Endorsements
There is an assumption that the smaller the organisation, the less mainstream, the more radical equals something we cannot fully trust. Actually the contrary is true. Many large faith based groups suffer from scandel and cover up. We hear all too often of Ministers upsetting people and complaints being ignored by those in power. Becuase we are a small Chaplaincy , that is part of a wider Church body, although in itself relatively small, we are in a far better position to know each other , to know what each other is doing and to help each other in times of stress.
What underpins everything we do is the clear call to share unconditional love with ALL without exception. No ifs, no buts, no-one is asked to change their ways or jump through hoops in order to receive from us.
If you want to check our credentials , please do get in touch with the Archbishop of the Open Episcopal Church who will be happy to give an honest account of our work and integrity.
In the mean time, we have received many genuine letters of gratitude and thanks over the years as a result of out work. From Christians, pagans, humanists, those who can't be pinned down to a label, and we share just a few of these endorsements with you , below:
Bereavment Care and Funerals:
"Just wanted to drop you a quick line, to say thank you so much for Dads lovely service, everybody said just how right you had got it, it was perfect. You had him down to a tee. Was so please with how it went.
Many thanks again"
"I cannot thank you enough for your absolute care, kindness and compassion. As people who arent religious we wondered at first whether you would be able to offer what we wanted for Mum, but we had nothing to worry about. Everyone who came said that they had never attended such a moving service, it was a real celebration of her life, and in a strange way we even enjoyed the expereince. Again, thank you so much for everything."
"Words cannot express how grateful I am for all the support you gave me before and after Bob's funeral, and of course on the day itself. I feel that I can cope a little more now , and this is all because of your care and love. Thank you so very much."
"Thank you so very much for the beautiful service you gave for our darling Daughter.
I felt her spirit there and I know She would have been so proud of all of us, and really pleased with the send off we arranged.
I still feel so incredibly sad and shocked by her death,but you made her funeral easier to bear..thank you so very much."
"Firstly for all the help you gave us with the arrangements for Bob's funeral, the music and the order of service and secondly for your kindness and support on the day."
"We are so pleased that you were recommended to us by the Co-Op. We wondered how we would find someone who would combine my Spiritualist beliefs with Dad's Budhist leanings and Mum's Christian views. We worried that this would either be a mess of different belief systems or that they would be ignored. You rose to the challange and created the most beautiful service weaving in something for all of us in a very deep way. Thank you so much, it was the most amazing service."
Marriage and Relationship Blessings
" We cannot thank you enough for all that you did for us. Such a beuatiful and meaningful service which was in stark contrast to the bland legal bit ! You made our day so special and for a gay couple who have been so rejected by the church we feel loved and blessed in so many ways. Thank you."
"Everyone said it was beyond perfect, thank you so much for everything, an amazing ceremonty that we will never forget."
Baptism's and Naming Ceremonies
" We never thought that it was possible to have a Baptism that was so personal. In the past we have had to join with other families in a cold church and make promises that we didnt really understand just to ensure that our babies were christened. You showed us that it doesn't have to be like that and everyone, without fail commented on how amazing and personal the sevice was."
"Thanks will never be enough for Ruben's naming ceremony. It was truly awesome and Ruben keeps asking when that nice man is coming to do it all again ! You are always welcome to pop in whenever you are passing. Thank you so much"
Other Work
"Christopher has an amazing capacity to listen, empathise and show deep compassion. When he was helping me, at no time did he ever attempt to impose his beliefs upon me and fully respected my background and lifestyle. He also had time for me, our conversations were never constrained by the clock and when I needed that extra time to express my inner feelings he was happy to give it to me. What struck me is his immense capacity for love, it was clear from the moment dialogue first began. He has a very deep spiritual side to him as well, but this is not to his detriment, I have met many Ministers in my time who are very airy fairy and detatched from everyday life. Because he has followed his calling to work in the world his feet are firmly on the ground, he is a man of the world and understands where people are coming from."
"Natasha is the most amazing person I have ever met, she connects and listens. She is able to feel and see things that the rest of us can't. She felt my husband's presence with us and talked about that in terms that made sense without making me feel I was going mad or was seeking answers to questions that I should not be asking. As a lifelong Church of England member , I was worried about contacting Natasha , I was told by others in my church, particulalry my vicar to stay away from Spiritulists, but Natasha is not simply a Spiritualist, she is a Christian too and so she understood my dilemma. If only there were more people like her in Ministry!"
"We have brought up to think that we can only follow one path. Paganism, Druidry, Wicca, Spiritualism and Christianity are all seen as incompatible with other and those who try to make connections are quickly denounced as wrong and to be avoided. You only have to meet Christopher and Natasha and do so with an open mind to see that these paths are not incompatible at all, there is an interconnectedness that sits beuatifully together and creates a depth that can only express itself in love. Thank God for these two wonderful Ministers and for the wider Church body that they are a part of. I am hopeful that their approach is the future for all spiritual paths."