Seniors
Programme of Events
About our work with Seniors
We first sensed the call to get involved with un-churched older people during one of our leadership meetings as far back as Autumn 2002 and since that time, and with the church's support, have been trying out various ways of providing for the spiritual needs of those who are older.
We have a monthly Silver Service which meets on the first Thursday of each month and has an average of 55+ seniors regularly attending, some from our own fellowship. A large number of our seniors are in their 80s and 90s and need a bit of help to get to the services, so we provide transport for anyone who needs it.
The Silver Seekers Group is an Alpha type group meeting once a month on the third Thursday in the month. This is a smaller group which encourages seniors to participate and join in the discussions as we seek to understand more about being a follower of Jesus.
Initially we used Christianity Explored in an Alpha format, followed by the Jesus film as Beta, both allowing for discussion and questions. Since then we have adapted the Pilgrim's Progress and used it similarly in an interactive way. This has proved helpful for seniors to understand more fully life and death issues and what the Christian life offers for now and eternity.
We are continuing to communicate relevant Christian truths and encourage questions and discussion from various topics related to the older age group.
An annual 'Songs of Praise' service is part of our Seniors Programme, and is another very popular event. We have an average of around 100 Seniors who attend, and they enjoy the chance to chat with friends over the tea and cakes which follow.
For the past 5 years we have had a Holiday at Home in August. Most Seniors do not get a chance to go on holiday, and they can often feel a bit low or forgotten when people go on holiday and they are left behind. Our themes have included, 'All our Yesterdays'; 'The Good Old Days', 'I do like to be beside the sea-side'; 'A Right Royal Garden Party' and 'A Caribbean Cruise'.
The Holiday at Home is our main outreach event, and older people from the community are invited as well as everyone attending the various groups who meet on our premises. It is a fun packed, stimulating day and includes armchair exercises, a quiz, a concert, some craft or painting, games, and always, the chance to chat over good food. Those who have come before, often encourage others to come the following year and they all really enjoy having fun and being together.
A Classical/Gospel Concert is also part of our annual programme, and guests have included Marilyn Baker, and other professional musicians.
Regular services in residential homes take place at Easter, Harvest or Remembrance and at Christmas. When possible, we invite residents and provide transport for any who are able to come to the monthly Silver Service. For those who can't come, visitors go into the homes between our services.
God has truly blessed our work with those who are older, and as a result of this, the church felt that there was a need for someone to champion the work. Liz Stacey has taken on the role of Pastoral Coordinator for Mission to Seniors from June 2006 until now. Liz is due to retire in the summer of 2010 and we are at present advertising for a replacement.
If you would like to find out more about our work with Seniors, or would like a copy of the 2010 programme, please contact
Liz.
