The Council comprises: The Revd Gerald Hovenden (Chairman), The Revd Dr Nick Read, Dr Michael Harper, Dr Roger Verheul, Mrs Carol Stone, Dr Elizabeth Proctor, The Revd John Huggett, Mrs Christine Huggett, The Revd Paul McVeagh, The Revd Tim Mercer, The Revd Steve Clark, Mrs Christine Harrison, Mrs Julie Sheldon, Mrs Sally Forward (Secretary)

The Council has met on 24 November 2003, 22 January, 28 April, 21 June and 8 September 2004. The Council continues to meet under the chairmanship of the Revd Gerald Hovenden and the meetings have been held either at Burrswood or the home of Mrs Julie Sheldon (Fairseat).

Prior to the Council meeting on 24 November the council and spouses met for a meal kindly provided by Julie and Tom Sheldon. While spouses socialised afterwards, the Council met for a slightly shorter meeting than usual. Some discussion took place concerning the need for good communication between the Council and other interested bodies, as some concern had been expressed over clashes of dates. The Healing Service on 25 October was reviewed. It was agreed that a similar event should be organised in 2004.

At the January meeting three reports were received of ‘healings’ that had been experienced at the October healing service. At this meeting an review was made of the council’s Terms of Reference – this was continued at the April meeting. It is planned to set up a Website for the Council to be linked to the Diocesan Website. Discussion took place concerning a ‘Mission Statement’ for the Council, which could also be placed on the website. Dr Roger Verheul suggested, ‘to promote health and healing within the love of Christ in the Diocese of Rochester.’ A total of 11 questionnaires concerning the Healing Day for Clergy held on 4 July 2003 had been returned. These indicated that the conference had been appreciated and another similar event would be welcomed. However, it was felt that as 2004 would be an especially busy year due to the 1400^th Anniversary celebrations that it would be best to plan for a single event combining features of the clergy day and the healing service. Nick Read had ascertained that the Cathedral would be available for such an event on 6 November.

At the meeting in April we were joined by Canon Gordon Oliver and Canon Ken Gardiner. Originally, Sheila Smith (who had worked on guidelines for the deliverance ministry with the Bishop of Maidstone) had been invited to speak to the Council about the ‘deliverance ministry’. However, owing to personal circumstances, she was unable to come, and Canon Gardiner, formerly the Bishop’s Officer for the Paranormal in the Diocesan of Rochester, kindly stepped in.

At the meeting in June discussion took place as to how the council should proceed with regard to its discussion of the deliverance ministry. It was felt that it would be helpful to have some reflection on the issue from a medical/psychiatric viewpoint. Dr Elizabeth Proctor (Psychiatrist) agreed to give a presentation at the meeting in September, and Pat Lockley (Head of Counselling at Burrswood) would also be invited to contribute.

Progress with the Website was being made. After some discussion it was agreed that the ‘mission statement’ be changed to read, [that the mission of the Diocesan Council for Health and Healing] is ‘to promote health and wholeness within the love of Christ in the Diocese of Rochester.’ Elizabeth Brazell, Director of the Word for Life Trust is to be the keynote speaker at the Day Conference on 6 November. The Revd Amanda Evans, Chair of the Canterbury Diocesan Fellowship of Healing and Wholeness, had contacted the Chairman with the possibility of the two councils meeting together.

At the September meeting, further informative discussion took place concerning the nature of psychiatric illness and its relation to spiritual matters. The Rev John Huggett was invited to join the council. Further discussion took place concerning the healing day at Rochester. The chairman read out an e-mail received from Amanda Evans expressing reservations about the value of the two councils meeting together, ‘In our Diocese we are now trying to "Travel Light" as regards meetings and so there was concern bout adding in yet another meeting…’ The Rochester council, however, felt that meeting with the Canterbury Fellowship could be useful, and will seek to pursue this aim. A draft ‘Website’ was circulated and discussed. It was also felt that it would be helpful to have the names of council members in the Diocesan Directory.

Members of the Council have been active in a variety of ways during the year. A number of Council members helped with the conference held at St Mary’s Platt (14-15 Feb) at which Preb. John Woolmer was the speaker. The Chairman has spoken about the ‘Healing Ministry’ to a group of Readers under Penny Avann’s CME oversight on 26 January and he and the Revd Nick Read participated in Meopham’s Lent course, looking at various aspects of healing. The Chairman has also spoken to his own CME group on 7 May. On 13 October he will be speaking to Brenchley Mothers’ Union. The Revd John Huggett has had a book published entitled ‘Breath of Life – A believer’s Guide to Healing, Wholeness and Complementary Therapies’; he and Christine spoke to the Canterbury Fellowship on ‘Complementary Therapies’ on 28 April. Other Council members have also been active in encouraging the ministry of healing in the church.

ROCHESTER DIOCESAN COUNCIL FOR HEALTH AND HEALING
Revd Gerald Hovenden, Chairman - September 2004