Religious and Sprititual Services:
The Healing Spirit is able to conduct a number of Religious and Spiritual Services:
- Baptism or naming ceremonies
- Weddings or Hand Fasting Cermonies
- Passing and Funeral Ceremonies
- Blessings: people, houses, important objects, etc.
- The cleansing of houses from evil or negative entities or energies.
- Deliverance of individuals from malevolent entities
- Communion & Benediction, for those who are physically unable to come to the Sanctuary for this, then home visits can be made - in the Forest of Dean and surrounding areas
These are all based upon the practices and teachings of The Celtic Church, which has a wide belief range. Religious and Spiritual Services are catered according to the wishes of the individuals, within the guidelines of The Celtic Church - Anam Cara.
One of the main difference in belief systems between the Celtic Church and the other western churches is that we in the Celtic Church do not believe in 'Original Sin' (the sin of Adam passed down), therefore there is no need to cleanse a new born baby from sin - we believe that babies are born pure and free from all sin, including that of Adam!
Communion and Benediction are held in The Sanctuary on the first Sunday of every month at 11.00 am. For details contact The Healing Spirit.
Saint Columba, brought Celtic Christianity to Scotland from Ireland,
Founder of the Celtic Church in Scotland and the Iona Community, which continues to this day
Reverend Greig McNeish's ordination is recognised by a number of the other 'Free' Churches, this includes Spiritual and Humanist Churches, as well as the Eastern Orthodox churches; The Celtic Church in Scotland; The Scottish Knights Templar; The Holy Gallic Church; The Order of The Holy Theotokos; The Independent Celtic Church International and The Celtic Communion of Christ.
Some questions I am often asked is why is it that I wear a hat on my head, even whilst in the church? The answer to this is very simple the 'hat' or rather kalimafhi is worn by all monks, priests and other members of the clergy to distinguish their calling. In the western church it is known as a Birreta and those whom have been identified as Bishops wear something called a mitre. It is believed that this goes back to Byzantiane times, when the Emperor Constantine - the first Roman Emperor to become Christian - wore a crown. As we get dressed there are certain blessings and prayers which we recite, when I put on my 'hat' it is to remind me that there is someone or somebeing above me to whom I am accountable, I prefer this explanation than that of a crown. You may also note that some of our 'hats' have black veils at the back and side of them - this just allows us to concerntrate on the written scripture without other visual distractions. I for one find that I am easily distracted by anything around me whilst reading scripture, which is a terrible thing to confess, but for me it is true - so I will often wear my kalimafhi to minimise distractions to me! That being said this form of dress is more often found in the Orthodox Churches of: Rushia, Greece, Jerusalem, Ethiopia, as well as Eritrea and a number of other traditions.
Above ministers and priests of the Celtic Church
(also known as The Church of Anum Cara - this translates into Soul Friend or Soul Mate)
It has only been in recent years that a revival in the Celtic Church has taken place, again mainly in Scotland and Ireland - the home and bedrock of Celtic Church. This is in part due to disalusenment of the Roman Church as well as the strict Calvenist churches. The belief system of The Celtic Church is quite simple. Many aspects of the Old Religion has been maintained and Christianity, as it was taught by Patrick, Columbus and Ninian, was introduced with ease into the existing practices.
Even, within the orthodox Church of Scotland (whose symbol is above) you may attend services where the four quaters are invoked or called, as is the practice in Wita or Witta -one of the Scottish and Irish Old Religions. Please - do not get Wita or Witta confused with Wicca, which is an Anglo-Saxon Religion and Wicca as we know it today is more of a New Age religion, as opposed to the Old Religion (pre-Christian).
Icons, statues and crosses are not viewed as graven images, as stated by the Calvenist Churches, nor are they worshiped as is the practice in the Roman Church. In The Celtic Church these images are viewed as 'windows of faith' and are used for people to focus or meditate upon.
above Virgin & Child Icon
For Religious and Spiritual Services; these are tailored to meet the needs of the individual with what they are comfortable with. We do not insist that you are a member of The Celtic Church, or indeed any other church.
The Church of Anum Cara are happy to marry of conduct a handfasting for same sex partners, since we have a belief in Soul Mates - and we recognise that these are often of the same sex, but may not always take on a physical nature.
(It should be pointed out that Healing Spirit are not looking for convertions to the Celtic religion. Indeed, unless you were Scots or Irish many of the concepts would be alien - and possibly even seem a little superstitious, therefore it would be innappropriate to evangelise in order to seek convertions amongst non Celts. However, all are welcome to participate in our festivals, custom, spiritual, and religious practices.)
Donations are dependent to the extent of the length and content and complexity of the ceremony or ritual. For more details please contact Healing Spirit.
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