Jo & Antony

A church in North Somerset currently has over a hundred people engaging in a new online course that inspires people to prioritise and nurture their own wellbeing – in a way that has been wonderfully timely!

A timely topic

‘In Clevedon, like in lots of places, there’s been a lot of COVID support work going on – people volunteering to do shopping and give practical help to people. And one of the things that was picked up on amongst that is the importance of mental health and wellbeing,’ said Antony Wareham, senior minister of Clevedon Baptist Church, talking recently to Hope Together with his wife, Jo.

The Wellbeing Journey is a new series exploring holistic wellness - of body, mind and spirit. This 8-part video journey is a Hope Together and Kingsgate Church collaboration with Waverley Abbey, designed to help churches lead their communities on this holistic journey to improved physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. There’s an accompanying book, by Dave Smith, the lead pastor of Kingsgate Church, which is a 50-day devotional. Clevedon Baptist Church chose to give a copy of the book to all their young adults as a Christmas present.

‘It’s been a really positive thing – not least with the year we’ve had! It’s come at a great time to promote wellbeing and has been feeding into the sorts of issues that are not only in the news, but are issues for us all,’ said Antony. ‘And because of the way the course is put together, people can get on and almost do it themselves, which is great.’ Various small groups from the church have been running the course – including as a follow-on from an Alpha course, amongst young adults, and a youth version. Yet more groups plan to run the group in a face-to-face format when coronavirus restrictions are lifted later in the year. 

Wisdom from the experts

Jo and Antony also promoted The Wellbeing Journey as something that groups are doing across the country; it has been helpful for people to know that they are connecting with the same material as hundreds of other people. Another highlight of the course for them was the way it showcases the experience and wisdom of a wide range of wellbeing experts. ‘Because Hope have gone wide and drawn in professionals in different areas, that gave real credibility to the material,’ said Antony.

‘It’s been exactly what we thought it would be. The theme has been so much in our minds to do something with – it’s been such a good resource, as all the Hope Together ones are,’ said Jo. ‘We want “Wellbeing Journey Part 2”! We want another course to do once we’ve all done this one!’ she laughed.

It’s not too late to join The Wellbeing Journey where you are! Could you run it with a group from your church – or invite people from your community to join you? Find out more and register here