THE CHURCH’S MINISTRY OF HEALING IN IRELAND
report 2002
Egan House, St Michan’s Church, Church Street, Dublin 7
11 The Mount, Belfast BT5 4NA
St Peter’s Church, Culmore Road, Londonderry BT48 8JD
Patrons
The Archbishops and Bishops of the Church of Ireland
Warden
Rev David A Catterall, BSc, DipTheol (rtd Feb 2002)
Deputy Warden
Mrs Jean Thompson, BA (Hons), Member of BAC, APCC, ACC (Accreditation of Pastoral & Community)
membership
Executive Committee
Rev Canon C Leslie Maconachie, MA, MDiv, PhD (Chairman)
Mrs Valerie Swanwick, BA (Sc Mods) (Vice-Chairman)
Rev David A Catterall, BSc, DipTheol (Warden)
Mrs Jean Thompson, BA (Hons) (Deputy Warden)
Rev Matthew E G Moore, DPS (Diocesan Warden (Derry))
Rev J Stewart (Armagh)	Rev Dr Pat Mollan  (Down & Dromore) 	
Mr R Thomas Hamilton (Armagh)	Mrs Iris Hunter  (Down & Dromore) 	
Rev Canon John Hay (Clogher) 	Rev Canon Brian Lougheed (Limerick)	
Rev Arfon Williams (Connor)	Mrs Valerie Swanwick (Limerick)	
Rev Nigel Baylor (Connor) 	Very Rev Robert Townley (Kildare)	
Rev Canon R J Stewart, (Derry & Raphoe)	Mrs Thea Boyle (Dublin)	
Rev Anthony Whiting (Cork) 	Mr WT Marsden (Hon Treasurer)	
Miss Hilda B Bleakley (Hon Secretary)		
Co-opted
Rev W John Scott (Down & Dromore)
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Uniting the Church	our guiding principles
Belfast Centre	new venues established
Dublin Centre	summary of events
Diocesan Committees	examples from across Ireland of how the theory of the Ministry of Healing is put into practice.
Financial Reports	how your donations are spent.
UNITING THE CHURCH
Recent years have seen an emphasising of the differences of theology and practice between various groups in the Church of Ireland and the regrettable growth of acrimonious debates.  This Society was formally inaugurated exactly 70 years ago by a “High Church” clergyman with the endorsement and practical support of the then Archbishop of Dublin.  During the decades which have followed it has continued to attract members of all parts of the Church of Ireland spectrum, be they “Evangelical”, “Catholic” or “Liberal”.  The only notable abstention is by those who believe that all paranormal activity by God ceased at the end of the First Century, and they are not confined to any one Party.
What are the two core principles, which unite Anglicans in this work?  The first is a loyal confidence in Jesus Christ as he is portrayed in the Gospels as an able and compassionate Friend to those who suffer.  We place little emphasis on doctrines, metaphysics or any particular liturgical style but are careful never to present him in a way that would undermine the well-being of the people who approach us.  We do not seek to promote our own prestige nor do we try to exploit vulnerable people.
The second principle is that God is concerned about the lives of “ordinary” individuals.  We are well aware of the large amount of Scripture which deals with his concerns about Communities, be they local, national or international.  We are aware of the dangers of individualism and parochialism.  But we are also conscious that very many in the Church have lost sight of the teaching that the Individual is a proper focus for our attention and our prayers.
Those congregations which put these principles into practice in many areas of their life are making a significant contribution to the communities in which they are set.  They frequently, as part of a varied programme of mission, express them in Ministries of Healing such as the Laying-on of Hands, Anointing, Prayer in groups of Two or Three and Counselling.  They are also noteworthy for a spirit of forbearance which unites a diverse group of people to serve the Kingdom of God.
BELFAST CENTRE
TRAINING.  One of our most concentrated and extended activities this year, was our six week Prayer counselling and Prayer Ministry training course.  We had the usual professional bodies represented as well as laity who just wanted to be better equipped to serve God and His church.  One GP of thirty years standing said to me after the course, “I wish I had known what I learnt on this course thirty years ago when I went into practice”.
KEY VENUE DEVELOPMENT.  Now in 2002 we are very close to the completion of two strategically located “Key Venues”, whose rectors, support clergy and Diocesan Committees are ready to launch what I so hoped for, a strategically placed, visible, recognised venue that people in sickness, suffering or pain may know of, and feel free to come for themselves or for another where, C of I clergy and experienced trained teams offer ministry and support.  And where if on occasions extended help is needed may be referred to The Mount Centre, Belfast.
Our plans are completed to launch in St MacCartan’s Cathedral, Enniskillen mid day healing services every first and third Friday.  And also 50 miles from Belfast in North Connor in Holy Trinity Church, Ballywillan (Portrush) with its constant flow of visiting people.  Reminders of Belfast Cathedral almost 40 years ago, when a small CMH group met to pray and plan to provide such a ministry on a regular, midday basis.  Now almost 40 years on the stories that go through the years of healing - arthritis healed, lumps disappear, cancer healed.  Death too met with peace, faith and comfort, as our Primate said “that healing God gave His own Son on Easter morning” - found in my experience, quite often by people with no previous church affiliation.
CONCLUSION.  So the Belfast Mount outreach and focus and vision still is - to consolidate, expand through team building, training (necessary for careful effective ministry, but also an important financial resource) service provision and key venue support, to prayerfully grow in the 21st century and endeavour to continue to fulfil our commission to preach the kingdom and to heal.
DUBLIN CENTRE
This continues to provide most of the facilities which are to be found at “The Mount” in Belfast.  Healing Services, Prayer Requests, Counselling and Literature will continue to be available during the period when we are without a Warden.
We were saddened by the death of Mrs Nora (Connie) Clarke on the 15th October 2001.  Mrs Clarke was an organist at the weekly healing services in Dublin for many years.  She will be remembered with affection and gratitude.
REPORT FROM DIOCESAN COMMITTEES
Armagh
The Armagh Committee meet in June and November of each year to organise venues for services and to receive accounts.  Four services are held each year in different areas of the diocese.  All services are well supported from all over the diocese and many come forward for the ministry of healing.  The Archbishop makes a point of attending one of the services in the year and preaches.  The committee lost one of its most faithful members in the death of Archdeacon Fred Gowing who served without fail since his appointment in 1982.
Besides those services organised by the Diocesan Committee quite a few parishes have healing services on a regular basis.
Clogher
Last year being the final year of Bishop Hannon’s episcopacy a healing service for the entire diocese took place on the evening of Sunday 18th February 2001.  The special preacher at this service was our Bishop.  Our thanks to him for preaching on this occasion.
The Diocesan Committee wish to record their sincere thanks to Bishop Hannon for all his support, encouragement and personal involvement in the Healing Ministry over many years.
In November 2001 Mrs Jean Thompson of the Mount, Belfast addressed our Diocesan Committee.  Subjects covered included training for those who wish to play an active role in this ministry and the possibility of holding lunchtime healing services in St MacCartan’s Cathedral, Enniskillen.
Finally, to the many parishes in the Diocese, who continue to support this ministry in so many ways - our sincere thanks.
Connor
The committee conducted a survey throughout the Diocese accessing the presence or otherwise of the Ministry of Healing in churches.
The results were reasonably encouraging as shown in the summary of the report that follows:
1.	There was a response from 80% of the clergy, a considerable increase on the last survey.
2. 	75% of the clergy indicated that they hold Healing Services of some nature, again a considerable increase from 1994 survey.
3. 	Only 11 parishes reported that they did not hold Healing Services.
4. 	At least 230 services occur during the year in the Diocese, the majority during evening worship and Holy Communion on a quarterly basis.  The remainder: 7 once a year, 12 once a month, 5 more frequently, a few integrate the ministry into main morning worship.
5. 	81 lay visitors involved in visitation of sick and housebound.
6. 	51 lay people involved in specific intercession for the sick, 6 involved in the counselling ministry.
7. 	Considerable interest in training for pastoral care for the sick and bereaved indicated, less so for ministry to the dying.
The committee feels that there is a need for training of clergy and laity in the area of counselling and may consider setting up some opportunities for this to take place.  The increase in the ministry of lay people in the parishes to support the ministry of the clergy seems a self-evident indication of the only way forward in the future of parish life, as is shown in the returns from the survey returns.
We look forward to God’s continual blessing on the Ministry of Healing in Connor Diocese in this year to come.
Derry & Raphoe
The Committee meets for fellowship and discussion three times each year and continues to use as a study book “The Heart of Healing” by George Bennett.
A Healing Service is held on the fourth Sunday of each month at 4.00 p.m. in St Peter’s Church, Londonderry.
Quarterly Services have been held in All Saints’ Church, Clooney, Londonderry, Christ Church, Castledawson and Christ Church, Limavady.
An evening conference was held in St Peter’s Church, Londonderry on Thursday 1 November 2001.  The guest speaker was the Rev Russ Parker, Director of the Acorn Christian Foundation.
To mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Committee an evening conference will be held in St Peter’s Church, Londonderry on Friday 18 October 2002.  The guest speaker will be the Rt Rev Richard Henderson, Bishop of Tuam, Killala, and Achonry.
Down & Dromore
The committee has met six times during the year.
In March the Down & Dromore Committee and the Connor Committee met for a service of Holy Communion at The Mount, followed by discussion to explore areas which might be of mutual encouragement and benefit.  Both committees benefited from joint Quiet Day, led by Niall and Gerry Griffin at Holywood Parish Centre on Saturday 26th May 2001.
Due to an increase in the cases of Foot and Mouth disease in the spring, the Diocesan Healing Service was postponed from May until September, and the venue changed to an urban area.  However, many attended Belvoir Parish Church to hear Rev Clive Atkinson preach on Christian Healing.
On 12th November 2001, St Ignatius’, Carryduff hosted the Biennial General Meeting.  The Bishop presided at Holy Communion, which was followed by Professor Roy McClelland, who talked on ‘Health and Healing, A New Anthropology’.
The Bishop thanked the Chairman and the out-going committee for their work and reappointed Rev David Brown as Chairman.  Our members continue their involvement in the Ministry Team at weekly healing service in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast each Friday at 1.05 p.m. and also at the Holy Communion on Tuesdays at 10 am in The Mount.
We record our thanks to the Bishop for his continuing support and encouragement to the committee.
Dublin & Glendalough
The Committee has concerned itself with promoting the Christian healing ministry through services, public meetings and a special Quiet Day during Lent.
The main topics of discussion at the committee meetings have been the subject of Christian healing and the Theological College and the medical profession.
Efforts have been made to fundraise in response to a request by the Executive Committee.
FINANCIAL REPORT
The Church’s Ministry of Healing is facing a serious financial challenge as we look to the future.  We are about to engage the services of a new Warden, and to relocate the Belfast Centre.  Seven years ago, when we were faced with similar prospects, the ministry was in much the same financial position as it is today; yet since then, the Egan House project, which provides accommodation for the head office, has been funded and completed, and all the staffing requirements have been met.  This was not achieved by throwing caution to the wind, but by pressing ahead in the firm belief that the constitutional aims of The Church’s Ministry of Healing are worthwhile, and that God, whom we serve, is faithful.  Let us then, having counted the cost, set out again in the firm belief that if what we are doing is helping to build God’s kingdom on earth, then surely God will continue to provide for us.
The Parochial & Diocesan Contributions from each Diocese are given hereunder for the year ending 31 December 2001.
	2001	
			
	£	€	
Armagh	420		
Cashel & Ossory		1,440	
Clogher  	1,550	51	
Cork, Cloyne, Ross		971	
Connor	2,711		
Derry & Raphoe	950		
Down & Dromore	4,885		
Dublin & Glendalough		6,752	
Kilmore, Elphin & Ardagh		608	
Limerick, Ardfert & Killaloe		573	
Meath  & Kildare		1,481	
			
Armagh Diocesan Council	300		
Clogher Diocesan Council	250		
Derry & Raphoe Diocesan Council	150		
Down & Dromore  Diocesan Council	350		
	______	______	
TOTAL	11,566	11,876	
	______	______	

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT - Year Ended 31 December 2001
	2001	2000	
RECEIPTS	€	€	
Donations	121,695	7,481	
Grants	9,206	15,111	
Contributions	30,987	31,732	
Collections	8,115	7,883	
Dividends & Interest	12,916	9,087	
Books & Tapes (net)	(575)	202	
Courses & Seminars (net)	1,482	(2,254)	
Fund Raising Events (net)	477	3,120	
Rent from Warden's House	11,483	10,698	
Egan House	-	5,079	
Proceeds of Sale of Investments	22,041	-	
Insurance Claim	150	820	
NIHE compensation	-	21,801	
Miscellaneous	19	70	
	_______	_______	
	217,996	110,830	
	_______	_______	
PAYMENTS			
Salaries & Social Insurance	69,400	75,289	
Pension Contributions	6,261	5,366	
Travelling Expenses	6,857	7,075	
Warden's House Expenses	768	400	
Repairs - The Mount, Belfast 	1,150	1,075	
Chapel & Office Expenses 	16,502	30,511	
Subscriptions & Donations	190	465	
Bank Charges	1,145	822	
Egan House	899	316	
Miscellaneous Payments	2,033	1,790	
Legal Fees	3,845	-	
	_______	_______	
	109,050	123,109	
	_______	_______	
EXCESS OF RECEIPTS OVER PAYMENTS	108,946	(12,279)	
	_______	_______