St. Stephen's Hurst Healing Ministry

The Healing Ministry at St. Stephen's was started by Father Thomas in the summer of 2009. Though it was originally designed to be a chapter of the Order of St. Luke (an international healing ministry, founded by an Episcopal priest), those in the ministry felt it may be better to customize their own healing ministry according to the needs of the parish and the greater community.

For the last several months, the Healing Team has been studying the healing ministry of Jesus, as revealed in the Gospels. By studying his healing, it prepares those to understand Christ's mindset and to know why and how he healed. It is imperative that we have a clear knowledge of the teaching of the Bible in this respect, because that is our basic standard of truth for understanding this ministry.

The ultimate goal is to appoint those, through a discernment process, to serve in the congregation as Lay Healing Ministers. These individuals will, once they have been examined and have completed their training, be able to administer unction to the sick by the anointing with oil and the laying on of hands.

The Healing Ministry meets once a month on the third Sunday in the community room of Panera Bread Company on Precinct Line Road 12-1:30 p.m. Anyone interested in coming is certainly welcome.

On the third Friday of each month, a Healing Service is held (most of the time with Communion). As St. S tephen's is currently "displaced," the service is usually held in members' homes and many times includes a potluck dinner. The potluck takes place at 6:30 p.m. and the healing service at 7:30 p.m. Anyone may host the healing service in their home. If you are interested, please contact Fr. Thomas at least 2 months in advance so that he can coordinate.

For more information on this ministry, you may contact Fr. Thomas at 817-784-5132 or you may e-mail him at tsquiers@gmail.com.