The Acorn vision is

• to equip the church
  through teaching, training and resourcing
• to bring Christ’s health
  of body, mind and spirit
• to all people
  - individuals, relationships and communities

Acorn Christian Foundation was founded as the Acorn Christian Healing Trust in 1983 by Bishop Morris and Anne Maddocks

The Director

Revd Dr. Russ Parker

Russ is an Anglican priest who has been with for Acorn for 17 years, and Director since 1995. He is author of a number of books, including 'Healing Dreams', 'Healing Death's Wounds' (with Michael Mitton) 'Free to Fail', 'The Wild Spirit' and Dream Stories. Russ is available as a speaker at Christian Conferences.

Acorn’s Patron

The Most Revd & Rt Hon the Lord Archbishop of Canterbury:

"Acorn is providing vital training in listening, healing and reconciliation and I warmly recommend its ministry"

Our Ministry

We offer a spectrum of services to church and society, groups and individuals, which includes:

Training and resources

A variety of courses for all ages are available. The well-established Christian Listener courses range from one-day workshops to a ten session course, taught by trained tutors. We have produced two courses on the healing ministry including a practical five-session course called 'Growing a Healing Ministry'. In a joint project with St John’s College, Nottingham, we have produced a Christian Healing Workbook, 'In Search of Wholeness', providing theological and practical training in the healing ministry. Our staff are available to provide teaching, in your local area, on the healing ministries.

Whitehill Chase

Whitehill Chase is Acorn’s residential and administrative centre. A beautiful 19th century Hunting Lodge within several acres of peaceful gardens and woodlands, it is the ideal location for the Acorn programme of retreats, courses and conferences. It can also be booked by Christian groups for their own events. Facilities include a modern chapel, library and bookshop, and residential accommodation for up to 30. Services of healing and wholeness are held every Tuesday (except in August) and all are welcome. We hold monthly Quiet Days (except August) on Fridays.

Christian Listeners

Christian Listeners is a nationwide project whereby church members are trained in the attitudes and skills of active listening. There are 500 Acorn trained tutors throughout the country who teach listening skills to local church members. They in turn offer these resources in their church, home, workplace and wider community - working alongside GPs, hospitals, hospices, cathedrals - anywhere people need time to talk. The project has now been developed in Ireland and South Africa.

Schools work

Acorn has a Schools office, which has developed listening training resources for young people. Learning to Listen: a course for young people, is available for secondary schools and youth clubs and is led by trained tutors. The aim is to teach young people the gift of offering good listening to each other.

Regional healing advisers

are active nationally in most mainstream denominations. They organise local seminars and conferences, speak at clerical and medical meetings, visit local churches and offer guidelines. Through these activities they aim to make healing part of the ministry of every congregation, in all denominations. If you want a contact for the healing adviser for your region, give us a call at Whitehill Chase.

Caring initiatives

Acorn has fostered close links with many caring initiatives in local communities, which combine medical and pastoral skills in the care of the whole person. These partnerships have developed into the setting up of Listening rooms, Cancer Help centres, Christian Healing centres, Day Care centres, residential centres and refuges of healing.

Support

Acorn’s ministry exists because of generous gifts by churches and individuals. Can you help support us? If so, please write to us, and remember if you are a taxpayer we can claim back 28p for every £1 that you donate!

Staff members and trustees

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Contact Acorn office

Acorn Christian Foundation, Whitehill Chase, Bordon, Hampshire, GU35 0AP Tel: 01420 478121 Fax: 01420 478122