real life.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is everything you'd expect from the author of the "Sunday School for Misfits" podcast: creative, robust and relevant theology communicated in a clear and accessible style. This is a book you have to tarry with, as every section is thematically rich and demands to be reflected on. I'm sure this will become a classic of popular Christian spirituality.

[Jules Middleton · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF

Love the structure of this book & the link to black spiritualities, there's some really interesting huts in there. But I just couldn't get into it. It's quite a practical approach to a Lent book & might work well for a reading/ discussion group but didn't work for me personally in drawing me closer to God through Lent. I really wanted to like it & persevered but gave up in the end.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was read by our church book club for Lent. It led to many interesting discussions. We planned on doing one chapter each week but there was always overflow from one week to the next. And, in fact, we didn’t wrap it up till after Easter. Now I am thinking of rereading it to get all my thoughts together.

[Caleb Barron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started as part of a lent course but ultimately finished solo.

Interesting new perspective on theology. Don't feel it ever really nails down all of its ideas and instead becomes a sort of loose open platter of black spirituality mostly drawn from the author's personal experience. I did appreciate the frequent reference to other theologians with more specific focuses though.

[Jody Stowell · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good to journey through Lent with this book. Dr Stone brings insight and offers wisdom to us in teaching the riches of Black Spirituality with an eye on the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus.

[Samuel James · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting insight into how the church can challenge exclusionary narratives whilst learning from marginalised communities. The book strikes an optimistic tone without shying away from difficult issues. You won’t regret tarrying a while to read it!

[Lindsey Baird-Waugh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best Lent books that I have read and combined with the daily notes, based on Selina Stone's book, I have had plenty to ponder.
A wonderful book!

[Ben Askew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the wisdom in this book. Reading felt like being kindly led on a challenging journey.

[Katie Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was though provoking and challenging as well as reassuring. An excellent Lent read.

[Mrs C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written devotional and thought-provoking

[Naomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting, thought provoking and helpful. Good to know where else to look for more on this and continue to learn.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lent devotional reading. Thoughtful, often challenging reflections.

[Busayo Oyedoyin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was interesting! Selina made interesting points throughout - parts that stood out to me was the comparison to the woman of blood with HIV and also the ending was particularly powerful! Especially all the points about how Jesus could relate to the black community. What I needed to read 🔥🔥🔥

[Jan Watt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Insightful perspective drawing on great personal experience of the positives & negatives of black Pentecostal traditions in UK.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

There‘s a few things in the book I don’t agree with in this book, but I can absolutely see why it was chosen by the CofE as their Lent Book. It‘s also a Big Church Read book, with author videos and discussion questions for group discussion. It may bring up a lot of interesting discussions within church groups and that’s a good thing.
I don’t agree with the modern progressive standpoint, but I absolutely loved Dr Stone’s sharing bits from her family’s lives and experiences as part of the Windrush generation. I worry that Stone is balancing on the border between eisegesis and exegesis… but it’s a lovely companion for Lent.