Faith in Later Life

Wellbeing among Older People with Ruth Rice
2025-11-13
Later life is often accompanied by new physical, social, and emotional challenges, these changes along with changes in cognition can have a tremendous impact on a person’s wellbeing. Churches and christian communities can play a positive role in helping older people to enjoy purpose and good wellbeing in later life and at this online event we hope to inpsire and equip you to magnify your seniors ministry impact in this area.
Ruth Rice is the founder and CEO of Renew Wellbeing, which helps churches open spaces of welcome and inclusion for adults, in partnership with mental health teams to improve mental and emotional wellbeing. Ruth has a background in teaching and Baptist Church ministry and is passionate about seeing churches turn themselves and their great habits of welcome, care and prayer inside out to reduce isolation and increase wellbeing in every community. We cannot wait to learn from her!
You can join us at either 1:30pm or at 7:30pm on Thursday 13th November for this event.
Register here for FREE for either of the above sessions.

Ruth writes: I am Director of Renew Wellbeing and someone who has had to learn the hard way how to look after myself better. The habits I will share have come out of my own recovery from a break down and also from a decade of working with churches to see them set up wellbeing spaces for church and community.
I am passionate about prayer and the simplicity of just showing up, being present. I have learned so much from our hosts and regulars , many of whom are in later life and therefore have so much wisdom to share about wellbeing.
I will bring some thoughts on wellbeing in general and then outline the benefits of simple rhythms of life and prayer that can help individuals but also be easily shared in communities .
We all have “mental health” and the language of wellbeing is, I believe, the language of the gospel. In later life we may need different rhythms to help with our wellbeing than we did in earlier life and I look forward to exploring this with you.

Church Champion Networking and Prayer with Alexandra Huggins
2025-10-07
Our Church Champion Networking Events, hosted by our CEO Alexandra Huggins, are opportunities for those with a ministry serving older people in their churches or communities to share with and pray for one another.
Our next Church Champions Networking Events will be on Tuesday 7th October 2025 at 1:30pm and at 7:30pm.
Register here for FREE here for either of the above sessions.
If you have any prayer requests, either for the event, or that you’d like us to pray into during our weekly meetings, please send those to churchchampions@faithinlaterlife.org.

Get Ready for Christmas with Alexandra Huggins and Friends
2025-09-11
The Christmas period presents those in seniors’ ministry with plenty of opportunities to reach and serve older people near them. From providing practical support for those experiencing loneliness at one of the hardest periods of the year to using carols to gently introduce others to the Christian faith, Christmas presents plenty of ministry opportunities.
You can join us at either 1:30pm or at 7:30pm to hear our CEO, Alexandra Huggins, and others as they share ideas on how you can reach seniors this Christmas.
Register here for FREE for either of the above sessions
About Alexandra
Alex leads the ongoing work and development of Faith in Later Life. She is passionate and experienced in inspiring and equipping people for the opportunities and challenges of later life, and in helping them know Jesus more deeply or for the first time. Alex has three grown up sons, and she lives in the West Country.

Beyond Bitterness with Fiona Castle
2025-07-10
It’s a delight to see so many older people in our churches sharing their gifts, their love of Jesus, and their faith with others. They have navigated the challenges and disappointments of life and continue to live in ways that glorify Jesus well into later life. But in almost every church, there are also christians for whom the challenges and disappointments of life have resulted in unforgiveness, bitterness and resentment. What a blessing it would be for these individuals, for the church, and for God’s kingdom, if they could be supported to move beyond bitterness and into the flourishing later life promised in the Bible.
We’re so pleased therefore, to have Fiona Castle come and talk with our Church Champions on this important and lifegiving subject in July. You can join us at either 1:30pm or at 7:30pm on Thursday 10th July for this event.
Register here for FREE for either of the above sessions.
Fiona’s story
Fiona was born at the beginning of WW2 and went to boarding school at age 9 to train in ballet and theatre arts (hoping to become a ballerina without success!). She went into musical theatre as a dancer and then singing and acting until age 23 when she married the entertainer Roy Castle. She gave up my career at that point as Roy was working mostly in the United States at that time, so she was able to travel with him. Fiona had four children and was a full-time mother with a husband who was hardly ever at home! She was very low at that point and depressed, but had an amazing experience when a friend led her to discover the reality of the Christian faith, which changed her life, her marriage and her family. She describes this as ‘the best thing that could have happened’! Fiona received God’s help to share her faith and became very keen on friendship evangelism, particularly with an organisation called Activate Your Life, where she currently serves as president. Fiona was also involved with the Lung Cancer Foundation, which was named after her husband, who died when she was 54.
At 85, she feels privileged to be active, but obviously in different ways, but she doesn’t want to waste opportunities to share her faith and to be “useful” where she can!

Christian Perspectives on Dementia
2025-06-28 09:45 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | Grace Church Guildford, Chertsey Street,, Guildford, Surrey, GU1 4HL, United Kingdom
All are welcome to join this in-person event hosted by Pilgrims’ Friend Society at Grace Church Guildford. To book please email office@gracechurchguildford.org.uk
What ground will the seminar cover
An introduction to what it might be like living with dementia
How to engage with people living with dementia
Sharing the gospel with people living with dementia
Who is it for
Anyone keen to know more about the disease and its implications from a Christian perspective
Christians who care for, or are friends with, people living with dementia
Christian workers with older people
Timings 09:45 to 13:00
9:45 Welcome and housekeeping
9:50 Introduction to what it might be like living with dementia
10:40 Break
11:00 How to engage with people living with dementia
11:40 Break
12:10 Sharing the gospel
12:40 Closing announcements
13:00 Ends
Presenters
Friederike Hamiton, Queen’s Nurse and Pilgrims’ Friend Society’s lead on dementia and the way the charity lives with older people
Stephen Hammersley, CEO Pilgrims’ Friend Society and Chair Faith in Later Life
Pilgrims’ Friend Society is a leading provider of Christian Care to older people with 700 people living with it

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly - Keeping Older Adults Safe from Harm
2025-06-23 13:30 - 14:30
Every year, more than a million older people are physically, emotionally, financially or sexually abused in the UK. This is a truly damning indictment of how our society views and values older people.
Since 2022 our ministry partners at the Salvation Army in the UK and Ireland have sought to shine a light on the horrifying realities of elder abuse and we pledge support to raise the profile and find solutions.
We believe it’s an important and local pastoral challenge that we cannot shy away from the subject or pretend it doesn’t exist. No-one wants to believe that their beloved mother, father, grandmother or grandfather could be abused by someone in a position of trust. But it happens every day.
Abuse is everyone’s business, and it can take many forms, but what can we do to help prevent elder abuse?
Join us online on Monday 23rd June at 1:30pm as we welcome our friends Andrew Wileman (BEM) and Ali-Thornton-Dean from The Salvation Army, to explore this challenging but important topic with us.
Register here for FREE for this 1.30pm session (please note there is only a lunchtime session on this occasion).
To find out more read Andrew Wileman’s blog here.

Andrew is an Assistant Director for the Salvation Army Older People’s Services Team. He manages the work relating to people in later life in our Corps (Churches) and Centres across the UK and Ireland Territory that is provided by the Older People’s Ministries Team. Andrew is also the policy lead on Loneliness for The Salvation Army and has led the ‘No One Alone‘ project facilitating data, research and good practice.
Andrew originally hails from Yorkshire, but now lives on the South Coast and has been an active member of the Winton Salvation Army Corps in Bournemouth for the past 28 years. He is married to Karen, and has a 3 grown-up children.

Ali is the Territorial Outreach Mission Partner for the Salvation Army’s Older People’s Services Team. Ali writes, teaches and trains local Church leaders throughout the UK & Ireland in implementing new ways of working with older adults. Ali has worked for the Salvation Army since 2016 supporting various Teams with ministry around Retirement, Dementia and End of Life.
Ali was born in Yorkshire but has lived in Cheshire for the past 20 years and worships at Sale Salvation Army, Ali is a wife, a mum and a grandma and loves baking and walking her dog.

Gather and Grow: Seniors Ministry Forum (in Partnership with London City Mission)
2025-06-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Nasmith House,, 175 Tower Bridge Road, London, SE1 2AH, United Kingdom
This in-person forum, jointly hosted by Faith in Later Life and London City Mission, provides a unique opportunity for church leaders, seniors workers and their teams to come together, share ideas and insights, and explore innovative ways to serve and disciple the older generations. Delve into the rich ministry of ministering to older adults and renew your vision to make a lasting impact in your area.
For more information and to register, click here.

Gospel Ministry in the Midst of Dementia with Ben Boland
2025-05-08
Dementia can profoundly affect individuals and their families, raising challenging questions about faith, memory, and identity. How can we minister with those experiencing cognitive decline while affirming their worth and dignity? Join us on Thursday 8th May at either 1:30pm or 7:30pm when Ben Boland, an older persons’ chaplain and visiting lecturer at Brisbane School of Theology and Mary Andrews College in Australia, shares the reason for gospel ministry with people with dementia and practical ways to prepare to do so.
Click here for either of the above sessions

About Ben
Rev Ben Boland is a visiting lecturer at Brisbane School of Theology and Mary Andrews College in Australia. He has served as an older persons’ chaplain for more than 15 years, and is passionate about gospel ministry with older people and people living with dementia. His new book, Priceless People: Loving older people and people living with dementia (Christian Focus) will be released in mid-2025.
Register your free online place:
Afternoon Session: 1.30pm
Evening Session 7.30pm
Register here for either of the above sessions
Zoom link to join is located in the confirmation email after you register.

Church Champion Networking and Prayer with Alexandra Drew
2025-04-08
Our Church Champion Networking Events, hosted by our CEO Alexandra Drew, are opportunities for those with a ministry serving older people in their churches or communities to share with and pray for one another.
Our next Church Champions Networking Events will be on Tuesday 8th April 2025 at 1:30pm and at 7:30pm
Register here for FREE here for either of the above sessions.
If you have any prayer requests, either for the event, or that you’d like us to pray into during our weekly meetings, please send those to churchchampions@faithinlaterlife.org.

Journeying with Older People through Uncertainty with Lucy Honeysett
2025-03-13
Life for older adults can feel uncertain, from adapting to retirement and navigating health challenges to adapting to other transitions, older people face unique struggles, and opportunities for growth. How can we best support them during these pivotal moments? Join us on Thursday 13th March at either 1:30pm or 7:30pm when Lucy Honeysett, the lead coordinator at Christians in Care, will be talking to us about how we can help older people navigate the most challenging and uncertain times of life.

About Lucy
Lucy, the lead coordinator Christians in Care, is a nurse and has primarily worked in hospices. Working life began as a carer and this was an amazing experience, but over the years she’s found that carers are at risk of being undervalued despite the precious work they do. Lucy feels privileged to encourage carers who need to know their worth in Christ and support them as they live and speak for Jesus. Outside of work, Lucy loves spending time with family and friends, serving in her local church and hunting for treasure in charity shops!

Register your free online place:
Afternoon Session: 1.30pm
Evening Session 7.30pm
Register here for either of the above sessions
Zoom link to join is located in the confirmation email after you register.

Faith in Later Life at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church (Sunday Service)
2025-02-23 10:30 - 12:00 | Mount Pleasant Baptist Church – Northampton, 147-155 Kettering Road, Northampton, England, NN1 4BS, United Kingdom
We are pleased to announce that Faith in Later Life will make a stop at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Northampton for two days in February. This is the second leg of the visit and will be part of the Sunday service on Sunday 23rd February, 10.30am – 12pm. Join us at 10.30am as Alexandra shares from the Bible, and encourages the congregation in their lifelong value to God and His disciple-making mission.
Everyone is welcome!
Address for both days: 147-155 Kettering Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN1 4BS

Faith in Later Life at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church
2025-02-22 14:00 - 17:00 | Mount Pleasant Baptist Church – Northampton, 147-155 Kettering Road, Northampton, England, NN1 4BS, United Kingdom
We are pleased to announce that Faith in Later Life will make a stop at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Northampton for two days in February.
Afternoon Seminar, Saturday 22nd February 2pm – 5pm
The rapid ageing of the UK population is creating challenges and opportunities for churches. While some challenges are certainly related to pastoral care, there are also remarkable opportunities to share the gospel, nurture discipleship that truly sustains, and empower older believers in their lifelong call to help others receive the Good News of Jesus.
Faith in later Life CEO, Alexandra Drew, will be leading an afternoon seminar for pastoral leaders and those who lead ministries among older people to encourage and help us to make the most of the missional opportunities represented by this fast-growing sector of our society.
Timings for the day
2pm: Welcome and arrivals
2.30pm Session 1
3.30pm Tea Break
4pm Session 2
5pm End

Sunday Service, Sunday 23rd February 10.30am – 12pm
Join us at 10.30am as Alexandra shares from the Bible, and encourages the congregation in their lifelong value to God and His disciple-making mission.
Everyone is welcome on either or both days!
Address for both days: 147-155 Kettering Road, Northampton, Northamptonshire NN1 4BS

Church Champion Networking and Prayer with Alexandra Drew
2025-02-11
Our Church Champion Networking Events, hosted by our CEO Alexandra Drew, are opportunities for those with a ministry serving older people in their churches or communities to share with and pray for one another.
Our next Church Champions Networking Events will be on Tuesday 11th February 2025 at 1:30pm and at 7:30pm
Register here for FREE here for either of the above sessions.
If you have any prayer requests, either for the event, or that you’d like us to pray into during our weekly meetings, please send those to churchchampions@faithinlaterlife.org.

Building a happy, sustainable, and motivated Seniors Team with Pippa Cramer
2025-01-23
We have all been part of teams that haven’t worked terribly well – perhaps we’ve felt unappreciated, never thanked, or our opinions haven’t really counted, so maybe we’ve not felt that motivated to turn up and help. Pippa Cramer, MBE, and Faith in Later Life ambassador, believes passionately that having a happy, motivated, appreciated team is central to all areas of ministry being a success.
We, at Faith in Later Life agree! This is why we are looking forward to welcoming Pippa to our online Church Champions event on Thursday 23 January. Pippa has worked as Pastoral Care & Seniors Minister at Holy Trinity Church, Claygate for over 12 years now. She set up ‘Connections’, a large weekly group for seniors, and she oversees the Pastoral Care within the church. She leads and co-ordinates many different teams, large and small, and you will always find her singing their praises and affirming them. She is SO aware of the importance of unity and that none of what she is involved in would work without these incredible team members, all of whom have wonderfully unique and different gifts.
Do join us on Thursday 23 January at either 1.30pm or 7.30pm where we will hear from Pippa, and we hope and pray you will leave these sessions inspired, equipped and more confident to build and be part of effective teams.

About Pippa
Pippa Cramer, MBE. An Occupational Therapist by background, Pippa specialised in Neurorehabilitation and Care of the Elderly within the NHS. She is now Pastoral Care & Seniors Minister at Holy Trinity Church, Claygate, and has been running ‘Connections’, one of the largest church-based groups for seniors in the UK for over 12 years. She is passionate about loving and caring for older people, reducing loneliness and isolation, and her heart’s desire is for ALL seniors to be given the opportunity to hear the gospel and discover God’s amazing grace and love. She is also co-author of the very accessible evangelistic series for those in later life, ‘Hymns We Love’. Pippa is passionate about building happy, motivated, and effective teams, recruiting, and leading over 80+ volunteers across various teams. Key to her success here is her ability to inspire, invest in and encourage team members, individually and collectively, all of whom have caught her vision and share her love for seniors.
Register your free online place:
Afternoon Session: 1.30pm
Evening Session 7.30pm
Register Here for either of the above sessions
Zoom link to join is located in the confirmation email after you register.

Church Champion Networking and Prayer with Alexandra Drew
2024-12-11
Our Church Champion Networking Events, hosted by our CEO Alexandra Drew, are opportunities for those with a ministry serving older people in their churches or communities to share with and pray for one another.
Our next Church Champions Networking Events will be on Wednesday 11th December 2024 at 1:30pm and at 7:30pm
Register for FREE here for either of the above sessions: https://forms.gle/ft1sC7U2yhVw4QuSA
If you have any prayer requests, either for the event, or that you’d like us to pray into during our weekly meetings, please send those to churchchampions@faithinlaterlife.org.
