Central to the life of Burrswood is the power of God's love, Christian worship and prayer. At the heart of the Burrswood estate - both literally and figuratively - is the Church of Christ the Healer. It was built in 1959 under the direct supervision of Burrswood's founder Dorothy Kerin and is the culmination of her life and mission.
Formally dedicated as part of the worldwide Anglican communion, the Church is a place of peace and repose. It is used regularly for services of worship, including two healing services a week to which visitors are welcome. At other times it is available for private prayer.
By the terms of its Trust Deed, Burrswood is administered as a charity to participate in the Christian life of Burrswood. The chaplaincy, representing a broad spread of denominations, is integral to the Burrswood interdisciplinary care team.
The core mission of Christian faith infuses every dimension of Burrswood life but this is offered purely as a gift. Visitors - whether patients or guests - are welcome, but not required, to participate in the religious life of Burrswood. Visits from Chaplains of other Christian denominations can usually be arranged.
Times of Services:
Thursday Healing Service, 11.30 am
Saturday Healing Service, 3.30 pm (The Service includes Holy Communion on the 3rd Saturday of the month)
Healing Services:
Evening Healing Services
Evening Healing Services are led by the Burrswood Chaplaincy Team and are held in The Church of Christ the Healer (and all followed by refreshments).
The Chaplaincy Team, which brings together expertise from several Christian, denominations, invites you to meet God in a place of safety and trust.
We Look Forward to seeing you!
For further details please contact the Chaplaincy Team on 01892 863637 ext 2364 or come along on the evening.
What is Healing?
As Christians it is our belief and our experience that Jesus Christ heals a broken world and mends broken lives. He still brings healing (or 'wholeness') to body, mind and spirit. When He died on the Cross and rose from the dead He mended our shattered relationship with God. He carried our sins, our sorrows and our diseases, so that we might know His wholeness. In fact, Jesus is our complete Saviour.
Why a Healing Service?
All Christian worship and prayer can be used by God for our healing. It is because the healing ministry has been neglected and ignored in so much church life that we seem to need specific services of healing prayer. At Burrswood we hold these regularly both for guests staying with us and for visitors from outside.
What Should I expect?
Expect a sense of the presence of Jesus. Expect that the service will do you good because His Holy Spirit is breathing through it. Rest in His love. Receive His word in the reading and the talk. Let Him bless you through the music. Thank Him for His forgiveness as the words of absolution follow the confession. Relax, because the whole service has a healing effect. Do not feel that you have to keep your emotions in check. Our feelings are precious. Tears are a gift that often contribute to our healing. No one will be surprised or flustered by weeping at the healing service.
Quiet Days at Burrswood - A time just for you and God together
Lay aside everyday pressures and enjoy God's presence in the beauty and peace of Burrswood for a day. Spend time listening to God, considering your own journey with him and joining others in worship and prayer. There will be two short devotional talks to help guide your reflections.
Come from 10.00am to 4.30pm, with the option of staying for evening worship at 5pm. Bring your own picnic, or book lunch in Bocky's kitchen - hot and cold drinks will be available throughout the day.
Quiet Days in 2009
16th June
14th July
18th August
15th September
13th October
17th November
8th December (Advent)
There is no charge, but we would welcome a donation to the "Access to Care" Fund.
Download the 2009 Quiet Days Flyer (pdf 112kb)
To book or for further information please contact Sharon Laird on 01892 863637 Ext 2364 or e-mail chaplaincy@burrswood.org.uk
To treat the fullness of need, our hospital team - medical and nursing staff, counsellors, chaplains and therapists - work in close and confidential harmony. Responsibility for planning and delivery of care is shared.
People of all faiths, or none, are welcome at Burrswood. We do not hide our own Christian devotion, nor do we let it intrude on the privacy or space of our patients and guests. "Discreet", "kindness", "upholding" are the sort of words our visitors commonly use.
Supervised and professional pastoral care and spiritual ministry is available to all who stay in the hospital. In delivering this care our Chaplains are backed by the committed lay ministry of other staff, and the befriending work of a team of experienced volunteer visitors.
When the time is right for the person concerned (and his or her feelings are the key factor), we are glad to share from the full resources of mainstream Christian healing ministries. Attentive listening and prayer, often with laying-on-of-hands, sacramental anointing, Holy Communion, or the ministry of reconciliation, are offered personally. Frequently ministry is shared with doctor, counsellor or nurse.
Burrswood has a placement scheme for ministers and those undergoing ordination training.
Church Refurbishment
Our beloved Church of Christ the Healer has had its 'make over' and normal service has been resumed. We were overwhelmed with the generosity of those who gave to this project and very grateful for their support. There is still work to be done and later this year we hope to install a digital broadcast system that will mean our patients and guests will be able to enjoy the services and other events that take place in the church from their rooms, particularly if the nature of their illness or disability prevents them from getting to the church. We have already received a £20,000 promise towards this part of the project and are now seeking to secure the rest (another £20,000) to complete. Your prayers for success in this would be much appreciated. Thank you.
