What is Recovery Church?
Recovery Church is a community of people who are in, or are seeking recovery, from a range of addictions that include drugs and alcohol. Recovery Church meets each week in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and on-line. Several locations are in the process of establishing a Recovery Church Inclusive Community, based on the values and ethos of these original communities.
Recovery Church is for people of all faiths and none and is co-led by individuals who are established in their recovery journey, together with recovery allies.* Recovery Church services offer people the opportunity to explore faith and spirituality in a supportive and trauma-informed environment that is guided by robust safeguarding policies.
Recovery Church services promote a culture of honesty and vulnerability where people talk about their struggles, learn from others and share experiences of hope and gratitude. Services affirm individuals for being honest and authentic and offer acceptance, solidarity and love. Recovery Church enables people to connect with our deepest feelings; to connect with others in community; and to connect with God (as we understand them).
While Recovery Church services use some of the familiar language associated with Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous, it is not intended to be an alternative to 12 Step meetings. Rather, Recovery Church seeks to complement what is already present within the wider recovery community and has its focus in person-centred ministry and social justice.
Why are Recovery Church Communities Emerging?
Recovery Church is supported and resourced by the Methodist Church and works in partnership with local organisations.
Recovery Church is partly a practical and pastoral response to rising levels of addiction and isolation. It is also partly a demonstration of how the Methodist Church is re-imagining its roots as a spiritual and social movement which empowered people to lead a new life based on community, mutual accountability and support.
Shame, stigma, ignorance and judgement are often associated with addiction within society, and within our churches. Places where people can be open and honest about what is really going on for them – without fear of being judged by others – are increasingly needed in society.
Wanting To Find Out More?
There are a couple of ways of finding out more about Recovery Church:
If you are a person in Recovery and would like to talk about Recovery Church you can contact Deacon Tracey Hume directly via email deacontraceyhume@gmail.com
If you would like to discuss whether Recovery Church might be suitable in your Methodist context, in the first instance please contact Deacon Eunice Attwood (Church at the Margins Officer) AttwoodE@methodistchurch.org.uk.
Deacon Tracey Hume leads on Recovery Church across the Connexion two days a week but she is still working in her local context, leading Recovery work and so cannot always reply immediately. Contacting Eunice Attwood helps to ensure enquiries are responded to by the most appropriate person.
Recovery Church Inclusive Communities are a specific model of NPNP. If you are considering establishing a community you must contact Eunice or Tracey to discuss this as there is a very specific pathway of information, training and support which should be accessed before moving forward. This is to ensure a fidelity to the original Recovery Church communities and to make sure that appropriate measures are taken to keep everyone safe.
You can also attend one of the What is Recovery Church? webinars led by Deacon Tracey Hume and the Revd Jon Canessa from Recovery Church. These are 90 minutes on Zoom and places must be booked in advance. The next webinar will be linked below when they are available.
You can also take a look at the Recovery Church Inclusive Communities website Recovery Church website.