This is the first in a new segment, “Dear Sam and Jess…” where Jessica and her longtime friend and colleague, Sam Corrington, respond to reader letters. In this episode, they discuss a letter from Vanessa, who describes her life as a “physically in; mentally out” Jehovah’s Witness woman. Vanessa writes about the tremendous sense of responsibility she feels to protect her loved ones, especially her parents, from her faith transition, and how she fears that “coming out” might destroy not only their relationship, but her parent’s mental health.
Jump to 18:30 minutes in if you want to get the the letter and skip the chit-chat!
At about 15:00 Jessicas talk a bit about the Jehovah’s Witness faith, if you need that primer.
Want to share a problem, concern, or just offer some thoughts you’d like us to discuss for the show? Write to us at thesisterwild@gmail.com. We promise you can stay completely anonymous and that we will treat your story with great kindness!
Sam Corrington is a clinical counsellor and assistant teaching professor in the School of Child and Youth Care at the University of Victoria in British Columbia. She has over 25 years of experience in child, youth, family, and community care. She is passionate about building on the strengths of families to face their challenges and understanding how unjust systems impact the lives of everyone.
Jessica Pratezina is one of the co-founders of SisterWild, a community for women in religious transition of all kinds. She is a writer and researcher who studies religion, gender/ gender based violence, and life-writing. She lives in Toronto, Ontario. She can be reached at thesisterwild@gmail.com
This episode was produced by J.R Williams. Theme song is Second Wind by the always magical Angela Soffe.
Dear Sam and Jess...Vanessa's Story