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HAND IN HAND is a diocesan prayer group. Our members come from all
over the diocese. The group, formed in 1994 offers opportunities to
deepen faith and friendship, and to explore different ways of praying.
We come together as an integrated group of adults with and without
learning disabilities and use sign, symbol, mime and movement as a way
of praying with our whole selves, expressing what is in our hearts in
ways beyond words.
At our meetings there are no ‘helpers or ‘carers’ - every
member is an equal. We believe that each person has their own talents
and abilities and we value what they contribute; to dance or to sing, to
act or just to listen and be a friend. We travel to our meetings in
small groups. Some of us are able to drive and can offer lifts. Others
have carers who drop-off and pick-up.
The social side of our meetings is also important. Each
meeting begins with tea and biscuits and we chat and catch up on each
other’s news. Between us there is an impressive range of age and
experience so there’s always plenty to say and always something to
celebrate - with over fifty members there are plenty of birthdays!
Small groups of two or three take turns to lead us in prayer. We are
individually welcomed as we remember that Jesus calls us all, each by
his or her own name. We light a candle to show that when we are gathered
as friends, our friend Jesus is with us. Our prayer is uncomplicated -
often focussing on an icon or symbol and thinking prayers – often
writing or drawing them. Out themes come from readings and events in the
church calendar as well as from the world around us.
After prayer we rehearse mimes and movements for upcoming events.
Sometimes we
Mime a reading or reflection or we practise a dance. At other times
it’s learning sign language for a new song. Sometime we dance, using
our bodes to pray in spontaneous movement along with a hymn.
I met the group in Lourdes where I was fortunate enough to be in a
hotel group with them -Hand in Hand rarely go un-noticed as their sense
of joy and wonder is infectious. |
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Others have joined after seeing the
group contribute to their Mass or prayer meeting. We use the term
contribution rather than performance to describe what we do, as
everything is done in the spirit of prayer and our aim is to lead others
into prayer.
Hand in Hand has been to many parishes in the diocese, including
Bognor, Eastbourne, Ashtead, Chilworth and Brighton, also to several
schools for assemblies or small group prayer, as well as on the Lourdes
pilgrimage. Outside A&B we have been as far afield as Aylesford,
Dublin, Oxford and Walsingham and recently went to Birmingham for a
conference on Inclusion and to Milton Keynes for a diocesan Mass, where
we gained front page notice in the Northampton diocesan newspaper! We
are ecumenical and enjoy sharing our prayer with groups of other faiths,
contributing regularly to services in other churches.
As well as travelling to be involved in Masses and prayer groups,
Hand in Hand hold our own retreats. In May this year the group returns
to a Carmelite convent in Mazille, France for a week. We also hold an
annual weekend retreat in February this year at The Priory of Our Lady
in Sayers Common.
Hand in Hand is a charitable organisation and makes no charge for
contributing to services. We rely entirely on donations given by friends
and supporters to cover our expenses. The group is led by Julia Harvey
and a small committee. We take our responsibilities to each other
seriously and have policies and guidelines for the safety of all
members.
We come together for monthly meetings in two centres - St Joseph’s
in Brighton on the first Monday of each month and Christ the Prince of
Peace, Weybridge on the first Wednesday. Both meetings begin at 7.30pm
and a warm welcome is assured to anybody who would like to join us with
no commitment necessary. We are grateful for those who can offer
transport either regularly or on an occasional basis.
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