Breathing Space: A Spiritual Journey in the South Bronx

Breathing Space is Lutheran pastor Heidi Neumark's memoir of two decades spent at Transfiguration Church in the South Bronx, chronicling both the neighborhood's challenges and the resilience and faith of the people she organized with, including a woman named Burnice who rebuilds her life after addiction through the church community. The book is anchored by a year-long church renovation project, "Space for Grace," and by Neumark's refusal to romanticize suffering even as she holds onto hope.Her ministry was shaped in part by South Bronx Churches (SBC), a community organizing group rooted in the Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF). Through this connection, Neumark helped build new affordable housing, found a local secondary school, and develop a personal practice of reflection.