We’ve sourced these dates from the Interfaith Network, the UN, and other trusted listings. If a day is missing, please know it’s not intentional. We aim to be as inclusive as possible, but sometimes things are missed. Find more dates here.
onespirit connects newsletter
Each month, we come together to share updates on our offerings, whether it’s our enriching paid courses or the free programmes available on our website. But this newsletter is about more than just what’s coming up… it’s a space where we highlight news from our vibrant community and pass along information, events, and opportunities from those who call OneSpirit home. We want this to be a place for everyone, students, faculty, ministers, and friends of OneSpirit, to share, learn, connect, and stay inspired.
We’re glad to have you here with us, where connection, collaboration, and engagement are at the heart of what we do. Read below to see all the updates and opportunities that bring us closer together!
“Sometimes grace arrives quietly, asking only that we keep going.”
Morgan Harper Nichols
Table of Contents
Professional & Personal Development Offerings
🌸 Discover the Cherry Tree Pathway
Our two-year Spiritual Development and Ministry Training is more than a course, it’s a living, evolving journey into the heart of who you are and how you long to serve.
Rooted in nearly 30 years of OneSpirit wisdom, the Cherry Tree Pathway blends spiritual practice, deep listening, creative expression, and interfaith exploration. Whether you’re drawn to personal growth, community service, or ministry, this training meets you where you are and gently opens the door to what’s possible.
With six interwoven strands, experienced tutors, and a vibrant, supportive community, you’ll explore the sacred within and around you, building confidence, clarity, and compassion along the way.
Early Bird Offer: Save £500 when you complete your enrolment by 1 August 2025. General enrolment remains open until 30 September 2025.
If you’re feeling curious, or inspired, you can explore the full pathway and meet our tutors online today here!
🌸 Intro Days & Taster Sessions
You can learn more about our Intro Days and Taster Sessions here, but below is a little preview of the offerings that remain for this year….
Whether you’re exploring, deepening, or just beginning, these events offer a no-pressure way to experience the heart of our training and community. You’re welcome to join as many as you like, every session is a little different.
- Thursday 10th July – Sharing Circle (7:00 – 8:30pm): A sacred space for reflection and connection, this sharing circle invites you to bring where you are in this moment. Together, we’ll explore what draws each of us towards ministry training, offering an open, heartfelt environment for meaningful conversation.
- Thursday 11th September – Sharing Circle (7:00 – 8:30pm): Reconnect with community in this safe and supportive sharing circle, where we will reflect on the journeys that bring us to ministry. This is a space for deep listening, personal sharing, and mutual encouragement as we honour each individual’s path.
We’ve completely revisioned our Intro Day programme for this year! Inspired by our attendees of the past, we have found that everyone has a different reason for signing up to an Intro Day. So, instead of trying to be too many things in one space, we have curated an offer we feel will appeal to the different needs of our audience. We know for some of you, the most important thing is getting a feel for our approach, seeing how we create and hold space in the online realm is essential before you commit to the two year training. We are really excited to be offering these different spaces, and we can’t wait to meet you there.
– Maddy, OneSpirit’s Learning Design Specialist
🌸 In-Person Intro Day, A Soulful Gathering in Birmingham
Sunday 20th July | 10:00am–1:00pm
With Monica & Sarah
We warmly invite you to join us for a special Intro Day held in person at Birmingham Friends of the Earth, a beautiful opportunity to experience the heart of our training in a shared, sacred space.
This gathering is intentionally experiential. You’ll be welcomed into a space of reflection and connection, with time set aside for ritual, group sharing, meditation, and meaningful conversation. You’ll also receive a clear overview of the training and have space to ask any questions that arise.
Location:
Birmingham Friends of the Earth
The Warehouse, 54–57 Allison Street, Digbeth B5 5TH
(Medium Room)
This Intro Day is open to all who are curious about OneSpirit’s training. Ministers are also warmly encouraged to attend, your presence helps us hold the space and supports those discerning this path. If you’re a minister and would like to attend in a support role, please email maddy@osif.org.uk for further details.
We’d be honoured to welcome you! Please register your interest here.
Weekly Meditations – Ordination 2025
With everything our community is holding, from the tenderness of recent weeks to the quiet anticipation of ordination, we’re once again opening a gentle space to pause, breathe, and come together in support of our ordinands.
Our next holding is Tuesday 8th of July, these weekly 45-minute meditations offer a time to hold our students as they prepare to cross the threshold into ministry. It’s also a space to reconnect with the spirit of the 11.58 practice, and to ground ourselves in community presence and shared intention.
Whether you are preparing for ordination, supporting someone who is, or simply drawn to sit in stillness with others, you are warmly invited. In gathering together, we also continue the threads of connection and care that Nicola wove so deeply into this community. Come to one, come to all, and be held.
Tuesdays | 11:50 AM – 12:20 PM (UK time)
Dates: 8 July, 15 July, 22nd July and 29th July
Zoom: Click here to join
Meeting ID: 896 5655 2231
Passcode: 337576
You’re Lovingly Invited & Welcomed to Join our 2025 Celebrations
It’s nearly time to gather for one of the most meaningful moments in the OneSpirit year: our annual ordination and graduation ceremonies!
The Sylvan and Aspen Classes of 2025 have journeyed through two years of deep reflection, soul-led training, and profound spiritual growth through OneSpirit’s Spiritual Development and Ministry Training. Now, they’re preparing to step into ministry, and we would be honored for you to celebrate this threshold with them.
Whether you’re joining in person or online, these ceremonies are being crafted with intention, beauty, and the same wholehearted care each student brought to their training. Your presence is more than welcome, it’s part of what makes this moment sacred.
Once you RSVP, you’ll receive a downloadable invitation with all the details, including how to share it with loved ones. Please note: the invitations below are for community members, ministers, tutors, staff, and trustees. Students received a separate invitation by email, designed just for them.
These ceremonies are not just milestones. They are celebrations of spirit, community, and transformation. We hope you’ll join us as we honour this step into ministry and welcome a new wave of OneSpirit ministers.
Vow-Taking Ceremony: Held with love by and for our OneSpirit ministers – open to ministers only, sacred gatherings to hold, bless, and bear witness to our ordinands.
Aspen Class Vows (Online)
- Tuesday 16th July 2025
- 7:00–9:00pm (BST)
- Held lovingly via Zoom – access details will be emailed to those who RSVP.
Click here to RSVP to the Vow-Taking Ceremonies.
Ordination Ceremony: Open to all – family, friends, ministers, students, and the wider OneSpirit community.
Aspen Class Ordination (Online)
- Saturday 26th July, 2025
- 2:00–4:00pm (BST)
- Held lovingly via Zoom – details below!
- Click here to join or save the Zoom link.
- Meeting ID: 892 0547 3876
- Passcode: 195847
Vow-Taking Ceremony: Held with love by and for our OneSpirit ministers – open to ministers only, sacred gatherings to hold, bless, and bear witness to our ordinands.
Sylvan Class Vows (In Person)
- Thursday 17th July 2025
- 7:00–8:30pm (BST)
- The Greenhouse at Barnes Close, Birmingham
Click here to RSVP to the Vow-Taking Ceremonies.
Ordination Ceremony: Open to all – family, friends, ministers, students, and the wider OneSpirit community.
Sylvan Class Ordination (In Person)
- Saturday 19th July, 2025
- Uffculme Centre, Birmingham (B13 8QY)
- 2:00–4:00pm (guest arrival from 1:30pm), followed by light refreshments
- Click here to join or save the Zoom link..
- Meeting ID: 829 5608 7829
- Passcode: 181031
Community Offerings, Announcements, Thoughts
10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Making Spirituality My Career
I now have 7.5 years of experience being a professional spiritual practitioner, and 3 as a OneSpirit Interfaith Minister. As far as a career in spirituality, linear time is a poor measure of how experienced someone is. That all depends on marked occasions of initiation—lessons learned, along with the rituals that maintain the lesson and ceremonies that document them—and a willingness to receive wisdom as fully as we give it. As far as that measurement goes for me, I have gone through a whole lot of initiation and ceremony, with a high likelihood (universe willing) that I have many, many more ahead.
This is a great point along my timeline to share what I’ve learned so far, in hopes that if you, reading this, are deciding to pursue a career in spirituality, you can:
- Receive some assurances from my own experience
- Know that you’re not alone
- Avoid some of my pitfalls
- Receive some encouragement, too
1. The calling happens both suddenly and gradually.
You’ll find yourself gravitating toward matters of spirituality more and more as the calling beckons you forth. When it arrives as a dawning, foundation-rocking realisation, you’ll look back on a lifetime of being pulled toward it. The very obstacles and discouragements you faced may have been the very things that shaped your path.
2. Paradox is the greatest holder of deep, powerful truths.
You’ll be pressured to both transcend wealth and materialism and prove your value by achieving them. You’ll be praised and criticised no matter your level of success. Wisdom lies in holding both sides of the paradox.
3. Embrace alchemy.
Failures will hurt—but they’ll also teach. That beautifully marketed course that didn’t sell? It laid the foundation for your next success. Transform disappointment into wisdom, and offer that to your clients.
4. Build and maintain careful boundaries.
Not everyone offering advice has your best interest at heart. Some may be projecting, selling, or simply not listening. Set boundaries with those who speak in absolutes, or try to diminish your worth.
5. Avoid toxic positivity.
It’s okay to feel scared, stuck, or unsure. Emotions are part of the process. Reject advice that shames your experience. “Positive vibes only” thinking can become a form of spiritual bypassing.
6. Watch out for the greed you find, within and without.
Some people in the spirituality space are motivated more by wealth and admiration than by service. If something feels unsafe, listen to that. Check in with your intentions often, and release judgement around success.
7. Ideally, as spiritual practitioners, we are making ourselves obsolete.
We teach our clients to do for themselves what we do with them. This keeps us grounded and in integrity, even as we still have to market ourselves.
8. Constantly, consistently, and clearly market yourself and your work.
Effective marketing is about storytelling, authenticity, and patience. Avoid jargon. Meet people where they are. Build real relationships.
9. Seek support.
Whether for marketing, money, or your own healing, you’ll need people who listen and reflect with care. The right mentors will hold space while respecting your path.
10. You need supervision.
Being your own boss doesn’t mean being your only point of accountability. Supervision protects you and your clients. It creates a safe container for your growth and theirs.
There’s so much more I could say, and these bits of wisdom really only scratch the surface. Your journey may be slow and steady, or it may be sudden and visible. Either way, take in the lessons. Embrace the paradox. Let yourself be held.
With love and great support,
Rev April
By OneSpirit Minister, Rev. April Kling
Introducing Our New Trustee, Rev. Tricia
Tricia has a professional background in community development and project management, with a focus on social justice. She has worked both at grassroots level and in senior management, supporting marginalised and disadvantaged communities.
With extensive experience in sourcing and securing funding for charities, Tricia brings an inventive and creative mindset, one that has opened doors to sustainability and growth.
She has many years’ experience in charity governance and brings with her both strategic clarity and a discerning pastoral presence. Tricia was ordained as a minister with OneSpirit in 2023. She thoroughly enjoyed her training, which she describes as transformational in many ways.
She loves travelling across Europe and the UK with her partner. Time spent in nature nurtures her soul and feeds her adventurous, inquisitive spirit. Tricia feels blessed to have raised three sons and now delights in the company of her four grandchildren. She is honoured to serve on this trustee board for an organisation that wholeheartedly aligns with her core values.
What if my life was an act of reverence?
Reflecting on living reverently.
I am sitting in one of my favourite “sit spots,” a rock at the edge of the beach by my house that I call The Bay of Prayers. The sunlight is like tinsel on the sea and I’m enjoying the kiss of that same sunlight on my skin. One of the local ravens is cronking noisily nearby as I reflect on the journey of the last 2 years training as an Interfaith minister. This bay has held me and witnessed much of that journey — on the rocks over there I held my baby naming ceremony, on the beach itself I crafted my midway ceremony (witnessed by a raven, maybe the same one serenading me now). Many prayers have been offered to the winds and the mountains over the loch have watched my meditations.
I love this place — it has become such an important part of my life and my spirituality. I know it well and it feels like it knows me. It is a sacred place, a thin place soaked in my prayers (and maybe the prayers of others) and I hold it in deep reverence.
And as I sit here feeling the building excitement, the energy of mounting anticipation of approaching ordination, I’m pondering what it all means, and I know I’m not alone in these thoughts. Particularly I’m contemplating the term “Reverend” and what that means for me and my life.
Although the term reverend is commonly used as a title for a member of the clergy, I have come to think of it as meaning one who is dedicated to — vowed to — a life of reverence.
But what does that actually mean — a life of reverence? I recently felt Spirit ask me what it would look like if my whole life was lived as an act of reverence and devotion, and this challenge has fuelled a lot of contemplation.
The definition of reverence is a feeling or attitude of respect or admiration (Cambridge Dictionary), and etymologically, comes from the Latin revereri — to stand in awe or respect, honour — which comes from the Proto-Indo-European (PIE) root wer, meaning perceive/watch out for.
I love that this definition doesn’t feel stuffy, dogmatic or overly religious. (As John O’Donohue says, “Reverence is not the stiff pious posture which remains frozen and lacks humour and play.”) It feels down to earth, achievable, realistic. And whilst I definitely experience feelings of awe looking at the aurora borealis or an otter playing with her cubs, whilst encountering a sense of the Divine in meditation or listening to some sublime music, these moments are peak experiences — punctuation points in my spiritual path and daily life — the 5%. What about the rest of life — the other 95%? How does reverence weave its way through that? This question has occupied my thoughts and musings for some time.
And, as I often do, I turn to the poetry of my beloved Mary Oliver. Whilst she never (to my knowledge) used the word “reverence,” her writings are saturated with a deep reverence for the natural world and for the ordinariness of everyday life. In my opinion, she was a nature mystic.
It is interesting that the PIE root for the etymology of reverence, wer, means perceive/watch out for, and Mary Oliver says: “Attention is the beginning of devotion.”
Perception/watching out for/attention is the starting point of devotion, and devotion is intimately linked to reverence (and vow-taking), so maybe reverence is all about paying attention.
And that leads me to ponder my mindfulness training. Jon Kabat-Zinn, one of the pioneers of modern mindfulness, says that mindfulness is “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally,” and I recently heard someone say that mindfulness is “paying attention to the sacred in the present moment.”
Returning to Mary Oliver:
My work is loving the world.
Here the sunflowers, there the hummingbird — equal seekers of sweetness.
Here the quickening yeast; there the blue plums.
Here the clam deep in the speckled sand.
Are my boots old? Is my coat torn?
Am I no longer young and still not half-perfect? Let me keep my mind on what matters,
which is my work,
which is mostly standing still and learning to be astonished.
The phoebe, the delphinium.
The sheep in the pasture, and the pasture.
Which is mostly rejoicing, since all ingredients are here,
Which is gratitude, to be given a mind and a heart and these body-clothes,
a mouth with which to give shouts of joy
to the moth and the wren, to the sleepy dug-up clam,
telling them all, over and over, how it is that we live forever.
Maybe this poem is a manifesto for everyday reverence — noticing, loving, being astonished, rejoicing, gratitude — all woven through the ordinary things of daily life.
Zen master Dogen said: “Enlightenment is intimacy with all things.” And whilst I make no claims to enlightenment, intimacy with all things sounds like reverence, and certainly sounds like something Mary O could get on board with.
It reminds me of a lunchtime some years ago when I sat eating a banana mindfully, carefully unpeeling it and enjoying the sensations, the aroma, the taste — and a voice in my head said, “It’s like you’re making love to that banana!” Yes — absolutely! What if my life was lived in such intimacy?
If I truly believe (as I do) that all things are sacred and imbued with the mystery of divine essence, then reverence is due to all of life — not just those peak moments of transcendent beauty and awe. John O’Donohue again: “Ultimately, reverence is respect before mystery.”
Mary O herself reminds us in her poem Mindful that the things that “kill (her) with delight” are not “the exceptional, the fearful, the dreadful, the very extravagant — but … the ordinary, the common, the very drab, the daily presentations.” And I love that one of her biggest challenges to me (us) — “Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?” — is uttered as she lies in a field watching a grasshopper eat sugar.
So in closing: what would my life look like if I lived a life of paying intimate attention to the wonders and mystery of my everyday life? What if I lived as a love song to the universe?
As I listen to the waves lapping the shore and the gravelly call of my raven friend and watch the sunlight pierce through the nearby clouds — here I make my vow to live reverently and to love this world.
By OneSpirit Student, Andrew Jones
Walking Sacred Paths: Holy Island Lindisfarne
A Chaplain’s Pilgrimage by Rev Mike Walker, South Wales Police Chaplain and OneSpirit Interfaith Minister.
In the ancient tradition of pilgrims seeking solace and meaning, twelve of us set forth to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne.
Our pilgrimage to the Holy Island of Lindisfarne was a sacred journey of remembrance, prayer, and deep connection. We were a group brought together by faith, friendship and compassion: Rev Mike Walker, South Wales Police Chaplain; Rev Carl Denton, NHS Chaplain; Rev Gary Dean, University Chaplain, accompanied by his wife Theresa; Rev Sharon Rossi and her partner Paul; Rev Kisser Paludan; and Rev Cheryl Harvey, joined by her husband Paul. Also with us were two people who became new friends, Katie and Jason.
Our journey began not merely with physical steps, but with a sacred blessing from Sister Tessa, who was a nun on Lindisfarne in her earlier years, whose prayers carried us gently forward.
At both the beginning and end of our pilgrimage, we were embraced by two beautifully crafted ceremonies—one led by Rev Gary Dean and the other by Rev Cheryl Harvey. These moments of shared worship gave shape to our journey, anchoring us in unity and purpose. The ceremonies culminated in a moving anointing for each of us.
Rev Mike Walker, Rev Kisser Paludan, Rev Carl Denton, Rev Cheryl Harvey and Paul, Rev Gary Dean and Theresa, Rev Sharon Rossi and Paul, and new friends Katie, Jason and Liz.
Before reaching the island, we were serenaded—not only by the ethereal calls of seals gathering nearby, but by the voices of Rev Cheryl Harvey and her husband, Paul, whose music deepened the sacred atmosphere of the crossing.
We walked to the island barefoot, like the pilgrims who came before us, carrying scallop shells—symbols of spiritual journey and transformation. The cold sand beneath our feet reminded us that sacred journeys require vulnerability as much as strength.
Within the quiet sanctuary of Lindisfarne’s chapel, I lit candles that flickered with meaning and memory. Each flame represented a prayer for the dedicated officers, PCSOs, chaplains, and support staff who serve the communities of South Wales with courage and compassion. We also lifted up prayers for the family and friends of the ministers present.
Particularly moving were the prayers offered for members of our police family who bear the heaviest burdens—those grieving, those who have experienced the heartache of miscarriage, and those mourning babies born asleep. These private sorrows, often hidden in the day-to-day demands of service, were brought into the light and honoured with reverence.
In this ancient place—where prayers have risen for centuries—I felt both the weight of responsibility and the blessing of being entrusted with it. The island, set apart by tides and time, became a sanctuary where heartfelt intentions could be offered without distraction.
For me personally, the lighting of candles and the prayers I offered on behalf of those who had asked me to do so was a humbling and sacred honour. To carry their griefs, hopes, and intentions into that holy space was a moment of profound connection—between us, between heaven and earth, and between all those we held in prayer.
We returned changed—not by a dramatic revelation, but by a quiet grace. A reminder that in our service to others, we walk together on paths that are both professional and deeply personal. And when burdens grow too heavy for one alone, we carry them together.
This pilgrimage was more than a walk. It was a sacred act of love, remembrance, and solidarity. It reminded us of the healing power of prayer, the strength of community, and the quiet dignity of walking in faith alongside one another.
My heartfelt thanks go to the OneSpirit Interfaith Ministers, their partners, and our cherished friends. Thank you for helping me carry the sacred responsibility of lighting candles and offering prayers for the many within the police community who reached out. Your presence and support made the occasion deeply poignant. To walk this journey with those I trained and was ordained alongside—and their loved ones—was a profound blessing. I am proud to call you friends.
Save the Date: Coming Home to Love, A Free Online OneSpirit Summit
We are gathering on Sunday 21st September 2025!
Join us for Coming Home to Love, a free, inclusive online summit in honour of our beloved teacher and guide, Nicola Coombe. Held on Sunday 21st September, this special one-day event is open to all in the OneSpirit community: ministers, students, alumni, friends, and seekers alike.
Together, we’ll share a soul-nourishing day of learning, reflection, guided practices, music, storytelling, and sacred connection, all rooted in the love and wisdom Nicola so generously shared with us.
Accessible online, live and recorded. Optional donation-based recordings and a follow-up spiritual practice journey will be available!
If you feel called to offer a reading, meditation, song, prayer, or idea for the day, we’d love to hear from you. Please complete this short form by 25th July.
This is a co-creation from the heart. A remembrance. A homecoming. We hope you’ll join us!
With warmth,
Your OneSpirit Team
A New Chapter Begins: Rev. Tabi Haller-Jorden
We’re so honoured to celebrate our beloved Trustee, Rev. Tabi Haller-Jorden, who was recently ordained by One Spirit Learning Alliance in New York.
As we roll into our own ordination season, it’s especially meaningful to honour those stepping into service with such heart and clarity.
We’re wishing Tabi every blessing as she begins this new chapter!
“I was recently ordained by One Spirit Learning Alliance (OSLA) in NY as an Interfaith Minister and look forward to supplementing my social justice work with some vitally important spiritual considerations. These challenging times certainly present a ‘perfect storm’ in which to move in this direction.”
Words from OneSpirit Trustee, Rev. Tabi Haller-Jorden
Love
O Friend: In the garden of thy heart plant naught but the rose of love, and from the nightingle of affection and desire loosen not thy hold… O ye loved ones of the Lord! This is the hour when ye must associate with all the earth’s people in extreme kindness and love, and be to them the signs and tokens of God’s great mercy. — Bahai Faith
‘Undisturbed shall our mind remain, no evil words shall escape our lips; friendly and full of sympathy shall we remain, with heart full of love, and free from any hidden malice; and that person shall we penetrate with loving thoughts, wide, deep, boundless, freed from anger and hatred.’ — Buddhism
5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. — Christian
Better to live on beggar’s bread With those we love alive, Than taste their blood in rich feasts spread, And guiltily survive! — Hindu
And he said, “Truly do I love the love of Good, with a view to the glory of my Lord…” — Islam
Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all transgressions. Love ye therefore the stranger; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt — Judaism
Greetings from Martin Nathanael
Allow me to introduce you to my newly published novel: The Ring of Truth: A Philosophical Journey
Over the years, I’ve written a lot on matters of spirituality, philosophy, healing, meditation, and the like. At no time did I ever contemplate writing fiction!
But out of the blue, whilst sitting quietly at home, something out of the ordinary found its way into my thought processes.
What began as a raw idea just over a year ago soon took on a life of its own, as a narrative gradually began dropping into place. I often found myself having to keep up with the flow of ideas that were drawing me into unknown territory! A few months ago, I knew I had the finished article.
I believe this novel is unique in embodying the following elements:
- Characters in the story are from Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha’i and Sufi backgrounds
- Meditation and healing practices are woven into the story
- Universal Teachings are drawn from a variety of Wisdom traditions
- It highlights the work of an Interfaith Minister
- A full Interfaith Marriage Ceremony is featured
The story centres around a young man, Zac, who is unexpectedly joined by a stranger in a café. Very quickly, the stranger, turned friend, becomes his spiritual mentor. Invited into the man’s wider circle, Zac begins to awaken to his innermost being, unlocking his potential step by step, and realising his destiny.
Themes such as love, forgiveness, death and immortality, happiness, the sacred present, non-attachment, innate wisdom, and interfaith understanding emerge organically within the narrative, alongside other explorations of the human landscape. In addition, my intention throughout the novel was to highlight the finest qualities of the human spirit.
Here are the publication details: The Ring of Truth, paperback, 330 pages, £10.99. The book is one click away, at: The Ring of Truth: A Philosophical Journey.
I am happy to receive any questions about the book. Please send an email or call me at 01904 691201.
May all beings know their wholeness.
A Collection of Our Latest Medium Articles
Over the past few months, we’ve been reflecting on what it means to live, listen, root, and rise as part of a spiritual community. Through stories, teachings, and personal insights, our latest Medium articles explore the heart of OneSpirit and the soul behind the work we do.
Here’s a round-up of our most recent pieces:
1. Lessons from a Luminous Life
A heartfelt tribute to Nicola Coombe, whose freidnship and leadership continues to ripple through our community. This piece offers reflections on her teachings, presence, and lasting impact, showing how one life can shape so many others.
What does it really mean to listen, and to be listened to? This piece explores listening as an act of love, healing, and sacred witness. Drawing on our interfaith ministry training, it considers the quiet, transformational power of being fully present with another.
3. Rooted
Published during Earth Month, this article invites us to consider how spiritual practice can be rooted in the Earth as well as in spirit. It explores themes of belonging, care, and connection to our wider ecosystems, and asks what it means to be grounded in a time of change.
4. Ordination: On Whose Authority?
Written by Nicola Coombe, this powerful piece explores the question of authority in ordination. Who decides who gets to be ordained, and what makes that calling sacred? With OneSpirit’s own ordination ceremonies taking place this month, we felt it timely to republish Nicola’s reflection on tradition, community, and the spiritual path.
Impact! Podcast, by Rev Clive Johnson
Class of 2015 minister Clive Johnson invites possible guests from our community for a weekly podcast he co-hosts with US-based founder of Global Healing Response, Ellen Bintz.
The podcast is called Impact! which takes a specific theme each week to delve into and see where we might hone in with our intentions and prayers (interfaith).
This might be exploring an issue in the news or an ongoing social issue. The podcast also aims to deepen our understanding of the nature of prayer, intention sending and the power of the collective, and invites considering our response when something tugs at our heart strings to the question–what can I do? It’s now approaching its 100th episode, and has a global reach. Recent episodes have covered things like the UK High Court Ruling on sex in Equality Law, issues facing young males profiled in the Netflix series ‘Adolescence,’ the power of labyrinths in energy healing, the nature of silence, and the devestating earthquake in Myanmar.
Find out more, and listen to past episodes, on the show’s website here, (scroll down the page to see past episodes).
Clive says that anyone who might have an interest in a topic of relevance, including different faith perspectives on prayer, deepening our awareness of different healing modalities and the like, might be a great guest – and folks who just have a curiosity on a subject too, not just those who might consider themselves experts!
If you think you might like to offer something, email Clive directly here.
2025 Reflection Challenge
Welcome to our year-long journey of self-discovery and connection! This challenge invites you to set aside a few moments each month to reflect on prompts designed to deepen your personal and spiritual exploration. Whether you’re a minister, a student, or simply curious, these reflections are for everyone.
How It Works:
-
Each month, we’ll share a unique prompt.
-
Take 10–15 minutes (or longer if you wish) to journal, meditate, or simply ponder the question.
-
If inspired, consider sharing insights with the community to foster connection.
July Prompt:
What does freedom mean to you?
Explore where you feel free in your life and where you may feel constrained. How does spirituality influence these feelings?
Want to share your reflections with us?
If you’d like to share your reflection for us to include in the newsletter, or you simply want to share it with someone who would be proud or interested, send it our way. We’d love to hear your thoughts and honour your journey!
Awareness, Spiritual, and Religious Days
Reflections from an Awareness Day
Remembering Srebrenica: 30 Years On
This year marks thirty years since the genocide at Srebrenica.
On 11 July 1995, more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were systematically murdered by Bosnian Serb forces in and around the town of Srebrenica, in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. The killings were later recognised as genocide by both the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) and the International Court of Justice [1].
Srebrenica is widely regarded as the worst atrocity to take place on European soil since the Second World War [2]. The pain and injustice of what happened continue to affect families and communities to this day, and the memory of this tragedy still calls on all of us to pay attention.
Srebrenica Memorial Day is not only about remembrance. It is also an invitation to reflect on what can happen when hatred takes root, when fear overrides compassion, and when people are no longer seen as human. It reminds us of the need to keep standing up for one another, even when it is difficult.
As we enter our own ordination season at OneSpirit, many of us are thinking about what it truly means to be of service. This anniversary is a timely reminder that spiritual leadership involves more than comfort and care. It also involves truth-telling, courageous presence, and the ongoing work of building peace.
Each year, the UK charity Remembering Srebrenica leads national commemorations and shares a theme to guide remembrance events across the country [3]. People gather in mosques, churches, synagogues, schools, and community centres to honour those who were lost and to reflect on how we can create a more compassionate future together. If you would like to take part this year, you might choose to attend a local event, light a candle, share a prayer, or pause in silence. You can also visit www.srebrenica.org.uk to explore resources and find opportunities to get involved.
At OneSpirit, we believe that remembrance is sacred. When we honour those who have suffered, we nurture empathy, deepen our understanding, and help shape a world where such horrors are never repeated. We hope you will join us in remembering Srebrenica and in meeting this moment with care.
References:
[1] ICTY and ICJ rulings: Both international courts legally recognised the Srebrenica massacre as genocide.
[2] European Parliament, 2009: Declared 11 July as Srebrenica Memorial Day and recognised the atrocity as the worst in Europe since WWII.
[3] Remembering Srebrenica (UK charity): Leads national awareness, education, and interfaith efforts.
Further Reading & Resources
- Remembering Srebrenica – Resources: A helpful collection of survivor stories, teaching guides, films, and educational tools. Visit the resource library.
- What Happened in Bosnia: A clear overview of the Srebrenica genocide from the official UK charity site. Read the background.
- Encyclopaedia Britannica – Srebrenica Genocide: A verified summary of the events and how they were recognised in international law. Read the article.
- Postcards from the Grave by Emir Suljagić: A personal memoir from a survivor and interpreter during the genocide. More about the book.
- Surviving the Bosnian Genocide by Selma Leydesdorff: Stories from women who lived through the genocide and its aftermath. Learn more.
- Remembering Genocide in Srebrenica – by Norman M. Naimark: An article reflecting on how the genocide is remembered and why it still matters. Read the article.
Connect With Us
If you have a question, a suggestion, or simply want to get in touch, we’d love to hear from you. We’re a small and dedicated team, each here to support different aspects of your journey. Alan, our Executive Director, holds the vision and direction of OneSpirit. Danielle looks after all things finance, and Kailee leads on communications and marketing (she also curates this newsletter!). Kim, our Operations Manager, helps keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes, while Lavinia focuses on community development and connection. Maddy, our Learning Design Specialist, brings her care and creativity to shaping meaningful learning experiences. We’re here to help you feel at home in this community, so please don’t hesitate to reach out. If it takes us a little time to reply, thank you for your patience. We’ll always get back to you as soon as we can!
Our Mailing Address:
OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation
The Gateway, 85–101 Sankey Street
Warrington, Cheshire WA1 1SR
United Kingdom
Copyright © 2025 OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation. All rights reserved.
