Christian Council on ageing

for older people and their life of faith and hope.

 

CHRISTIANS ON AGEING:  a resource to the Churches 

A VOICE FOR OLDER PEOPLE AND THEIR LIFE OF FAITH AND HOPE

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Spirituality

1st April 2017 By GerryBurke

Members of Christians on Ageing are usually Christians, though some are just interested in our work or support our endeavours. A Christian is defined not only by her or his acceptance of a set of beliefs or practices, but by an attitude towards living which includes seeking the presence of God. One of the reasons for it being so difficult to be a Christian in the developed countries of the West is that opportunities to experience the presence of God are reduced by the clamour of the demands made on our time, our energy and our interests. And yet, without seeking the presence of God there seems little to distinguish a Christian from any other person seeking truth and living an upright life. What is sometimes called ‘secular spirituality’ takes advantage of everything the visible and tangible world can offer to uplift and bring solace to the heart and mind. Christian spirituality does this as well but takes advantage of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and all that this has meant and continues to mean for an understanding of our world and our future.

Spirituality, for a Christian, is that part of our daily experience which allows us to reflect on everything in our lives, to seek sense in our relationships and our reactions, and to enable God to be involved in and to influence that reflection. Part of this reflection is prayer, time that we actively give to seeking the presence of God, either together with others and in a formal way, or on our own, wherever and whenever we manage to find space and time. Having a sense of God being in our lives can happen anywhere and at any time; part of the art of being a Christian is to know what is happening and make the most of it, recognising the dimension to our lives called ‘the spiritual’ and considering it to be perfectly normal but vital to our sense of who we are and where we are heading.

Christians on Ageing publishes a number of booklets which deal with aspects of spirituality, including a selection of reflections and prayers from a variety of sources which members of Christians on Ageing have found helpful.

Visit the publications section of this website to learn more or contact our Publications Office.

Spiritual Care

It might seem obvious that spiritual care should be part of our website but it is not obvious what should be said.  There was a time, not so long ago, when most people would have understood the idea of spiritual care.  It would have included some shared understanding of the meanings of the word ‘spiritual’, including a traditional approach to human beings as body, mind and spirit, a more or less general acceptance of a life after death, a reasonably widespread belief in the existence of (a) God, and acceptance of a connection between all of these and the moral life.  It is extraordinary how quickly approaches to the spiritual have changed over the last fifty years.  It is no longer necessarily considered to be a religious concept; many, many people now feel able to speak freely about the spiritual element in life, even in their own lives, without benefit of any religious allegiance or background.  This has affected the ordinary Christian and the expectation s/he might have of the Church and the care it offers, including spiritual care.

Spiritual care covers a wide range: support for communal worship, private prayer, moral guidance, exploration of theological and philosophical ideas and beliefs, scriptural exegesis, individual counselling – and, in some Churches, sacramental engagement in many important stages of life.  The emphasis in each of the Churches is different, reflecting their traditions and development, and the demands made on Church leadership will vary from almost total obedience to accepted forms to complete freedom of expression.  Clearly, there are many ways of providing and receiving spiritual care, but there is no single right way.

Filed Under: Being Older

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Speaking Out

There are some things which just have to be said.  We have to speak out because at the heart of the Christian message is our belief that God is not silent.  God has spoken through creation itself and the evolving universe; through the human story; through the dwelling of Jesus Christ in time; through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in each believer; through the inspiration of the scriptures; and through the wisdom and the teaching of the Church through the ages.

We use words all the time.  Words of welcome.  Words of wisdom.  Words of warmth.  Words of warning.  Words of wistfulness.  Our words are wasted if words are just words.   In the beginning was the Word.  And the Word was with God.  And the Word was God.  Through him all things came to be, not one thing had its being but through him.   The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Word made things happen.

As Christians, as followers of the Word, we do something about what we have heard.  Our own best words are our actions.

Please tell us what you would like us to Speak Out about by contacting:  info@ccoa.org.uk

 

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Comment & Opinion

Christians on Ageing cannot deal with every issue affecting the lives of older people but it can highlight those which are causing public debate or concern.  The charity’s first task is to identify these for its members and to provide information about the nature of the debate and the variety of views and opinions being proposed.  Unless members of Christians on Ageing have been canvassed for their views or the Executive Committee has taken a policy decision, the articles here are to be considered an exploration of the issues rather than a formal comment.  The nature of the contribution to the debate will always be made clear.

Some facts

Health & Social Care

The Churches’ pastoral care

Spirituality

Being Older

Reflect and Pray

Help me to journey beyond the familiar and into the unknown. Give me the faith to leave old ways and break fresh ground with you. Christ of the mysteries, I trust You to be stronger than each storm within me. I will trust in the darkness and know that my times, even now, are in your hand. Tune my spirit to the music of heaven, and somehow, make my obedience count for You.”

St Brendan the Navigator   484-577

Prayers and Reflections

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Ms Barbara Stephens
Honorary Secretary
7, Southland Mews Park Road
Ryde PO33 2FQ

 

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