What to Expect at Our Ministry of Healing & Reconciliation Service
St John’s recently added a new service to its schedule - the Ministry of Reconciliation and Healing with Anointing. Taking place at 11am on the last Wednesday of the month, this short service is open to all. In this article, Rev John explains what’s involved and why it’s considered one of the church’s oldest pastoral traditions.
The Anglican rite of Ministry to the Sick is rooted in one of the Church’s oldest pastoral traditions: the ministry of healing, prayer, and reconciliation. From the earliest days of Christianity, caring for the sick was understood as an essential expression of Christ’s compassion. The Gospels repeatedly show Jesus healing the sick, restoring the broken, and linking physical healing with spiritual renewal. As the Book of Alternative Services reminds us, “The Church’s ministry to the sick is based on Jesus’ concern and care for the sick” (BAS, p. 551).
This ministry also has deep biblical foundations in the Epistle of James, where the Church is instructed:
“Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.”
— James 5:14–15
In these verses, we see the ancient Christian understanding that healing is never merely physical. From both Jewish and early Christian tradition, bodily healing, forgiveness, and spiritual restoration have long been seen as deeply connected. For this reason, the Anglican Church often describes this rite not simply as healing, but as a ministry of Reconciliation and Healing with Anointing.
Historically, anointing the sick with oil has been practiced since the earliest centuries of the Church. In the early Christian communities, blessed oil became a visible sign of the Holy Spirit’s presence, conveying comfort, strengthening faith, and reminding the sick that they remain held in God’s loving care. Over time, this ministry developed into a sacramental rite of pastoral healing, offered not only in times of grave illness but whenever prayer for healing and renewal is needed.
This service is offered at St John’s on the last Wednesday of every month at 11am, immediately following our midweek Eucharist (which is held downstairs in the Rashleigh Chapel).
The service includes three main parts:
Liturgy of the Word – Scripture and psalm readings are offered, often accompanied by prayers of the people.
Confession and Absolution – A time for penitence and receiving God’s forgiveness and grace.
Laying on of Hands and Anointing – The priest lays hands on each person and anoints with oil as a sign of God’s healing and forgiving mercy.
This is a gentle, prayerful, and deeply meaningful service, open to all who seek God’s healing presence. Everyone is welcome to attend, regardless of baptismal status.
As we gather in this ministry of healing, we are reminded of Christ’s enduring promise:
“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28
In this sacred act of prayer, anointing, and reconciliation, the Church continues Christ’s healing ministry in the world today.