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ABBA MINISTRIES OF CANADA
IN THE SERVICE OF CHRIST...
ABBA PASTORS SHARE THEIR WISDOM
AND INSIGHT
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The Lost Generation
- Consider Pastoral Visitation at Long Term Care Facilities
by Reverend Josephine Egan, 2007
This is a gentle reminder to anyone who knows someone in a long term care facility. You may be a relative, a church friend, a pastor, a volunteer or service organization, someone who shared the same interests or enthusiasm for life, a member of the same congregation, former colleague, a neighbour or just a caring individual.
Where are they now?
If you look around your church, is there a face that you miss? Is it someone who taught you Sunday school or Catechism all those years ago when you were a little child? Maybe it is someone whom you can always count on to make sandwiches or cakes for any occasion or prepare meals for the soup kitchen? Maybe it is that invisible someone who faithfully cleaned the sanctuary and watered the plants week after week for thirty years, or stacked shelves with canned goods for the local food bank for ten years?
Maybe that someone always inspired you by the way he always sat in the same pew week after week, year after year worshipping God in passionate silence, quiet prayer and unseen deeds. Is it someone who always sang every hymn with gusto at the top of his voice whether he knew the melody or not? Maybe it is someone who is the uncrowned queen of fundraising or the annual bake sale, or the hardworking contributing writer or editor of an organizational newsletter.
Perhaps it is someone would always take on a role, whether big or small, in organizing an event: a parade, a carnival, a bible study or a cosy get-together? Someone who always generously offered his carpentry skills for school or church plays; or someone who could sew up a storm in glittering customs for school concerts and public performances. Perhaps it is someone whose beautiful floral arrangements or crochet work you always admired, or someone you had hunted together. May be it is someone you always lunched with on a workday or after Sunday services; someone who always lent you her ear or extended his hand in friendship.
In your community, do you miss that neighbour who always waved to you with a big smile, always ready with a friendly word or a helping hand? Where are your neighbours’ parents you always observe puttering around?
Ever think why you don't see them around anymore? Do you know where they are? Can you find out, please? They would dearly love for you to visit them; they have touched your life in so many ways or have been the life of your organization for many faithful years. Do not worry if you cannot remember their names, someone can tell you; do not worry if it has been a while since you last spoke, they are worth your time and effort. Do not worry is you do not even know anyone in a care home, you can make new friends!
If you know someone in a long term care facility, why not visit them today and find out how they are doing? Why not visit them on a regular basis? If you are able, why not volunteer your time? You can make a big difference! There are long term care facilities all over Halifax, in the province of Nova Scotia, and throughout Canada. They are looking for pastors and qualified lay ministers to build up pastoral visitation teams. They are looking for volunteers who will visit or help out with programs on a regular basis. They are looking for friends who will bring cheer, companionship and touch lives. Please contact your local lonf term care facility to find out how you can get involved today.
