You might remember that I became the caretaker for the church seniors group last year. If you have a very good memory you might remember my surprise when I bought cards for them to write in and they all took them home.
Today I changed my approach and took a bunch of photos. The plan this time is to put a photo of the group on a card and send the cards to people they nominate as a way of saying "we are thinking of you"
I call it the seniors group because it's a term we all understand but it is really a remnant of an old traditional Salvation Army group called the "Home League"
The Home League wasn't intended for old ladies, it was like a support group for home makers, with mentoring relationships developing between older and younger members of the group.
In many places the Home League has gone the way of the dodo, a casualty of changed times so I am proud to be involved with this group, not because it's a surviving tradition but because they embody the core idea. Nearly everyone has a struggle with age, disability or mental illness and some are quite severe but they come every week and take an interest in each other's lives, listening to the health concerns, long winded stories and off topic comments with patience and love. It all takes place with a lace table cloth, fancy napkins and a sit down morning tea. The tea is not self serve but poured by one for the others.
It's not modern and sexy. It's better than that.
Well said and written Kylie :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Amanda!
DeleteI knew I shouldn't have had that extra pint at the pub quiz last night! The picture at the top of this blogpost appears to be moving!
ReplyDeleteextra pints are no good for your vision or most likely your trivia!
DeleteYou are doing very good work Kylie and I admire you for it.
ReplyDeleteI don't have to do much, just be there with something to keep people interested. I appreciate your encouragement, though!
DeleteGreat idea. I'm sure many people will be touched by receiving cards and notes.and think of what it does to the senders.
ReplyDeleteThanks Red, it also gave me an excuse to take a photo they might not otherwise have agreed to :)
DeleteThis is a truly lovely thing to be a part of - so many people have no one to talk to or listen to them.
ReplyDeleteIt's so much more civilised than anything I do at home!
DeleteI'm sure the Home League is much appreciated by all those involved. Good for you helping to keep it going. As Jenny says, many people have no one to talk to and are desperately lonely.
ReplyDeleteNick, the church is continually throwing away old ideas and while I understand the need for change and growth, sometimes we throw the baby out with the bathwater. I wish we didn't do that
DeleteWe have senior groups that are similar and dissimilar to this one. Yes, I remember your bringing cards they took home. That was funny. Did you read the link with the poke post?
ReplyDeleteI did read the link! You have a great tradition of local foods in the south! there is really nothing like that here
DeleteWhat a lovely tradition and I'm sure everyone benefits, you included. About a block from where I live there is a Salvation Army church. They are very active in the community and I appreciate all that they do.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's a lovely thing to be involved in. The Salvation Army are having a bit of an identity crisis, like most churches in the western world, so I am glad your local one is useful and thriving!
DeleteWhen you last posted about this group I hadn't really picked up on the way it had formed and its roots and the way it now operates. I think it's a splendid idea. I love your last sentence. It's gone into my book of Blogger Quotes.
ReplyDeleteI should have said last paragraph because there are two sentences.
DeleteI'm honoured to make it into your book of quotes!
DeleteWhen I last posted, I didn't know the history of it myself. My grandmotheres were both highly involved but my mum was of the generation who started to ignore it so I went into it knowing nothing at all except for it's old fashioned image
I have always enjoyed the company of older people (older ladies in particular). I checked in at my local Mairie (town hall) to see if I could volunteer a few hours a week but sadly not much available outside of working hours as yet. When I retire in the next few years who knows. Anna
ReplyDeleteThey tell us there is huge demand for volunteers but in my experience it can be hard for people to find the right fit. I'm sure the right thing will pop up at the right time!
DeleteModern and sexy is overrated. These kind of groups are wonderful for more mature people, just as carers and baby groups are a life line for people looking after babies. I took my mother to a "Life begins at 50" group which was held twice a month at our church and it got her out of the house and with other people and she loved it. Well done for all the work involved.
ReplyDelete