Ministry with the Ageing Newsletter May 2020 No images? Click here Welcome to the May edition LOVE COMES TO LIFE when we see the image of God in every person - no matter how much age has wearied their body and mind - and honour them with patient care, dignity and respect Grow Ministries - Intergenerational Ministry The intention of the work of Grow Ministries is to encourage a culture of intergenerational ministry. Their passion is to provide resources for all ages and stages of life and this includes ministry with the ageing. Throughout their resources they encourage the building of intergenerational connections and relationships. They also provide resources that are relevant for each stage in life. Please check out some of the resources they have developed particularly for people in the third-third of life. Equipping Sheets. They provide practical information that will equip you with ideas that will assist you and your congregation as you nurture faith for life. Growing Faith Moments. This resource has been created to encourage congregations, families (including extended families) and households to celebrate the moments that happen in life. It’s a gentle way of bringing God into everyday life. The LCA's Church @ Home web page gathers together resources which have been collated to help you to continue to live and grow in faith in our Lord Jesus Christ during this testing time. This webpage is full of ideas from many different departments of the LCA, so whether you are looking for a devotion, worship ideas, tips on health & wellbeing, or a Message of Hope this web page has so much to offer and in one convenient place. Guidelines for Phone Ministry With the inability to meet publicly in worship and at other church gatherings during the COVID-19 restrictions, congregations are endeavouring to maintain contact with their members in other ways. One of these ways is through contacting their membership list by phone. This document includes some guidelines to consider when embarking on this ministry. A funeral in the midst of COVID-19 The words of the hymn ‘I’ll go where you want me to go…’ were dear to Pastor Paul Albers (1924-2020). Hear his family's story of sharing the chance to say goodbye in these unprecedented times. Dr Tania Nelson also offers ideas on how to help those who can not attend a funeral. Aged Care & Community Services Governance EnhancementWhen I was asked to write an article for the e-Newsletter regarding the Governance Enhancement Project, the first thing that came to mind was to commemorate the hard work and dedication of our Aged Care and Community Sector across Australia during these times. Our organisations who provide residential aged care, independent living and community & disability services to those who need it, have been working around the clock to keep coronavirus (Covid-19) out of their organisations and the homes of the people whom they provide services to. No day for them has been the same as they have been working endlessly to deal with this unprecedented event. Daily, they are dealing with obstacles that have been thrown in their direction and their list keeps growing as they deal with COVID-19. Their leadership and loyalty has been key to preventing the potential for devastation that other aged care facilities are experiencing around the world. They are wearing many hats during these times and are providing emotional support for all, their staff, the families, their contractors and others in their community. They have worked hard to uphold pastoral support for their residents whilst in isolation and to change their lifestyle and social programs to enhance residents' well-being and remain connected with their loved ones. The truth of the matter is that nobody signed up for this. To the CEOS, the managers and their staff, thank you for everything that you do and for working collaboratively and sharing information with the other organisations within our group. Contact Mary Sofoclis Aged Care and Community Services Governance Enhancement Coordinator Office: 03 9236 1200 Mobile: 0490 281 725 Email: mary.sofoclis@lca.org.au Working days: Mon, Tues & Fri Resources Local Mission small group resourcesTo help during these times when we can only meet online or in small groups we would like to offer this list of free resources available from the Lutheran Church of Australia (LCA). The resources can be used individually, in your small group (friendship/fellowship group) or in your missional community. Living with UncertaintyWhere do you find peace when facing a health crisis? Listen as they chat about the sense of peace and where is God for you in challenging times. Please subscribe If you have received this Ministry with the Ageing eNews because someone forwarded it to you, subscribe now to receive regular doses of news and information. It's free, and you can unsubscribe at any time. 197 Archer Street 197 Archer Street To subscribe to other eNews lists, click here. |