However, the Dorcas story in Acts 9 tells us something else in addition. Dorcas was not simply a victim, a passive recipient of the church's care. She was 'full of good works and acts of charity'. This reminds us of the importance of not simply 'doing to' potentially vulnerable individuals and groups within our churches and communities, but also of allowing them to minister to us, and to do 'good works and acts of charity' for themselves. In his 'Acts for Everyone' commentary, Tom Wright reminds us that Dorcas was just one of countless faithful Christians over the centuries who have quietly and effectively played their part, and in reflecting on Dorcas and on the 'widows' in Acts it reminds me of my own grandmother who after the death of her husband still continued to be 'full of good works and acts of charity', volunteering for a bereavement counselling service, cooking meals for 'elderly' people in her road (who were not infrequently younger than she was) and supporting her local church in all sorts of other ways. How best do our churches support, care for and resource older people who may have their own support needs but who also want to continue to make a difference in the lives of others?
I've been re-reading Acts recently and have been struck again by the early churches' attentiveness to the needs of potentially vulnerable generations. In Acts 6, the dispute between the 'Hellenist' and 'Hebrew' believers over the distribution of funds, and the resultant selection of seven trustworthy men to administrate it, turns around a concern not to neglect the needs of the widows in the group. Later, in Acts 9, widows are again present in significant numbers in the church in Joppa, where Peter raises Dorcas from the dead. No doubt widows could be variously poor or rich, but in both cases lacked the social protection provided within the social context of the time by their husbands. It was a mark of the common life of the early Christian community to step in and support those who were vulnerable in that way. This is a challenge to us in the contemporary church to continue to care for those who are vulnerable through and after bereavement or who lack family support - yes, those who are elderly, but also people at other stages of life.
However, the Dorcas story in Acts 9 tells us something else in addition. Dorcas was not simply a victim, a passive recipient of the church's care. She was 'full of good works and acts of charity'. This reminds us of the importance of not simply 'doing to' potentially vulnerable individuals and groups within our churches and communities, but also of allowing them to minister to us, and to do 'good works and acts of charity' for themselves. In his 'Acts for Everyone' commentary, Tom Wright reminds us that Dorcas was just one of countless faithful Christians over the centuries who have quietly and effectively played their part, and in reflecting on Dorcas and on the 'widows' in Acts it reminds me of my own grandmother who after the death of her husband still continued to be 'full of good works and acts of charity', volunteering for a bereavement counselling service, cooking meals for 'elderly' people in her road (who were not infrequently younger than she was) and supporting her local church in all sorts of other ways. How best do our churches support, care for and resource older people who may have their own support needs but who also want to continue to make a difference in the lives of others?
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I've noticed a number of articles and resources about loneliness recently. Loneliness can strike at any age (most people go through periods of loneliness as teenagers, or as young adults moving to a new job or town, or witness reports recently about the number of single-person households, not least due to high divorce rates in middle age). But it's often particularly an issue for older adults living in their own home but finding it increasingly difficult to get out an about.
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation have just released a 'loneliness resource pack' with practical ideas to help individuals and groups understand and make positive responses to loneliness within their communities. Take at look here. A new issue of the US journal Lifelong Faith is now out and available for free download here. This edition focuses on generations learning and growing together and there's an interesting article by Kathie Amidei reporting findings of a survey on what helps faith development within families and faith communities. Key 'environmental' factors included a warm and welcoming environment at home and church, and a sense of belonging and being part of a faith community. A pattern of relying on faith in times of crisis, and of acting consistently with moral beliefs, were also important. In terms of specific practices, regular participation in worship, opportunities for practical service, and family discussions about faith were also significant. A further article by Jim Merhaut urges congregations to go beyond merely providing intergenerational 'programmes' into creating a culture of 'intergenerationality', and gives some practical suggestions as to how to begin to achieve this.
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AuthorsIan Jones is Director of St Peter's Saltley Trust. Archives
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