Tom Gordon will explore different aspects of healing using stories from his ministry as a Church of Scotland Minister and Chaplain and from his books of modern-day parables and reflections. 

Using stories, he will explore these thoughts: "healing is wholeness and not cure; healing is about the past as well as the present; healing is about acceptance and not fixing; healing is profoundly spiritual"

Tom worked in parish ministry in two Edinburgh parishes for 20 years before serving as chaplain at the Edinburgh Marie Curie Hospice for 15 years. He retired from full-time work in 2009 and now gives his time to writing as well as facilitating bereavement programmes (the Acorns programmes in Edinburgh and Stepping Stones programmes in East Lothian) and offering spiritual-care training and support.  He is currently working on a second book on issues of bereavement, grief and loss as a follow-up to one of his earlier books, New Journeys Now Begin (www.ionabooks.com).  He is married with three grown-up children and two grandsons. He lives in Port Seton, East Lothian, Scotland. 

Programme

• Workshops (see  below)
  
• The day will conclude with a Communion Service including Laying on of Hands and Anointing led by Rev Olivia Coles
  
• A book stall run by Soham Christian Bookshop, including books by Tom Gordon
• Hearing loop provided and disability access

Workshops

Stories from chaplaincy led by Keith Morrison

Titled ‘ Pastoral care for the palliative patient and their family’, this workshop will be a presentation of the challenges and joys of pastoral care for the palliative care patient and their family using some case studies and will also allow time for questions and discussion. Keith is an Anglican priest working as a full-time chaplain at Arthur Rank Hospice in Cambridge. Keith began his working life as a Maxillo-Facial Technician before training for the priesthood in 1998. During that training his wife died in a road accident, and in view of all he had experienced in life Keith felt called to healthcare chaplaincy, initially as a chaplain at Addenbrookes Hospital before moving to Arthur Rank Hospice. Outside of work he also provides chaplaincy at several Goodwood motorsport events throughout the year.

Responding to stories through art led by Sue Ginsberg

Having some space to reflect using art materials rather than depending on words, opens up new ways of seeing (and praying). This is an opportunity to respond to the stories around us and within us through art making.This workshop offers an opportunity to respond to the stories around us and within us by using various art materials that Sue will provide. Essentially it offers a reflective and creative space to explore the stories that have been shared during the morning sessions and/or the stories that are part of our own lives. No previous art experience is necessary! Sue Ginsberg is a trained art therapist and artist who is now developing ways of working with people in spiritual direction using art making. She is an accredited CRUSE bereavement visitor and a mental health chaplaincy volunteer.

Listening to the stories of others led by Mary Smale 

How good are we at listening and how well do we listen to the stories of others? This workshop focuses on the skills we need to be good listeners to those around us. Mary was a breastfeeding counsellor and tutor for the National Childbirth Trust and has also trained peer supporters, emphasising a listening skills model of support for mothers who were encountering difficulties with  breastfeeding their babies. Since retiring she has offered listening skills advice to church communities and people working in pastoral care. Mary is especially interested in the ways in which the use of skilled listening can help people to be reconciled with their own situations or make decisions about changes in their lives.

Telling stories through Godly Play led by Sue Price

Godly Play is a way of deeply engaging with different aspects of our Christian Faith - it can lead us to wondering about the powerful mysteries that we encounter on our Christian Journey in a new and refreshing way. Sue will use Godly Play resources to reflect on the parables that Jesus told, and will offer a Godly Play presentation of one of those parables. Sue is a Godly Play Advocate, and has used Godly Play in her local parish community with children and adults over the past seven years.  

Being still with our own stories led by Linda Dean

This is not so much a workshop as a quiet space in which to be still and reflect. Linda will provide various resources to aid our reflection, including paper and pencils for those who wish to use this space for writing. Linda, and also Tom Gordon, will be available to talk on a one-to-one basis should you wish that. Linda is a Licensed Lay Minister at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Cambridge.

Tickets £15 per person

Further information:

Alasdair Coles: ajc1020@medschl.cam.ac.uk
Patricia Saunders: pat.saunders23@ntlworld.com