About the Christian Fellowship of Healing

The purpose of this page is to present an overall picture of the Christian Fellowship of Healing, so that fairly recent members and others can find out more about the life of the Fellowship. It is also to let you know how the Fellowship is run, the structures we have, and to invite your participation.

Aims of the Christian Fellowship of Healing

Our constitution states:

The aims of the Fellowship are:

  • to unite all who believe that Christ heals today
  • to restore the ministry of healing to its rightful place as an integral part of the work of the Church
  • to link the healing ministries of the Church and the medical profession
  • to this end it will provide, equip and generally maintain without profit a Centre for the Ministry of Healing

The life of the Fellowship is based on regular meetings of groups. These take place Tuesday and Wednesday, morning and afternoon, and Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

All include bible study and reflection, a time of intercession, and prayer ministry as needed either in Chapel or privately. The team leaders and deputies who facilitate the groups coordinate this.

The groups are different from each other and the way each group prays also varies, because there are people of different backgrounds in every group. Different groups may suit different people, and you may like to sample a few before making a decision about which one is healing for you. Members generally commit themselves to regular attendance at one or more of these groups, yet all are welcome to attend any of them.

We welcome people from all faiths or none, our being together and praying together is part of our work of healing.

What we do

Prayer

People who have asked us for prayer are prayed for daily in Chapel, their names remaining on the prayer cards for eight weeks. To ask for prayer for someone you please give the name and particulars to the receptionist, and if prayer is still needed after eight weeks the request can be renewed.

There is also a short term prayer slip for one week only to cover immediate needs such as an operation. This can be followed by inclusion on the Prayer Cards. The continuing prayer list is in a book kept in Chapel, and contains the names of those who are no longer on the daily prayer cards. They are never forgotten.

Intercessors

Intercessors, many of whom cannot come in to the Fellowship, pray regularly for people whose names are sent to them by the Prayer Secretary. They also prayerfully support the groups.

Not a church

The Fellowship is not a church. We encourage people to be part of a church community in addition to their involvement here. We also welcome people's questions and concerns about the church, and membership here is not conditional on church membership elsewhere.

Members

Members of the Fellowship, as well as paying a subscription, make a commitment for the year to one or more aspects of the Fellowship's work.

Commitment may be to a regular attendance in one of the groups; to being a receptionist, subject to selection and training; to the Ministry team (subject to the Chaplain’s approval); to small or occasional tasks of house care, of administration, or of helping at events, or becoming a home intercessor. For further details click here CFH.

Friends

Those who are unable or do not wish to make any commitment at that time are invited to become Friends of the Fellowship. They pay a subscription and receive the Newsletter and other information, but do not have voting rights. They are welcome, however to attend groups, Sailmakings and other events. For further details click here CFH.

If uncertain about becoming a member please speak to the Secretary/Administrator or the Membership Secretary.

The Ministry Team

The Ministry Team is formed of members who have had some training or long-term experience of prayer ministry, counselling, listening ministry or spiritual accompaniment. Some work in pairs, others individually, and there is always prayer-backing in Chapel.

The ministry may be for physical, emotional, mental or spiritual healing, and this may involve, for example, healing of the memories, or generational healing.

Team members receive ongoing in-service training about six times a year and at times other training courses are held. Ministry people are supervised by the Chaplain, and attend regular Support and Supervision meetings.

Anyone can make an appointment to see the Chaplain or a member of the Ministry Team. Normally, where possible, people see the Chaplain first.

Outreach

In order to fulfil the second and third aims of the Fellowship some members go out on "outreach" visits to various groups, mostly within congregations, in order to support and encourage the development of the healing ministry in the Church (and to link with the medical profession).

We would be happy to discuss how we might support your church in healing work, and/or put you in touch with healing ministries local to you. Clergy and lay people may also come to spend time at the Fellowship, to take part in our day to day meetings and to speak with the Chaplain and other members of our ministry team. Any church or group may approach us to discuss healing ministry within their own context.

Dedication Service

A dedication service is held on the first Sunday in October at which members are invited to re-dedicate themselves, either to the same work that they were doing the previous year or to something different. If unable to attend this service, members may later sign a form of commitment, obtainable either from the Secretary/Administrator or the Membership Secretary.

Management

Executive Committee

The decision-making body of the Fellowship is the executive committee. This consists of

Ex-officio members

Elected members

There is a list of the Executive Committee on the Members Noticeboard and you are free to approach any of these people about any concerns you may have in the life of the Fellowship.

The Pulse Group

This group hears the "Pulse of the Fellowship and acts as a sounding board". It listens to the heart of the Fellowship and meets regularly or on request to reflect on and review what is going on. It is not a decision-making body.

Sailmaking

Three times a year we have Sailmaking. The name signifies that we are putting up our sails to catch the wind of the Spirit. It is held on a Saturday, or occasionally for a whole weekend, residential or otherwise. The programme varies greatly.

It is always an opportunity for members to get together and meet people of other days' groups, and sometimes that is the focus. We may have a visiting speaker, and sometimes our Chaplain may use it for a time of teaching. Sometimes the meetings are open to non-members. Sailmakings are held in various venues, which are notified beforehand.

Thanksgiving Coffee Morning

Twice a year, usually in October and April, we hold a Thanksgiving Coffee Morning. This is another opportunity to meet people other than one's own regular group, and to make, if wished, a donation in thanksgiving for help received. There are usually small Bring and Buy stalls.

Events

These are organized from time to time. See the Events diary for more details.

Finance

The Fellowship, which is an ecumenical organisation, is not financially supported by any Church or other organisation. It is entirely dependent on voluntary donations and legacies, and on members taking joint responsibility for the stewardship of our resources.

Individuals coming for help are encouraged, but not required, to make a contribution relative to their means. Members pay a small subscription fee annually, normally collected in October. If you are a taxpayer we would be very grateful if you would fill in a Gift Aid declaration. Please ask the Secretary/Administrator for a form.

Library

The library contains a large selection of books, which may be borrowed. The name of the book, your name and the date should be entered in the book provided for the purpose in the library. There are also audio tape titles in the library. To borrow the tapes take the cassette or video box to the Receptionist.

Leaflets

A number of leaflets on various subjects are on display and available in Reception, many of them written by previous Chaplains and the current chaplain. Many of these are available on the Resources page.

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