God-centered and
spiritually inclusive
We are a God-centered, spiritually inclusive, community dedicated to expanding our spiritual awareness in a joyful atmosphere of love, acceptance, fellowship, and service.
The Center exists to help you take charge of your well-being and spirituality. No matter where you are on your journey to increased well-being and transformation, we encourage you to discover, learn, engage and be part of our community.
Is your life in balance? Join a Wellness Circle!
The Reverend Ann Gillespie
Ann is the Senior Associate Rector and Director of the Center for Wellness and Spirituality. Ann brings to parish ministry a 23-year career as an actress in television and theater and 18 years as a yoga teacher. Ann’s acting career included many guest-starring roles. Some may remember her recurring characters as “Kelly’s mom” on Beverly Hills, 90210 and the second iteration in the 2000’s called ‘90201’ and Nurse Jabara on Star Trek’s Deep Space 9.
She is passionate about the ways her work as priest combines the ritual and pageantry of theater with the healing and transformation of yoga. She designed her own brand of yoga called Finding God in Your Body that has been offered in multiple church and diocesan settings.
What we Offer
Sundays at Holy Comforter
Adult Forum: Occasionally the Ministry Center will be the venue for a program related to wellness and spirituality. Topics range from Addiction and Recovery, to Spiritual Discernment, to Environmental Wellness, to Navigating the Holidays. Come explore subjects that particularly interest you as well as topics you know nothing about.
Bible Study
Men’s Bible Study: Tuesdays, 6:45–7:45 a.m. join us on Zoom for coffee followed by our Men’s Bible study. Please contact the Rev. Jon Strand or Ray Wadlow to RSVP. We are using the Bible study guide from St. Stephen’s Richmond—found below—to start out. We will generally meet weekly, taking breaks for holidays and the summer.
Women’s Bible Study: Tuesdays, 6:45–7:45 a.m. join us on Zoom for coffee followed by our Women’s Bible Study. Bible women, especially those who speak, are surprisingly bold! Join us as we explore their voices, many of whom have been silenced or forgotten. Please contact the Rev. Ann Gillespie for the Zoom link.
Body & Soul Fitness
Five Body & Soul Fitness classes are held in person at Holy Comforter, or you can join via Zoom!
Cardio Strength: Tuesdays at 9:30 a.m. – in person or join on Zoom
Power Strength: Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. – in person or join on Zoom
Cardio Strength: Thursdays at 9:30 a.m. – In-person or join on Zoom
Power Strength: Saturdays at 8:00 a.m. – Zoom only
Cardio Strength: Saturdays at 9:30am – Zoom only
Register online below, or email Linda Khan.
Centering Prayer
Mondays at 1:30 p.m., please join us on Zoom for Centering Prayer, a means of Christian meditation that uses a single word for us to rest our attention while we come before the presence of God. This will include a brief check-in, an opening prayer, brief instruction, 20 minutes of silence and then a brief closing prayer. Please follow the link below and follow the prompts.
Episcopal 101
Preparation for baptism, confirmation, and reaffirmation for adults.
Small Groups
Members meet together to study scripture, pray, and have a time of fellowship.
Living Compass: !n small group sessions in October and November, you have an opportunity to examine your life, using the curriculum from Living Compass. Areas of focus are Care of Body, Stress, Vocation, Organization, Rest and Play, Spirituality, Emotions, and Relationships. Is your life balanced? Take the Living Compass Assessment.
Wellness Services / Practitioners
Wellness Services and Practitioners: A variety of services for healing and revitalization are offered at or in affiliation with Holy Comforter. These include Spiritual Guidance, Gestalt Soul Care and Intuitive Reiki energy body healing.
The Labyrinth
Labyrinths are an ancient form of walking meditation that flowered in medieval times with the building of the great Gothic cathedrals in Europe. Labyrinths can be used to quiet the mind, recover balance in life, and to foster spiritual discernment. The practice of labyrinth walking integrates the body, mind, and spirit. Our labyrinth is located outside behind the church. Printed guides are located in the wooden stand by the Labyrinth entrance.