Under the Tree is back!

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Join us on June 9th at 7pm in Rathmines for Under the Tree!

Click here to book

Nature and Connection and Scripture Circle

Join us for a nourishing session of slowing down in nature and in God’s word and noticing what is here.

These sessions are a collaboration between Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland (CMH:I) and Bible Society Ireland (BSI)

In the first half of the session, we will gather under the tree and around the fire and simply be in the beauty of God’s creation. There will be time to notice and engage with the season. At this time of year, the elderflower is blooming, so Lydia might make something delicious with this. This aspect of the session will be shaped by the season and the weather.

In the second half we will gather around sacred text to wonder, to share and to listen to what God might be saying through His living Word. Julie will facilitate an interactive and reflective study, where translations of the Biblical Hebrew combined with shared wondering offers a space for fresh perspectives on the text.

We have access to an old and beautiful garden space behind the buildings on the grounds of Atlas language residence. Once you are signed in, we’ll give you all the details for meeting and heading to the space together.

As this is an outside gathering, we also recommend dressing in layers and wearing waterproofs if needed. We will provide blankets and throws and the warmth of a fire.

 

My Dwelling Place – book now!

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Join The Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland for a 4-week online series of reflection on the places we inhabit and a gentle exploration of our true belonging. Carol Casey and Lydia Monds will lead these sessions through silence, prayer, scripture, and poetry. The sessions offer a time of wondering, prayer and rest, which we pray will be like a healing balm for your mind, heart and soul. Online: Thursdays 11am – 12pm, on May 14th, 21st & 28th and June 4th.

Click here to book: 

 

 

Participants receive a handout prior to the session with scripture readings and other texts on the topic. You do not have to read this in order to take part, however, it can be nice to draw out your own response to the texts before the facilitators bring theirs.

During the session, there is time for silence and resting in the present moment and in an awareness of the presence of God. And there is a time of reflection on the texts, to support our wondering and responding to the questions ‘where are you dwelling?’ or ‘where are you truly at home?’ and maybe even inviting a lessening of the gap between the two.

We offer a 10 minute time of reflection during the session, which can be taken in breakout rooms or in companionable silence in the main room. We provide wondering questions to support this time and encourage people to choose whichever option suits them best each week.

So come as you are for a time of exploring what it means to belong, and to pray for understanding about where our true Dwelling Place is.

Wellspring, Brook, Lake, Sea: Shared Online Space for Journaling

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Wellspring, Brook, Lake, Sea: Shared Space for Journaling

Explore the depths of your story through the restorative power of journaling.

Join Jessica Brown, writer, poet, creative writing teacher, and narrative studies and public humanities researcher, for Wellspring, Brook, Lake, Sea—a four-week online journey designed to provide a gentle, guided space for anyone and everyone, in which to write, reflect, create, and be.

Book via Eventbrite by clicking here!

Water in all its forms—from the quiet bubbling of a wellspring to the vastness of the sea—reflects the different rhythms of our inner lives. Over four weeks, we will use these metaphors to guide our pens and our hearts:

  • Wellspring – Connecting with our inner source and beginnings.
  • Brook – Finding flow, movement, and navigating the stones that are scattered along our course
  • Lake – Embracing stillness, depth, and the power of reflection.
  • Sea – Expanding our perspective into the vastness beyond ourselves.

What to expect: This is not a writing masterclass; it is a “shared space.” Whether you are a lifelong journaler or have never picked up a pen, you are welcome. Each session includes guided prompts, quiet time for personal writing, and an opportunity for gentle group sharing in a safe, supportive environment.

Details:

  • Where: Online via Zoom (Link provided upon registration).
  • When: each Wednesday in March. The guided session runs from 7.30-8.30pm, but don’t worry – if you’re in the creative flow, you won’t be cut off! We’ll keep the Zoom meeting open until 9pm for those who want to stay.
  • What you need: A quiet space, a notebook, and your favorite pen.

Jessica writes: “Journaling can be a gentle way to express the soul, reflect on hardship, capture everyday joys, ponder and wrestle with concern and longings, articulate fears and hopes, and play with ideas and dreams. It is a way to connect with ourselves, growing in self-knowledge and compassion, and it is a way to connect with our lives as we navigate through the days and seasons. But it’s often difficult to keep showing up to a quiet time or reflective practice on your own, so this is an offering of shared space that values that intention. These four Wednesday evenings in March will offer a variety of prompts and stretches of quiet as we write away in shared company. Bookended with welcoming and closing meditations, there will also be opportunities to share or reflect aloud (with absolutely no pressure to!). Following what waterways can teach us, the prompts will be grouped loosely around water metaphors for journaling: wellspring, brook, lake, seas. As we step further into the unfolding of 2026, I so look forward to this online gathering!”

Dublin and Glendalough healing committee spring retreat

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We are delighted to share the details of the Dublin and Glendalough Ministry of Healing’s annual spring retreat! Please do share it with anyone who may not see it or hear about it, but would love to have a quiet day of restoration.

Wellspring – book now to join this gentle day

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Our lovely day retreat ‘Wellspring’ is returning in January to offer an oasis in the city, and gentle contemplation amidst the noise and agitation of life.
Bookings are limited to 10 people due to space restrictions, so do book your place to avoid disappointment.
The day is led by Lydia, Julie and Nathalie who facilitate contemplative story and prayer, a scripture circle and a response through art.

Be Still & Know returns in 2026

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Are you destabilised in yourself due to the instability in the world?
Are you in search of something deeper and more meaningful than a shiny resolution?
Come along to our lunchtime sessions ‘Be Still and Know’ and turn towards the Prince of Peace. By resting in His Peace, we, in turn, can bring that peace to the world around us. By coming exactly as we are and experiencing acceptance and belonging and love, we can be restored by how God sees us.
You are welcome to come for one, two, three or four of the sessions. Camera on or off Sitting, lying, standing, walking. A quiet space for community and intention to turn towards the Source of our lives.

Please nominate us to win £1,000!

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CMH:I’s chance to win £1,000! 

We are calling for nominations to win a £1,000 Movement for Good Award from Benefact Group.

CMH:I is encouraging people to nominate them for a chance to win £1,000 as part of Benefact Group’s annual Movement for Good Awards, which is giving over £1million away to charities and good causes.

It’s quick and easy to nominate us online at https://movementforgood.com/index.php?cn=20005528&ct=church#nominateACharity where our name and charity number are already filled out!

Winners will be drawn at random and the more times CMH:I is nominated, the more chance it has of being selected. Thank you for your support!

Under the Tree: now sold out but new dates coming soon

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Now sold out, but we will be running this course again soon – contact Lydia to find out more and be added to our mailing list!

Under the Tree: a nature focused Lent course

Do you need time and space to reconnect with yourself, God and creation? Join us for weekly, outdoor, in-person sessions this Spring.

 

Photo by Jon Moore on Unsplash

Come along to this gentle and welcoming space to connect with yourself, God and nature. There are so many benefits to slowing down and being present, so many benefits to taking time to nurture faith and spirituality and so many benefits to being with nature – why not combine all 3?

This is a collaboration between the Church’s Ministry of Healing: Ireland and the National Bible Society of Ireland.

The two facilitators are Lydia Monds and Dr Julie McKinley. Lydia has a Masters in Intercultural theology and a recent qualification in forest school leadership and she will lead the healing breathwork and nature connection. Julie has a PHD in Biblical Studies and loves the connection between stories and nature and she will lead the interactive Bible Study.

Where?

Atlas Language School, Rathmines – see map for more details. There is an old and beauitful garden space behind the buildings which were once the CICE grounds. Once you are signed in, we’ll give you all the details for meeting and heading to the space together.

What’s involved:

Sessions will include:

  • Meet – crossing the threshold from our busy/noisy lives into a sacred space
  • Circle time – checking in with ourselves how we are in body, mind, emotions and doing simple breathwork to bring the mind back into the present and to slow down.
  • Reflection & interactive Bible Study:

Week 1 ‘Where are you?’ Gen 1-3

Week 2 ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ Gen 4

Week 3 ‘What are you seeking’ Gen 37

Week 4 ‘Walk to yourself’ Gen 12

  • Invitation to respond – a selection of options to support nature connection and response including clay, nature story boards, nordic braiding, nature sit spots, sketching with charcoal, mindful wandering & journaling.
  • Closing gratitude circle.

What do I need to bring?

Dress appropriately for the weather, although we will access an indoor space if the weather is too prohibitive. Appropriate clothing for colder weather is layers, warm footwear, a hat and waterproofs. But hopefully the sun will shine!

A camping chair – we have some spares so don’t worry if you don’t have one.

A hot drink and a throw if it’s cold.

A Bible if you have one.

Dublin and Glendalough Ministry of Healing Quiet Day

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Dublin and Glendalough Ministry of Healing Quiet Day

Location: Newcastle Church Parish Centre, Church Lane, Newcastle, Greystones, Co. Wicklow, A63X782

Date: Saturday 4th March 2023,  10:30am –3:00pm

Speaker: Revd David Bowles

This time of restful contemplation and reflection will be happening adjacent to the tranquil setting of Newcastle Parish Church with its beautiful grounds and woodland pathways. Revd Bowles will be relating what he has learned through several years as a hospital chaplain. He will share how his experiences in a healthcare setting can be applied to shape and to transform our understanding of healing and how we pray.

The day will start with registration and coffee at 10:30am and will conclude with a celebration of Holy Communion with the opportunity to receive prayers for healing at 2:30pm.

Soup, tea and coffee will be provided but attendees are requested to bring their own snack for lunch.

There will be no charge for admission but donations towards the Ministry’s work will be gratefully accepted.

Though booking is not essential we encourage you to register your interest/enquiries with Jeanne at healing.dgdc@gmail.com.

Castletown Wanderers – Christ Church Celbridge

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Join the Castletown Wanderers as we learn to slow down and connect with ourselves and with something bigger than ourselves – nature; community; and for those who have faith, God.

What? Who? Why?

This is a wander for the whole community and offers gentle grounding and meditative exercises and supports to move from ‘doing’ to ‘being’ to help us be in the moment and enjoy what is around us.
It’s a collaboration between Christ Church, the Anglican church on the grounds of Castletown and the Church’s Ministry of Healing, Ireland (CMH:I), which uses nature connection to support people’s mental health, spiritual health and whole health. And of course the biggest partner is Nature and the beautiful grounds of Castletown House.
Did you know that just 2 hours per week in nature boosts your immune system, resets your nervous system, reduces your feelings of loneliness and increases your sense of wellbeing? What a gift! Let’s accept it.
Who is it for?
This is a welcoming space for everybody. Nature is free, we simply want to provide some nature connection opportunities.
Young and old are welcome – noisy people are welcome, quiet people are welcome, tired people are welcome, energetic people are welcome, people who love getting muddy are welcome, people who have dirt aversions are welcome, people with a faith, with no faith, with a strong sense of spirituality, with a desire to build community, all welcome. We won’t pretend to be anything other than who we are, but we also won’t impose anything or expect anyone to come as anyone but who they are and as they are.
photo – Catherine Smith, CMH:I

An example of what you can expect:

We’ll meet on the grounds of Christ Church and do some simple grounding exercises – noticing the sounds around you and becoming present.
Then we’ll walk to Castletown House together – some with mobility passes may drive there.
Anyone who needs bathroom breaks and coffee stops can head into the cafe.
Then we’ll head to the woods just beyond the House and invite people to engage with nature in whatever way suits them. This is completely participant led, once a few health and safety measures have been put in place. Here are some examples of options:
1. free play
2. nature art and mandalas
3. Sit spots under trees with ideas for breath work (we may even have a hammock!)
4. working with clay and loose nature parts to explore process and creativity
5. mindful wander prompts – these include postcards of things to spot or journey sticks that you can add to as you wander
6. blindfold walk (along ropes!)
We’ll finish with a closing gratitude circle and people can go on their way.
Will you come and shape this programme and community with us? We’d love to see you there.
Sunday 26th February 12.30 meeting at Christ Church Celbridge

What do I need to bring with me?

Appropriate clothes for the weather. (children in particular may get muddy)
A packed lunch – or you can buy something at the cafe
We will have a few camping chairs for those who need to sit – you may want to bring a picnic blanket or something waterproof to sit on for eating or crafting or sit spots
Drinking water.