Ministry to those The team has evolved a simple liturgy incorporating suffering dementia visual symbols; a candle, the Almost four years ago St Bible, a cross and anything Botolph’s Longthorpe received relevant for that particular a request from the nearby service, and simple responses Care Home to provide a short which also mean something to Harvest service for the residents, visitors and staff. residents, many of whom Pat usually wears her Reader suffered from various forms of robes as a recognisable it’s dementia. sign of the Church. It is also a As a then newly-licenced response to a resident telling Reader Pat Hemsley was one her on one occasion that she of the team who went. During was right clothes wearing, “the the visit, Pat became aware this time”. that this was the ministry God many ways, I feel a novice, “In intended for her and it is a untrained to be working in this ministry which has grown. field. All that I know about this feel passionate about what ministry has come through my “I we are own research, some courses, doing,” says Pat. “We really see the face of Christ in by trial and error and a great those deeply lost to the deal of prayer.” ravages of Alzheimers and feel strongly that this is a “I other forms of dementia. Even vital ministry, an increasing on the days when the thought issue for society and one in of going is tiresome, I never which the church should be fail to leave without feeling says Pat. a involved,” “It’s uplifted and that God was with huge privilege to minister to us.” those who appear locked into Together with a small team a world of their own. I know Pat now visits the Home four God is there and I sense times a month. She leads strongly that for many short, Eucharistic services residents there is often a and are recognition of something dear, their “congregations” on the increase. They include held deep within them.” the residents, family members Pat and the team would like to and staff. The team have also hear from anyone else hosted the residents at three engaged in this type of specially designed services ministry. be the only “We can’t held at St Botolph’s. people in the diocese involved
Ministry to those suffering dementia Almost four years ago St Botolph’s Longthorpe received a request from the nearby Care Home to provide a short Harvest service for the residents, many of whom suffered from various forms of dementia. As a then newly-licenced Reader Pat Hemsley was one of the team who went. During the visit, Pat became aware that this was the ministry God intended for her and it is a ministry which has grown. “I feel passionate about what we are doing,” says Pat. “We really see the face of Christ in those deeply lost to the ravages of Alzheimers and other forms of dementia. Even on the days when the thought of going is tiresome, I never fail to leave without feeling uplifted and that God was with us.” Together with a small team Pat now visits the Home four times a month. She leads short, Eucharistic services and their “congregations” are on the increase. They include the residents, family members and staff. The team have also hosted the residents at three specially designed services held at St Botolph’s. The team has evolved a simple liturgy incorporating visual symbols; a candle, the Bible, a cross and anything relevant for that particular service, and simple responses which also mean something to residents, visitors and staff. Pat usually wears her Reader robes as it’s a recognisable sign of the Church. It is also a response to a resident telling her on one occasion that she was wearing, “the right clothes this time”. “In many ways, I feel a novice, untrained to be working in this field. All that I know about this ministry has come through my own research, some courses, by trial and error and a great deal of prayer.” “I feel strongly that this is a vital ministry, an increasing issue for society and one in which the church should be involved,” says Pat. “It’s a huge privilege to minister to those who appear locked into a world of their own. I know God is there and I sense strongly that for many residents there is often a recognition of something dear, held deep within them.” Pat and the team would like to hear from anyone else engaged in this type of ministry. “We can’t be the only people in the diocese involved