Faith in Later Life Launched
Two years after the first discussions about launching a new initiative to help churches in their work with seniors, the five charities sponsoring the initiative went back to the House of Lords on Tuesday this week to launch Faith in Later Life.
Lord Mackay very kindly agreed to host the event which also saw some very relevant and powerful presentations from Pippa Cramer of Connections, Holy Trinity Church, Claygate and Jennifer Bute of Glorious Opportunity.
A brand new upgrade to the website now incorporates a powerful new search functionality for the Resource Hub of almost 100 resources. Amongst many other enhancements. Alan Hare, the Project Director also announced:
- A Theological Study by London Seminary into the ‘theology of old age’
- Plans to launch a Directory of existing ‘seniors’ work being done by churches, and others.
Faith In Action Directory
The Project Team have details of over 500 examples of Church and Christian organisations involvement in activities with older people. The plan is to launch this directory on the website in January. There is a form on the website that you can use to enter details of any activities that you are aware of. You can access that https://faithinlaterlife.org/inspire/directory/.
New Resource
One new resource added to the Faith in Later Life website for the launch is Ann Clifford’s new book Time to Live: The Beginner’s Guide to Saying Goodbye (published last month).
How we leave this life will be our final word to those we love, yet how many of us will be ready? This thoughtful book is described as being for all ‘beginners’ who hope to say goodbye well.
In Time to Live, Ann Clifford explores a personal view on facing death with faith. A gentle and friendly companion, she sensitively encourages conversations around the one certainty we avoid talking about. Written in two parts, Time to Live supportively addresses both the personal and practical elements that dying involves, and how we can prepare for them.
Acknowledging the pain and confusion that inevitably accompany loss, Ann looks forward with joy to the Christian hope of life to come. Journey with her through the process of facing physical pain and emotional distress but also of conquering fear and receiving God’s all-embracing love. Death is only a portal to our future.
Events in the next four weeks
- 16-19 October: Preparation for Practice Course (Parish Nursing Ministries UK)
- 19-20 October: Annual Gathering of the Gift of Years Network
- 11 November: Faith in Later Life / Pilgrims’ Friend Society Conference in Plymouth