A national Christian cancer support organisation which offers prayer and spiritual support to people affected by cancer and their family and friends is to open a regional and diocesan base at Kirkheaton Parish Church, Huddersfield.
The first Firm Roots Cancer Prayer Support Group in the Diocese of Leeds will be held on Thursday 6th September 2018, 6.30pm til 8pm at Kirkheaton Community Centre, Fields Rise, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield HD5 OND and will then run every first Thursday of the month at the same time and place. The idea is that the group meets in the community, for the community. More information here
“Around 70,000 people in West Yorkshire are living with or beyond a cancer diagnosis and many people face cancer without the support of a local family or church,” says Firm Roots founder, Helen Jones.
“Lots of practical and emotional needs of patients and families often go unmet, and many people live with complex difficulties as a consequence of cancer treatment. Cancer can also affect a person’s faith or belief in God – some people may turn to God in prayer, asking for his help and others may wonder where God is, in the midst of such a time as cancer.”
Firm Roots Cancer Support was started in 2012 by Helen after her own cancer experience, as a Christian organisation offering prayer and spiritual support, as well as practical and emotional support to people affected by cancer and their families. The motto of Firm Roots is ‘Strength for Today; Hope for Tomorrow’ and the aim of the organisation is to walk alongside people and support them with God’s love, as they go through cancer.
“The cancer prayer support groups are ecumenical groups which offer friendship, time for tea and cake, a short talk (e.g. living with fear/finding peace), a look at some Bible verses and chance to pray or light a candle for someone affected by cancer” explains Helen.
“Everyone is very welcome to come along to the Firm Roots groups whether they have a faith or not, and the groups are attended by people who have had a cancer diagnosis, family and friends supporting others, and professionals who work with people affected by cancer.”
Firm Roots also runs Christian Retreat Days for people affected by cancer and their families and friends. Several ecumenical Retreat Days have been run in Lancashire and Bristol and these are days of encouragement, friendship and rest. Says Helen, "These quiet days are a chance to spend some time in God’s presence, away from medical intervention, to take part in art and other workshops, enjoy music, prayer and chance to share with other people in similar situations".
A Firm Roots Retreat Day is planned for West Yorkshire in 2019
Kirkheaton Parish Church will also be the venue for the charity’s first national conference. It takes place on Saturday 13th October from 10am – 4pm, at Kirkheaton Parish Church, Church Lane, Kirkheaton, Huddersfield HD5 0BH. The cost is £10 for the conference, to include lunch and refreshments. Supporters from around the country will be taking part.
More information on the diocesan events diary here.
To book a place at the conference, please contact Helen Jones at Helen.Jones@firmroots.co.uk or phone Claire Coates at Kirkheaton Parish Church on 01484 531449.