"There is a great power in the universe which has never been subject to analytical scrutiny of laboratories, which cannot be resolved by chemicals or scalpels. Yet it is so real that it transcends all other forces which have been measured and weighed and dissected." [Silver Birch through the mediumship of Maurice Barbanell]
Heallng is available in our Church at the following times:
Tuesday at 2 pm
Sunday Evening after the Sunday Service at approximately 8 pm
[providing healers are available]
The definition of Healing is “To try to make well by the laying on of hands and prayer.”
All our healers are registered and insured with the Spiritualist National Union and give freely of their time.
Shirley Homewood (President) Church healer since 1994 Church Healing Leader
June Perry DNSU(H) Church healer since 1983 SNU Diploma 1994 National SNU Tutor/ Examiner for Basic and Advanced Healing
Paul Middleton Church Healer since 1984
Clive Fitch Trainee Healer 2009
Sarah Gilbert Trainee Healer 2010
See also our News & Gallery page for photographs of healing events and further information.
Healing is a fundamental part of the religion of Spiritualism and can be divided into two main categories “Contact” and “Absent” healing.
Absent Healing consists of prayers and thoughts being sent to those who are unable to attend a healing session (i.e. someone in hospital).
We send out absent healing to those whose names are entered in our healing book at every service.
Healing is very natural in many of us. The simple act of smiling at someone, giving them a cheery ‘hello’ or a sympathetic hug can often give someone, perhaps a complete stranger, a healing boost. Many people in the caring professions give healing to their patients without even realizing it by simply showing that they care! To be a healer you simply need compassion.
Anyone can send out Absent Healing. We all have a certain amount of caring and compassion for those known to us who have a health problem. It's a good way to start if you feel you have healing abilities. Put the names in a small book [healing book] and send your thoughts and prayers out to them once a day when you are quiet and just see what happens.
Contact Healing requires the person to be with the healer in what is often called ‘laying on of hands'.
Paul Middleton administering to Mary Harvey who has been suffering from chronic neck pain. Paul is accredited by the SNU (Spiritualists National Union). Our healers must undergo a rigorous 2-year programme comprising theory, practice and supervision before the SNU will endow them with approved status. Each healer works within the Code of Conduct and Healing and the Law.
Clive Fitch came into healing when a well-known medium told him that he had the 'gift'. A long-time church member, whose father was also a healer, Clive decided to formally offer his service as a healer in the church. In order to do this, he had to commit to study for the Spiritualist National Union (SNU) qualification. Now half-way through his two-year course, Clive works alongside Paul who mentors him and supervises his progress.
Only healers who have been through this process of study and assessment can offer their services via the church. This ensures that they are true healers who have been trained to the highest standards in dealing with people and maintaining safety and confidentiality.
"There is a great power in the universewhich has never been subjected to the analytical scrutiny of laboratories, which cannot be resolved by chemicals or by scalpels, yet it is so real that it transcends all other forces which have been measured and weighed and dissected." [Silver Birch through the mediumship of Maurice Barbanell.]
Our bodies are a very complex collection of molecules and energies. A healthy body will heal itself; the energies work like clockwork and everything is fine. Then, something may happen to disrupt the system. It may be bereavement, a severe injury, tension or some other trigger, which upsets the mechanism, and we begin to feel ill. Spiritual healing helps to restore the failing mechanism by giving it an energy boost in an attempt to restore the normal body rhythms and improve health.
By connecting with the Spirit World in prayer, healers allow themselves to be used as a channel for the healing energies to be passed to the person who is unwell. Because we, as healers, do not possess the specialist knowledge of those in the Spirit World, who make us a channel for their skills, Spiritualist Healers cannot guarantee a cure for the problems presented to them but they know that Spiritual Healing always helps in some way. Perhaps by helping the person to cope with their symptoms, easing their pain, or, if they are terminally ill, easing their transition into the Spirit World. Even if you are just feeling under the weather healing can be of great benefit and is very calming and relaxing.
Healing within the UK is regulated under EEC regulations although it is completely natural and sometimes spontaneous and produces none of the side effects normally associated with most medication. Our healers train for 2 years and are assessed and observed throughout their training to ensure that all healing carried out within our Church meets an approved national standard. Every healer is registered and insured with the SNU and gives of their time freely.
Healing work can give great satisfaction and over the years we, at West Wickham, have achieved some remarkable results with the help and co-operation of our Spirit friends countless individuals have been helped. Sometimes, the results are quite dramatic but more often there is a gradual improvement and the problem or condition eventually improved over a period of time.
We are very lucky to have some very dedicated, experienced and knowledgeable healers at West Wickham and we thank them all for their service to our Church and to Spirit.
Healing is available at our Church on Tuesday afternoons from 2pm-3pm and after the Sunday service at approximately 8pm. providing healers are available.
Healing is open to everyone. You don't have to be a member of the church to participate. Nor do you need to have faith in the process. All are welcome.
There is no charge but any donations are very much appreciated.
If you are interested in serving others by training as a healer in our Church, please talk to one of our committee members or come along to one of our healing sessions and talk to one of our healers.
Animal Healing
Shirley's Story:
Below: Shirley's cat - Eddie - looking happy and relaxed. "Eddie loves his healing sessions," says Shirley. "And he's clearly doing very well on it!"
"I had always been told that I should heal animals," says Shirley, "and although I had given healing to my own and a friend’s dog I had not done it as a service for other people.
"Some years ago I gave healing to my friend’s dog Tansy. She was a feisty little terrier type and because I used to take her out every afternoon she was always got excited when, after a cup of tea and a chat, I left to go home as she vainly hoped she might get another walk. She has not been very well and my friend Edna asked me if I could give Tansy some healing. She lay beside me on the settee and I put my hands on her and asked Spirit to help her and make her feel better. The healing lasted for about 15 mins and she continued to lie completely relaxed. As I made my way to the door to leave Edna and I were both surprised when Tansy remained motionless on the settee. As we said our goodbyes we were expecting Tansy to spring into life and dash to the door excitedly barking - as she would normally do - but she continue to lie there peaceful and completely relaxed. I learnt later from a stunned Edna that she had continued to lie there for some time obviously benefiting from the healing that she had just received.
I had, in the past, given healing to my Springer spaniel Bess. Our vet had diagnosed nodules on her spine and virtually no hip joints left. He was reluctant to undertake any surgery as he said it would be both drastic and expensive and unlikely to improve her condition as it was so widespread. The outlook for her was grim and he gave her just a few months before we would be faced with every owner's nightmare of making a decision to put her to sleep. With nothing to lose I started to give her healing and was amazed that although her physical condition was unchanged, she somehow she managed to struggle up onto her feet and even ran. She continued to walk, run and play with our other dog Lucy for more than a year and defied all the vet’s predictions.
Having not practiced any healing on animals for several years you will appreciate my hesitation when a lady contacted me a recently asking if we had any healers available at West Wickham for animal healing. However, I volunteered my services explaining that I was not sure what the result would be. Oh ye of little faith! Her cat was elderly and had a sore mouth which was preventing her from eating or drinking properly. Her vet told her the cat was too old and frail to take an anaesthetic and there was therefore nothing he could do - she was sliding into inevitable decline. Sophie sat on my lap whilst I gave her healing. There was no immediate reaction from her but she was quiet, calm and relaxed.
As I left, an hour or so later, Sophie’s owner said she would ring me to let me know how Sophie was progressing and if there was any improvement. I had been thinking about Sophie on and off for days wondering whether the healing had helped her or whether she had continued to deteriorate or even passed into ‘cat heaven’. You can imagine my fear and trepidation when the phone rang after a couple of weeks. But I needn't have worried. It was amazing news! Sophie had started to eat and drink the following day. She was enjoying going out in the garden to chase things – something she had hardly done before, even when she had two other companion cats. Her owner’s husband remarked : “You wouldn’t believe she is the same cat.”
Let’s hope she has many more months of pampering and petting ahead of her.
So the evidence is there ... animals too can greatly benefit from healing. If you can't find a healer who works with animals try doing it yourself – you can't do any harm. Just place your hands near or on the animal, stroke them finding out what they are most comfortable with. At the same time ask your spirit guides [yes we all have them] to send their healing energy to make the animal feel better. Remember Spirit know what is best and you only have to ask.
To start with you may find it difficult to attune with Spirit but with practice you will become more confident and just think of the benefits to your animal.
Shirley Homewood 2010
Any feedback on animal healing by you or others would be very much appreciated. Contact Shirley on:
Paul Middleton administering to Mary Harvey who has been suffering from chronic neck pain. Paul is accredited by the SNU (Spiritualists National Union). Our healers must undergo a rigorous 2-year programme comprising theory, practice and supervision before the SNU will endow them with approved status. Each healer works within the Code of Conduct and Healing and the Law.
Clive Fitch came into healing when a well-known medium told him that he had the 'gift'. A long-time church member, whose father was also a healer, Clive decided to formally offer his service as a healer in the church. In order to do this, he had to commit to study for the Spiritualist National Union (SNU) qualification. Now half-way through his two-year course, Clive works alongside Paul who mentors him and supervises his progress.
"I had always been told that I should heal animals," says Shirley, "and although I had given healing to my own and a friend’s dog I had not done it as a service for other people.