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!
“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul –
And sings the tune without the words –
And never stops at all.”
Emily Dickinson
As summer softens and the days take on a gentler glow, here’s a playlist to hold you in the in-between. It’s for grounding, reflecting, breathing more deeply, and easing into whatever this month asks of you. May it be a companion in your moments of stillness and softness, gathered with Virgo love and shared with care. One song for each day of the month, straight from the heart of a September Virgo, offered to you.
Table of Contents
All About Our Training
🌸 A Glimpse into the Cherry Tree Pathway
Every training has a story, and for nearly thirty years, OneSpirit’s has been about guiding people into deeper presence, connection, and service. The Cherry Tree Pathway is the newest chapter in that story. It is our two year Spiritual Development and Interfaith Ministry Training, and at its heart is a simple truth: when we grow in spirit, we also grow in the ways we can serve the world.
This pathway invites you into a rhythm of gathering, reflecting, and practicing. Students come together in person, where the richness of community is felt in shared silence, honest conversation, and meaningful ceremony. Alongside this, optional online modules offer space to keep learning alive between gatherings, creating a flow of support and insight.
What makes the Cherry Tree Pathway unique is not just the curriculum, but the way it touches lives. Some come seeking a new vocation. Others come simply wanting to know themselves more deeply. All find that the training becomes a mirror, revealing both the strength already within and the courage to live with greater authenticity.
Whether you are drawn to ministry, to ceremony, to community, or to quiet inner transformation, the Cherry Tree Pathway offers a place to root yourself and grow.
Enrolment is open until the 30th of September. If you’re feeling curious, or inspired, you can explore the full pathway and training themes, here!
Ivan, a recent 2025 graduate, reflectes: “I learned a great deal about spirituality, religious practice, ceremony, ritual, about creating and allowing space for myself and others. The workings of the inner curriculum, the magical, the Field of unconditional love, and trusting the inexpressible is where I am most changed.”
🌸 Meet the Tutors
Every journey on the Cherry Tree Pathway is held by the care and wisdom of our tutors. They are companions as much as teachers, each bringing their unique gifts into the circle. Together, Annie, Sarah, and Monica create a container of safety, inspiration, and transformation.
Annie
Annie is a writer, chaplain, and mural artist whose practice is rooted in interfaith wisdom, sacred ecology, and justice. Her presence is gentle, wise, and quietly transformative. She has a gift for creating safe spaces where students can step into bravery and discover new strength.
Sarah
Sarah is a creative soul and spiritual companion, known for her compassionate clarity and her ability to hold space with grounded grace. Her teaching flows with gentleness, inviting students into deeper connection with themselves, with nature, and with spirit.
Monica
Monica brings her love of community, laughter, and spiritual depth into every space she holds. With many years of experience guiding people through transition, healing, and purpose, she helps students uncover resilience and creativity in their unfolding.
Together, Annie, Sarah, and Monica embody the heart of the Cherry Tree Pathway. Their presence, alongside the community of students, is what makes this training more than a programme, it becomes a living, breathing journey.
“Annie is steady, calm, open, knowledgeable, curious and loving… She foregrounds safety and welcomes in her facilitation in a way that invites bravery, accountability and community.” – Ben
“My experience with Annie has been truly inspiring… I have much gratitude that she’s our Core Tutor.” – Gina
“I love Annie. I joined the course because of her training and background. I saw someone I really wanted to learn from, who I hoped could really guide me onwards on my journey towards greater spiritual depth, connection and expression and I wasn’t wrong. I find her very inspiring and down to earth. She taught me what it means to be fully accepted and welcomed into a very safe space. I will miss that feeling of being so very welcome and her deep love.” – Hara
“Sarah’s facilitation is with ease – gentle, soft, and flowing like the Dao.” – Carolyn
“An inspirational tutor… her knowledge of Qi Gong and Daoism encourages curiosity.” – Michael
“She connects us to nature and our bodies… gentle and loving in her approach.” – Jane
“I found Sarah to be so warm and caring, I felt she had such dignity and was inspirational in the way she holds herself. She has great poise. I love her as well. She is so wise, gentle and skilful. She makes me laugh and cry, with her sense of humour and her deep compassion and I always felt so happy when I knew I would be coming for a 1-1 with her. I will miss her sense of fun and her tenderness.” – Hara
“Monica is truly inspirational, it felt like I was getting a gift when I had my 1-1s with her.” – Rebecca
“She overspilled expectations with her natural spiritual wise and gentle approach.” – Maxine
“An extraordinary tutor with powerful creativity and deep connection.” – Jennifer
“I found Monica to be so beautiful. There is a warmth and passion in her that just lights me up. She has such depth and soul and I found her words at our ordination to be inspirational and beautiful. She is so strong and brave and gorgeous. Her soul shines with joy and power and beauty. I will miss her radiance.” – Hara
🌸 What Does Ministry Mean?
At OneSpirit, ministry is not only about becoming a minister. It is about deepening your inner life, sharpening your outer voice, and discovering how to be of service, spiritually and practically. Ministry is not a title. It is not a role to be achieved or a task to be completed. At its heart, ministry is about presence. It is the willingness to show up – to listen, to witness, to serve with authenticity and love.
For some, ministry looks like standing at life’s thresholds, holding ceremonies of grief and joy. For others, it is the quiet work of deep listening, sitting with someone in their pain or their searching. Often, ministry is woven into the ordinary: in the way we speak, the way we tend to the Earth, the way we choose compassion over judgement.
Our students describe ministry in many ways:
“Ministry is bringing your light into the world.”
“It is showing up as myself and trusting that is enough.”
“It is the courage to meet life as it is, and to serve from that place.”
There is no single definition, and that is its beauty. Ministry is both deeply personal and profoundly shared. It grows from within and flows outward, touching lives in ways both seen and unseen.
🌸 Student Journeys
Every student carries a unique story into training, and each journey unfolds in its own way. Here are a few voices from those embarking on this journey:
“I’ve loved every moment. It has been the perfect journey at the perfect time for me. If I could afford it I’d do it again just for the pure joy of it! You’ve all held it so beautifully and as someone who teaches a spiritual development coyrse online myself I think it will have made me a much better teacher myself learning from you all. I send you all my deepest gratitude and love. I hope this isn’t the end of our relationship!” – 2025 Graduate
“The most transformative aspect of my year with OneSpirit was the unwavering support and presence of the tutors. They didn’t just teach—they embodied the ministerial qualities I aspire to: compassion, integrity, and deep listening. Through their guidance, my learning was rooted in relationship. I grew in community, and that communal growth nurtured a fuller, more authentic expression of my own ministerial callings.” – 2025 Graduate
“This year has been quietly profound—a deep inner unfurling. I’ve grown in my capacity to sit with discomfort, to listen without needing to rescue, and to trust silence as sacred. I’ve softened in places where I used to strive, and become braver in naming truth with love. My understanding of ministry has shifted from something I do to something I am. I’ve become more spacious—less reactive, more grounded, more compassionate with myself and others. This path has deepened my spiritual roots and reminded me that presence, not perfection, is what truly transforms. I feel changed from the inside out.” – Current Student
“I’ve grown and changed in so many ways. I now trust that I can create beautiful ceremonies and have access to a flow of beautiful words that never fails me. Knowing that I can create prayers and meaningful writings that other people love and appreciate is something I just didn’t have before the training. I also feel so much more confident in voicing my faith and spiritual connection. I can talk openly about what I previously felt needed to be kept to myself – it’s part of my truth and part of who I am as a person in this life and I’m now very comfortable about it which I wasn’t before the training. I’ve noticed that the fact that I’ve ordained as an Interfaith Minister and have accepted the title Reverand allows an expectation from other people that I live with faith in a Higher Power – people are curious and ask me about it and I just love talking about spirituality and what it all means to me. I am loving these new avenues for conversations that are opening up around me. My spiritual practice has evolved and developed so much and I am now much more intentional about it than I was before the training.” – 2025 Graduate
These stories remind us that the Cherry Tree Pathway is not only about ministry, but about living with deeper authenticity, connection, and love.
🌸 Ministry Beyond the Classroom
The Cherry Tree Pathway is about much more than two years of study. It is a journey that continues long after training ends, shaping the way graduates live, serve, and create in the world. Some step into visible roles as ministers. Others weave the learning quietly into their daily lives. Every expression is unique, yet all are rooted in compassion, presence, and service.
Here are just some of the ways our graduates carry their training forward:
Ceremony & Celebration
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Becoming celebrants, creating and leading weddings, funerals, baby blessings, and rites of passage
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Designing bespoke ceremonies that honour identity, culture, and spirituality
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Offering ritual as a way to heal, mark transitions, or celebrate community
Spiritual Accompaniment
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Serving as chaplains in hospitals, prisons, universities, and hospices
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Becoming spiritual directors, companions, or mentors
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Offering one-to-one accompaniment, with deep listening at the heart
Community & Peacebuilding
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Leading community projects that bring people together across difference
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Working as peacebuilders, mediators, and facilitators of dialogue
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Supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion work in organisations
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Creating initiatives that address ecological justice and Earth care
Healing & Support
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Training further as end-of-life doulas and funeral guides
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Offering counselling, coaching, or therapeutic practices
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Bringing ministry into holistic health, wellbeing, and embodied practices
Creativity & Expression
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Writing books, poetry, and reflective essays rooted in spiritual insight
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Creating music, art, or performance that celebrates the sacred in life
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Holding ritual theatre, storytelling, or community arts gatherings
Education & Literacy
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Teaching in schools, universities, and adult learning contexts
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Supporting spiritual literacy, interfaith education, and dialogue
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Designing workshops and retreats for people exploring spirituality
Everyday Ministry
Not everyone takes on a public role. Many graduates carry ministry into the heart of daily life:
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Parenting with presence and compassion
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Bringing depth and listening into professional roles in business, healthcare, or social care
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Living with authenticity, embodying the values of OneSpirit in quiet, transformative ways
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Tending to friendships and relationships with deeper patience, honesty, and care
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Finding sacredness in ordinary routines, from gardening to walking the dog, and letting these daily acts become practices of presence
Ministry beyond the classroom is not about a single path, it is about allowing what you discover in training to ripple into the world in a way that feels true to you. However it unfolds, it becomes a living practice of connection, courage, and love.
Beyond the Core: Optional Modules Now Open for January Enrolment
Whether you’re looking to deepen your practice, explore a new facet of ministry, or simply follow your curiosity, our Optional Modules offer rich opportunities for growth and connection. Enrolment is now open for two very special January 2026 offerings! Learn more below…
Circling the Sun and Moon: Ceremonies of Love and Sacred Mystery
- In-Person Retreat
- Staylittle, Wales | 22–24 January 2026
- Held by Annie Heppenstall
- Join us for a soulful, Earth-honouring retreat steeped in story, stillness, and ceremony. Rooted in sacred rhythms and grounded presence, this immersive experience will guide you back to your soul’s centre.
The Sacred Art of Relating: Relationships and Presence as Spiritual Practice
- Online Module
- 14, 21, 28 January 2026
- 6:00-8:00pm UK time, lovingly held online, via Zoom
- Held by Monica Douglas
- Explore communication as a sacred art form in this live, three-part online module. Learn to meet others with empathy, clarity, and conscious awareness—deepening both your spiritual life and your daily relationships.
Open to all OneSpirit students, ministers, and the wider community, these optional modules are flexible, inspiring, and deeply enriching. Whether you’re just beginning the Cherry Tree Pathway or you’re a minister seeking fresh insight and connection, these offerings invite you to expand your learning, nourish your spirit, and engage with community in meaningful ways.
From the OneSpirit Bookshelf
This month we highlight Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a book that has become a beloved companion for many on the path of spiritual growth and interfaith reflection. Blending Indigenous wisdom, scientific knowledge, and lyrical storytelling, Kimmerer invites us to see the natural world not as a resource, but as a relationship. Her reflections remind us that gratitude, reciprocity, and care for the Earth are central to how we live and serve.
“In some Native languages the term for plants translates to ‘those who take care of us.’” – Robin Wall Kimmerer
This way of seeing is deeply resonant with our own training. On the Cherry Tree Pathway, students explore interconnection not only across traditions, but with the living Earth itself. Just as ministry is about presence and service in human communities, it is also about recognising our bond with the more-than-human world.
A little practice for students and friends of OneSpirit:
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Listen: Put on this gentle playlist as you read, allowing music to create space for stillness.
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Reflect: Hold these questions alongside the text:
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How does the training invite me to live in reciprocity, with people, with the Earth, with myself?
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Where do I notice gratitude rising in my everyday life?
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What does “ministry” look like when extended to the natural world?
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Integrate: Consider journaling a response or weaving these reflections into ceremony, spiritual practice, or conversation.
Braiding Sweetgrass reminds us that spiritual development and ministry are not only about dialogue between people and traditions, but also about listening to the world around us with reverence.
Community Offerings, Announcements, Thoughts
Monthly OneSpirit Prayer Circle
“Come, come, whoever you are: wanderer, worshipper, lover of leaving, ours is not a caravan of despair.” – Rumi
In this tender season across our community, we are reminded of the importance of gathering: to pause, to breathe, to pray, and to be held. We are grateful to share this ongoing offering from Rev Eva Mary Spevack. These monthly circles are free, online, and open to all, students, ministers, alumni, and friends. Each gathering weaves together interfaith and interspiritual prayers, readings, and gentle writing prompts. Rooted in nature, community, and wisdom traditions from around the world, this space offers a quiet invitation to come home to yourself. Whether you arrive feeling weary or inspired, all of you is welcome here.
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When: Tuesday 16th September & Tuesday 21st October 2025
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Time: 7:30–8:30pm (UK time)
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Where: Online via Zoom
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Facilitator: Rev Eva Mary Spevack
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Fee: Free and open to all
You will receive everything you need to attend once registered. Let this be a gentle place of presence and prayer, shared in community. To join, simply complete the short form here: onespiritprayercircle.paperform.co.
Save the Date: Coming Home to Love, A Free Online OneSpirit Summit
You are warmly invited to join us for Coming Home to Love in Times of Grief, a free, one-day online gathering in honour of our beloved teacher and friend, Nicola Coombe.
When: Sunday 21st September 2025
Time: 12:00–6:00pm (UK time)
Where: Online (live and recorded for those who cannot attend)
Fee: Completely Free! Donations are welcomed.
Together, we will move through three parts, Past | Present | Future, with space for ceremony, reflection, guided practices, and conversation. This co-creation is open to all in the OneSpirit community: ministers, students, alumni, friends, and seekers alike.
An Invitation from Rev. Laura Ireland: One of our hosts, Rev. Laura Ireland, has shared a personal invitation about why this gathering is so meaningful. You can watch it here: Watch on YouTube. If you feel called, you are also invited to send the name and photo of a loved one to be included in our remembrance space: hello@laura-ireland.com.
The Day at a Tentative Glance
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12:00–1:30 Opening Ceremony, Honouring our Past: Remembering Nicola, our loved ones, and the roots of OneSpirit through the Grief Mandala.
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1:30–2:00 Shared Lunch Break (bring a snack if you wish)
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2:00–3:30 Being in the Present – practice, community, and spirituality in daily life
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3:30–4:00 Tea Break
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4:00–5:30 Co-creating our Future – spiritual counselling, supervision, and sacred activism
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5:30–6:00 Closing Reflections and Ceremony
If you cannot attend the full day, you are welcome to join for the parts you can. The entire gathering will also be recorded and shared afterwards, so you can return to it in your own time. This is a remembrance. A co-creation. A homecoming. We hope you will be with us! RSVP for the online holding here: https://rsvp-onespirit-summit.paperform.co/
Exploring Whiteness in Ministry: A New Programme Led by One of Our Own
We are honoured to introduce Being White: Working with Internalised Racism, a new OneSpirit programme created and led by OneSpirit tutor and minister Sarah MacDonald. This offering invites white ministers into a committed, reflective journey of exploring bias, internalised racism, and the unseen patterns that shape our lives and ministry.
Sarah brings both depth and compassion to this work, drawing on her experience as a tutor, minister, and facilitator of embodied practice. She offers this programme as a supportive, challenging, and transformative space for those ready to step into anti-racism as an ongoing spiritual practice.
This programme is especially suited for OneSpirit ministers who identify as white and are seeking to deepen their integrity, confidence, and accountability in ministering across cultures, contributing to a more diverse and just community, and embodying the wholeness of life.
- When: Fridays, 31 October 2025 – 5 June 2026 (10:00–11:30am, UK time)
- Format: 16 sessions across 32 weeks (first two and last two back-to-back)
- Group Size: 4–16 participants
- Fee: £250 (50% goes directly towards reparations; instalments available)
- Where: Online (Zoom)
We are proud to hold and support this important work, and we warmly invite you to join us. You can find all the details, along with a link to register, here.
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: £97 (£77.60 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.
Honouring & Remembering Rosalie Hill
We’ve just received the sad news that our dear Rosalie Hill has passed. Rosalie was a graduate of the Class of 2013 and generously offered her time, heart, and wisdom as a mentor to our Year 1 students in the Class of 2018. Though she stepped down at the end of that year, her presence left a lasting impact on those she supported.
If you knew Rosalie and would like to share a few words, memories, or reflections in her honor, I would be so grateful to include them in our upcoming newsletter. It’s a simple way to hold her close and celebrate the life she lived with such warmth and generosity. Please share any words, prayers, thoughts, or reflections with me here – it is much appreciated.
“What is lovely never dies, but passes into another loveliness, star-dust or sea-foam, flower or winged air.” — Thomas Bailey Aldrich
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.
Honouring Bodie: A Reflection by Rev. Mike Walker
Our very own Rev. Mike Walker, chaplain to South Wales Police, recently shared a deeply moving experience: he was honoured to lead a memorial service for Bodie, a beloved police horse who served with unwavering loyalty and courage. The ceremony was a powerful testament to the profound bonds that form between officers and the animals who stand beside them in service.
Bodie, is very loved, and had a very distinguished career. He escorted both the King and, before the King, the Queen. He passed at the age of 17, which is young for a horse.
Mike has written a reflection and a heartfelt tribute that captures the depth of connection, grief, and gratitude that marked Bodie’s life and passing. We invite you to pause and reflect with Mike through this excerpt from the service, and a final poem written in honour of Bodie’s life and legacy.
Reflection,
By South Wales Police Chaplain Rev. Mike Walker
Bodie was more than a police horse — he was a partner, a protector, and a friend. Through every patrol, every event, and every moment of duty, he carried himself with strength, dignity, and unwavering loyalty. Bodie, like so many other police horses and dogs, played a vital role in keeping our community safe and stood as a proud symbol of service and trust. Today, we also give thanks to South Wales Police for recognising the importance of honouring Bodie and the vital role that police animals play in protecting our communities. By coming together, we celebrate not only Bodie’s life and service, but also the incredible bond between officers and their animals — a bond built on trust, courage, and love. A special tribute must be paid to Mounted Police Officer Natalie Mathews, whose unwavering care and devotion gave Bodie not only purpose but also deep meaning. Natalie, your love for Bodie has touched us all and is woven into the heart of this service. To everyone here — family, colleagues, and friends — thank you for standing together to pay tribute, to remember, and to honour. Your presence today reflects the respect and affection we all share for Bodie and for all who serve alongside us, in whatever form that service takes. And so, as we conclude, we carry Bodie’s memory forward. Though his watch has ended, his spirit rides with us still. Bodie, you served your community with courage and grace. You gave everything without hesitation, and now it is time for you to rest. Rest easy, Bodie. We’ll take it from here.
And now, as a final tribute, we share these words:
Run Free, Bodie
Your hoofbeats now are silent,
Your watch has reached its end.
You served with strength and honour,
A partner, protector, friend.
The streets you walked are safer,
Because you stood so tall,
With courage in each moment,
You answered every call.
Now fields of peace await you,
Where gentle breezes roam.
Run free, dear Bodie, forever —
You’ve finally made it home.
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.
September Prompt:
How do you navigate change?
Reflect on a recent change in your life. What did it teach you about your resilience or adaptability?
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!
August Reflection, from Rev. Caroline Sinfield
What are you grateful for right now?
Right now, and for the last week or so I feel gentle and peaceful. My reflections are loving and that harsh, spikey internal voice that plagues me at times is sleeping. I am loved and can rest easy. I am grateful for my vow that is mine and I can rely on it to comfort and reassure me – it keeps me close to my God.
List 3 things I am grateful for and why.
I am grateful for:
1. My new connection with my sisters and their families
2. My home and surroundings
3. My work
My new connection with my sisters and their families:
I didn’t grow up with my 3 sisters. There’s a substantial age difference (12, 16 & 18 yrs) and the older I got the less contact I had with our dad so I missed all the childhood bonding opportunities and shared experiences. I made a conscious decision at the age of 14 that I would no longer be visiting for a variety of reasons but mainly I was never made welcome and was treated harshly. That decision felt right at the time, although I remember thinking to myself, as the babies kept arriving – “I’m never going to know these siblings and that’s the price I’ll have to pay if I’m going to keep myself safe.”
We are all grown up now and living our lives. There has been very limited contact over the years, a bit of emailing here and there, a bit of Facebook and liking of photos but nothing that brought us together. I always felt it was very much them and me, they had each other and I wasn’t relevant to them, as they weren’t to me. I deliberately hardened my heart and told myself it was better this way. The years passed, they had their weddings and babies were born (my nieces and nephews). I searched for family resemblances in photos and wondered if any of them were anything like me. The years rolled by as did the decades and I watched it all from afar.
And then, in January 2025, Auntie Rosie died (our grandfather’s 98 yr old sister). I was tasked with informing my sisters and so reached out. They were cool at first, surprised to hear from me I think – the mysterious older sister they never see or hear from who keeps her distance and doesn’t seem interested in them. I was in my 2nd year as an Aspen at that point and something in me had shifted and softened. The walls around my heart had begun to crack. I took the plunge and told them I’d love to see them, even if they weren’t able to attend Auntie Rosie’s funeral. That’s all it took, one step from me opened the door and they rushed through it to meet me and welcome me into their lives.
I now have 3 sisters, 2 brothers-in-law and 5 nieces & nephews. We have a sisters WhatsApp group, we chat most days and we meet for Sunday lunches and never stop talking. I’m amazed at how we’ve just clicked into a beautiful, sisterly, loving little group. There’s so much to talk about and catch up on and share and compare. The love and closeness just keeps on growing and my heart is overflowing with gratitude for the little whisper that urged me to be brave and take a step towards them. I feel loved and part of a sisterly kinship that I never knew existed but now I have it I’ll never let it go.
I think the eldest of them, 12 years my junior, said everything I ever need to hear when she told me; “I was never happy being the eldest sister because I knew it wasn’t true. I wanted my big sister and now I have you.” How could I ever walk away from that and how could I not be grateful for the power that brought us together. Thank you Spirit!
My home and surroundings
I am so grateful for where I live. It took a period of a few years of turmoil and uncertainty and moving around before I landed here in August 2022. I rent a little cottage on a campsite and it’s the most wonderful place to heal the heart and nourish the soul. I’m surrounded by nature and wildlife. I ramble around in the woods every day which seems to both inspire and delight as well as ground and settle me. I am comfortable, safe, cosy and, most importantly, feel close to God. I don’t suppose this is my last home in this life but it is certainly one that I will look back on as one of the most peaceful and settled periods of my life.
When I reflect on the series of events that brought me here, I can’t help but ponder the fact that it had nothing to do with me – I was guided here. All I did was follow the path that was presented to me and have faith that all was well and I was in good hands. Isn’t that a reflection of life – the path is given to us, all we need do is keep taking the next step with an open heart and acceptance that guidance is always at work for our higher good.
Here, I feel part of the whole, the trees and the birds are my friends, the wind whispers to me as it rustles through the leaves and reminds me that the I am as much a part of the constant turning of the wheel as everything else. I am not separate from it looking in, I am it and it is me – Oh, the philosophical musings that come out of that realization!
My home and environment give me the space and peace to feel and explore my own internal space and peace. I give thanks and feel grateful every single day for the loving presence that guided me here. Thank you, Spirit!
My work
I am so grateful for the work I do, and I thank God every day for leading me into a job that gives me a daily structure and purpose that involves helping the vulnerable and making their lives a little easier. My job gives me the opportunity to hold space and listen deeply which is sometimes all they need to lighten their mood and I am also able to offer practical help in a variety of ways. My favourite part of these interactions is the feeling that is created as they share their stories with me. We set off on a journey together and we never end up in the same place as we started. There’s a sacredness in that – even if they don’t realise it, I certainly do.
I am so grateful that I am able to spend my days helping people who feel weary and beaten down by their circumstances. I give them space to cry and rage and let it all out if that’s what they need, or I hold them in their dark place where they might be too worn out to verbalise it. I think, I hope, I feel I help these people. Part of my vow is “to be of service wherever I am guided.” I am grateful every day and I thank God for placing me in these work situations where I am able make my vow part of my lived experience on a daily basis. Thank you Spirit!
Notice how gratitude shifts my energy.
Gratitude, A Poem
I have noticed that gratitude has friends and never travels alone.
Her friends all gather around and follow wherever she leads.
When I open my heart she steps in – and so do her friends, as unexpected, but most welcome guests.
Gratitude softens and comforts and reminds me I am loved – what beautiful friends indeed!
She brings along playful curiosity and self-enquiry – I especially love those friends and welcome them in with a smile.
Gratitude, and all her friends, are comforting company and a pleasure to sit with.
I feel so happy when they’re with me I wish they would stay.
So, I encourage myself – Be thankful! Be thankful! For the birdsong, for the sunrise, for neighbours who smile and say hello, for loved ones, for hot showers and toilets that flush, for morning coffee and crumpets, for silly dogs and their waggy tails, for flowers and acorns and bees and trees.
Be thankful! Be thankful! For the small and the every-day – the things that pass unnoticed.
Gratitude, and her friends, remind me that I am a part of the wonderous mystery of life. That I AM the wonderous mystery of life.
The saying may go “seeing is believing” but for me I’ve had to believe it to see it.
So, my days begin and end with gratitude. And I believe!
I believe and I see – the Universe feels what I feel, it feels my gratitude and dances with joy.
So, I invite gratitude, I pray gratitude, I notice the small and I feel gratitude
And as she begins to take up residence within me, so does the peace that follows her in – such a special and mighty friend to cherish.
And I am still, my heart is calm, and I am grateful.
August 2025.
Awareness, Spiritual, and Religious Days
- 05 – International Day of Charity; Islamic: Mawlid al-Nabi, which celebrates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.
- 07 – International Day of Police Cooperation; World Duchenne Awareness Day; International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies
- 08 – International Literacy Day
- 09 – International Day to Protect Education from Attack
- 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
- 11 – Coptic Orthodox Christian: Nayrouz, which marks the start of the Coptic New Year.
- 12 – United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
- 15 – International Day of Democracy
- 15 – Mawlid al-Nabi: Muslims celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s birthday today. They honour this day as they believe he is a messenger of God.
- 16 – International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South; International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
- 17 – World Patient Safety Day
- 18 – International Equal Pay Day
- 20 – World Cleanup Day
- 21 – International Day of Peace
- 21/29 – Mabon: Both Wiccans and Pagans use this day to celebrate the autumnal equinox, a day when the amount of sunlight and darkness is the same. This represents both balance and harmony.
- 23/24 – Jewish: Rosh HaShanah is the New Year in Judaism. The biblical name for this holiday is Yom Teruah. It is the first of the High Holy Days, as specified by Leviticus 23:23–25, that occur in the late summer/early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere.
- 23 – International Day of Sign Languages
- 26 – World Maritime Day; International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
- 27 – World Tourism Day
- 28 – International Day for Universal Access to Information; Hindu: Durga Puja, celebrating the goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura.
- 29 – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste
- 30 – International Translation Day
Reflections from an Awareness Day
Changing the Narrative on Suicide: How We Speak, How We Listen, How We Heal
An Article for World Suicide Prevention Day 2025.
The Sacred Art of Deep Listening
This September 10th, as we observe World Suicide Prevention Day, we are called to examine not merely what we say about suicide, but how deeply we listen to those who are suffering. The 2025 theme, “Changing the Narrative on Suicide,” invites us to recognise that our words carry the power to either build bridges of understanding or walls of isolation.
As interfaith ministers and pastoral caregivers, we stand in a unique position. In these sacred moments, our response can make the difference between someone feeling utterly alone and feeling genuinely held by community and care. The question is not whether we will encounter someone contemplating suicide, it is whether we will be ready when we do.
Research consistently demonstrates that the language we use around suicide directly impacts whether people feel safe to seek help. When we say someone “committed suicide,” we unconsciously invoke the shadow of criminality and sin. The word “commit” carries criminal overtones that refer to a time when suicide was illegal, creating an invisible barrier between those who are struggling and those who might help them.
Yet this is about more than linguistic sensitivity. It touches the very heart of how we understand human suffering and spiritual crisis.
The Myth of Attention-Seeking
Perhaps no misconception is more dangerous than the belief that those who speak of suicide are “merely seeking attention.” This narrative, whispered in corridors and perpetuated by misunderstanding, closes off the very lifeline that research shows to be most protective: honest conversation.
Studies demonstrate that asking at-risk individuals if they are suicidal does not increase suicides or suicidal thoughts. In fact, research suggests the opposite: acknowledging and talking about suicide may reduce rather than increase suicidal ideation.
When someone shares their darkest thoughts with us, they are not seeking attention, they are seeking life. They are extending a sacred trust, offering us the most vulnerable part of their human experience. To dismiss this as attention-seeking is to miss entirely the profound courage it takes to speak these words aloud.
Consider this: if someone is “seeking attention” by talking about suicide, perhaps the most healing response we can offer is precisely that — our full, compassionate attention. For attention, in its truest form, is simply another word for love.
Words That Wound, Words That Heal
Many mental health advocates use the term “died by suicide” because it removes culpability from the person who has lost their life and gives us an opportunity to have a conversation. This shift in language reflects a deeper theological and spiritual understanding: those who die by suicide are not perpetrators of a crime, but individuals overwhelmed by pain that, in that moment, seemed unbearable.
The evidence is clear that suicide-related stigma is a potential risk factor for suicide and mental health problems. When we use stigmatising language, we participate in creating the very conditions that prevent help-seeking. As people of faith and compassion, we cannot afford such carelessness with our words.
Instead, we might say:
- “Died by suicide” rather than “committed suicide”
- “Experiencing suicidal thoughts” rather than “is suicidal”
- “Survived a suicide attempt” rather than “failed suicide attempt”
These phrases honour the person’s dignity whilst acknowledging their struggle. They create space for conversation rather than closing it down.
The Spiritual Dimension of Listening
Suffering often carries its own wisdom. When someone contemplates ending their life, they are not simply experiencing a mental health crisis, they are grappling with questions of meaning, purpose, and transcendence. They are asking, in the most profound way possible: “Does my life matter? Am I seen? Am I loved?”
Accompanying someone through suicidal crisis requires us to embody the deepest principles of pastoral care. This means being fully present to another’s pain, creating sacred space for authentic expression, and walking alongside them as they navigate their darkest hours.
The mystics and contemplatives have always known that healing begins with deep listening, hearing not just the words, but the soul speaking beneath them. When someone shares their struggle with suicidal thoughts, they are offering us a profound trust. Our role is not to fix or solve, but to witness their experience with compassion and to help them discover their own reasons for continuing.
This sacred accompaniment often involves helping someone create practical plans for their safety, but always in ways that honour their dignity and agency. We become companions on their journey towards hope, offering both spiritual support and connection to professional resources as needed.
Creating Communities of Safety
Personal and community attitudes about suicide affect someone’s openness to seek help and our ability to provide it. This places a responsibility upon us as spiritual leaders to examine not only our own attitudes, but the cultures we create in our communities.
Do we create spaces where someone could safely say, “I’ve been thinking about ending my life”? Do our responses to mental health crises reflect the depth of compassion we claim to embody? Are we signalling, through our language and behaviour, that we are safe people to approach with life’s deepest struggles?
The creation of suicide-safer communities begins with our willingness to talk openly about suicide. Research on National Suicide Prevention Lifeline calls found that individuals were significantly more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful when counselors used evidence-based listening approaches. The same principles apply in our pastoral relationships.
Supporting the Supporters
As we extend our hands to those in crisis, we must also tend to our own wells of compassion. Suicide prevention includes life promotion and self-care for people thinking about suicide and for caregivers. The work of accompanying people through suicidal crises is sacred, but it is also demanding.
We must build networks of mutual support, ensuring that no minister or pastoral carer stands alone when faced with someone contemplating suicide. This might include:
- Regular supervision or peer consultation groups where we can process difficult encounters
- Clear protocols for when and how to involve professional mental health services
- Training in evidence-based suicide intervention approaches
- Resources for our own self-care and spiritual renewal
The ancient wisdom traditions remind us that we cannot pour from an empty cup. Our capacity to hold space for another’s darkest night depends upon our own spiritual resources being regularly replenished.
The Courage to Ask
Perhaps the most transformative shift we can make is moving from waiting for people to ask for help to creating opportunities for honest conversation. The evidence shows that asking directly about suicide in a non-judgmental way can be life-saving.
Yet many of us hesitate to ask the question: “Are you thinking about suicide?” We worry about saying the wrong thing, about making matters worse, about overstepping our role. But consider this: our hesitation to ask may be precisely what prevents someone from sharing their burden.
The question itself becomes a gift, a signal that we are not afraid of their deepest pain, that we will not turn away, that their life matters enough for us to risk an uncomfortable conversation.
The Ministry of Presence
Sometimes the most profound healing happens not through our words but through our presence. Being there for someone with thoughts of suicide is life-saving. Increasing someone’s connectedness to others and limiting their isolation has shown to be a protective factor against suicide.
This presence is not passive. It requires us to stay with someone in their darkest hour without trying to fix them or rush them towards the light. It asks us to trust that bearing witness to suffering is itself a form of ministry, that our willingness to sit with someone in their pain can become a source of hope.
Changing the Narrative
The narrative we seek to change is not simply one of language, though language matters profoundly. We seek to change the narrative that says suicide is shameful, that mental health struggles are signs of spiritual weakness, that asking for help is a failure of faith.
Instead, we proclaim a narrative of hope: that suffering can be transformed, that healing is possible, that every life has inherent worth and meaning. We offer not platitudes but presence, not quick fixes but accompaniment on the long journey towards healing. Hope is not mere sentiment, it is something we can actively cultivate through our skilled and compassionate response to those who are suffering.
A Call to Sacred Action
As we observe World Suicide Prevention Day, we commit ourselves to:
- Speaking with compassion: Using language that honours the dignity of all who struggle with thoughts of suicide
- Listening with depth: Creating space for the fullness of human experience, including its darkest chapters
- Learning with humility: Seeking training in suicide prevention skills that can save lives
- Building with intention: Creating communities where mental health struggles are met with support rather than stigma
- Caring for ourselves: Maintaining our own spiritual and emotional resources so we can serve others effectively
The narrative we seek to change begins with each of us — it begins when we choose to see those who contemplate suicide not as problems to be solved but as fellow travellers on the human journey, deserving of our deepest compassion and most skilful care.
In this work, we discover that changing the narrative on suicide is not merely about preventing death, it is about affirming life in all its complexity, mystery, and potential for transformation. It is about creating a world where no one suffers alone, where help-seeking is met with compassion, and where hope can be rekindled even in the darkest hour.
May our words be bridges. May our listening be healing. May our presence be hope.
Written by Alan, OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation’s Executive Director.
Alan was once a builder, tree-feller, furniture maker, and woodturner before stepping into the charity sector to support some of the most vulnerable people in society.
With over 17 years of experience in mental health, youth justice, and drug and alcohol services, his work is shaped by a passion for innovation and finding creative solutions. He led a national programme to roll out gatekeeper training in Wales, equipping frontline workers and community members with the skills to prevent suicide, and advised the Welsh Government on a national suicide and self-harm prevention strategy.
Outside of work, Alan has five grown-up children, three grandchildren, and a love for building sheds (you can never have too many). He enjoys long walks with his dogs, reading, painting, and meditation.
Further Reading & Resources
- UK: Samaritans — 116 123 (free, 24/7)
- Emergency: 999 or local emergency services
- Crisis Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258
- For training: Consider LivingWorks ASIST, Mental Health First Aid or similar evidence-based suicide intervention training
- For organisations: Develop clear protocols for responding to suicidal crises and ensure staff receive appropriate training and support
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help immediately. Your life has meaning and value, and support is available.
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!
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