Diocesan Healing Advisory Group
Newsletter and Resources February 2024
'I have come that they may have life and have it abundantly.' John 10:10
Greetings,
During Lent, it is traditional to take some time and space to ponder. As we do so, we realise that the ways we live and pray have become a bit routine or stale. We might feel that we want to inhabit our Christian faith and our individual calling differently, more deeply. Sometimes our faith seems more a matter of doing, than a way of being.
But the 16th century Spanish mystic, Theresa of Avila reminds us that these two aspects are inseparable:
Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth, but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks . . .
Yours are the feet with which he walks
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world . . .
In response, we might want to explore our own longings and develop the relevant skills which might help us to grow into our own unique calling. The lay ministry pathway resources can provide a foundation. From there you can develop the gifts and skills you will need through more specific courses.
If you would like to discover more about the ministry of healing, you might want to join the Healing Forum and the Workshop. Our speakers have vast experience of the healing ministry, and the integrity, hope and rigour which are needed to underpin it. If you would like to develop this further, ways in which you can do so include the courses offered by Acorn and the Guild of Health. We look forward to welcoming you to any or all of our public meetings.
Healing Forums
Healing Forum: Explore Healing Ministry: Acorn Christian Healing Foundation
Wednesday 13 March, 2.30 – 4.00, on Zoom
A fantastic opportunity to explore Healing Ministry in Bath and Wells through the Acorn Christian Healing Foundation!
Have you ever felt drawn to explore healing in your own context? What does it mean and how could you join in?
The Diocesan Healing Advisory Group will host a presentation from the Acorn Christian Healing Foundation directors, Wes Sutton and Lisa Ware. Lisa and Wes will speak about setting up local healing hubs to offer healing prayer, and the training and support available from Acorn to help equip you or others from your parish for this ministry
Book a place on the Acorn Healing Forum
'Healing Forum Workshop: Guild of Health & St Raphael
Friday 10 May, 10.00 - 12.00, on Zoom
The Guild of Health & St Raphael offers an Everyday Healing training course to help people set up Healthy Healing Hubs offering ministry to the whole person, supported by the Guild of Health Community offering a wide variety of healing topics with a vision to enable the whole community to flourish.
The Revd Dr Gillian Straine from the Guild of Health, who previously spoke at one of our online Healing Forums in 2021, will be holding an online forum workshop in May.
Book a place on the Guild of Health Healing Forum
For further information, contact Sue Whitehead 01749 685272.
Previous Healing Forums
Details of our events and videos of previous Healing Forums are available via our website.
Healing Courses from Acorn and Guild of Health
For more information on the courses offered by Acorn and the Guild of Health, visit:
Acorn Christian Healing Foundation
Guild of Health & St Raphael
Healing Resources
Resources to assist parishes wishing to introduce or develop a ministry of healing are available on the diocesan website.
Please keep in touch with the Healing Advisory Group, as we are here to resource you, and be assured that we pray regularly for you. Do please email us with any comments, questions or requests. Within the bounds of confidentiality, it is good to share something of our struggles and joys with each other and, with permission, with the wider community if it is appropriate.
'In you, Lord my God, I put my trust.' Psalm 25:1
Love and prayers as ever
Gilly Bunce
Diocesan Healing Adviser
We apologise for any issues with the email links last week. We are in the proccess of switching provider.