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!
“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
Albert Camus
Table of Contents
In Loving Memory of Nicola
I wanted to share this page for a second month, to make sure you had space and time to look through the beautiful messages, images, and reflections about the life of Nicola. We continue to hold space for deep remembrance through our tribute page, In Loving Memory of Nicola Coombe, where we honour her life, her spirit, and the many ways she touched our community. Nicola was a guiding light within OneSpirit, deeply respected and loved as a teacher, mentor, colleague, and friend. She brought warmth, clarity, and courage to her work, inspiring so many through her presence and integrity. Those who knew her will remember her compassion, her honesty, and her unwavering belief in the goodness and potential of others.
We will always hold this page on our website as a lasting memorial, and we will always hold Nicola in our hearts.
Professional and Personal Development Offerings
Continuing to Grow: Optional Modules for Students & Ministers
As the year begins to slow, many of us find ourselves called inward, to rest, to reflect, and to seek new ways of nourishing our spirit. Our optional module programme was created with that same intention: to support your deepening, inspire fresh insight, and offer meaningful connection within the OneSpirit community.
These modules are open to both current students and ordained ministers, providing opportunities to learn, share, and grow in community. Each one offers a unique space to honour your individuality while exploring the shared essence of sacred service. Across January and May 2026, we’re offering four beautiful, soul-nourishing modules that build upon the foundations of our training and provide a rich CPD experience for ministers.
January 2026
Circling the Sun and Moon: Ceremonies of Love and Sacred Mystery
In-person Residential Retreat — 22–24 January 2026 | The Lodge, Staylittle, Wales
We invite you to join Circling the Sun and Moon: Ceremonies of Love and Sacred Mystery, a three-day retreat for those called to honour the turning of the year through ancient, Earth-based ceremony and contemplative practice. This optional module within our two-year training programme is open to all OneSpirit students (Birch and Cherry Tree) and OneSpirit ministers, both ROSIM and non-ROSIM.
Held in the stillness of winter, this retreat offers space to pause, listen, and reconnect with the rhythms that have guided humanity for millennia. Nestled in the quiet beauty of the Welsh hills, The Lodge provides a warm sanctuary for rest and renewal, nourished by food lovingly prepared by our hearth keeper.
Guided by Annie Heppenstall, OneSpirit tutor and ritualist, alongside a guest facilitator, you’ll explore the sun and moon cycles through story, ceremony, and reflection. Annie brings a deep knowledge of myth, sacred ecology, and Earth-honouring traditions, inviting a grounded, heart-centred experience of belonging. Together, we will rest, remember, and return to what feels sacred, allowing the rhythms of nature to renew our sense of connection with self, community, and the living Earth.
- Venue: The Lodge, Staylittle, Wales
- Dates: 22 to 24 January 2026
- Facilitator: Annie Heppenstall
- Investment: ÂŁ360 (Students) | ÂŁ384 (ROSIM) | ÂŁ480 (Non-ROSIM ministers)
The Sacred Art of Relating: Relationships and Presence as Spiritual Practice
Online Offering — 14, 21 & 28 January 2026 | 7:00–9:00pm (UK time)
We invite you to join The Sacred Art of Relating: Relationships and Presence as Spiritual Practice, an online module exploring conscious communication as a living spiritual path. This offering invites you to cultivate empathy, awareness, and presence in every encounter, transforming the way you listen, speak, and connect with others.
Over three evenings together, we will meet online in a warmly held group space to explore how to respond from presence rather than reactivity, and how to meet difference with humility, compassion, and clarity. Through reflection, gentle practice, and peer dialogue, you’ll deepen your ability to bring mindfulness and grace to all relationships.
This module is led by Monica Douglas, OneSpirit tutor and minister, who brings a soulful, embodied approach to communication and community-building. Monica’s facilitation nurtures honesty and spaciousness, inviting participants to rediscover communication as a sacred meeting place, a way of being that strengthens relationship, compassion, and integrity in both ministry and life.
- Venue: Online via Zoom (evenings)
- Dates: 14, 21, 28 January 2026
- Facilitators: Monica Douglas
- Investment: Free (Students) | ÂŁ120 (ROSIM) | ÂŁ150 (Non-ROSIM ministers)
May 2026
Healing Our Relationship with the More-Than-Human World
In-person Residential Retreat — 11–13 May 2026 | Ham Green House, Bristol
We invite you to join Healing Our Relationship with the More-Than-Human World, a three-day residential retreat for those who feel called to renew their connection with the living Earth. This gathering offers space to move beyond “nature connection” and into a reciprocal, embodied relationship with the wider web of life.
Held at Ham Green House, surrounded by the lush vitality of spring, we will be guided through contemplative, creative, and somatic practices, including sit-spot meditation, gentle movement, and shared ritual. The land itself will serve as our teacher, inviting us to grieve, listen, and awaken to the sacred interbeing of all life.
This retreat is led by Sarah MacDonald, OneSpirit tutor and minister, whose work bridges reflective practice, spirituality, and ecological consciousness. Sarah creates spaces of safety and depth, where tenderness and renewal can unfold naturally. Together, we will open to the wisdom of the Earth, allowing her to remind us of belonging, resilience, and the sacredness of all that lives.
- Venue: Ham Green House, Bristol
- Dates: 11 to 13 May 2026
- Facilitator: Sarah MacDonald
- Investment: ÂŁ360 (Students) | ÂŁ384 (ROSIM) | ÂŁ480 (Non-ROSIM ministers)
Deepening Your Spiritual Practice: Fire and Renewal at Beltane
Online Offering — 20 & 27 May 2026 | 7:00–9:00pm (UK time)
We invite you to join Deepening Your Spiritual Practice: Fire and Renewal at Beltane, a two-part online module inviting you to rekindle vitality and presence within your personal spiritual life. Held during the bright, blossoming days of Beltane, this offering supports you in balancing inner stillness with creative renewal.
Across two evening gatherings, we will meet online for guided meditation, reflection, and gentle embodied practice. Together, we’ll explore how the energy of Beltane can inspire renewal, help release inner obstacles, and reignite your sense of purpose and spiritual vitality.
This module is led by Monica Douglas, OneSpirit tutor and minister, alongside a guest facilitator. Monica’s facilitation weaves warmth, insight, and grounded presence, inviting participants into connection with their own creative spark and seasonal rhythm. Together, we will tend the inner fire, cultivating clarity, joy, and renewal in both spiritual practice and daily life.
- Venue: Online via Zoom (evenings)
- Dates: 20 and 27 May 2026
- Facilitators: Monica Douglas
- Investment: Free (Students) | ÂŁ120 (ROSIM) | ÂŁ150 (Non-ROSIM ministers)
Community Offerings, Announcements, Thoughts
In Conversation with the Higher Self: An Offering for OneSpirit Ministers
A note from OneSpirit Interfaith Minister, Anton Jarrod:Â
I’d love to introduce you to The Higher Self Dialogues. It’s a podcast I’m hosting for open-minded, spiritually curious people who are seeking to live with greater wholeness, clarity and inner strength in today’s turbulent world. Each episode seeks to explore how we can recognise and live from the hidden presence of the higher self – that wise, spiritual centre within that helps us navigate modern life with compassion and insight. I share my own spiritual journey on the show, but I would love to share the journeys of others to, including yours.
So I’m now opening the space for fellow OneSpirit Interfaith Ministers to join me as guests on the show. If you feel called to share your own story – your encounter with spirit within, however you name or frame it – I’d love to hear from you. These dialogues aim to reveal the many languages of spirit and the diverse ways we each embody this in the world.
If this resonates, please get in touch to explore being part of a future episode, by email at: info@antonjarrod.com. Your voice could help others recognise something sacred in their own experience.
Listen to the show on your podcast player here: https://pod.link/1805630508
Monthly OneSpirit Prayer Circle
“Come, come, whoever you are: wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving, ours is not a caravan of despair.” – Rumi
In a time of tenderness for our community, gathering matters. This gentle circle offers a space to pause, breathe, and be held. Rev Eva Mary Spevack guides us through prayers, readings, and expressive writing prompts woven with seasonal themes, nature, and wisdom traditions.
- When: Tuesday 18th November, and Tuesday 16th December 2025
- Time: 7:30–8:30pm (UK time)
- Where: Online via Zoom
- Facilitator: Rev Eva Mary Spevack
- Fee: Free and open to all: students, ministers, friends!
To join, simply complete the short form and you’ll receive everything you need. Let this be a gentle place of presence and prayer, shared in community.
Funeral Services 101: A New Offering by One of Our Own
We are so thrilled to introduce Funeral Services 101: The Complete Practical Guide for Ministers, a brand new course created and led by OneSpirit minister Reverend Lizzie Ward. This is one of the very first offerings developed by a graduate of our own training, and we could not be more honoured to support and hold it with her.
Lizzie brings a deep well of experience, compassion, and clarity to this work. Rooted in both professional celebrancy training and OneSpirit ministry, she offers this course as a practical, grounded, and sacred guide for anyone who feels called to support others through death and bereavement.
This course is perfect for ministers and students alike, especially those looking to deepen their knowledge and confidence in holding funeral ceremonies, supporting families, and working with funeral professionals. Whether you are newly ordained or preparing for future ministry, Lizzie’s thoughtful guidance will help you navigate one of the most meaningful roles a minister can hold.
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When: Saturday 8th & Saturday 15th November 2025
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Time: 10:00am–1:30pm (UK time)
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Where: Online (Zoom)
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Fee: ÂŁ97 (ÂŁ77.60 for OneSpirit students & ROSIM members)
We’re so proud to offer this new space for learning and growth, and we invite you to join us! You can find all the information you need, along with a link to register here.
On Grief and Gentle Return
In our latest Substack piece, we reflect on what it means to return, to ourselves, to community, and to life, after loss. It’s a meditation on tenderness, change, and the quiet ways we begin again. Written with honesty and care, it invites us to hold grief not as something to overcome, but as something that reshapes us with gentleness and depth.
Join us and follow our Substack for more reflections like this: a more human, personal space, and a breath of fresh air in a world surrounded by content.
The Year Breathes Out
As the year begins to soften and fold into its closing chapter, we invite you to pause with us, to exhale, to listen, and to let the music carry you gently toward stillness. Our new community playlist, The Year Breathes Out, gathers songs that hold the feeling of November: quiet, soulful, and full of quiet light. You’ll find voices that move between reflection and renewal, from tender folk to meditative instrumentals, from timeless soul to spacious soundscapes, all chosen to accompany the slow turning of the seasons. Listen wherever you are, while walking, resting, or tending to something simple, and let it remind you that there’s beauty in the pause before the next beginning.
The Ring of Truth
We are delighted to share that The Ring of Truth: A Philosophical Journey by our very own Rev. Martin Nathanael is now available as an e-book.
This thoughtful work invites readers into a journey of questioning, exploring, and discovering what it means to live with authenticity and integrity. With clarity and depth, Martin draws on philosophy, spirituality, and lived experience to guide us toward the heart of truth and the freedom it offers.
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Now available as an e-book
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Cost: ÂŁ4.99
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Where: Amazon Kindle Store
We celebrate Martin’s continued contributions to the interfaith and philosophical landscape, and we warmly encourage you to explore his latest offering. Click here to view or order Martin’s book.
Opening and Closing: Words to Begin and End Reflection
This is lovingly curated collection of nearly 300 quotations, blessings, and prayers drawn from many faiths, cultures, and times, each one carefully gathered by Josephine Seccombe. Josephine has generously gifted this collection to OneSpirit, with all proceeds supporting our Student Bursary Fund, helping those who feel called to ministry but may need financial assistance to begin their training.
For just £6 (PDF download), you’ll receive a rich treasury of words to open or close gatherings, ceremonies, one-to-one sessions, or moments of quiet reflection. Each page offers a reminder of the shared wisdom that connects us across traditions. With heartfelt gratitude to Josephine for her generosity, and to you, our community, for helping future ministers find their way to this work.
Join Our Board of Trustees
At OneSpirit, our Board of Trustees plays a vital role in guiding the vision and future of our work. We’re always looking for new voices, fresh perspectives, and committed hearts to join this circle of leadership. In this season of growth, we are especially keen to hear from those with fundraising experience, whether that’s through development work, donor relations, events, or simply a creative flair for helping organisations thrive. Your insight could make a real difference in ensuring our community remains strong and sustainable for years to come.
Trusteeship isn’t only about ticking boxes or having certain qualifications, it’s about heart, commitment, and alignment with OneSpirit’s mission. Our current trustees bring a rich mix of professional expertise, interspiritual wisdom, and dedication to community care.
If you’ve ever wondered whether this might be for you, here are some of the ways trusteeship can enrich your journey:
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Deepen your sense of service by engaging with an organisation rooted in compassion and inclusion.
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Grow professionally with skills in governance, fundraising, leadership, and strategy.
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Expand your network through meaningful connections and collaboration.
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Shape the future of OneSpirit with integrity, inclusivity, and vision.
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Nourish yourself personally by contributing to a cause bigger than yourself.
If your heart is stirred by this, we’d love you to reach out for a conversation. You don’t need to “tick every box,” what matters most is the heart and commitment you bring. You can find out more and apply via CharityJobs here.
Month of Ministry 2026
The team behind our 4th annual “Month of Ministry,” our month-long social media hashtag challenge every February, is hard at work putting together a meaningful plan with 28-days of prompts to not just encourage thought and words but also actions in 2026. We will have more news and announcements in November, yet for now, please have a look at this video made by Rev. Jo Royle to explain more about “Month of Ministry” for those of you who are new, are curious, or are eager to take part again…
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.
November Prompt:
What have you learned about yourself this year?
Take time to reflect on your journey through 2025. What insights, challenges, or joys have shaped you?
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!
October Reflection, from Anonymous Minister
What does connection mean in your life?
Connection, for me, shows up in the quiet moments as much as in the shared ones. I feel it when I’m out in nature, the way the wind moves through the trees, or how the light softens at the end of the day. I feel it in honest conversations, when someone truly listens. These connections remind me that I’m part of something larger, something living and whole. They steady me when life feels uncertain, and bring me back to myself.
October 2025.
Awareness, Spiritual, and Religious Days
- 16 Nov through 16 December – UK Disability History Month
- 01 – All Saints’ Day: All Saints’ Day, also known as All Hallows’ Day, the Feast of All Saints, the Feast of All Hallows, the Solemnity of All Saints, and Hallowmas, is a Christian solemnity celebrated in honour of all the saints of the Church, whether they are known or unknown.
- 02 – International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against JournalistsÂ
- 02 – The Day of the Dead is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the locality. It is widely observed in Mexico, where it largely developed, and is also observed in other places, especially by people of Mexican heritage.
- 03 – Birth of Baha’u’llah: This holy day for the Baha’i faith honours its founder’s birthdays. He challenges people to fight back against racial prejudice and to be one human family.
- 05 – World Tsunami Awareness Day
- 06 – International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed ConflictÂ
- 09 – International Week of Science and Peace, 9-15 NovemberÂ
- 10 – World Science Day for Peace and Development
- 14 – World Diabetes DayÂ
- 15 – International Day for the Prevention of and Fight against All Forms of Transnational Organized Crime
- 16 – International Day for Tolerance [UNESCO]Â
- 17 – World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
- 18 – World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week, 18-24 November [WHO]
- 18 – World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and ViolenceÂ
- 19 – World Toilet DayÂ
- 20 – Africa Industrialization DayÂ
- 20 – World Children’s DayÂ
- 20 – The Transgender Day of Remembrance, also known as the International Transgender Day of Remembrance, has been observed annually from its inception on November 20 to memorialise those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia.
- 21 – World Philosophy Day; World Television DayÂ
- 21 – Eastern Orthodox Christian: The Entrance of the Theotokos into the Temple, which celebrates the presentation of Mary in the temple.Â
- 24 – Sikh: Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur Sahib, honours the martyrdom of the ninth Sikh Guru.
- 25 – International Day for the Elimination of Violence against WomenÂ
- 25 – Day of the Covenant: The Day of the Covenant is the day when BaháʼĂs celebrate the appointment of Ę»Abdu’l-Bahá as the Centre of Baha’u’llah’s Covenant. It occurs yearly on the 4th day of Speech which coincides with either November 25 or 26 depending on when Naw Ruz falls on that year.
- 26 – World Sustainable Transport DayÂ
- 27 – Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha: This day honours the day that Abdu’l-Baha, the Servant of Baha, died. His funeral was attended by over 10,000 people of different religious backgrounds. He is believed to be an exemplary example of living Baha’i principles to their fullest for his followers.
- 29 – International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian PeopleÂ
- 30 – Day of Remembrance for all Victims of Chemical Warfare; Christian: Advent, marking the beginning of the Christian liturgical year leading up to Christmas.Â
- 30 – St. Andrew’s Feast Day: Saint Andrew’s Day, also called the Feast of Saint Andrew or Andermas, is the feast day of Andrew the Apostle. It is celebrated on 30 November. Saint Andrew is the disciple in the New Testament who introduced his brother, the Apostle Peter, to Jesus, the Messiah.
Reflections from an Awareness Day
A Reflection for UK Disability History Month
As we honor Disability History Month, I’ve been thinking about what it really means to belong in a world that often overlooks difference. Before finding OneSpirit, I worked as an Inclusion Program Coordinator for an international NGO based in Washington, DC, where I supported the disability team, among other groups. We worked to make polling stations accessible, led civic education initiatives, and created spaces for young people with disabilities to learn and lead. That experience showed me how connection and inclusion are not abstract ideals. They are daily choices that shape the kind of world we live in.
For this months reflection, I wanted to introduce people like Barbara Lisicki, who co-founded the Disabled People’s Direct Action Network in the UK and helped change the public conversation around disability rights, and Miro Griffiths MBE, a thoughtful scholar and advocate whose work continues to inspire progress in accessibility and social justice. Both remind me that connection is not only about empathy. It is also about shared responsibility, courage, and the willingness to act for one another.
In reflecting on their work, and on my own experiences, I’m reminded that connection is sacred. It’s found in the ways we listen, make space, and see each person as part of something whole and deeply human.
Further Reading & Resources
If you’re marking Disability History Month, consider how you might bring that spirit into your own circles. Here are four small things you can do today to create a more accessible world:
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Learn something new: Read about disability history or listen to voices sharing their experiences.
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Check your spaces: Notice whether your events, gatherings, or online spaces are accessible to everyone.
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Practice inclusive language:Â Small changes in how we speak can make a big difference in how people feel seen.
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Listen and amplify: When people with disabilities share their stories, listen deeply and help others hear them too.
Each of us has the power to make belonging real. Accessibility is not just about removing barriers, it’s about creating spaces where everyone’s presence matters.
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 helps keep our events running smoothly behind the scenes, while Lavinia focuses on community development and connection. Maddy 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.
