November 2020

Reaching, serving and empowering older people

 

Welcome to this November Faith in Later Life newsletter where we will be sharing updates and news, signposting to new resources, and highlighting opportunities for you get involved with. As ever we welcome all your feedback, and hope you’re enjoying the new format for our news updates. Thank you for your interest and support in this vital area of ministry!

 

“This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

– Zechariah 8 v 4-5

 

 

---

Brain and Soul Boosting for Seniors at Christmas

 

The ‘Brain and Soul Boosting for Seniors’ series was developed to stimulate mental and spiritual health in older people meeting in small groups. This one-off Christmas resource has been adapted especially for use by those living under lock-down restrictions, including those living with dementia.
A special addition for those living in lockdown!

 

Questions prompt thoughts and discussions about Christmas and there are activities that everyone will enjoy. It can also be done over the telephone or via video call – something perhaps younger relatives and friends might enjoy being a part of as well!

 

The booklet can be downloaded free via this link.

 

---

November news

 

Things continue at a pace in what seems to be a very busy season, despite the challenges of being socially distant. Since my last news update, we have had ‘Neighbour Sunday’, in partnership with Neighbourhood Prayer Network, which was a great opportunity to shine a light on godly older praying Christians and the importance of community, during these times.

 

I also spoke on a Salvation Army radio station, recorded a podcast for the Elim network, started thinking about next year’s conference we are holding with Keswick Ministries, and worked on a resource we are producing with the Presbyterian Church in Ireland. And last week, it was a privilege to speak at the National Premier Digital Conference, as well as to a group at Wycliffe Theological College. Lots going on! To listen to some of our recent media engagements click here to visit our website.

 

Amidst all the conferences and sharing of our work at Faith in Later Life, our focus is always on encouraging and equipping Christians to reach, serve and empower older people. And this mission has never felt more important than during this difficult season, with many facing the prospect of spending Christmas alone.

 

To help support those who may be feeling particularly isolated and lonely this Christmas, we have produced Christmas postcards to share with older friends and neighbours. You can see some of the designs at the top of this newsletter. It costs £2.75 to order a pack of 7 postcards (although ‘Church Champions’ get a batch for free), and we would love you to order a pack and then send a card to an older person, letting them know they are not alone. For more information and to view the designs, do visit our website.

 

Finally, if you are praying for us and our work, please continue to pray as you did last month:

 

• Pray for our plans for 2021 and for financial provision

• Thank God for the gospel impact of the Daily Hope telephone line (over 300,000 calls made, totalling 4 million minutes)

• Pray for all those who are lonely and fearful in this season.

 

 

Yours in Christ,

CEO, Faith in Later Life