About Us
We are a team of clergy and laity who come from varying mainstream church backgrounds; Catholic, Franciscan, Lutheran, Anglican and Baptist, however we are all ecumenical meaning we believe there should be a single Christian Church. Our mission is to offer support to people who feel they need someone to listen to them when they have lost someone they love. BBS is a not for profit and charitable organisation which relies on individual generosity and volunteers both secular and Christian.
Not everyone has a strong faith but all of us experience a strong sense of loss when someone we love and care about has died. Most of SBBS are trained in Bereavement Counselling however it more accurate to say that it is our experiences both personal and from working with people in grief that gives us the grounding to be able to help - and help with empathy.
We know how hard it is to find the support you may need in times of sorrow. Many organisations offer a wonderful service but it can take time to get appointments - and that time can prolong the agony - all for want of an ear to listen. The worldwide 'Church' often neglects the ministry of bereavement support, we want to address this in every way we can.
If anyone wanted prayers or a short service held within their own home then we will celebrate holy communion and/or prayer with you - but it is only if any should make that request - we would not insist upon it. We do not believe that 'Church' should sit and wait for people to come to them in search of an empathic ear; we believe the Church must reach out to people.
The Right Reverend Nicola Martin-Davis
Based in North/East Herts and Essex Borders
A nurse for 14 years (specialising in elderly rehab and Terminal Care) but after a serious back injury, re-trained in teaching and psychology and ran Personal Development Programmes (Open University) for people who had lost confidence in themselves, specialising in Behaviour Management for 14 years with adult offenders and excluded secondary school pupils. Nicola worked as a p/t writer for many years and in the late 80's she trained with the Roman Catholic 'Bethany' Bereavement Group. Having left secular work for over four years, her ministry focuses on caring for the bereaved and the socially isolated.
+Nicola is the Principal Bishop (one of only a handful of consecrated Catholic women bishops in England) for the Ecumenical Community Church - The ECC+C.
The Reverend Paul Fry
Based in North Herts/Essex Borders
A Lutheran Parish Pastor for 20 years, Paul offers a wealth of pastoral experience in helping people deal with grief due to bereavement. As a trained Family Counsellor, Paul has also worked in the area of mediation and Marriage Counselling. Paul can also be contacted via the Contact Us page.
A message from Nicola:
"As a member of the Leyland (Hundred) College of Bishops, my election was made by clergy and laity alike in order to lead a team of dedicated pastoral priests and laity, both men and women (within the Universal Catholic Church) back onto the path of true Christian values. Our mission is to leave behind gender politics, complacent clergy and ecclesia scandal, far too commonplace in the Church today both in mainstream and non mainstream. There are many faith communities; (i.e: the Baptist Church, the United Reformed Church) who place Christ at the core of all they do and so have got everything, absolutely sussed. The worldwide ECC (+C, in England) strives to return the Church, Catholic back to simple, loving Christian values and with the help of God, we will."
You are welcome to share our vision and visit the web presence of the: ECC+C