Held
Thursdays at 11:30 Grace Episcopal Church
The simple, yet beautiful, service from the Book of Occasional Services allows those who participate in healing services to experience the love and care God has for all His children. Every week, we read different passages from Holy Scriptures which allow us to know that God intends us to be whole and healthy. While we make no claims that people are cured of disease of the body, it is an opportunity to restore our souls and know that God is with us every step of the way.
from Father William Bellais' Sermon of the 14th Sunday after Pentecost (September 10), 2006:
Ever since I have begun the process of preparing for ordination and throughout the work God has given me, the ministry of healing has been essential. When I explored this important part of Christian ministry the idea of the so-called faith healing had no appeal and I was very suspicious of the entire enterprise.
In my search for a meaningful way of participating in this important aspect of Christian ministry I found that the simple healing ministry of laying-on of hands and anointing the sick or the troubled was sufficient. It is God who makes people well or returns them sound reasoning. My function is simply to be God’s agent. Further, I don’t know and cannot predict the outcome of prayers, the laying-on of hands, and anointing will be. The outcome is totally in God’s hands.
The privacy Jesus offers to the deaf mute is the kind of privacy or understatement I believe a healing ministry should include. What I intend by those words is that regardless when and where a healing ministry is conducted, it is done with dignity and with the meekness that Jesus requires of us. If I stood out in front of the congregation and yelled, “Heal!” and then pushed you over onto the floor, it would be showmanship. I am not certain people would take me seriously.
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Father Bellais welcomes the community
to learn about Spiritual Wellness
at the Health Fair
Fall 2006