Soulspace in your Seniors Work

A Lincolnshire village church had a thriving seniors’ luncheon club, but hardly any of the members came to church. 

So one Wednesday the leaders added a spiritual extra. Without pressure, they invited those who wanted to to stay behind after the meal. 

Over half the group gathered round a table. The leaders lit a candle, played some Christian music, read a comforting Bible passage, and invited people to hold in their thoughts a person or situation in need (‘and if you believe in God, offer them to God as you understand God’) - 10 minutes max. 

People loved it. 

The leaders developed this from scratch, but if you want to do something similar there is no need for you to start with a blank piece of paper. There is a website called Soulspace that contains all you need. 

A taste of spirituality

Soulspace is a bridge between people who don’t go to church and the Christian faith. It has a simple shape: stillness, Scripture, seeking (the good of others). 

There are different types of music and ideas for encouraging stillness. It also suggests a variety of Bible passages. (Or if you prefer, there are suggestions for using a photo or poem instead.) And there are ideas for prayer. 

Throughout, there are choices of words you can say or adapt to introduce each section. The language is designed to connect with people who have little or no Christian background. So, no Christian jargon! And no need to worry that you will say the wrong thing!

And, most important, you don’t have to follow the script. You can select what you want, adapt it, add in your own material, or be inspired by the template to make up your own.

At present there are five themes: peace, comfort, joy, connecting, guidance, which can be used multiple times. We shall add more in the future. 

Stepping stones

One thing we have found is that Soulspace opens the door to spiritual conversations. One minister said, ‘They stayed behind for 90 minutes, which was a first for me!’ 

So imagine you start with ‘A taste of spirituality’, just as I’ve described. Maybe, as people talk afterwards, you sense that they would like to discuss the Bible passage. 

So you choose from the four sets of questions Soulspace offers - all very different and all designed for people who lack confidence in a discussion group. 

What would you then have? Something like worship (stillness and music), a Bible reading, a ‘sermon’ in the form of a discussion, and an element of prayer -  the beginnings of Christian worship. 

Say, bit by bit, you added in The Lord’s Prayer, confession (we call it ‘a moment of honesty’) and a creed (‘sharing the journey’). You would then have fuller worship. 

Add in a Eucharistic prayer, and you would have full Christian worship - Holy Communion. 

In other words, led by the Holy Spirit and at the pace of the group, you could cross four stepping stones - from ‘A taste of spirituality’, to ‘The beginnings of Christian worship’, to ‘Fuller Christian worship’, to ‘Full Christian worship’. 

All the resources you need to make this journey are on the Soulspace website. 

One church that gives away free lunches, admittedly in California, travelled the whole journey within a year!

What people think

We have been piloting Soulspace with over 40 groups in the UK and Ireland. Reactions have included:

‘I keep recommending Soulspace to others. It’s a very good starting point for people who are searching because it creates a spiritual space that engages the senses. It doesn’t have Christian jargon and feels very relaxed; people aren’t told what to do. I am using it with people who have stopped going to, or have never been to church.’ Ethan, South London.

'Soulspace is a really easy way to introduce Christian content into an existing group, giving me confidence to develop my initial Grace at the start of our monthly Friendship Lunch. Instead of just padding out the Grace, I have ideas and a structure. I am going for it!’ Kuhan, Surrey.

‘We've had so many positive responses since the webinar with Mike, and two churches are already planning to visit Wendy to learn from how she is using Soulspace.’ Heather Black,  Diocese of York   

‘I especially value Soulspace because it engages the imagination and bridges the gap between church and people outside.’ Sue, Surrey 

‘Soulspace has been an ideal opportunity for people in our church to explore spirituality. What’s so amazing is how the content can help people move step-by-step from “A taste of Spirituality” to the “Beginnings,” “Fuller” and “Full Christian worship.” All the material is there. It’s so easy! We are also using it as the framework for our growing-disciples group.’ Ali Hobson, Ipswich

A young man in Darlington had a spiritual encounter during Soulspace, started going to church and then went to Alpha. 

Wendy was amazed to see three people who didn’t go to church pouring over a Bible after one Soulspace session. 

St John’s Church, Walsall Wood in the West Midlands are experimenting with Soulspace as a lead in or follow up to Alpha. 

Soulspace and seniors 

We’ve had examples of Soulspace being used with seniors in cafes, lunch clubs and warm spaces. There is obvious potential in sheltered accommodation and residential homes. 

An important feature is that Soulspace is designed to be led by lay people. 

If I was back in Somerset, where I led a church in the early 1990s, I would start a Soulspace group specifically for people who are grieving. 

I would invite people through funeral visits, funeral services and an annual service of remembrance for families who have been bereaved. And I would adapt Soulspace for such a group. 

If it had been available, Soulspace would have added an extra dimension to this aspect of my ministry. 

Might Soulspace support you in your work with seniors? 

The website is soulspace.cloud. And it’s free!