This article was originally published in the October 2001 issue of the Central Florida Episcopalian Magazine.

The Healing of Memories

Blessed are the feet of him who brings good news!

Father Al Durrance, renowned for his inner healing ministry, has trekked weekly from Ocala to Winter Park since January 2001. As an integral part of The Healing Ministry at All Saints Church, Fr. Al arrives by noon on Tuesdays and remains in residence at All Saints Church until noon on Wednesdays.

His feet shod in bright red socks and Birkenstock sandals have become almost legendary. But don't let the eccentric look of those feet fool you, for they are blessed indeed. Fr. Al never fails to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to everyone he prays with for the healing of memories.

The term, healing of memories, was coined by Agnes Sanford in her writings about
inner healing. Over the years, different schools of thought and methodologies have evolved in the healing of memories. Yet for all of the numerous variations in use today, each ministry accomplishes the healing of painful memories by inviting Jesus Christ to redeem the time.

All of us have internal records of our lives from our conception to the present. And
each of us has etched in our memories, the wounds we have suffered emotionally, spiritually and physically. Unfortunately, even when we have endeavored, as adults, to forgive those who have hurt us in the past, we may find that we continue to react to similar situations in the same wounded manner.

"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time,
because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16 (K.JV) Years ago, when the Lord first directed Fr. Al to this verse, he wondered how time could be redeemed. When he realized that redemption is not something that we can do, but is something that is done for us by God, Fr. Al began to see that if we invite Christ to come into a memory, Jesus Himself will
redeem the time and deliver us from the pain.

When we invite Christ into a memory, though the history of that event will not change, our perception of it will change. While this ministry is a form of intercessory prayer, it is unique in that it is designed to do one thing ... to set us free from reacting out of the past and
give us the ability to use the past for wisdom, redeeming the time.

Given the recent national tragedy we have all experienced, there will be many who may need to revisit Tuesday, September 11, 2001 in the days, months or years ahead, and
invite Jesus Christ to be present in their memories of that day. How many of us can vividly recall where we were and what we were doing when JFK was killed? The terrorist attack
September 11 on our country will likely be an even more grievous remembrance for us to
bear.

One Winter Park High School student was struggling with the graphic memory of a
scene of a man who had jumped out the window of the burning World Trade Center. The youth was extremely anguished by the memory. When asked to invite Jesus into that horrific scene that was replaying over and over in her head, the student reported that she could see
Jesus standing in the street with His arms open wide waiting to catch the falling man. As
a result, the perception of that dreadful memory has been eternally changed for that student.

On May 9, Father Al Durrance requested a gathering of all those practicing and interested in inner healing for a sharing of what is happening in the Central Florida diocese
with respect to healing ministry. Though not everyone involved in inner healing was able to make this meeting at the diocesan offices, those that attended were encouraged by their time together.

The following parishes represented at the meeting are involved in the study and practice of variations of the healing of memories: All Saints Church, Winter Park; Church of the Ascension, Orlando; Church of the New Covenant, Winter Spring's; Grace Church, Port Orange and other Order of St. Luke affiliated parishes; St. John's, Kissimmee, and St.
Patrick's, Ocala. Though there are many more parishes actively involved in healing ministry,
those listed have indicated that they may be contacted for further information.

All of those present in May, however, agreed that this ministry is not a substitute for
counseling. Counseling helps us identify areas in our lives where we remain in bondage.
The healing of memories can carry us beyond counseling and take us a step further toward
freedom from bondage. This ministry can also carry beyond prayers for healing of the body, reaching into the soul and spirit to remove stress and unforgiveness that is often at the root of physical sickness. Many who receive the healing of memories receive healing in their bodies as well.

If you would like to receive prayer or be taught how to minister in the healing of memories, you may email Father Al Durrance at fatherall@aol.com or contact him at The Healing Ministry at All Saints Church, 338 E. Lyman Ave., Winter Park, 407-647-3413, most Tuesdays and Wednesdays.