Healing prayer and individual confession and absolution (reconciliation of a penitent) are pastoral offices offered in the Episcopal tradition here at Grace. These are ancient forms of care of the soul--soul being the unity of body and mind that makes up a human person, as understood in the biblical worldview. The Spirit of God, which animates all life, is involved as well. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, healing and forgiveness are available to the wounded human soul. This happens through faith by means of prayer, confession, and sacramental grace.
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​We're talking about the power of the Holy Spirit of Christ that descended upon the Apostles at Pentecost, a gift of healing, forgiveness and power that was given to the early church and continues to this day through the ministry of those ordained to the priesthood of the church (as well as in other ways, according to the manifold gifts of God).
So how great is that?

- Father Matt

You can attend a Public Service of Healing in the side chapel of Grace Church every Wednesday at 10 am. Join a small group of regular attendees who hear stories of ancient and contemporary saints of the church, pray through a litany of prayer and offer particular names to be lifted up. Then comes Holy Eucharist and Anointing by oil for healing and the lifting up of special intercessions. 

You can also contact Fr Matt though the office or personally and arrange a time for Confession and Absolution. This allows an individual to name the particular sins that lie behind the general confession we all make on Sunday. It offers a chance to hear personal counsel and receive absolution and forgiveness of your sins, providing that you enter into the rite with a true intention of repentance and amendment of life. 

There is a balm in Gilead--goes the old spiritual--to heal the sin-sick soul. If that is what you long for, we are here to help.