Church’s Ministry of Healing continues work on amendments to its Constitution
Amendments to the Constitution of the Church’s Ministry of Healing remained a high priority for the Executive Committee this year, with four meetings of the committee concentrating on this issue. As there are different Constitutions for Northern Ireland and the Republic, this has taken a lot of time and effort and, in its report to General Synod today, the Ministry expressed its gratitude to all staff involved with the development of these amendments.
Proposing the report, Canon Paul Willoughby (Cork) reminded Synod that the healing Ministry of the Church is not just for those who are physically ill. “It is broad, totally inclusive and holistic in two ways - the body, mind and spirit of the whole person and about bringing the light and love of Christ to everyone. The healing ministry of the Church is about the ongoing and continuing work of Christ the Healer - bringing the total acceptance and unconditional love of Christ to the world and in particular those who are broken, who live in darkness and for whom the light has gone out”, he said.
Seconding the report, the Venerable John Scott (Dromore) asked for a continued satisfactory funding structure from central resources to enable the Ministry to continue. Currently they are relying completely on voluntary donations.
During the year, the Ministry’s Director, the Revd Susan Watterson, travelled widely throughout the country preaching at healing services, giving pastoral care training courses and taking part in residential retreats. She also continues to take part in services at St Michan’s Church regularly. The Deputy Director, the Revd Dr Patricia Mollan gave a number of lectures to medical students at Queen’s University as well as to various Methodist and Presbyterian groups. She also visited Sudan where she highlighted the importance of the healing ministry at a service in Maridi Cathedral.