Fearfully and wonderfully made
Author: Sally Bates
Our Dementia Café meets twice a month. On the second Tuesday we sing (and dance!) and on the fourth Tuesday we meet for games, conversation and friendship. 2024 was a particularly special year for us – here are three highlights…
In May we celebrated Dementia Action Week with a concert by a local choir, The Jupiter Singers. Everyone joined in and enjoyed dancing in the aisles.
In October we celebrated our third birthday with an afternoon tea at Frinton Golf Club, generously provided by the local Rotary Club for those living with dementia, their carers and our wonderful volunteer team. Dementia Café leader Lesley Sinca writes: ‘On the day we had 50+ people. The atmosphere was warm, joyful and full of laughter. There was the amazing afternoon tea which everyone enjoyed. Colin, the Rotary chairman introduced himself and wished everyone a lovely afternoon; Mark the DJ did a wonderful job with his song choices and for the last hour he and Bob led “name that tune”. Everyone sang, many danced and everyone had the best time! We felt it was such a kind thing to do and it brought so much joy to all. Lots of happy memories were made.’
In December we celebrated Christmas in style with plenty of carols, musical instruments and some dressing up!
We feel so privileged to spend time with those living with dementia and their carers and are delighted that the local health services regularly refer people to us. People often comment on the welcoming, loving environment in our café. Our hope and our prayer is for people to know that even if our cognitive abilities decrease, the person we always were and still are remains intact; in other words, our personhood is safe with God come what may. ‘I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.’ Psalm 139:14
This poem by Barbara Noon puts it beautifully:
Sometimes I picture myself like a candle.
I used to be a candle about eight feet tall-burning bright.
Now every day I lose a little bit of me.
Someday the candle will be very small.
But the flame will be just as bright.
Sally Bates is an Associate Minister at Frinton Free Church