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

Mrs Christine Harrison stepped down from the council in April having faithfully served on it since its inception. Mrs Sarah Lacaille joined the council in September. She has served as a Pastoral Assistant and is Assistant Director of Orpington Christian Counselling.

The Council has met on 24 November 2004, 17^th January, 13^th April, 15^th June and 7^th September 2005. 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).

A range of topics has been discussed and various ongoing initiatives have been progressed.

At the November meeting the council reviewed the healing day at Rochester Cathedral on 6^th November 2004. The keynote speaker the Revd. Elizabeth Brazell, Director of Word for Life Trust and Arts in Mission started the day with an introductory talk ‘Reaching in to reach out’. This was followed by three seminars run in parallel:

• Starting and developing a ministry team in the local church (Revd Dr Denis Brazell).
• Forgiveness is healing (Revd Trevor and Pam Blackshaw).
• What happens when God does not cure? (Suffering and a God of love, Revd Elizabeth Brazell)

Then after lunch there was a healing service at which Revd Elizabeth Brazell spoke.

On the whole the day had gone well with many positive comments. The main area of concern was the low numbers (90) who attended the day. Discussion centred on the publicity and whether a full day is appropriate. Healing services at the Cathedral are now planned for 22^nd October 2005 and 14^th October 2006. Dr Gareth Tuckwell, Medical Director of the Hospice in the Weald is speaking on ‘Health and Healing Today’ at the service on 22^nd October.

At the January meeting, support for Christians in Caring Professions was discussed. Carol Stone had sent an email describing an event she had run for healthcare professionals and local clergy. It took the form of a short address on an ethical issue and was followed by a workshop and discussion of how faith had helped individuals and how issues at work had challenged their faith. The feedback had been positive. Carol suggested that similar events like this could be run. These might lead to looking at how parishes can support those involved in healthcare, establish links with surgeries, advertise healing services and arrange other supportive activities. Carol and Revd Tim Mercer have continued to progress these ideas.

Two clergy days are planned for February and March 2006. The aim of the days is to provide teaching on the healing ministry, to inform and to raise faith and address concerns that some clergy have about the healing ministry. The Revd John Huggett and Mrs Christine Huggett have produced a provisional programme for the days. There will be a keynote speaker, workshops covering a variety of topics, a question time with a panel and a final session with worship and ministry. Possible speakers include Dr Yvonne Warren, Revd Steve Clark, Revd Gerald Hovenden, Revd John Huggett and Mrs Sarah Lacaille.

At the April meeting, Revd John Huggett circulated a paper he had written describing a strategy for introducing and furthering the healing ministry in a parish. The chairman, the Revd Gerald Hovenden, showed a presentation of a basic introduction to the healing ministry that he had given to the Diocesan Pray-ers at St John’s Hildenborough.

The council has made considerable effort to improve its publicity and liaison with individuals and other groups within the diocese. At the April meeting, the Chairman Revd Gerald Hovenden reported that he had sent over 200 copies of the Council’s newsletter to clergy in the diocese. He had received 2 replies, one requesting that he speak on the healing ministry at Riverhead Church.

The chairman and Revd Nick Read met with the diocesan renewal group in May. It was identified that there was some overlap between the two groups in what they are seeking to do. It was agreed that we would liaise more about proposed events and look at ways we could compliment what each group is seeking to do.

The Revd Christopher Dench, Assistant Director of Training for Continuing Ministerial Education and Vocations attended the Council meeting in September. Some discussion took place on how council members might work more closely with members of the Ministry and Training department and assist in putting together a training module on the healing ministry.

The Council has continued to liaise with the Canterbury Diocesan Fellowship of Healing and Wholeness. Several council members have spoken at their meetings.

The council continued its discussions on the deliverance ministry. Revd John Huggett spoke about different aspects of the deliverance ministry, which he and his wife Christine had been involved in. This was followed by a general discussion over issues of good practice and the need for discernment in the whole area of healing and deliverance.

Dr Michael Harper gave a report on the Time for Peace conference run by the House of Bishops Healing Ministry Steering Group, which he, Revd Gerald Hovenden and Revd Dr Nick Read attended. The conference had been primarily on the ministry of reconciliation in which Archbishop Rowan Williams gave a theological perspective identifying the different aspects of reconciliation.

Other speakers were Bishop Dominic Walker (Reconciliation between God and self), Revd Russ Parker (Reconciling History), Revd Canon Michael Ipgrave (Reconciling the children of Abraham) Beatrice Brandon (Reconciling Worshipping communities).

Members of the Council have been active in a variety of ways during this year in providing support to parishes, Clergy and Pastoral assistants and Readers as well as speaking at conferences in this country and abroad. The council have continued to support and encourage one another in prayer and testimonies of healing.

ROCHESTER DIOCESAN COUNCIL FOR HEALTH AND HEALING
Dr Revd Nick Read (Acting Chairman) - September 2005