Bernadette Bereavement Support

Part of The ECC and its Communities.
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About The ECC      
About Us
 
 
 
 
We are a team of clergy and laity who come from varying mainstream church backgrounds, mainly Catholic, Franciscan, 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. 
 
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 the '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, she 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 three years, her ministry focuses on caring for the bereaved and the socially isolated. Nicola was ordained in 2001 and her Community of St Bernadette (a non denominational community within the ECC+C) founded three years ago, is growing with God's Grace. Support and help from other clergy including the wisdom of Father Andrew Gentry (ECCC), +Charles Michael (OOCC) and his wife, +Jack (OFC), is invaluable. All of whom can be accessed via the contact page for spiritual and emotional support.  

+Nicola is the lead cleric for the ECC+C

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ECC+C BERNADETTE BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT TEAM

 

The ECC has organised a course of Bereavement Counselling Training sessions in North Hertfordshire, starting after Easter. We are building a team of people who are happy to give of their time once a fortnight to visit people within their homes who have been affected by bereavement, recent or otherwise. There are 8 places on the course and 5 are still available. The training is free of charge and not religion or faith based at all. Please use the 'Contact Us' page to register your interest. Please see also our Funding Progress Page.