Moderator explores how to encourage spiritual support for the elderly

Published on 13 March 2024 3 minutes read

Spiritual support for the elderly will be the focus of a webinar featuring the Moderator of the General Assembly.

The event with Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton on 20 March has been organised by the charity, Faith in Older People.

It will explore practical approaches for spiritual care among older people and how the Anna Chaplaincy, which offers spiritual support to older people, can help.

Moderator Of The General Assembly Of The Church Of Scotland Rt Rev Sally Foster Fulton
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Rt Rev Sally Foster-Fulton.

The Moderator will appear alongside Professor John Swinton, Chair of Divinity and Religious Studies at the University of Aberdeen, and Dr Donald Macaskill, CEO of Scottish Care.

Professor Swinton is a Church of Scotland minister and has served as vice-president of the charity, BRF Ministries which manages Anna Chaplaincy, since May 2023.

Mrs Foster-Fulton said: "Christ's call to mission means that the Church must spiritually provide for everyone across all ages.

"Older people often face challenges that can hinder their participation in or access to worship in their communities.

"I look forward to joining the Anna Chaplaincy and the speakers in examining ways in which that challenge can be faced to see Christians regardless of age be able to participate fully in Christ's Church."

Anna Chaplains are named after the widow, Anna, who appears with Simeon in Luke's gospel and both are considered good role models of faithful older people.

They recognised the baby Jesus as the Messiah and the fulfilment of God's promises.

The main purpose of an Anna Chaplain is to offer spiritual support to older people, of strong, little or no faith at all, who are living in care homes and sheltered housing complexes, their relatives and staff who look after them.

As well as this, they promote the spiritual welfare of older people in the wider community, particularly those facing challenges living independently.

Faith in Older People has been working in partnership with Anna Chaplaincy over the past two years in order to encourage people to consider becoming Anna Chaplains.

Growing old is not to be feared

There are currently two Anna Chaplains in Scotland, one from the Church of Scotland, Angela Wilson DCS, and Judith Wilkinson from the Scottish Episcopal Church.

Ms Wilson said she was inspired to become an Anna Chaplain by the influence older people had on her life, and the desire to treasure the value they bring to communities.

Angela Wilson Commissioning
From back row, left to right: Jim Watt, Denham Macdougall, Rev Dr Nikki Macdonald, Rosmairi Galloway, Angela Wilson DCS, Andy Robinson, and Rev George Shand.

"I am a Church of Scotland deacon and for the majority of my life have had older people in my life who have taught me so much about life and the things which are really important," she explained.

"One of the things they have taught me is that getting older isn't to be feared, it is to be embraced and to enjoy the freedom that comes with age.

"In a society where youth is continually pushed and revered and ageing is seen as a negative thing, we are doing a disservice to the treasure that is older people in our communities.

"This is the wonderful gift that Anna Chaplaincy can bring to communities and churches, the space to celebrate age and wisdom."

Rev Prof John Swinton
Church of Scotland minister Rev Prof John Swinton serves as vice president of the charity BRF Ministries, which manages Anna Chaplaincy.

To book your place (£20), please use Eventbrite.

If you are interested in becoming an Anna Chaplain you can find out more.