This webpage is for the people of the Toronto Conference for story sharing and networking.

  

A Story of

 

St. James United Church

Toronto West Presbytery

 

St. James' Well-Being Ministry

 

The idea for this ministry arose at a social gathering in June 1994, when a member of the congregation, Doris Homji informally shared her passion for Reiki with Rev. Coral Prebble, who in turn asked if she was willing to

offer Reiki at St. James. Doris and her husband, Kav, both agreed. After several planning meetings, the proposal to explore the body-mind-spirit connection and introduce natural healing methods in the church was publicized in the church newsletter. This article attracted the interest of another member, Pat Hackie, who had taken training in several other methods which she, too, was willing to offer at St. James.

After several planning meetings, the proposal to explore the body-mind-spirit connection and introduce natural healing methods in the church was publicized

 

Our initial team was formed and in January 1995 we began offering a series of sermons on the theological and biblical basis for healing, and Wednesday evening studies on the "History of Religious Healing", "Scientific and Medical Evidence for Spiritual Healing" and "Natural Alternatives", namely Reiki, Neuro-Linguistic Programming Therapeutic Touch and Esoteric Healing. This study series generated more interest than any other topic in the previous five years and beginning in February 1995 people were given the opportunity to experience these spiritually-based, wholesome resources for themselves.

 

In 1995 this ministry was brought before the church Board who passed a motion stating, "that the Unified Board endorse EXPEDIENCES IN WELL-BEING as one of the ministries of St. James United Church and approve the promotion of this ministry in the wider community through brochures, newspaper advertising and

 

...the church Board approve the promotion of this ministry in the wider community through brochures, newspaper advertising and possible television spots".

 

possible television spots". Larry Uniac, then chairperson of the Communications Committee, developed a beautiful brochure to promote this ministry and this, together with word-of-mouth, soon attracted interest from the wider community The team even led two workshops for The United Church of Canada's national youth and young adult event, "Kairos", to rave reviews. By the end of the first -year, the Well-being team had gained four note trained volunteers and gave two hundred and twenty-nine treatments to people from the church and wider community.

 

Currently our Well-being team consists of eighteen trained volunteers, the program has expanded to include Healing Touch, and treatments are offered Monday though Thursdays at the church on a sign-up basis, as well as being taken out to hospital patients and shut-ins. On March 3, 2002 the Congregation voted to designated $80,000 of Margaret Dean's bequest to build an atrium-like multi-purpose room extending into the garden courtyard. An architect has drawn up the plans and we hope to proceed with construction in the near future, so that more people may come to know and experience God's love and healing energy. As Jesus said, "1 came that you might have life and have it abundantly." (John10:40)

 

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