Health & Healing

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Synod healing advisors’ conference, Crowhurst July 6^th – 9^th 2009

The positive actions that we agreed to take at what was a very exciting and Spirit-led time together made us feel that something more than a bare summary of the conference would be helpful to those who were not able to attend.  Accordingly, we have attempted to put into words the story of the conference as it took place.

Monday evening:

What had been intended as a time for catching up and sharing our individual work as healing advisors soon turned into discussion of an idea that was put to the group.  In outline, this was a suggestion that we work together as a team to arrange and promote a series of one-day conferences in different synods.  These conferences would have a well known ‘keynote’ speaker, and a series of workshops on different aspects of a holistic ministry.

Some thoughts on workshops that might be offered were discussed.  Suggestions included Pastoral issues around death, dying and bereavement, generational issues in families, integrating pastoral and medical care, care of people with cancer, visiting folk in hospital, spiritual scrapbooking, praying with people, restorative justice, codes of practice, addiction, hospital visiting, what do we mean by healing, coping with major incident, spiritual care of those with dementia & their carers and healing in the gospels were possibilities.  These and other suggestions will be discussed in detail at our next meeting, and a program decided upon.

It was suggested that we could in some way become a body recognised by and accountable to a national group or committee: it was suggested that Mission Committee might be appropriate.  Becoming a recognised body would facilitate publicity, and perhaps allow us to make a presentation to the next general assembly at which we could also have a stand.

We recognised that the word ‘healing’ in connection with ministry connected with negative stereotypes in the minds of many URC members.  The television ‘God channels’ were mentioned in this connection.

At the end of the evening, we decided to devote much of our time during the days following to this subject, as we all felt that we are being called to put this into practice.

Tuesday:

On the Tuesday morning, Peter McIntosh told us that he had been so excited by the discussion the night before that he had sat up and prepared a dummy program for the conferences.  We attach a copy for interest.  We felt that the acronym ‘SHAC’ was an excellent suggestion, and we would ask Delia Bond to take to Mission Committee the formation of SHAC and ask that this be included in the Committee's report to Assembly with the possibility of a presentation being given by SHAC at Assembly 2010.  Other thoughts on publicity were discussed including contact with Reform, and an offer to provide material for the prayer handbook.

Concern was expressed at the fact that a number of you were not present and therefore unable to express an opinion.  We realised though, that more than half the synods were represented in that gathering, and as we were very much of one mind, we felt that we were empowered as a group to implement ‘SHAC’, and to begin to prepare for the proposed conferences.

The question of keynote speakers was discussed.  We were unanimous in deciding to invite Russ Parker to become involved.  From a practical point of view, we accepted that other names might be needed: Steve Chalke and Dr. Paul Worthley or Gareth Tuckwell from Burrswood were put forward.  Peter McIntosh volunteered to approach Russ in the very near future.

The following venues were agreed:

Gosforth (Newcastle).
Cambridge.
Birmingham.
Reigate Park.

More information is on the attached summary which Peter put together.

At this point, we felt that the outline structure was in place.  We agreed to hold our next Healing Advisors meeting at Carrs Lane, Birmingham on Thursday October 22^nd (Richard to coordinate).  The agenda for that day will be to agree the details of the conferences.

Wednesday:

The whole of Wednesday was devoted to a visit to Burrswood Christian hospital.  We had not expected that this visit would have much bearing on the above: we were wrong!  We were given two talks.  One by the senior chaplain and the other by Dr. Paul.  The entire ethos and approach at Burrswood was precisely what we are trying to promote in terms of holistic approach in collaboration with the medical profession.  We learned that Burrswood, in collaboration with the Acorn Christian Healing Trust, is to become a centre of excellence for training medical professionals alongside Christian workers in just this kind of holistic approach.

By an even greater co-incidence, Russ Parker is deeply involved with Burrswood in this work!

In a debriefing session on Wednesday evening, we all remarked that our entire time together seemed to be led by the Lord, and that what we had heard at Burswood seemed to confirm our decisions so far.

Additional issues that we looked at included the role of Synod Healing Advisor.  This includes stimulating & creating an awareness of healing in the ministry in the local church, providing advice on this & modelling/encouraging good practice, disseminating info about training events and building up a network of those interested in the healing ministry.

It was also suggested that we make use of residential Synod Healing Advisors’ conferences to gain insights into other Christian Healing centres than Crowhurst.  To this end, we are suggesting that future venues be chosen from among these.  A number of appropriate venues were suggested.

A brief account of such a special conference can never do justice to the atmosphere of our few days spent together.  It is difficult to describe the one-ness that we felt, and the prayerful, spiritual and yet entirely grounded and practical nature of our discussion.  Perhaps in time, we will be able to pass on a little of that to those of the team who were not able to join us.

Prayer is like a massage!

 “Prayer is a spiritual massage of the heart and mind….”

I am sure most of you can testify to the value of a good massage to ease the tensions at the end of a hard day. When someone presses the knots of stress in the neck or back there can be a wonderful sense of relief.

I have been encouraged to have a massage from Donna, but haven’t yet booked an appointment.  

 Minister having a body massage from an attractive young woman! Ummm! That could start tongues wagging. Perhaps a head massage from Maxine is less likely to make headlines in the News of the World.

  Well, I am having a regular massage which I can recommend — and anyone can give it. No qualifications needed!

   I was reflecting on healing in the ministry when the words came to mind and yes, I recommend, “prayer as a spiritual massage of the heart and mind.”

  I hope you find my description of prayer helpful and can let people give you a much needed spiritual massage.

   As a massage can ease the tensions and stresses of the body which can be the cause of so much pain and discomfort so prayer can do the same for the heart and mind. Someone can sit with you and listen and then give you a “spiritual massage” through prayer.

   Easing some of those tension and releasing some of the emotions can provide healing and some protection against the despair and depression that prevails in so many lives.

  The physical massage that Donna and Maxine can provide requires the touch of hands and the spiritual massage is much more powerful with human touch.

  God’s hands will give a spiritual massage but not everyone has attained that sensitivity. That’s why we should “send for the church elders who will pray for us and rub olive oil in us in the name of the Lord. This prayer made in faith will heal the sick; the Lord will restore them to health….” (James 5:14) 

  I recommend a spiritual massage and there is no time like the present!

                                                                                Richard Becher  

The following shows some of our churches who have services and their details:-

For any change of details or additions please contact Mrs Rachel Vernon at the West Midlands Synod Office on 0121 783 1177 or email: admin@urcwestmidlands.org.uk

Health & Healing Organisations:

Acorn Christian Foundation

Whitehall Chase, High Street, Bordon, Hampshire, GU35 0AP
Tel: 01420 478121, Fax 01420 478122, Email info@acornchristian.org.

Seeks to bring healing of Jesus Christ to a broken world.  The foundation runs retreats and courses and provides many other resources.

The Retreat Association

The Central Hall, 256 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3UJ
Tel: 020 7357 7736, Fax 020 7357 7724, Email info@retreats.org.uk

Publish magazine of programme and events for Retreat Centres.

Methodist Resources

Methodist Publishing House, 4 John Wesley Road, Peterborough, PE4 6ZP
Tel: 01733 325002, Fax 01733 384180, Email sales@mph.org.uk

Publication for resources available from the Methodist Church.

Order of Saint Luke the Physician

Secretary, Mrs Erica Andrews, 
7 Henbury Rise, Corfe Mullen, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 3TE
Tel: 01202 605269, Email erica@Ids.co.uk

Registered as a charity by the commissions of Friendly Societies.  It is an international Order of fellowship and the members follow a code of life to seek health and healing.

Guild of Health Limited

St. Paul's Church Centre, 3 Rossmore Road, London, NW1 6NJ
Tel: 020 7723 9680, Email gohealth@freeuk.com Website: www.gohealth.org.uk 

An ecumenical Society serving Christ and the Community in the church's Ministry of Healing.

Directory of Preachers for the Healing Ministry of the West Midlands Synod

A list of Ministers and Credited Lay Preachers, who are prepared to preach at Services for Healing, is held at the Synod Office; and also with the Health and Healing Consultant, Rev Richard Becher

If you would be willing to preach at Healing Services please contact the Revd Richard Becher 

The Christian Ministry of Deliverance (Exorcism)

This ministry is not common and raises many questions that need to be addressed - delicately, cautiously and with a degree of training. Ministers are therefore advised to seek assistance from the Health and Healing Consultant, Revd Richard Becher, at the earliest time, and before they do anything. 

If you would like to know more of this ministry please contact Revd Richard Becher who can advise you on literature to read and courses to attend.

Churches Together for Healing - West Midlands Region

For information regarding Churches Together for Healing please contact:-

Chair - Revd Bob Ash Telephone No. 0121 351 1529 
Secretary - Revd John Atkinson - Telephone No. 01543 262368

Devine Healing Mission and Christian Healing Centre -  The Old Rectory, Crowhurst, Nr BATTLE, East Sussex 
TN33 9AD

The Crowhurst Christian Healing Centre, was opened in 1928 and stands on the edge of the village of Crowhurst in East Sussex. The house, The Old Rectory, built on a gentle hillside, has distant views of the sea and is set in beautiful countryside among trees and fields.

Here we offer the healing ministry of Jesus, the risen Lord.

The daily programme revolves around Christ-centred worship, Holy Communion and twice-weekly.
Healing services - on Monday at 7.30 pm and Thursday at 10.00 am. These two healing services are also open to the public.

Telephone Numbers:

Reception 01424-830204
Bookings - 01424 - 830033
Fax - 01424 830053

Directory of Preachers for the Healing Ministry of the West Midlands Synod

Revd Ernie Hall:
63 Wheatway, Abbeydale, Gloucester G1,4 9ET
Tel: 01452-500569
E Mail: halls. den@lineone.net 

Coventry & Warwickshire

Revd Clive Fowle
Methodist Minister at Radford Road, LEP, Leamington
The Manse Murcott Road, East Whitnash, Leamington Spa CV31 2JJ
Tel: 01926 426787
Email fowle@ukonline.co.uk 

Birmingham District

Revd Bob Ash
Pype Hayes- Coleshill
28 Woodlands Farm Road, Erdington, Birmingham B24 0PG
Tel: 0121-351-1529
EMAIL: TAMRASH@aol.com 

Revd Richard Becher
Elmwood
6 Underwood Road, B20 1DX
Tel: 0121-554-4240
E Mail: BecherHouse@aol.com 

Revd Jacky Embrey
Weoley Hill- Castle
5 Weoley Hill, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 4AA
Tel: 0121-472-0730
E Mail: jacky@jembrey.fsnet.co.uk 

Mr Ron Peach
Rubery- 33 Lickey Coppice, Rednal, Birmingham, B45 8PG.
Tel: 0121-445-1767

Dr lain Frew
WyIde Green
17 Catherine Drive, Sutton Coldfield B73 6AX
Tel: 0121-354-8332
E Mail: wilma@ifrew.fsnet.co.uk 

Ann Simcock
Wilton Road,
11 Laurel Gardens, Handsworth, Birmingham. B21 WD
Tel: 0121-551-9457
E Mail Asimurcwwt@blueyonder.co.uk 

Mr Ashton McIntosh
Sparkhill
282 Walsall Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham B42 1UB
Tel: 0121-356-7260

Mr Colin Hale
Wilton Road
21 Laurel Gardens, Handsworth, Birmingham. B21 9M
Tel: 551-1563
E Mail: colinhale@home26343.freserve.co.uk 

BOOKS ON HEALING MINISTRY

If you would like to add any books to this list then please contact Mrs Rachel Vernon at the Synod Office on 0121 783 1177 Email: admin@urcwestmidlands.org.uk