Spiritual Healing Centre

In November, three of us interested in the Church's healing ministry visited Burrswood, a Christian Hospital and Place of Healing, in the village of Groombridge, near Royal Tunbridge Wells. Burrswood is a unique place where for nearly 60 years people have found healing and wholeness and the love and peace of Jesus, through medical expertise, skilled nursing, counselling and prayer. 'Burrswood' comprises a 35-bed independent Hospital; an out-patient department providing physiotherapy, hydrotherapy, counselling and medical consultations; a guest house and a conference centre as well as a gift shop and a Tea Room. It also incorporates the church of Christ the Healer.

First Impressions:The buildings are set in the most beautiful grounds of 220 acres in the High Weald of Kent. As soon as you enter through the gates there is a tangible sense of peace as you go up the tree-lined drive past the lakes to the main building.

The Foundation: Burrswood was founded in 1948 by the 20th century healing visionary Dorothy Kerin (1890 -1963). She was a 22 year old invalid when she was miraculously cured of tubercular meningitis (then a fatal condition), and had a personal experience of the living Christ turning her life around. Her desire "to heal the sick, comfort the sorrowing, and give faith to the faithless" led her to establish three homes of prayer and healing in Ealing before she bought and developed the Burrswood estate. The Archbishop of Canterbury is a Patron and the work of Burrswood is administered by a charitable trust.

We were made to feel at home from the very start of our visit with coffee in Becky's Tea Room , overlooking the gardens, then at the Healing service, followed by lunch and a meeting with one of the chaplains. Central to the life of Burrswood is the power of God's love, Christian worship and prayer. The Church of Christ the Healer was built in 1959 under Dorothy Kerin's supervision, the culmination of her life and mission.

Worship and prayer: Daily services, including two healing services a week, are also relayed to the hospital wing. We attended the Healing Service, which uses the order of service designed by Dorothy Kerin. The worship included hymns, prayers of thanksgiving and intercession, and a short address; prayers for healing were said for those present and for those whose names were written in a book kept on the altar, and then anyone could receive the laying-on-of-hands. The worship was quietly reflective and personal. We were told, "Open yourself to the Lord Jesus, who loves you, imagine His hands are healing you, offer Him the deepest prayers of your heart".

We had a delicious lunch in the Tea Room before meeting one of the chaplains. She explained that the work of the chaplains is an integral part of the care team. They are available 24 hours a day, as are the nurses and doctors. Burrswood specialises in the unique needs associated with post-operative recovery, physical disability, convalescence and chronic fatigue syndrome. It also addresses the needs of the frail elderly, terminal illness, respite care and a range of psychological disorders amenable to short term intensive counselling in a supportive environment.

Facilities: There is a Care Grant Fund scheme to help those with limited fínancial means. Relatives of patients and visitors seeking a quiet country break can stay in Chapel House, a 4-diamond status guest house. In each room, both in the Hospital wing and in Chapel House, are people who have chosen to pray for those who stay there. The Conference Centre has capacity for 35 delegates with up-to-date audio visual aids and is regularly used for training courses and church 'away' days. Burrswood has a large band of volunteers, who help in the Tea Room, in the gift shop, and with hospitality and many other tasks. The chaplain had to leave to attend a meeting, so we went to see the Hydrotherapy Pool, which was being enjoyed by a group of disabled youngsters, it is used by inpatients and outpatients and also by local children and adults. Then we walked through the grounds and ended up browsing (and buying) in the Book Shop and Gift Shop. We were all most impressed by the atmosphere at Burrswood, realising it is unique within the landscape of British healthcare as the only fully registered facility that combines medicine with Christian ministry and recognises its hallmark of 'healing and rest for the body, mind and spirit.

For further information telephone 01892 863637, or look on the website: www.burrswood.org.uk

Jean Mclntosh, St Nicholas church
Article from Link Magazine, Feb 2008