An Unexpected Rest for My Soul

By Rev. Caitlin Childers Brown

Pastor and Minister of Service & Community

I am always a little bit skeptical when someone says they have experienced miraculous healing. It's not that I don't believe in prayer, I definitely do. And I do believe in things that have happened that are beyond medical or scientific explanation—because God is bigger and greater than anything our world can imagine. But if someone offers me healing for an illness or a broken bone, I am always a little bit skeptical because of the ways I have seen it used and abused by various people in the Church’s history.

Last fall, when my former church announced that we would be doing a Service of Healing and Silent Communion, I brought a bit of my skepticism for the night. I attended because it was my job but with more than a few walls up. It wasn't a long service, but something miraculous happened for me. Throughout the liturgy, quiet prayer, and time of communion my soul felt restored. I was able to bring to God the people and things that I didn't even realize were weighing on my soul. And as I took communion, I still remember seeing the sun streaming through the stained glass windows and getting a little bleary eyed. My body felt a bit lighter, and my soul a little less weary. I left that hour surprised—I felt healed in ways I didn't know I needed and restored in ways I wasn't expecting. The Holy Spirit is funny like that—the untamable wild goose.

This Sunday, at 6:00 p.m., Highland Hills will be holding our own Service of Healing and Silent Communion. I share this service in part out of selfishness because I loved it so much for my own soul. But we also bring this service to Highland Hills because I know I can't be the only one who might be craving that sort of quiet space to be transformed by the Lord. If this intrigues you, peaks your curiosity, or speaks to your longings—I hope you will consider joining us this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. in the chapel. Maybe you too will leave restored and healed in ways you weren't expecting.