Miracle Network News
Mancunian Way
16th June 2007
The
Miracle Network sponsored the first-ever A Course in Miracles
conference
to take place outside London. Organised by Interfaith Minister and local
Course group leader Fay Barratt, the conference, called ‘I Am Entitled
to Miracles’, was held in the Cross Street Chapel in central Manchester
on 16 June, 2007. Speakers at this milestone event for the northwest of
England included Jason Chan, Nick Davis, Ian Patrick and Cheryl Ford. For
more information on A
Course in Miracles
activities in Manchester,
call Fay on (0161) 248 0220.
Gary Renard in Britain
19th - 20th May 2007
Following
Gary Renard's successful 2005 visit, he was back in the UK in 2007. He
was well received at his workshops in London and Birmingham in May, which were
organised and promoted by the Miracle Network. You can purchase a recording of
the entire ‘Your Immortal Reality’ one-day event on CD (£23, plus
p&p) or DVD (£28, plus p&p) from
this website
-
click
here.
Robert Holden on Oprah
May 2007
Our
very own Robert Holden was the star guest on a rare live broadcast of the
Oprah Winfrey Show, which was broadcast in the US on 11th April to great
acclaim. The programme was subsequently shown in the UK on ITV2. Robert
offered insights into how to be truly happy. “It’s never too late to be
happy,” he said. A key is to “give up destination addiction to achieve
happiness now!” Robert was able to help the guest volunteers to look at how
they could create greater happiness in their lives. Further appearances are
expected. Visit www.happiness.co.uk
and www.oprah.com
Bay City Roller
23rd - 25th February 2007
The
2007 International
A Course in Miracles conference, ‘An Opportunity to Gladden
Yourself’, was held at the end of February in San Francisco, within sight of
the world-famous Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. Wonderfully
organised by the local Community Miracles Center (CMC), run by Revs. Tony
Ponticello and Larry Bedini, the conference attracted nearly 500 Course
students from all over the world. The keynote speakers were Robert Perry, Gary
Renard and Jon Mundy. The Miracle Network’s Ian Patrick joined the panel of
other speakers, including Allen Watson, D. Patrick Miller, Sandy Levey-Lunden,
John Nagy, DavidPaul and Candice Doyle, David Hoffmeister and Robert and Mary
Stoelting from Pathways of Light. Tony Ponticello’s alter ego, 'Rev
Antoinette',
gave an empassioned sermon, entitled ‘There’s a Crack in Everything’,
about embracing the diversity in the ACIM ‘community’ with greater
acceptance and appreciation. The event was run so efficiently, that it has
been decided that the CMC will organise the next such conference in 2009.
Welsh Rare
January 2007
For several years, Wales has been something of a backwater for A Course in Miracles. There was only one active group, in Cardiff, which ended recently. Vivian Candlish has been alone in running Course retreats in Anglesey. Now, all that is about to change. In June, Jules Steinson began a year-long Monday evening Workbook class in Penarth, Glamorgan [call (01446) 406509]. Cait Wood has begun a new group in Llanidloes, Powys on the first Saturday of the month [call (01686) 414818]. David Schofield wants to start a new group in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire [call (01873) 831768]. And, Ian Patrick will be returning to Snowdonia the weekend of Friday 21st (evening) to Sunday 23rd September 2007 to run another A Course in Miracles weekend workshop at White Horses Retreat Centre, near Dolgellau. £220 full board [call Hilary Collins (01691) 648546].
Spiritual College
December 2006
Pathways of Light Spiritual College, a US-based non- school, has recently opened a branch in the UK. It offers facilitated correspondence courses, self-study programmes, workshops and spiritual ministry training, with a focus on A Course in Miracles and spiritual growth. The organisation has been operating in the US for 17 years. It describes itself as being “dedicated to following the loving Teacher within, and providing a safe environment in which the awareness of Inner Light is focused on and nurtured at a pace that is right for each person.” The Miracle Network has made the college’s correspondence courses available for purchase online at Correspondence Courses. The College is currently accepting new students. Call 0870 067 3853 for a catalogue or visit www.pathwaysoflight.org.uk.
Miracle Experience Weekend (conference)
21st-22nd October 2006
This sold-out experiential event of workshops, talks, entertainment and activities based on A Course in Miracles was held over the weekend Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd October 2006. It was unanimously praised as an outstanding success. At the end, Miracle Network’s Ian Patrick declared: “Every time we say it has been the best conference ever, but this one really was the best one yet!!” Our gratitude goes to all concerned, particularly our wonderful presenters and the hard-working team of helpers, ably led by Heather Pozzo. For a full report, photos of the event and details of recordings and downloads of sessions click here.
Peace in Northern Ireland
22nd February 2006
Despite this rather pretentious and exaggerated headline, early February marked another milestone for the Miracle Network — and the fulfilment of a personal ambition by director Ian Patrick — with the Network's first events in Northern Ireland.
Ian took part in a Thursday evening introductory presentation on A Course in Miracles to an audience of about 80 in Londonderry, at the invitation of local group organiser Ann McAnee, who runs a weekly group in the Bogside.
In a place where religious division is still readily apparent, there followed a weekend 'A Course in Miracles Revealed!' workshop in Belfast, which included a powerful and moving forgiveness exercise between Protestant and Catholic particpants.
Ian Patrick in Londonderry (above left) and Belfast (above right)
The forgiveness process in Belfast
Nicola Harvey and Robert Perry: Holy Matrimony
3rd January 2006
We are pleased to announce the marriage of two A Course in Miracles® teachers — Robert Perry and Nicola Harvey.
The couple met in July 1999, while Robert was teaching workshops in the UK
for the Miracle Network and Nicola was our events manager. The wedding took
place at their home in Sedona, Arizona on Saturday 22nd October, 2005. The
Minister was Rev. Mirkalice Gore. The best man was Robert's son, Adam. The
bridesmaids were Robert's daughter, Anna, and Nicola's nieces, three-year-old
twins Imogen and Eve. The wedding took place eight weeks after the birth of
Nicola and Robert's daughter, Miranda Rose. Mirkalice Gore is also a Course
teacher, who has recently retired from running her ACIM® church in Las Vegas,
Nevada.
Above: Back Row, from left: Anna,
Nicola, Robert and Adam Perry.
Foreground: Bridesmaids Imogen
and Eve.
Left: Robert and Nicola with
Mirkalice
Gore
Gary
Renard 'Disappearance of the Universe' UK Visit
6th November 2005
The first ever UK visit by Gary Renard took place in November, 2005 with an evening lecture and three one-day workshops. It was straight talk about illusions, past lives, religion, sex, politics and the miracles of forgiveness from the author of the internationally acclaimed book 'Disappearance of the Universe'.
When two strangers appeared in Gary Renard's living room and identified themselves as 'ascended masters' he chose to listen — and ask a lot of impertinent questions. The result is 'Disappearance of the Universe', a startling book that has become an international phenomenon -- a spiritual teaching revealing the secrets of existence and the miracles of forgiveness, and presenting an uncompromising discourse on A Course in Miracles®.
Website Launch
9th September 2005
This website now has a fresh, modern look and some new state-of-the-art features! The new site went 'live' on 9th September 2005, with a launch party for trustees and those involved in the site's development.
As well as a revamping all the familiar sections (including the story of
A Course in Miracles®, a summary of what it says, FAQs, links to related websites, listings of ACIM® groups in the UK and What's On), the site now has an online bookstore (complete with virtual shopping baskets), fully secure online payment facilities through PayPal (for mail-order products, subscriptions, booking workshops, etc.), which uses the latest credit-card encryption technology, electronic downloads of recent issues of Miracle Worker magazine and other new features.
We would like to thank Kundan Misra, Source United and Li Wang for developing and designing the new site; Kristoffer Alpsjö and David Jamison for acting as excellent consultants; and not to forget the earlier contribution of AK Zwart and others. Thank you all for your hard work and dedication.
Lee Jampolsky Tour Success
5th July 2005
The first-ever UK events by renowned psychologist and author Dr Lee Jampolsky in June and July were greeted universally with enthusiasm and gratitude. People travelled from far and wide (well, from most of the more populated areas of England and Wales) to the series of 'Walking Through Walls' talks and workshops given by Dr Jampolsky, son of the famous author Dr Gerald (Jerry) Jampolsky. Lee will be back in the UK in 2006.
Some
of the feedback we received follows:
"A great day. Lee was superb." - SS
"Lee really inspired me with his love, courage and vision." - IW
"What a great day it was! I really enjoyed Lee, the workshop and the
surroundings." - CR
"I attended the Manchester workshop and wanted to say how much I
enjoyed it. I was feeling anxious at the beginning, but this diminished as
the day progressed. I felt safe and, at the end of the day, warm, open and
loved. I do hope you return to Manchester again soon." - SC
"I so enjoyed the day and felt a true connection with everyone. Bless
you." - GB
"One of the things that impressed me about Lee was his calmness and
centredness, so I am concentrating on what I am doing in the moment and on
not being distracted by past events, which might take me away from that"
- SD
"The instant I read of Lee coming, I felt compelled to book. It was
helpful to be with someone who has worked through so much in his life and
can teach and demonstrate what he calls 'remembrance from addiction'. It
is so useful to have Lee's different approach to ACIM®
- bringing it, like Heineken, to all the parts that otherwise are not
reached!" - CH
"What
a fantastic day! Thank you for organising it." - JS
"It was a great evening. I liked the tone of
Lee's talk and got much out of it. There was a special atmosphere and I
felt I had some healing from it. I never had that before. I like his book.
I bought it for a friend and like his approach so much I wish I had bought
it for myself." - CE
Network Gets Charity Status
12th June 2005
The Miracle Network is now officially registered as a charity. After an application process that has stretched out over eight years, we are delighted that our charitable status has been awarded by the Charity Commission for England and Wales with effect from 6th April, 2005. We would like to thank Trustees John Hunt and Nigel Gresswell for their hard work and persistence in bringing this about. Our charity registration number is 1108852.
The Network will benefit financially from the new status (such as from Gift Aid) and in increased public confidence, as the Charity Commission has recognised that our activities are in the 'public interest'.
In
granting our registration, the Charity Commissioners considered the
following established activities of the Network to be in pursuance of our
charitable objectives:
"We
aim to fulfil the object... by encouraging others to a greater
understanding of the teachings of Jesus, which we understand to be a
gospel of unconditional love, acceptance and forgiveness. We will use a
book known as A Course in Miracles®
to further promote the teachings of Jesus and, in particular, to emphasise
the Course's teaching on the practical application of forgiveness, as
taught in the Bible.
The Miracle Network, a company limited by guarantee, will be involved in a
number of outreach activities, in order to fulfil its charitable objects:
1) To hold events, talks, seminars and workshops on relevant spiritual
themes. These events will be open to the public. Typically, gatherings may
include prayer, meditation and fellowship.
2) To encourage and facilitate the setting up of smaller groups to meet
together for prayer, meditation, study, discussion and fellowship.
3) To make books and tapes on relevant spiritual themes available, through
mail-order and bookstalls at events.
4) To publish a magazine offered through subscription, but to be made
available to anyone who wishes to receive it, regardless of ability to
pay.
5) To employ a Director of the Network to co-ordinate its activities and
generally to promote its aims.
6) To encourage others to offer their talents, as volunteers, to develop
the work of the Network.
7) Longer-term aims will be to establish a permanent base or 'Miracles
Centre' at which we can offer talks, pastoral care, workshops and a
bookshop. We recognise that such a project would require significant
funding, which may not be available to us initially.
8) We will consider other projects in line with our objectives or when
such opportunities present themselves.
9) We will encourage our supporters to make donations to fund the
activities of the Network.
The organisation raises its funds and will continue to do so by the
receipt of donations, subscriptions, mail-order (sales of spiritual books
and tapes) and by fees for spiritual conferences and events.