The Spirit Guides Network

Hi all
I run a spiritualist and alternative therapy centre in Grays, Essex (www.open-arms-haven.com) and am very interested to hear people's opinions and viewpoints on the centres and churches they have attended.
I may not make myself popular by saying that I personally found that the omes I attended both here in Essex, and also in West London, where I used to live, were rather outdated, and simply didnt cater for the needs and interests of the younger people, whom I personally believe it is essential to interest in the movement. Also some of them can be very clique-y - in one instance I walked into centre, no-one spoke to me, I sat at the back of the hall through the service - no-one spoke to me, and I left - no-one spoke to me. Needless to say I didnt go back ! Its hard to walk through the door of a new centre, especially on your own, and I think we have all become a bit too comfortable, catering for our regulars, and not thinking about new people, and how to attract them.
At the Haven, we really focus on the welcome, making sure we speak to everyone who comes through the door, and make sure they are familiar with what is on offer, have a seat, and a cuppa ! We offer more than the traditional centres, as each week we have at least four stalls offering tarot, reiki, head massage, numerology, all kinds of alternative therapies for people to try, as well as the usual mediumship and our spiritual healers. People seem to respond to this, and we have always had great feedback on how friendly and welcoming the centre is. I would be interested to hear your experiences, as Im sure that as a movement, we could do a lot more to build and grow if we wer more welcoming and less parochial in our approach ?
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Your'e welcome Christina ! Its a great idea this site ! To all reading this thread - Christina is one of the most impressive mediums I have seen - she works at the Haven on a regular basis. and is really amazing ! Book her for your centre/church whilst you can !
Christina - Im proud to number you amongst my friends !

Jay
xxx

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Hi Jay I have seen Christina working on platform many times, and I think she is THE most impressive Spiritualist medium I have ever seen, and I have seen a lot x

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Hi Steve

Im glad Im not alone in this opinion. Its such a shame that the movement still has this "old lady" reputation. The Haven is such a vibrant and young place - have you seen our film on the site ?
Much as I hate to bring in Mammon to this discussion, I have to admit that as I work in sales and marketing, it comes as second nature to me to promote the Haven in a very proactive way. This means that we are very visible in the local area, always involved and in the local press and I do believe that this approach has helped our success. In the six months since we have opened we average around 30-40 regular visitors a week.
One of the most frustrating people I have ever worked with in the movement had blind faith that "spirit will provide" and was then amazed when no-one showed up to events that had taken months to arrange ! Yes, Spirit will provide, but they do need a little earthly help manning the photocopier lol :)

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Anyone visited the Harlow centre?

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Although I have just reached 60 years, when I walk into a church run by twinsets and teacups, it makes me feel like a teenager again! Let those who need that environment be happy in it, and there are very many who do. Let those who need something more vibrant, alive and happy enjoy their time well spent where they naturally gravitate to. I just pray that somewhere, somehow those who practically wont even let a newcomer sit in an older member's chair, read these heartfelt articles and liven the churches or centres up to welcome newbies one and all!

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The Haven wishes all our friends, old, new and those to come a wonderful 2009, a time of peace, prosperity and personal growth as well as fun and laughter. Have a great time everyone xxx

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Yes, Happy 2009 to all at the Open Arms Haven ... it is such a warm, welcoming and friendly place to spend a Sunday evening.
Well worth a visit if you have not already been! You will feel the energy of Love & Laughter and a wonderful uplifting experience.

Warmest wishes,
Paula.

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Hi there,
Happy New Year!!
In the years of our work we now very rarely present at churches. I was originally developed at one for my gifts of spirit but it became obvious there were other agendas at work so after nearly 3 years we left, the bickering arguments rambled on for years I understand.
It appears by their very nature, because they tend to place all other ways of doing things, like for example a Reiki practitioner or Federation healer cannot heal in a spiritualist church and many would scoff at Deep Trance healing too, it means then many perfectly able practitioners are left out. Some of this has now arrived because of the recent repeal of the fraudulent mediums act which only seems to have opened the floodgates for fraudulent mediums using £1 per min, lines and companies controlling them to up their game.
There also appears to be a real disassociation with the realities of life too, particularly financially which is fine if you keep your day job and bring on your mediumship as a hobby, but what of those who immerse themselves in spirit work every moment of their life?
I believe it is because people make the mistake that if it is a churchy kind of environment then all rational thinking has to be left on your way in and that somehow outside influences, such as we relate to in our real life, are obscured by 'we must only do it to this rule. Human beings make rules through judgment, but spirit judge no one and present themselves in the face of great adversity, with freedom.
love as ever,
Mick

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Hiya Mick
At the Haven we are very informal and are a centre, rather than a church. We welcome people from all disciplines to work with us, and in addition to our registered SPHA healers, have regular Reiki, aromatherapy, crystal, and all sorts of alternative therapies on offer each week. Much has been made of the fraudulent mediumship act, which in hindsight, I believe was unnecessary. I would not walk into an established church and ask them to prove to me their God existed, so why should I feel intimidated into the burden of "proof" at my centre? The only "proof" I need is that which I see every week, of upliftment, joy and happiness in the faces of our visitors.
We dont make money at the Haven - every penny profit we make we donate to a local mental health charity, and Im proud to say that in the 6 months since we opened we have given them £1k. Thats personal choice, I am very aware that there are people out there who rely on their work for their income, and indeed most of our practitioners do just that but are happy to work for us for free as an extra - which often results in private work anyway !
Jay xxx

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Hi Jay
Interesting comments. I attend the Chelmsford Spiritualist Church and we always extend a warm welcome to all who enter our church, regulars and newcomers alike. We are also continually looking for ways to encourage people to join us. To help them discover their Self within. This month we are starting a Beginners Circle Plus, on Wed 21st. We know from our starter beginners circle that many want more. They want to do more now, not later. Hence our new beginners circle. Sometimes habit becomes a 'comfort zone', hopefully we are moving with the energies and moving into new times, new ways.
Colin

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Hiya Colin - sounds like Chelmsford may have similar ideas to ourselves - good news ! Who runs the Church, I wonder if I know of them ? Jay xxx

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Hi Jay. Pam Barclay is President. I am Vice-President also we have Mary Bannister. David Brown, Pam Middleton amonst others. I'm sure you know some of these. Hoping to visit you at Open arms during this month. Be nice to meet you.
Colin

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