Healing
The ministry of healing has been an important part of Christian witness and discipleship since the very beginning of the church at Pentecost. It is part of the ministry which Jesus exercised and taught his disciples, and which He told them to pass on to those who followed. In the past fifty years, the Church has rediscovered this ministry, which was so important in the early church and so neglected for hundreds of years.
It is a wide ministry, embracing welcome and hospitality as well as prayer ministry and the laying on of hands. It includes walking alongside those who grieve. It seeks to bring people to a place of shalom, the peace and wellbeing which Jesus embodied and brought to all who asked. In the Old Testament, God is named Jehovah Rapha, the God who heals. In a world which is broken, and where we know we will encounter suffering and pain, Christ offers a peace beyond understanding, as well as the possibility of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual healing. We work under guidelines which seek to protect the vulnerable as well as those on the team. We also work across church styles, from the formal and liturgical to the extempore and charismatic.
Healing Ministry in Carlisle Diocese is led by the Diocesan Healing Adviser and Deputy Healing Adviser, along with a team of experienced practitioners. We provide training in prayer ministry for new and existing prayer ministry teams. We recommend refresher training every 3 years. Additionally, we provide training in related subjects such as the gift of prophecy within the context of healing ministry. We also provide advice for clergy for more complex cases where needed.
For training or advice, contact Alison or Julia on the emails below.
If you are seeking prayer ministry for yourself, please contact your local parish priest.
If you are Clergy, for wellbeing please click here: https://www.carlislediocese.org.uk/clergy/wellbeing/
Links to national CofE resources:
A Time to Heal Handbook: A Time to Heal Handbook The Development of Good Practice in the Healing Ministry by Archbishops' Council - Paperback - 9780715110706
House of Bishops’ guidelines for good practice in the healing ministry hofb-guidelines.rtf
Wholeness and Healing | The Church of England
Links to related areas within the Diocese:
Counselling - Diocese of Carlisle
In addition to prayer ministry, we are also passionate about other aspects of healing ministry in its breadth. Some of the projects which we have found particularly helpful include:
UK - Sanctuary Ministries - Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries This is a course originally from the Canadian church. It seeks to enable churches to be a healing community for those who suffer because of poor mental health or a diagnosed mental illness. In particular, it differentiates between what we can do and what we can’t do, recognising that we are not mental health professionals. Contact Julia if you would like to talk to someone in Cumbria about using this.
Renew Wellbeing This is a ministry which creates space for people to come and be, where it is OK not to be OK. In the context of space to chat, have a cuppa, do crafts or play games, there is a dedicated space and time for gentle reflective prayer. Contact kristy.pattimore@carlislediocese.org.uk
The Bereavement JourneyThis is a means of walking alongside those who grieve and understanding what they are experiencing. Contact Vic Sekasi vic.sekasi@carlislediocese.org.uk
Diocesan Healing Adviser and Healing Team Leader
Canon Dr Alison Fleetwood
T: 01539 823271
E: healingadviser@carlislediocese.org.uk
