Celebrate Recovery is an international 12-step programme that weaves the word of God into its teachings. Originally started in the United States, Celebrate Recovery has made its way into local churches, including our very own St Mary’s Church in Halewood, Liverpool, where Revd James Hutchinson and a team of kind, dedicated volunteers work together to create a safe and welcoming space for those struggling with poor mental health, addiction and other challenges that affect their daily lives.
With around 30 people gathering to worship, reflect and support one another, Celebrate Recovery offers more than a traditional recovery programme. It is a community built on faith, friendship and the belief that, with God’s guidance, people can find healing from the experiences that have shaped their lives.
A Community Without Judgement
Every Tuesday evening, St Mary’s opens its doors from 6.30pm, welcoming people to gather over tea and refreshments before the programme begins at 7pm. As people settle around tables and catch up with familiar faces, there’s a real sense of community among those who have come to share their experiences, seek support or simply enjoy being among friends.
For some, Celebrate Recovery has been part of their lives for years, helping them work through what the programme calls their “hurts, habits and hang-ups”. While many have made significant progress in their recovery journeys, they continue to attend for the friendships, encouragement and sense of belonging they have found along the way.
The evening also brings people together through prayer, singing and contemporary Christian worship music, creating an uplifting atmosphere where faith is expressed through both reflection and celebration.
Throughout the gathering, there are opportunities for people to speak openly about their experiences and listen to others who may be facing similar challenges. These conversations are an important part of the programme, allowing individuals to share their struggles without fear of judgement.
For Ryan, who has been a Christian for four years, having a place to speak openly has made an enormous difference.
“Celebrate Recovery is a massive part of it, to be honest with you. Just being able to have that time to openly speak,” he shared.
After experiencing years of depression and personal loss, Ryan understands how difficult it can be to ask for help. For much of his life, he kept his struggles to himself, believing he needed to carry on without burdening others.
“If you find a way of releasing some of that trauma and some of that pressure, it gets easier and easier. And that’s what I’ve done.”
Finding the Courage to Face the Past
At the heart of Celebrate Recovery is the understanding that healing often means confronting difficult experiences rather than avoiding them.
“The only way to leave your past behind is to walk through it” was one of the messages shared during the evening, reflecting the programme’s emphasis on acknowledging the past as part of moving towards a healthier future.
During the gathering, speaker Helen explored the importance of facing difficult truths, drawing on the programme’s eighth step, which encourages participants to consider the people they may have hurt and become willing to make amends. For many, looking back can be frightening or uncomfortable. It can be tempting to make excuses for past decisions or avoid confronting painful memories, but Celebrate Recovery encourages people to approach these experiences with honesty, compassion and faith.
A central message of the evening came from Psalm 23:4:
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
The passage offered a reminder that faith does not promise a life without difficulty, but provides reassurance that God remains present through even the most challenging circumstances.
Recovery Is About More Than Addiction
Although the name Celebrate Recovery might initially suggest a programme focused solely on substance misuse, its purpose reaches much further.
The programme welcomes people facing a wide range of difficulties, whether that means navigating poor mental health, processing painful experiences, overcoming harmful habits or simply seeking a supportive community during a difficult period of life. Celebrate Recovery encourages people to consider their emotional and spiritual wellbeing, recognising that everyone carries experiences that can affect their relationships, confidence and sense of purpose.
Helen, who led the evening’s teaching, first attended Celebrate Recovery eight years ago, shortly after becoming a Christian. At the time, she was struggling with feelings of isolation and loneliness, but through the programme, she found a community that encouraged her to grow in faith and confront challenges in her life.
What began as a search for support eventually became an important part of her Christian journey. Helen credits Celebrate Recovery with helping her discover a greater sense of purpose and recognise the ways God could work through her own experiences to help others. Today, she continues to share the encouragement and guidance she once received, demonstrating how those who have found healing through the programme can go on to support others on their own journeys.
Through the dedication of Revd James Hutchinson and the volunteers at St Mary’s Halewood, Celebrate Recovery continues to offer a place where people can come as they are, find friendship and explore how faith can help them move forward.
Celebrate Recovery meets every Tuesday at St Mary’s Church, Halewood, with refreshments from 6.30pm and the programme beginning at 7pm. Whether someone is beginning their recovery journey or simply looking for a welcoming Christian community, they are invited to come along and discover that they do not have to face life’s challenges alone.
To learn more about the program, visit this link.
