The last WholeCare conference was on -

Saturday 27th September 2008 from 9.30am to 3.15pm

at
St. John's Church, High Street, Harbourne, Birmingham B17 9PT

Keynote speaker: Revd. Doug Hiza

(Author of the book - Spiritual Pain)

The charge for the day is £15, please bring your own lunch, other refreshments will be provided.

The programme is as follows (though we may make some slight changes): 

• 09.30    Arrival, registration, coffee
• 10.15    Introductions and worship
• 10.45    Rev Doug Hiza speaks on Spiritual Pain,
  • followed by plenty of time for responses and discussion
• 13.00    Lunch (please bring your own pack lunch)
• 14.00    Dealing with Spiritual Pain in Practice:
  • brief presentations and discussion led by members of a local NHS practice GP and chaplain
• 15.00    Summing up and worship
• 15.15    Tea and depart

Many of you know that WholeCare's primary aim is to explore practical and feasible ways of caring for people in such a way that they are touched at the deepest level by the love of Christ, in the most appropriate way possible, and to encourage one another into such a dimension of care. 
So many people are increasingly aware of material weath but lean-ness of soul. Only a few days ago I spoke with a highly intelligent student who presented as depressed (and she was), but who also had a profound spiritual hunger.  I offered the possibility of speaking with a colleague in leadership in a local church and she jumped at it.  I rang later to confirm the arrangement when she said "How exciting!  Would it be alright to ring him now?" 
We think so easily that the love of God in Christ is an unwelcome message, and for many it is.  But where God has softened hearts it is eagerly received.  And even for those of other faiths, our concern for them is a powerful message which over time unlocks and ministers to them.  Is it not so?

So this day is designed to inform and encourage, but with time to share, pray, fellowship and worship together.  Also to sketch out some of our thinking for the future.