“For last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await another voice.” — T.S. Eliot
We hope you enjoyed a joyful holiday season and are just as eager as we are for the year ahead. We’re back in the office, thrilled to share an array of updates and opportunities throughout the coming months. We’re especially excited to announce new enrolment information for our training program, stay tuned for this! We’ve put so much thought and love into our program, as with all of our programs, and can’t wait to share them with you. This year, we’re adopting a more collaborative approach! We welcome you to engage in conversations with us—express your needs, offer your valuable suggestions, and work with us in designing the professional and personal development courses you wish to see. We’re aware of some bumps in the road with our newly launched website during the break. While it’s an ambitious project, we’re diligently working on smoothing out any issues you might have experienced. Our goal is to deliver a seamless and engaging platform that lives up to your expectations. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we fine-tune this essential tool. Many of these issues are unfortunately out of our control, but rest assured, we’re working hard to present our organisation in the best way possible. A gentle reminder of our OneSpirit Supervisor Spotlights & Minister Spotlights: For Accredited OneSpirit Supervisors, completing a Supervisor Spotlight will give you a chance to introduce yourself to the community and showcase your offerings. Click here and let’s get you added to the website! OneSpirit Ministers, don’t forget that you can also complete a Minister Spotlight to promote your services and share your voice. Just click here! As always, your needs and requests are our highest priority. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you require any assistance. We look forward to a fantastic year of collaboration and growth with you all!
Do you have an offering for our community? Have you recently published a book? Discover a podcast that inspired you? Want just to say hello? Drop an email below!
OneSpirit’s Professional & Personal Development Offerings
Presenting our exciting January offering: A Day of Visioning – Manifest Your Year Ahead
Join OneSpirit Minister, Rev Malaika, for a transformative day of visioning titled “A Day of Visioning – Manifest Your Year Ahead.” This hands-on workshop takes place at the tranquil Wesley Centre, Manchester Multifaith Centre, offering a peaceful haven for introspection and setting intentions for the coming year.
Mark your calendars – Sunday, January 28th, 2024, from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, is your day to reflect upon the past year and chart your vision for 2024. The warm, supportive environment allows participants to explore a variety of techniques, including arts and crafts, music, meditation, breathwork, and dance, as vehicles to mould their 2024 intentions.
As we journey together, we’ll craft engaging vision boards, a powerful and visual framework of your aspirations. Treat these boards as your personal compass, relentlessly guiding you towards your intended path and serving as an everyday reminder of your purpose. Let’s nurture our sense of community over a shared lunch during the workshop. We invite each attendee to contribute an item of food or drink, whether homemade or store-bought, rounding off a communal feast.
In the spirit of fostering community, we will gather for a shared lunch during the workshop. We kindly request each participant to bring an item of food or drink, either homemade or purchased, to contribute to a collective meal. Learn more and sign up here!
Participation Rates:
- ROSIM: £32
- Non-ROSIM: £40
Introducing our vibrant initiative… The “Spiritual Practice Circle”
We invite you to deepen your spiritual walk with our “Spiritual Practice Circle,” a dedicated enclave for introspective and collective connection. This Circle is a perfect fit for OneSpirit Ministers focused on continual spiritual maturation and any members of the OneSpirit community who yearn to enrich their internal life.
Experience a foundation of support as you connect with like-minded explorers and cultivate your spiritual regimen. Our Circle offers a flexible structure for drop-in participation, letting you attend whenever it aligns with your path. Embark on a unique, self-paced journey from your own living space and join us monthly starting from January 2024!
Under the guidance of our Guest Tutor, Christopher Marcus, engage with six core practices that will enhance your spiritual depth across our online sessions. This uplifting journey unfolds every last Tuesday of each month (30th January, 27th February, 26th March, 30th April, 28th May, & 25th June), from 7:00 to 9:00 pm, over an enlightening six-month span.
Hear from those who have collaborated with Christopher previously via their testimonials (more on the course page!):
- Patrick: “The course was equal parts challenging and enriching the more we immersed ourselves and personally, and what I have learned from working with Christopher will continue to ripple and spill out long after the course finished. The tools he taught and the knowledge he imparted are for life long practice.”
- Lindy: “Christopher possesses a remarkable balance of grounded wisdom and spiritual insight, always approaching discussions with openness and respect, never imposing his knowledge but rather encouraging a collective exploration of ideas. It was this profound connection that piqued my enthusiasm when I learned about the “Deepening Your Spiritual Practice” course, and I eagerly joined.“
- Frances: “Christopher brought curiosity, insight, a huge range of reading, creative arts, delight, and spiritual knowledge to the group and its evolution. It has not been easy, and it has been profound.”
Participation Rates Per Session:
- ROSIM Members or OneSpirit Students: £20
- Non-ROSIM Members: £25
Bundle for all 6 Sessions: Pre-book all 6 sessions to save £20!
- ROSIM Members or OneSpirit Students: £100
- Non-ROSIM Members: £130
Reserve your place and set sail on your spiritual voyage today! Just click here.
Now launching… the OneSpirit Anti-Racism Reading Group 
This is planned as a peer group. We will take turns holding the space. At the initial meeting, we’ll discuss the form the group might take, including some group agreements; how often we should meet; what kinds of resources we would like to use, & which readings we will start with.
The group intends to provide a safe and focused space for members to explore the impact of racism and white supremacy in their own lives. We recognise that racism and white supremacy affect us differently depending on our personal experience and our racialisation. For those of us with white privilege, that might mean becoming aware of racist ideas and behaviours that have been embedded within us, and learning about, coming to terms with and taking responsibility for the racialised harm we have caused and benefited from. For those of us without white privilege, it might mean sharing how racism and white privilege have impacted our lives.
Whatever our background and racialisation, we recognise that this is a profound enquiry that asks us to look at our lives from a different perspective, to share personal material and to be with difficult feelings. We will hold all our discussions within sacred space and use embodied practices and non-violent communication to support each other through the process of unpicking the influence of racism and racialisation in our lives and our work.
This group was dreamed up by OneSpirit Tutor, Sarah MacDonald. Sarah was ordained as a OneSpirit Minister in 2014 and has been working for OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation as a Group Tutor since 2019.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect and grow with your peers ~ this group is open to all OneSpirit Students & Ministers. Click here to access the Zoom link.
Please note, this is a completely free opportunity. There is no charge to participate in this Reading Group!
The Sacred Work of Facing and Addressing Racism 
Start the New Year with a deeper awareness and actionable commitment to social justice. We’re excited to introduce to you, “The Sacred Work of Facing and Addressing Racism”, an intensive course that’s a revamp of our beloved and known, ‘Faith in Black Lives Matter’ Workshop Series. This course is thoughtfully curated for anyone keen to deepen their understanding of racism, exposing the hidden and explicit realms of this complex issue. Our journey unfolds in an environment marked by mutual respect, open-mindedness, and heartfelt empathy.
We’re thrilled to be offering our 6th workshop, which now boasts significant improvements. Our content now incorporates the rich knowledge and lived experiences of Black professionals engaged in the fight against racism. This enriches our collective endeavour to understand, confront, and combat the pervasive challenges of racism.
Guided by our respected OneSpirit ministers, Revs Malaika and Sue Cockerill, these workshops illuminate the nuances of the Black Lives Matter Movement and insights from their work in allyship and community activism. Our collaboration with the Faith Network 4 Manchester adds a fresh perspective to our series. This vibrant interfaith forum fosters understanding, appreciation, and solidarity among varied faith groups. Learn more about their work here.
Join us in this journey of growth and change as we challenge the status quo and strengthen our collective response to systemic and societal problems. Sign up today on our course page and take a step towards making a real difference. Please note that a £25 administrative fee applies for this course, which is donated directly to Windrush Defenders. Thus, your participation isn’t just an educational pursuit. It also allows you to contribute to a meaningful cause!
You can view more testimonials here, but here are what a few of our past participants say:
- Joy: “I was inspired by the honesty and openness of the facilitators… I learned that it is important to stand up for the rights of others.”
- Sylvia: “A very important topic… I was inspired by Malaika’s and Sue’s commitment.”
- Lynne: “I was inspired by the courage and compassion of both Malaika and Sue… This is the work to do with love and forgiveness, of self and other.”
- Emily: “Given I arrived in a state of overwhelm, I left the workshop with fire in my belly and an enthusiastic mindset to continue.”
Don’t delay, sign up now to be part of the solution and prepare to be inspired!
Introducing… Sacred Activism: Living Non-Violence
Welcome to a profound exploration of peace and transformation through non-violence. We present to you a 5-week online course, perfectly crafted to acquaint you with the principle of Sacred Activism and the influence of non-violence in both, your personal domain and the broader global sphere.
Throughout this enlightening expedition, we invite you to scrutinize the varying manifestations of violence, comprehend non-violence as a tool of sacred activism, and fortify the implementation of your spiritual ambitions towards promoting peace and justice.
Each week, we dive into a thought-stirring theme:
- Deciphering Violence
- Self-inflicted and External Violence: A Personal Narrative
- Violence Towards Earth: A Critical Evaluation
- The Remedy for Violence: Personal and Global Perspectives
- Crafting Commitments
Embark on this intriguing voyage, virtually enabled via Zoom:
- May 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, 2024 (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
- June 1st, 2024 (10:00 am – 12:00 pm)
This course is meticulously adapted to cater to OneSpirit Ministers and the curious minds of the general public. We strive to cultivate an open and safe space, barring judgments, that facilitates amplified understanding and challenges ingrained thought patterns and behaviours. Kindly note that this could potentially be tough work necessitating immense self-awareness and emotional resilience. Spearheaded by the seasoned Sarah MacDonald, immerse in this exclusive gateway to exercise non-violence and instil lasting change. Are you prepared to journey towards Sacred Activism? Just click here!
- ROSIM & OneSpirit Students: £32
- Non-ROSIM: £40
SAFE. PURPOSEFUL. REVOLUTIONARY. Embrace Sacred Activism and re-imagine a non-violent world!
OneSpirit’s Community Offerings + Announcements
*most sections below are ‘clickable’ links, meaning, if you click anywhere within the text or image, it will take you to a page where you can learn more!
John Doherty Supervisor Spotlight 
What year were you ordained? 2020
What inspired you to pursue training with OneSpirit? I wanted to integrate many years of exploring different faith paths and develop my spiritual counselling practice.
What motivated you to expand your ministry by becoming a Supervisor? I have been a Supervisor for 18 years, starting with a Masters degree in 2006. I wanted to support people in the caring professions as I had witnessed a lot of burnout and poor self-care. I also wanted to develop my own skills in this area.
What services do you provide? I offer a wide range of services, Supervision, Spiritual counselling, Mindfulness Retreats and courses and workshops on spirituality and Spiritual Wellbeing.
How can clients get in touch with you? Accessing this link here. You can also learn more about me on my OneSpirit Minister Profile here.
How do you personally interpret the words “interfaith” or “interfaith minister”? Interfaith isn’t a word that resonates with me as I am post-religious and consider myself spiritual, so I would go more with inter-spiritual.
Why do you believe supervision plays an essential role in developing and deepening a minister’s practices? I am a complete advocate for the role of supervision in a minister’s life as it provides a safe and sacred space to reflect, process the impact and learn from the “live” work of a minister.
What inspires you to do this work? I am inspired by my own experience of supervision as an essential tool for growth and all those who I have worked with over the years. My first impression was in 2004 when I attended a lecture by Michael Carroll who has written many books on supervision. I was so impressed I thought I wanted to be like him!
Read more from John here & meet all of our Accredited Supervisors here.
Sonya Leite Supervisor Spotlight 
What year were you ordained? 2002
What inspired you to pursue training with OneSpirit? I wanted to explore and deepen into the Mystical in Religious / Spiritual Paths, experientially, beyond dogma and the academic perspectives.
Why do you believe supervision plays an essential role in developing and deepening a minister’s practices? The Supervision we offer is one of supporting the strengths and creativity of each person and providing a safe haven to explore anything that may be blocking their self-expression and confidence. We all need someone who can see us, hear us, champion and challenge not only our work but who we are being. Supervision is an outward manifestation of oneness – of seeing the other as one and a part of ourselves and guiding our Ministers/Students to integrate this understanding.
What motivated you to expand your ministry by becoming a Supervisor? The need for Support and Supervision is necessary when navigating our connection to the Divine. The importance of being witnessed and held as others deepen their faith through trust and exploration. To offer a safe space to anchor our Spiritual Counselling Model and learn to use it wherever Ministry calls them to be.
What services do you provide? Spiritual Counselling, Supervision. Head, Heart and Body Practices for the whole being, accessing your imagination (Mind) inspiration (Spirit) intuition (Body).
How can clients get in touch with you? Through email and 15-minute exploratory phone calls.
What do you consider the most rewarding aspect of being an ordained interfaith minister? To represent an organisation that trained me to live and work with my Spiritual beliefs.
What do you consider the most rewarding aspect of being an accredited supervisor? Building the depth of intimacy that can be formed when two are gathered and focusing on finding our way back to love. We are both growing and accepting the inner authority of our Divine wisdom and building a sacred relationship with the God/Love of our understanding.
How do you put your personal ministry into practice? I take care of myself so I can care and serve others. I use ritual and Spiritual practices in my daily routine. I commit to ongoing professional development, Supervision and yearly retreats. I use sound, music and movement to clear imbalances. I offer bedside singing for those in transition, silent retreats and holistic dance classes to activate our natural joy and peace.
Read more from Sonya here & meet all of our Accredited Supervisors here.
The Month of Ministry
The #MonthOfMinistry is back, bigger, and better! This time, the initiative isn’t only spearheaded by OSMIC, but also includes our vibrant involvement! This 30-day campaign and virtual event is the brainchild of Rev Jo Royle (visit her website here) and is fully endorsed by Rev Sass Adams (Spiritunity).
The endeavours of the #MonthOfMinistry are multi-fold – it unfolds the path for Interfaith Ministers to elevate their public presence, exhibit their pivotal work, and lay the foundation for networking with peers. Drawing a parallel with the humanist’s #HuMayNist event in May, this is a similar platform catered for Interfaith Ministers.
Before the grand event kickoff on 1st February, the organizers have thoughtfully arranged journalling sessions and a social media workshop. These sessions provide an ideal environment for ministers to reflect on their experiences, further elucidate their beliefs, and share the essence of their ministry with a wider audience. It’s also a splendid opportunity for networking, creating a more accessible space for ministers to discover, connect, and follow their peers. Click here for more details! Mark your calendars!
OneSpirit Ministers in Connection Offerings 
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Monday Meditations
- Led by OneSpirit Interfaith Ministers every Mon from 7.30-8pm GMT. Join for meditations focused on healing and inner peace. Join the session here – absolutely FREE!
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Free Tai Chi Classes
- Directed by Rev Suzanne Abernathy. Join us for the TIGER Class (Thursdays 7-8pm GMT), CRANE Class (Thursdays 8-9pm GMT), or DRAGON Class (Saturdays 7-8pm GMT). Learn more about the benefits of Tai Chi and our online sessions here.
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Upcoming Events
- A 6-part series of interactive workshops on Interfaith exploration of Meditation with Rev Gary Dean, starting in the new year. Each session will focus on a new technique. The first focuses on Mindfulness! Wednesday, January 10th @ 7-8pm GMT.
- Join our #MonthOfMinistry (1 – 29 February 2024). OneSpirit Interfaith Ministers are invited to post on social media using the hashtag #MonthOfMinistry.
Did you catch these posts on our social media this past month?
A reminder about our community feature — Minister Spotlights!
It’s hard for me to find specific ministers to spotlight each month, due to the size of our minister community. To make things smoother, I’ve created a form you can fill out for your profile. This form includes five essentials and eight optional questions to inspire you while creating your spotlight. Depending on participation, I’ll publish one or two spotlights each month.
This is a fantastic chance to broadcast your talent, services, and distinctiveness to our wider community. The spotlight form will be available in every iConnect. There is also now a special page for Minister Spotlights… meaning, if you partake now, you’ll be one of the first to be showcased!
Ready to participate? Just fill out the form below and I’ll handle the rest.
Our newly designed website features spaces for fostering connections and uniting our community members. The Community Collection page is specially reserved for users to submit their blog posts. Every submission, be it a book, resource guide, diary entry, song, podcast, or nuggets of wisdom through Instagram, contributes to the collective wisdom available to all. This collective endeavour is especially significant for the ministers and students in our community. Their shared resources or inspiring elements can serve as guiding stars for those in the early days of their spiritual journey, or those who are just needing some inspiration wherever they are. Each piece of wisdom shared stands as a testament that no one is alone in their spiritual voyage. We invite you to submit contributions through the form below! We’ll collate these into a comprehensive post enriched with easily shareable links, data, and images. Additionally, a dedicated space will be created in the member forums for further discussion and resource sharing.
Welcome to our Supervisors Form, designed to showcase your unique voice in our community. As a minister, supervisor, or both, your experience is precious, and we aim to share it. In the form, feel free to share stories, insights, and services. Complete as much as you wish, no field is mandatory, aside from basic information like contact info. If something is missing, add it!
This form should be used to highlight you uniquely – complete it in a way that showcases you how you wish to be showcased.
Upon submission, we’ll create a spotlight on you and your distinct services, akin to a supervisor’s page on our past site. Visitors will click your name, and access a dedicated page to learn about your contributions. What’s more, you will have a dual profile – one as a minister and one providing deeper insights into your role as a supervisor. We want it to be easy for our students and ministers to find help when needed.
Awareness, Religious, and Spiritual Days
*These days come from the Interfaith Network, if a day is missing it is not deliberate! More can be found here.
- 04 Jan World Braille Day
- 13 Jan Sikh, Lohri: Sikhs celebrate this popular Punjabi folk festival in Northern India. It marks the passing of the winter solstice and the end of winter and welcomes longer days.
- 15 Jan Hindu, Makar Sankranti: This religious harvest festival celebrated by Hindus is also associated with the end of the winter solstice. During this time, Hindus across India make pilgrimages to holy rivers to purify themselves of their sins. In Gujarat, kite flying is popular where colourful kites are flown as a tribute to the Sun God.
- 24 Jan International Day of Education
- 24 Jan Baha’i, World Religion Day: This day promotes interfaith understanding and fosters the importance of unity among different religions. It encourages people of all faiths to come together and learn about one another.
- 25 Jan Buddhist, Mahayana New Year: This festival is celebrated by Mahayana Buddhists. It marks the beginning of a new year and is observed with prayers, meditation, and chanting.
- 25 Jan Jewish, Tu Bishvat: The Jewish New Year for Tree is an ecological holiday celebrated by Jewish communities to honour and appreciate nature. It marks the beginning of a new agricultural cycle and is often associated with planting trees.
- 26 Jan International Day of Clean Energy
- 27 Jan International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust
