Church Army Discovering Faith in Later Life September 2004 Number 2
St Stephen’s Seniors They will still bear fruit in old age they will stay fresh and green Psalm 92: 14
Christ to elderly and lonely in East Twickenham
Captain Michael Collyer CA Researcher: Older People Exploring evangelism, spiritual needs & fresh expressions of church among older people Email m.collyer@churcharmy.org.uk The Sheffield Centre Church Army’s Research Unit Directed by Revd George Lings Email: ask@sheffieldcentre.or.uk
Introduction Liz Thomas first made contact with Church Army at the Christian Resources Exhibition at the Sandown Race Course (Summer 2003), enquiring about resources for working with older people. Her request was referred to me as Church Army’s Evangelist and Research Worker and Focus Group Convenor for Older People. I telephoned Liz to find out the nature of her request and sent her a copy of our Older People and Evangelism Training Manual along with some other information. On further conversation with Liz, I learnt about the St Stephen’s Seniors in Twickenham and so arranged to visit Liz and some of her team to learn more of their exciting programme for reaching older people. Liz, Co-ordinator of St Stephen’s Seniors, could be described as the ‘glue’ that holds St. Stephen’s Seniors together. She has a clear calling to work with older people and the enthusiasm to drive the work forward. Liz has made the point that she does not regard St Stephen’s Seniors as a single project but prefers to call the various activities with older people as projects in the plural. Without her and the support of St Stephen’s leadership team, work with older people could not have progressed as it has done, along with the dedication of the leaders of various groups. This will become clear as we unfold the range of activities that Liz has become involved with; providing support and encouragement and pastoral oversight.
Liz’s God Prod In 1996 a recently widowed lady called Adrienne Hall felt God’s call to bring a new focus to the older people’s work at St. Stephen’s, and under the authority of the acting minister, started the Omega Bible study and the Healing services, to add on to the existing Lunch Club meeting on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month and the Monday Fellowship meeting on 2nd and 4th Monday of each month. A bit later on, one of the older people had the idea for ‘Chairobics’ and Mary, a retired physiotherapist, started leading it. In spring 1997 Adrienne sadly died and it looked as if no-one was coming forward to carry on the work. At a prayer meeting Liz says she felt a “God prod” that she was meant to do this, and the next day the words “you can do it you know”, prompted Liz further. Liz asked for confirmation through someone else, which she got, and with some trepidation wrote a letter to the Vicar, and before she knew where she was, found herself on the staff team! Liz worked as a volunteer for six years, before becoming the paid co-ordinator of St Stephen’s Seniors last year (2003). Liz is well grounded in the Anglican tradition; her father was a Vicar in Eastbourne1 and during her teenage years had some good friends among older people, and learnt then that age really doesn’t matter in relationships. Later Liz became a teacher, then worked in the Citizen’s Advice Bureau before marrying Eddie and bringing up four children. Liz says that for a while she turned her back on God, but shortly before their first child was born, she started going to St. Stephen’s and gradually became involved in church life, helping with women’s groups, and running day time Alpha groups. She became a home group leader with Eddie, and helped giving people lifts to the Lunch Club, Omega and healing services. Liz says she never wanted to return to teaching, but it has been interesting to see how experience has come into its own, albeit with adults. Liz now aged 56 says she loves working with the older age group, which she finds satisfying and stimulating
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Exploring Faith No. 1 explores work with older people in Residential Homes in Eastbourne
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This church’s activities, i.e. coming together for Bible teaching, social activities and our happy warm fellowship, is my life line – I’d be devastated without any of it (Albert aged 85). Programmes currently include Monday Fellowship, Monday Lunch Club, Chairobics2 class, Healing Service, Omega Bible Study Group, Lynde House Service. A new group has recently been added: Arts and Crafts group. All the meetings, except for the Arts and Crafts, meet in the Church, which is easier for access that the Crossway Hall next door, and has a better sound system. The back of the Church is made into a room called the Centenary Room and this is what they use. “Its good”, Liz says, “as it makes people comfortable with the Church building”. The nature of these groups will be described in more detail later. Liz’s responsibilities include: • • • • • • • •
Development of the above programmes Publicity for programmes and services Co-ordinating pastoral visits to older people Acting as a point of contact for information and help for older people Ensuring that transport is provided for the various activities Oversight of the needs of older people at Sunday services Recruiting and supporting the various teams working with older people Attending Staff Meetings and Staff retreats and being involved in the full community life of the team.
Before describing the various activities and their aims it might be worth placing the whole venture into some kind of context.
Neighbourhood and Parish Twickenham in the London Borough of Richmond is reported by the Richmond and Twickenham Times as having a proud history from Neolithic times and is the internationally recognised home of English Rugby Union. It was once a fashionable retreat from court life, elegant county houses were built and homes established. Henrietta Howard, mistress of George II, had Marble Hill House built for her and regularly entertained the greatest poets and wits of the day. Among the other facts listed in the Times is the footbridge from the water front on the Thames linking Eel Pie Island, famous for Rolling Stones concerts. The Welcome to St Stephen’s leaflet states: St Stephen’s is an Anglican Church, serving the parish of East Twickenham in the Diocese of London. We are a growing Church, with a weekly congregation which totals 700, and we’re excited to have new people joining us almost every week, as well as a solid core of people who’ve worshipped here for many years. St Stephen’s Twickenham is in the Hampton Deanery whose Vicar is the Revd Andrew Watson. The parish has a total population of 89393 with 508 people on the 2003 electoral roll.
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Armchair exercises? Statistics extracted from the Diocese of London Census Data 2001 for the Parish
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The parish population is 93% white, the remainder of the population is described as mixed (2%), Asian or Asian British (2.3%), Black or Black British (0.6%), and Chinese or other ethnic group (1.8%). The age profile of the parish is seen in Table 1 below. Those aged 60 and over total 1324 people representing 14.8 % of the parish population. This compares with 15.4 % in Hounslow Central and 20.9 % for England and Wales4 TABLE 1 SHOWING AGE PROFILE
3000 Age 0-4 Age 5-9 Age 10-15 Age 16-19 Age 20-29 Age 30-44 Age 45-59 Age 60-74 Age 75 and over
2500 2000 1500 1000 500 0
(Source: Diocese of London Census Data 2001) Table 2 shows the Religious make up of the population.
Religion Number Percentage Christian 5560 62.2 Buddhist 59 0.7 Hindu 69 0.8 Jewish 103 1.2 Muslim 117 1.3 Sikh 24 0.3 Other religions 32 0.4 No religion 2224 24.9 Religion not stated 727 8.1 (Source: Diocese of London Census Data 2001) The largest occupational groups in the area for both men and women are Managers and Senior Officials, Professionals, Associated Professionals and Administrative and Secretarial. Those 4
HMSO 2001 Census National Statistic Figures
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in employment total 58.4 % of the parish population. Only 0.3% of the population are classified as long term unemployed. Of particular interest, it will be seen that the highest age group are those aged between 30 & 44, representing 2894 people in the parish (32.4%) compared with those aged 60 to 74 and those aged 75 and over, representing 8.1% and 6.7% respectively. So the question is what motivates the time and energy being invested in this minority age group within the local population? What follows is the outworking of a two-fold conviction: • •
wanting people to get to know Jesus Christ whatever their age; showing God’s love for more marginalised people
Activities currently provided for Older People I have described the various activities currently available to St. Stephen’s Seniors below, in the hope that it might give some inspiration to those currently working with older people and those who might be thinking of doing so.
Lunch Club While the lunch club provides good entertainment, its main purpose is to befriend older people who have become lonely or isolated usually through bereavement. The hope is that through the love and care provided, older people will ‘catch’ the faith of the leaders and of other Christian members of the club and sometimes faith is renewed. It is held on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month at the rear of the Church in a screened area used for community functions called the Centenary room (see above). Since my meeting with Liz the Lunch Club members have increased to 40-50, The luncheon club takes place from 12.30 pm to 2.00 pm. There are two cooking teams; each team catering once a month. Liz helps with the transport and stays for lunch in order to get to know the participants and befriend them. The Lunch Club is open to men and women from both the Church and the community. The Lunch Club is basically for older people living on their own and a small charge is made. It is run by Alfred Pinnington who plans the programmes and oversees all the arrangements. There is a short talk or entertainment after lunch, from approximately 1.30 to 2.00 pm. Speakers coming for the first time are just asked to talk about themselves or what they do. Alfred says, I don’t use the word “testimony” but this is what it is! We don’t want to be too religious! Occasionally Alfred specifies a subject such as “Where next?” preparing for death in an assuring way. Speakers in the past have included: • • • •
Hounslow and District Historical Society. A former boy of St Stephen’s now Vicar in nearby Hounslow West and much involved in community work. Professional musicians with antique instruments. Ordinand from St. Stephan’s, ex-airborne soldier now curate at a local church.
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• • • •
Wife of Vicar of Holy Trinity, Twickenham Green, editor of Bible Reading Fellowship Old members of St Stephen’s now running a Christian Conference Centre Organist of St Stephen’s giving a 20 min organ recital Trained social worker starting a charity for street children in St. Petersburg
Nora5 an active lady in her eighties, didn't want to join a group for older people as she didn't think of herself in that way. She was very involved looking after twin grandchildren, always rushing around, too busy for God really. She had a stroke and spent several weeks recovering in hospital, still restricted mobility, now really appreciates the help she has had from the Church, comes to most of our activities and to services, said the other day "The Church has been my lifesaver. When I was fit and well I had no time for God but its all different now."
Monday Fellowship Held in the afternoons on the 2nd and 4th Mondays from 2 pm to about 4.00 pm It is for older members of the Church and community, both men and women. At present, Liz co-runs this group with Pat Andrews, with the help of a committee. The numbers have recently increased from 35-40. The format is a short devotional part followed by a talk or entertainment from an outside speaker or member of the Church, with refreshments following. Liz says, My favourite part of the fellowship is the wonderful chatting that goes on over a cup of tea after the speaker or entertainer has done their bit. The members are brilliant at bringing their friends, resulting in the increase of numbers, and Pat always gets together a wonderful varied programme. We have a carol service before Christmas, and a service focussing on the Good Friday/Easter story (often with communion) and everyone seems happy with this, even if they are not churchgoers. In the summer term we have an outing and also a garden party in a member’s garden.
Chairobics6 Gentle exercise for the not so young held every Wednesday afternoon between 3.00 pm and 4.00 pm in the Centenary Room. 10-15 people attend to join in with exercises performed while sitting in their chairs in a circle. There is a lot of laughter and encouragement. People come from both the Church and the Community. Rose, had no children or siblings, whose husband died suddenly last year after medical blunders, came into our chairobics class while wandering distraught around the area as she couldn't bear to be at home. Members of the chairobics class were kind to her and I managed to get her telephone number, later phoned her, and she agreed to someone from our bereavement listening team to meet up with her. She seemed to have no friends and the bereavement listener was a real life-line to her. She was the first on our list for Christmas Day lunch this year, and we meet occasionally although she is too unhappy to join any groups yet. 5
Names of people in these snapshots have been changed in order protect identity Chairobics is any exercise class aimed at older people which takes place sitting on a chair – hence its name. All parts of the body are exercised from head to feet, but the chair takes the weight, and therefore anyone can take part.
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The exercises, lasting 45mins, are given by Mary Cornford a retired physiotherapist. Mary, who has suffered from MS for many years, is a wonderful role model for the older people. The exercises are followed by a cup of tea and a chat before people leave for home. Lifts are provided for those who need them. Liz reports that the group continues to be an effective non threatening way of bringing in people who wouldn’t consider joining a ‘church’ group, but once they start coming and meeting other participants, sooner or later they start making friends and being drawn into the life of the church. Liz says The best thing is the laughs we have and the way everyone encourages each other.
Omega Omega is a series of Bible studies, followed by discussion and prayer for older people, are held on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays in the month from 10.30 am – 12.00 noon. Liz works with a team who help lead the studies and befriend the participants. 20-30 people attend, most of whom are Church members. The morning begins with refreshments. The name “Omega” was chosen for the Bible study, partly because it was rather like an Alpha group, but aimed more specifically at older people, taking place in the day time as many older people don’t like to come out at night. Special care can be taken to ensure people can hear and see alright and anyone with difficulties can be supported. Also because of Jesus’ words “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end”, i.e. at the end of life as at the beginning. Some of the issues facing older people are tackled. The leadership team take it in turns to lead the study, (recently they have been looking at how Jesus’ teaching links up with the Old Testament) and then they break up into small groups to discuss questions and pray for each other. “People are becoming much better at listening to each other” says Liz “and more confident at expressing themselves”. The team think it is very important for older people, most of whom live on their own, to have an opportunity to be listened to and prayed for. I think this is so important as in my experience many older people no longer feel that their thoughts and feelings are valued. A prayer morning is arranged for the start of each term for personal, local and world events. In addition to this a social event takes place once a term with a nice lunch when new people are encouraged to come.
Services for Healing and Encouragement These are for anyone, not just older people, and are held from 10.30 am – 12-00 noon on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays in the month. The service on the 2nd Thursday is led by team members, sometimes with an outside speaker. 20-25 people attend and people stay for refreshments after the services. The team is available for prayer ministry. At the end of the services those present break into small groups of three and pray for each other so as to include everybody. In this way confidence in praying is increased, especially when prayers are answered! The service on the 4th Thursday is a Holy Communion service, so a member of the clergy attends to officiate. This enables the clergy and the older people to get to know each other better as there is a time for refreshments and a chat after the service, as well as opportunities for prayer ministry.
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Lynde House Service Lynde House is a nearby residential nursing home. A Communion service is held once a month on a Friday morning, taken by one of the lay readers. Also once a month Liz takes a service of morning worship. Although the numbers are small at these services they are much appreciated and there is a real feeling of “being the church” in the home.
Dalemead Dalemead is the second residential home in the parish which has fortnightly services co-ordinated by one the Readers. There have been services held in this home for about fifty years!
Christmas Day Lunch This is arranged for people living alone and has been functioning for about four years and is headed up by Liz with her family’s help and others. This she says, although exhausting, has proved a very good outreach into the community, and each year attendees have started coming to some of our regular events. About sixty people attend, a mixture of church and non-churched members, and ‘helpers’ (not all from the church) all come without advertising. Liz says she dreads to think what would happen if they advertised the event! Ethel, now in heaven, started coming to St Stephen's after one of our curates took her husband's funeral service. She, like many others, had no children and was an only child, although she had friends, was very much alone in the world. She especially found Christmas Day so difficult, and although we had her to our house, one year she was on her own for Christmas Day (this was before we started the Christmas Day Lunch in the Crossway7). On this particular Christmas Day, she experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit in a very real and comforting way, and was thrilled by this. She had become very different from when the church first knew her, very positive and able to trust God in difficult circumstances.
The Summer Outing Every summer an outing is arranged to the seaside to which a mixture of church members and people from the community come and it is always very popular. Liz supports the organisers in this venture. Another very good example of building bridges between the community and the church.
Arts and Crafts Group This group meets fortnightly in the Crossway on a Monday afternoon after Lunch Club from 2.15 pm-4.00 pm and is a group that Liz does not manage to get to. The group is co-ordinated by Sandra Jennings and is aimed at the 60+ age group, but most of the people who come are 75+. About 12 come at present. She is hoping to find a co-leader in the near future. About a year ago, Sandra believes that the Lord said to her "See what will grow."
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A modern church community hall build adjacent to the church
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A number of things were tried: • • •
Christmas cards, Christmas decorations; flower arranging; some attended the Arts and Crafts fair at Syon Park.
It was difficult at first, as they could not seem to get enthusiastic about anything but gradually they started making things to help people: • • • • •
jumpers for Oxfam; Teddies for children involved in tragedies, (complete with useful bag); hats, scarves and gloves for a project for street children in St Petersburg run by a Church member; premature baby clothes for Queen Charlotte's hospital; mending the Church kneelers.
What has grown is the fellowship. One or two were new to the Church at the start but it has helped them to make friends and feel part of St Stephens. On occasions they have prayed for help to know what to plan to do and also if members have problems. Generally it is a group that anyone could join if they did not come to church. There is one lady who cannot attend but makes things at home, and one young mum who does too. At least one has started coming to Omega (our Bible study group for older people). Two of the members encouraged one another to join an art class and bring their efforts to show the group. It has become clear how keenly members want to feel useful and enlarge their interests. They have been keen lately on glass painting and currently are trying to learn how to decorate the candle holders the Church uses for nightlights at Christmas.
Other churches/agencies involved None really to speak of, although Liz says she tries to make contact with other people involved with older people. There was once an Age Concern ‘surgery’ at which benefit and money advice was given to the five people who came. This may be an area worth developing again. Contact with the Social Services is required from time to time for the referral of individuals and they, along with the doctors, sometimes refer people to St. Stephens.
Structure and Management of the Projects As already mentioned Liz works part time and is a paid worker of St Stephen’s, she is part of the team and is ‘line-managed’ by someone on the team who she can raise concerns with. The projects operate independently under their own leadership but mostly overseen by Liz who provides support and represents the projects at team level.
Financing Liz has a budget, but most events are low cost and self-financing so money is not a problem. The church premises are used free of charge as all the activities listed above are regarded as a function of the Church. There is a small charge for things like the lunch club (£1.50) and the Arts and Craft materials.
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Difficulties/Barriers •
•
•
The main difficulty is that much of the work with older people is hidden from the mainline church congregation. Liz says “lots of the congregation haven’t a clue what goes on” Efforts are made to raise the profile of older people’s work by publicity in the form of Church Magazine articles etc. One of the difficulties is the integration of the different age groups in the church, to appreciate each other and to form links. Some kind of intergenerational project(s) may be the solution for the future. Liz says she does try to encourage older people to attend other church activities by offering lifts to such events as Women’s and Men’s breakfasts, concerts, plays and prayer meetings. Very few older people cope with the evening service, when a lot of young people attend. Some older people are too tired to go out in the evenings.
One possible solution to this difficulty could be to invite older people to help with Children’s work. I received a letter recently from a Church Army Evangelist8 in response to a survey question researching the spiritual needs of older people. He wrote, Not a lot of my work directly involves older people but I would want to say that in my work with Children, and one group in particular, I do have a wonderful ‘team’ of older people. I have run a Holiday Club [for children] and other Activity Days in the little village….. Our ‘team’ for the last nine years have included several ladies who are in their 70’s. And just before Christmas we had a lady celebrating her 90th birthday helping run a craft activity!
Use of volunteers and training There is a leadership team of 14 for the various projects; of those 11 are in the retired age group. Many of those who come are involved in a range of things; •
• • • •
Mary (referred to earlier), aged 92 and in a wheelchair and living in a residential home, leads the chairobics group, and is also on the prayer ministry team and is a sides-person; several are home group members; some are on the flower team, catering teams some are on the Parochial Church Council (the decision making body of the church) some read lessons (bible readings) or lead the prayers
Use of volunteers are important, especially for the task of befriending people, giving lifts etc. and taking on leadership roles for those taking advantage of the activities available for older people. It is especially necessary to replace those older people who are no longer able to continue helping and who are in need of rest. Liz says that they have to plan for the future otherwise the work will die as is the common experience in other churches. Most of the volunteers are in their 50s, 60s and 70s. Many of those who attend the various groups are pleased to be able to help whenever possible, for example serving coffee to “Cheeky Monkeys” a drop in for under five’s and their carers, or helping at the recent Soul in the City mission to London, where several made a wonderful contribution to the cooking team and one made a very useful contribution to a community team working in peoples’ gardens. 8
Captain Gordon Banks CA, Diocesan Officer for Evangelism – Truro
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Generally, training happens as they go along, ‘apprenticeship’ style, although some go on more formalised courses such as, • • • • •
first aid; kitchen hygiene; listening skills; counselling and prayer ministry which the church runs.
Liz says We are always on the lookout for new leaders, who would then learn on the job. Its probably not that different from being a home group leader, but with an older age group. Quite a few of our leaders have been leaders all the way through the church and still continue being so when they are in the older age group. We have to make sure that we are not a closed shop and that others can become leaders if they want to. Our church does run various courses on things like prayer ministry, counselling, bereavement, and we encourage our older people (and provide lifts) to attend anything going.
Evangelistic Method The chief method is to give people a really good welcome and to be inclusive, with a mix of non-churched and churched people. Some groups are for the benefit of the non-churched while others meet the needs of churched people. The aim, whatever the main focus of the various groups, is to reflect the unconditional love of God, says Liz. Alice, a very difficult lady, has been a lunch club member for many years, and many people found her intimidating. She has gradually allowed herself to be loved, now attends church on Sunday morning, despite having to come a long distance on two buses, comes to Monday fellowship, and has recently started attending Omega and the Healing services. She has been greatly helped by one of our leadership team, Beryl, phoning her nearly every day, and showing great patience. She now allows herself to be prayed for, and has a long list of people and concerns that she prays for everyday. She often says "I can't understand why you should all love me so much!" The essence of the method fits the description of friendship evangelism recognising that people are at different stages in their faith journey or pilgrimage. Much emphasis is based on fun and entertainment combined with appropriate teaching, but above all to be available for people especially in times of difficulty. The church has a long and a very good, active relationship with the community during which time a lot of good will has been built up. For example in 2000 they did a mission to older people called Summer Outlook, which older people entered into fully and brought their friends to the various events. Liz reports that the groups are quite fluid; it depends, she says, who can get to which meeting with their other commitments, so there isn’t necessarily a progression from one group to another. Most of the people who come to Omega are committed members of the church, although not necessarily from St Stephen’s – some come from other fellowships. Most people have been confirmed.
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It is Liz’s experience, and mine also, that many people while still a couple are not attracted to the kinds of groups on offer by St Stephen’s Seniors, but once bereaved really welcome the support given by various groups. There is the example of three ladies, who live in the same road and who call themselves the “merry widows”, who only felt free to attend church after the death of their husbands, who didn’t approve of such things. Some couples who do become involved choose to have separate ministries (for example, the Omega leader’s wife is on the counselling team) while other couples prefer to work together. While progression from one group to another is fluid and down to the individual to make their own choice, the Chairobics and the Lunch Club are both excellent places for newcomers to come; and also Monday Fellowship. Often the experience is that once someone has joined one group, they end up by belonging to all! Those who attend Omega and the Healing services are usually those who want to go further with their Christian faith, particularly with prayer and Bible study. Is there life after Omega? Is there a further stage to which people can progress, e.g. confirmation, church attendance, training in leadership? Most people attending Omega are already committed Christians and therefore are confirmed. But it depends on what you mean by leadership, says Liz. Many are taking up various opportunities for service, depending on their capabilities. Many are also bringing their friends along and witnessing to neighbours etc. Most feel they can be useful as part of their group and in the wider church. I don’t think our older people feel passive, as if things have to be done for them – they are usually too busy doing things themselves. For example our lunch club cooking teams are mostly made up of older people; and those who lay the tables and bring the flowers. Within the groups there doesn’t seem to be a problem with how people see themselves. However Liz comments, in the church at large, including our own, there is ignorance of what we do and of the people involved, as most of the activities take place midweek, and our older church attendees mostly come to the earlier service, so most of the church don’t realise how brilliant they are. This one of the problems with having 3 separate services (The 9.15am is more traditional, the 11 am more family orientated, and the 6. 30 pm is definitely noisy!) Don’t know the solution for this.
Proportion of People reached in the categories of Churched, Dechurched and Nonchurched Generally speaking the anecdotal evidence based on engagement with the various groups suggests that the propotion of people reached in the categories of Churched, dechurched and non-churched is as follows • • •
Churched 70% Dechurched 20% Nonchurched 10%
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There is a much higher figure for nonchurched (including some men) attending the lunch club and slightly less attending the Monday Fellowship and Chairobics. Most of the people attending the Omega Bible study and the healing services are churched people. Most people who attend the various groups tend to be widows or widowers, the proportion of women to men is 90 to 10. More men attend the lunch club than other groups! I note with interest that according to a report by the ESRC9 working class older men were less involved in voluntary, religious or sports organisations as they were more likely to belong to social clubs than middle class men. Clubs geared specifically for older people were rejected by all classes of older men. One reason given for this is that voluntary clubs are geared to lone older women since most men predecease their partners. The report specifically calls on voluntary organisations to make their clubs more congenial to older men, by offering beer or wine at lunch and introducing a snooker table or computer club. It noticed that divorced older men were a growing group, who were significantly disadvantaged in their social networks, along with higher levels of smoking and drinking Liz thinks the best way to encourage more men to attend meetings, is for the men to bring more men. Food also helps, says Liz, and so a few socials with a meal are arranged in addition to the luncheon clubs by way of encouragement. The oldest person attending the various groups is 96, quite a few are in their nineties, plenty in their eighties and seventies, less in their sixties and very few in their fifties. Liz makes the valid point that people who still have a partner, understandably spend most of their time with them, and do not really feel the need to join church groups until they are on their own. So what could be done to encourage couples? Perhaps a solution might be to encourage couples to become volunteer helpers! Mabel: When her husband was alive, he didn't want her to come to church, but as soon as she was able to, she started to come to St Stephen's. Her faith has grown in leaps and bounds, she is a great encourager of others (such as Nora above.) She said once "Omega has revolutionised my life".
Plans for the future There are no definite plans but maybe some thought will be given to intergenerational work. Since my initial visit to Liz she has made contact with Sister Lynda Alsford, a Church Army Evangelist recently commissioned (Summer 2003) to work with older people in neighbouring Holy Trinity Hounslow. They have had a good session exchanging thoughts and ideas about the work they are doing.
Why is St. Stephen’s Seniors Successful? Some key pointers. I would offer the following key words • • 9
Accountable Cohesive
Economic and Social Research Council’s document: Growing Older the 21st Century by Malcolm Dean.
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• • • •
Comprehensive Inclusive Accessible Evangelistic
I will comment briefly on each of these key words but before doing so I would like to make two observations. First, in complete contrast to the PARCHE10 project, St. Stephen’s Seniors has emerged through an evolutionary process rather than by means of a well planned strategy with clear aims and objectives. The Lunch Club and Monday Fellowship have been in existence for many years. The work was then developed by Adrienne Hall to provide more opportunities for spiritual growth, and the Omega Bible Studies and the Healing Services were started, with Chairobics and Arts and Crafts as more recent developments. All the leaders involved feel called by God for this work with the older age group, which helps them to keep going when things get difficult. Secondly, the context in which the work takes place is within an area where the population within the parish is predominately made up of people in the 30 – 44 age range. In the past the parish tended to overlook the needs of the older members, directing much of its energies into the younger generation but this is no longer the case. Accountable: The acceptance of the Church leadership to validate and support work with older people has to be commended. I believe the appointment of Liz as a paid co-ordinator and members of the staff team is an indication that the church takes its older people seriously. Cohesive: The successful operation of St Stephen’s Seniors can also be attributed to the ‘glue’ that Liz provides by means of support and encouragement. An essential part being her accountability both to the staff team and the leaders of the various groups in providing a line of communication to wrestle with issues as they arise. Comprehensive: The wide range of activities available for older people not only take account of their practical needs but also the spiritual; recognising that people are at different stages in their faith journey. Inclusive: There are no apparent restrictions or entry qualifications to any of the groups. Generally people self select the activities they feel most at ease with. Initially non-churched people may be invited to attend the less ‘threatening’ groups and may ‘progress’ when the time is right. Accessible: All the groups can be accessed by nonchurched, dechurched and the churched people, both men and women. Evangelistic: The snapshot testimonies provide clear evidence that people not only come to faith but also develop and become confident about their own faith.
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Discovering Faith in Later Life No. 1 Taking the church into residential care homes in Eastbourne.
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Some Theological Reflection What then motivates this work with older people? Lessons learned from this project are that its success does not necessarily depend on strategies and well laid out plans, but on leadership, vision, commitment, a strong sense of vocation and patience. Clearly the project has been Spirit led, by listening to God through prayer and action in response. Given the above, is St Stephen’s Seniors merely a function of the church or is it Church? Does Church have to be congregation based and happen on a Sunday? George Lings11 says, To assume that “church” centres around providing public worship, must be congregational- sized and must meet on Sunday, is now seen as confusing the form with the essence. I would argue that the activities of St Stephen’s Seniors taken as a whole is in essence an expression of Church as it meets the criteria of church as outlined by Lings, that is, it is Trinity-centred, communal, and missional as it is a divine process. Friends are encouraged to share their faith leading to forms of worship that nurture faith, so worship becomes the end of the story not the beginning12. What is more Lings13 suggests that to build community, not just provide congregation, is both theologically and culturally a good way forward in being Church. To foster relationships with individuals and to serve others, rather than tell people what they should do or believe, is a good handle on mission and evangelism. One further reason why I believe that St Stephen’s Seniors could legitimately be described as a new expression of church is that it reflects the five values for missionary churches outlined in Mission-shaped church, church planting and fresh expressions of church in a changing context and debated by the General Synod of the Church of England14. In summary, these are that a missionary church • is focussed on God in Trinity • is incarnational • is transformational • makes disciples • is relational Space does not permit me to discuss these elements in detail but they could be the focus of discussion in small groups when considering evangelistic work with older people. Another question asked in relationship to mission shaped church is ‘Is it cross-cultural?’ If I understand the term correctly I would say that St Stephens Seniors in its comprehensive programme is attempting to bridge the gap between traditional church culture and the reality of the real world and the experience of older people.
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George Lings is Director of Church Army’s Sheffield Centre (Research Unit) exploring new expressions of church. The Centre has publishes a series entitled Encounters on the Edge. This quote comes from No. 22, Mission-shaped Church: The Inside and Outside View p.10. 12 Ibid p 5 13 Encounters on the Edge No. 21, Reading: the signs 14 Church House Publishing 2004
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Offering beer or wine to attract men would be counter-cultural to church culture – is the church prepared to meet people where they are? This may not be an issue in East Twickenham as can be seen above, as it is not generally a working class population, but may be a relevant question to ask in other areas.
Summary of key points • • • •
• • • • • •
St Stephen’s Seniors is an organic development rather than organised by means of planning and strategy (compare PARCHE report footnote 10) A comprehensive range of activities offering choice in recognition that ‘one size does not fit all.’ Cohesive: Project(s) paid Co-ordinator provides the ‘glue’ holding the various activities together under the umbrella of St Stephen’s Seniors The age profile within the Parish is in the 30–44 age group. It is good therefore that a lot of energy is focussed on the older age group now that their needs have been recognised. Faith caught not taught (compare Nora’s experience above). Chairobics and the Luncheon groups seem to be an entry point for the nonchurched (see the example of Rose). Provides access for the non-churched who would not otherwise attend church groups! Faith development occurs by encouraging people in small groups to share their faith. Mainline Sunday congregation not aware of the mid-week expressions of church! To want people to come to the lord whatever their age.
This paper was written and produced with the support of the Sheffield Centre, Church Army’s Research Unit. Directed by Revd George Lings. For further information contact c.dalpra@sheffieldcentre.org.uk or 0114 272 7451. Also visit www.encountersontheedge.org.uk & www.churcharmy.org.uk
Sharing Faith through Words and Action
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