Our aim is to create an environment within churches where crisis pregnancy and post abortion concerns can be shared with grace and compassionate understanding, and to develop support for those who have experienced miscarriage. We offer resources which will help those affected by these issues to address their concerns in a safe and confidential setting.

WHY SUCH A MINISTRY NOW?

One in three women in the UK will have had an abortion by the time they are 45. Inevitably, this will therefore be a part of the story for many in our churches.

Some women and their partners may have come to terms with their experience of abortion, but others still feel deeply affected, even if they felt it was the right decision at the time.

Many people might hesitate to tell people at church about their abortion, in case their response is unsympathetic or judgmental. This means they are left to deal with the hurt and pain on their own.

WHAT DOES OPEN PROVIDE?

Training for church leaders and pastoral workers to address these sensitive subjects.
Lectures for those studying in theological colleges
Seminars at Christian events
Speakers who can open up the conversation in church congregations
Post-abortion recovery weekends retreats
‘Loved’ miscarriage healing retreat days

WHAT DO PEOPLE SAY?

You obviously really understand the dilemmas that church leaders face.
– Manager of Pregnancy Crisis Centre

I’ve been trying to fill a void that will always be part of my story. At 33 years old, a change is coming and I can’t wait.
– Sandra, following a post abortion recovery programme

The lectures opened my eyes and made me more aware of the need to help men and women through this healing process.
– Abigail, Theological College Student.

OPEN AND THE CHURCH

OPEN is here to help churches respond compassionately to those affected by crisis pregnancy, abortion and other baby loss.

WHAT WE CAN PROVIDE

Speakers who can open up these subjects in a church service
Online and in person training events
Seminars at Christian events Lectures in theological colleges
Post abortion healing retreat weekends
Miscarriage retreat days

These can all be tailored to suit your church context.

To find out more, please click on the button below to get in touch.

You touched many lives because it was so honest, earthed in the real world of human dilemma and need.
Russ, Church Leader

We are pleased to be discussing these kinds of issues, and your heart and approach make this possible. We look forward to partnering together in training and awareness.
Paul, Church Leader

AFTER AN ABORTION

It is not at all unusual for a woman to experience difficulties following an abortion, and men are often profoundly affected too.

For many, there is an initial sense of relief, but later emotions of sadness, regret and loss can come. Some women wonder if they actually made the wrong decision, and understandably try to bury these negative emotions. This can lead to periods of depression, anxiety and feelings of low self- worth.

For Christians, there is an additional strong spiritual dimension; they may believe they must keep their abortion experience a secret, for fear of being judged. Even knowing in their head that God forgives, many feel unable to receive this, and find it difficult to forgive themselves. This can cause a barrier to come between them and God, which prevents them from embracing all that God has for their lives.

It takes immense courage to begin addressing these painful emotions, but help is available. OPEN offers Healing Retreat Weekends which give the opportunity to work prayerfully through a post abortion healing programme in a safe and relaxed environment.

OPEN Healing Retreat Weekends

The Open post abortion healing retreat weekends take place in relaxed and peaceful venues. There will be sensitive teaching in a small and confidential group setting, and the opportunity for attendees to gently work through their experience with up to 5 other participants. There will be no pressure to share, and everything discussed will be treated with confidence.

The retreat will be led by advisors with many years’ experience in post abortion counselling, and is delivered from a Christian faith context. However, all are welcome!

Previous participants found that their abortion experience was never far from their minds, and yet they could not resolve the feelings themselves. They have found post abortion support groups to be to be life changing and healing times. If the abortion is very recent, it may be more beneficial to wait a while, but please contact us to chat this over.

This has been life changing…
Becky, aged 27

I left the weekend, feeling hopeful and excited about the future.
Helen aged 34

I left feeling lighter, loved, not condemned…
Rebecca

This retreat helped me to focus on my healing…
and the venue was so special!
Anna

It has given me back my soul and my self worth.
I have met amazing women and could not
have asked for more. Thank you!
Sarah

Please see our Upcoming Events section (below) for details of any forthcoming Healing Retreats.
For more information or to book please contact us.

Women don’t have to go through the struggles that can follow abortion alone. They can find the support they need and start back on the road to inner peace and healing.

AFTER A MISCARRIAGE

A quarter of known pregnancies in the UK sadly end in miscarriage. These statistics suggest that losing a baby is a fairly common occurrence but it’s not everyday that you find out your baby has died. Sadly, this experience is often not spoken about, in our churches as well as in society, and so the grief and pain surrounding it is surrounded by silence. For many women and their partners, the only option is to put on a brave face. But emotions following a miscarriage can include guilt, anger and a sense of loss and bewilderment.

Part of the healing process is to talk and share with others who have also known this loss, and to acknowledge that these babies were loved. our LOVED retreat offers the opportunity to do this in safe and peaceful surroundings. They happen twice a year and we welcome anyone who has been affected by miscarriage in any way.

Loved Miscarriage Healing Retreats

“Loved” is a day retreat in peaceful surroundings, offering the opportunity to explore the emotions involved following a miscarriage experience, to share with others who have also known such a loss, and to consider the way forward. It will be a day to acknowledge that these babies were loved.

The retreat will be led by Jenny Baines, who has many years of experience in coming alongside those who have known pregnancy loss. Jenny has walked this journey, and has a heart for lifting the silence, and bringing hope and healing to those affected by miscarriage. The retreat is based on the principles of the Christian faith and will include prayer and Bible readings. However, those with a Christian faith and those of no faith are all welcome.

Cost: £20 including lunch and refreshments.

Please see our Upcoming Events section (below) for details of any forthcoming Healing Retreats.
For more information or to book please contact us.

Click here to read Jenny’s own story of baby loss and how we can stand alongside those who have experienced this.

MEET THE TEAM

NEW OPEN CONSULTANT
Leonie Lucas is our new OPEN Consultant for England, Scotland and Wales.

Leonie has been involved in ministry to women for several years, training and equipping women as well as walking alongside them through many of life’s difficulties, including baby loss. After training, she first led a Christian abortion recovery course in 2016 and since then has continued to support women who have been directly affected both by abortion and miscarriage. With a background of training women, she looks forward to helping churches to better support women in this area through our pastoral training events and courses.

Having walked with women who have been impacted by abortion, Leonie is keen to grow this ministry, praying that God would continue to use the work of OPEN to equip the church and enable many more women to access the help they need.

REBECCA RICHARDS – OUR CONSULTANT FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
Rebecca grew up on the North Coast but now resides in Newtownabbey with her daughter. Rebecca has her own story of crisis pregnancy and several years ago felt called to support those finding themselves in a similar situation, wanting to ensure that girls and women are treated compassionately in what can often be a very overwhelming situation.

Since the start of 2021 she has been working alongside those in both crisis pregnancy and post-abortion situations, and has undergone training in pregnancy counselling, post-abortion and child loss. Rebecca joined the team at OPEN in August 2023.

“It is so encouraging to see the work of OPEN grow here in Northern Ireland and to see churches engage and be increasingly willing to open up the conversation around crisis pregnancy and baby loss. It is a privilege to walk alongside those who have experienced or are currently journeying these issues.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you think you or your church could benefit from support or training on any of these issues or even to just find out a little more about the work of OPEN! Keep an eye on our social media pages and events section here to discover more about our next retreats and training days.”

UPCOMING EVENTS

Recent Events
Read about our recent Pastoral Training Event in
Newtownabbey, Northern Ireland in our News section below.

If you would like to know more about hosting an event, such as a seminar for pastoral workers, a Loved Miscarriage Retreat day or a women’s breakfast or lunch, please do get in touch!

ONE OF THE GREATEST PASTORAL CHALLENGES IN THE CHURCH TODAY IS HOW WE SUPPORT WOMEN WHO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE PAIN OF AN ABORTION. THIS MINISTRY BRINGS TENDERNESS, TRUTH AND HOPE TO THOSE WHO ARE DEALING WITH THIS EXPERIENCE. OPEN CAN HELP LOCAL CHURCHES AND INDIVIDUAL WOMEN TO FIND A PATHWAY OF HEALING IN THE MIDST OF UNSPOKEN BUT DEEPLY-FELT LOSS.

– Rev Malcolm Duncan, Senior Pastor, Dundonald Elim Church, Belfast

JENNY BAINES

Consultant for OPEN

Jenny has been involved for over twenty years with those affected by unintended pregnancy and post abortion concerns.

She is convinced that this is the right time for such a ministry as OPEN, and CARE is privileged to launch this new initiative.

I ASK THAT YOUR MINDS MAY BE OPENED TO SEE HIS LIGHT. SO THAT YOU WILL KNOW WHAT IS THE HOPE TO WHICH IT HAS CALLED YOU, HOW RICH ARE THE WONDERFUL BLESSINGS HE PROMISES HIS PEOPLE.

STORIES

THREE STORIES

AUGUST 2018

Three women share their stories and tell us their experiences of attending an Open healing retreat.

KATIE’S STORY

As long as I can remember, I grew up loving Jesus and knew that he loved me. He was my friend and he also became my safe space, someone I …

CAROLE’S STORY

9th March 1974 is a date that changed me and my life forever. I was 17, a very frightened and confused teenager. On that day I had an abortion. The …

ALISON’S STORY

‘It was painful. It was hard work. It was full of love and acceptance.’ Alison shares how attending a retreat changed her life. In 1997, after trying for a family for over …

OLIVIA’S STORY

Olivia shares how coming to a ‘Loved’ miscarriage healing day helped her to ‘see the light from a very dark place.’ This is my story… My life back in 2016 was a …

JILL’S STORY

Read how Jill* now uses her experience of abortion and healing to help others facing an unintended pregnancy... I was 21, married with a little daughter aged 2. My marriage was …

HELEN’S STORY

Helen shares her experience of attending an OPEN retreat and how she left resolving to take up photography again… ‘When I was a little girl I used to dream about being …

JORDAN AND JODIE

Through the eyes of a husband and wife… Jordan’s Story God has searched me and he knows me…he knows everything about me. He knew that I would come to Edinburgh to study, …

CAROLINE’S STORY

Through the eyes of a mother/ grandmother… It was a very normal Wednesday morning in February 1987. My daughter was home from college and we were making the beds and tidying …

SANDRA’S STORY

Sandra attended a post abortion healing group, in Illinois, USA, which was introduced by Jenny Baines. Sandra shared this with us… ‘Twelve years ago this past April, I terminated a pregnancy, …

LATEST NEWS

OPEN AT WILLOWFIELD CHURCH OCT 24

On Sunday 13th October Jenny was invited to speak at both morning services at Willowfield Church, Belfast. Jenny shared a little of the work of OPEN and from scripture …

BABY LOSS AWARENESS WEEK 24

During Baby Loss Awareness Week 2024 OPEN had the privilege of holding a Baby Remembrance Service at Glenabbey Church in Newtownabbey. This was a service for women and men …

LOVED IN ENNISKILLEN SEPT 24

On Saturday 14th September we welcomed 4 ladies to The Well in Enniskillen for our 'Loved' healing retreat. This was an incredibly special day of with a real …

The GLENABBEY PODCAST OCT 24

Glenabbey Church 12/10/24 Jenny and Rebecca had the pleasure of chatting with David Mairs, pastoral lead in Glenabbey Church Newtownabbey on Saturday 12th October. It was wonderful to have the …

OPEN IN ENNISKILLEN JUNE 24

OPEN in Enniskillen, Northern Ireland 14/06/24 We were delighted to return to Enniskillen on the 14th-16th June for another post-abortion healing retreat weekend. The ladies who attended spoke of the …

OPEN IN COLERAINE

OPEN in Coleraine, Northern Ireland 11/05/24 Mountsandel Christian Fellowship hosted our latest pastoral training event. We delivered sessions on supporting women and men who have experienced baby loss through …

LOVED RETREAT DAY IN COUNTY DOWN

Our most recent Loved retreat day took place at Murlough House in beautiful County Down - an incredible setting for a very special day. Throughout the course of …

OPEN IN NEWTOWNABBEY

OPEN in Newtownabbey, N. Ireland 03/02/24 Glenabbey Church, Newtownabbey hosted our latest pastoral training event. We delivered sessions on supporting women and men who have experienced baby loss through …

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CONFERENCE

It was an absolute privilege to be invited to be part of this conference centred around the theme of 'Caring Together'. Jenny delivered an excellent seminar focussing on …

OPEN IN ENNISKILLEN

Beautiful Enniskillen was the setting for our first OPEN abortion healing retreat weekend in Northern Ireland. The courageous ladies who came, and with great honesty and integrity, worked through the …

CONTACT US

Open
53 Romney Street
London, SW1P 3RF
For GB: leonie.lucas@care.org.uk
For NI: rebecca.richards@care.org.uk
Tel: 020 7233 0455

If you’re wanting to book a retreat, a church visit/seminar or simply would like to know more please fill in the contact form below.

Disclaimer: Please be aware when contacting OPEN that those responding to calls and emails may not be trained counsellors. They will, however, endeavour to redirect to an appropriate person or signpost to other agencies as necessary.

For more information on CARE please visit www.care.org.uk Design by Bubble Design.