ANNA CHAPLAINCY, which offers spiritual support to older people living in care homes and other residential settings, or living independently, is celebrating its ten years in existence.
It is an element of the Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF), founded by the previous BBC broadcaster Debbie Thrower. Four-hundred Anna Chaplains now exercise this ministry. The network’s ministry lead, Debbie Ducille, and considered one of its pastoral employees, Kate Arden-White, celebrated the milestone with a 65-mile sponsored walk from Alton, in Hampshire, to the care home Westgate House, in Wallingford, run by The Orders of St John Care Trust.
They joined the chaplain, Wendy Morin, to guide a “Messy Vintage” worship service. “It was such a pleasure to hitch residents, volunteers, and staff, and we felt very welcomed by everyone,” Mrs Ducille said. “They were clearly having fun with themselves and willing to try recent things as a part of worship, which was wonderful to see.”
Alison Andre, a volunteer pastoral assistant on the Coombe End Court care home, in Marlborough, and a flautist who uses music in her ministry, said: “I’ve all the time had a powerful faith, but I’ve gravitated to those residents with spiritual questions, which they often raise as they move to an end of their earthly lives. As a Christian, it’s an exquisite approach to serve and be with older people.”
Spiritual practices bring comfort and joy, and Christian principles guide the fostering of emotional well-being and help residents to keep up a way of purpose and identity, the Chaplaincy says.
