Hope and help for older people?

Story

Have we made a start? Tentatively – YES. Have we accomplished anything so far? Not much. Are we dismayed/disheartened? NO.

Our decision to try and contact and set up something for older people both inside and outside of church came from a desire to reach older people with the Gospel but also to provide somewhere to meet, talk, find friendship.

A start was made with a questionaire to ask those over-60s we regularly meet a variety of things. The answers were surprising!

1. In today's society where do you feel the church could help you? The majority felt just by being there. They were not asking it to do anything other than just be there.
2. Would you welcome regular visitors from church? 50% would welcome OCCASIONAL visitors.
3. Do/would you look forward to going to a community based centre for tea/chat/play board games etc? All answered NO.
4. Do you feel these things are adequately covered by things already in place elsewhere? Majority felt YES they are.
5. Is going to church or joining with others in worship something you welcome? This brought a positive YES if they attended the actual church or were taking Communion with others in their own or a friend's home.
6. We would welcome your ideas/suggestions. While most said they didn't look forward to Q3, all answers to Q6 were mostly standard ideas: beetle drive; quiz; whist; bingo; singalong.

So – more prayer and patience on our part believing that if this is to happen it will be in God's time and maybe that time isn't yet. Maybe this is a time for us to prepare, to be ready.

Against the trend I am part of a church full of young people. Over-60s we can count on one hand, but we still have to think and pray about all those outside in the city of this age group who are lonely, frightened, and who don't understand about having a relationship with Jesus.

Author

Mary Kinchin

Country: United Kingdom

Region: Europe