Episcopal Press and News
Episcopal Healing Ministry Founded
Episcopal News Service. October 29, 1987 [87219]
CINCINNATI (DPS, Oct. 29) -- The Episcopal Healing Ministry Foundation, under the direction of nationally known author, the Rev. Emily Gardiner Neal and an advisory board of 11 bishops of the Episcopal Church, has been founded in Cincinnati.
The new foundation is "dedicated to the healing ministry of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that it may be taught, proclaimed and practiced under the authority of the church universal throughout the world," the three trustees and advisory council have stated.
The foundation's goals are to carry out the recommendations proposed to the 1964 General Convention by the Joint Commission on the Ministry of Healing in which the church was called upon "to sponsor a special study program devoted to the question of how clergy can be better prepared and trained to exercise the healing ministry."
The Healing Ministry Foundation has pledged to commit its resources to addressing this challenge issued 23 years ago.
Plans include providing theological training to clergy and laity in the sacramental rites of healing during seminars and retreats.
The foundation was incorporated in January 1987, but this is the first announcement of the foundation's plans, according to Jean Kinmonth, spokesperson for foundation.
At a time in which television "faith healers" and evangelists have come under public scrutiny, the trustees and advisory council are emphasizing that the purposes of Episcopal Healing Ministry ore to "promote orthodox teaching, liturgical practice and trained ministers to celebrate this sacramental ministry..."
Other goals of the foundation, according to the article of incorporation, include:
- "To worship according to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the Episcopal Church as set forth in the Book of Common Prayer and the Book of Occasional Services, or as set forth in the liturgical practice of any communion of the church to whom this foundation may from time to time minister.
- "To engage in spiritual counseling of those who are ill in body, mind or spirit, practicing the belief that this ministry works with, and not exclusive of, sound medical practice as put forth by physicians, nurses and those who care for the sick as channels of God's grace."
The three trustees are Neal, chairman, the Rev. Robert D. Gerhard, rector of St. Thomas Church, Terrace Park, Ohio, vice chairman; and the Rev. Dr. George A. Hill III, rector of St. Barnabas Church, Cincinnati, executive secretary.
Members of the foundation's Advisory Council are the Rt. Revs. Wilburn C. Campbell, retired bishop of West Virginia and the former chairman of the Healing Commission of the national Church; Robert B. Appleyard, retired bishop of Pittsburgh, William G. Black, bishop of Southern Ohio; William C. Frey, bishop of Colorado; Alden Hathaway, bishop of Pittsburgh; Donald M. Hulstrand, bishop of Springfield, Ill.; Howard S. Meeks, bishop of Western Michigan; James Montgomery, recently retired bishop of Chicago; Victor M. Riveria, bishop of San Joaquin; William L. Stevens, bishop of Fond du Lac; and Don M. Wimberly; bishop of Lexington, Ky.
The foundation is the outgrowth of Neal's ten-year healing ministry in Cincinnati area as deacon at St. Thomas Church and at the Community of the Transfiguration Convent.
"The role of St. Thomas Church was to foster and assist the revival of the healing ministry in Cincinnati by being a servant church and clinic where we witness to the people of the area about the role of the healing ministry in the church," Gerhard said. "Throughout this past decade St. Thomas has provided the weekly healing services led by the Rev. Mrs. Neal (in which) hundreds of lives have been touched and changed through this ministry. Laity and clergy from all faiths and faraway areas have attended and participated," he said.