Church Army Discovering Faith in Later Life

March 2005 Number 3

PSALM

Project for Seniors And Lifelong Ministry Registered charity No. 1103130

Developing work with and for older

people in the Edmonton Episcopal

Area

Michael Collyer CA

Researcher: Older People

Exploring evangelism, spiritual needs &

fresh expressions of church among older people.

The Sheffield Centre

Church Army’s Research Unit

Directed by Revd George Lings

Email: ask@sheffieldcentre.org.uk

Email m.collyer@churcharmy.org.uk

2

THE ORIGINS OF PSALM My previous two papers in this series reported on projects that had begun and evolved from

local initiatives driven by lay people from the ground upwards, gaining the trust and support

of both the local and wider church. This paper gives an example of work with older people

where the project has been initiated from the top down. Or, as one commentator argues, it

was more one of key players listening to each others’ assessment of issues and possibilities.

The early beginnings of PSALM go back to May 2002 when money was made available from

the Budget of Opportunity for Social Action1. The Bishop of London’s Staff Group and the

Bishop’s Council agreed priorities in relation to this Budget of Opportunity. One of these

priorities was ministry and mission in relation to older people. Therefore, members of the

Board of Finance were asked to approve the release of funds for research in relation to the

development of ministry with and for older people as part of the London Challenge2. The

Edmonton Area Council3 agreed to support St. Pancras Parish Church in its emerging

commitment to provide training and resources for those interested in developing their own

ministry as older people and those seeking to provide pastoral care for older people. The Area

Council agreed to a working group being set up and for Ann Morisy, the Diocesan

Community Ministry Adviser, to work with this group.

The working group appointed Claire Pinney, already working at St. Pancras Church, across

the road from Euston Station in London, to work one day per week, with their support, to

research the area of work for and with older people, looking at potential activities, both in

terms of their location and their resourcing. The work began in June 2002 ending in February

2003 with her report. The remit for the research recognised the need to provide

encouragement and opportunities for people who are active in retirement, to prepare

those who are approaching retirement, as well as supporting parishes in their efforts to

help the elderly frail.

The process involved contacting a number of established projects, mainly in the North of

England, which have produced useful material and facilitate faith-based activities.

Organisations contacted included:

The Methodist Homes’ Centre for the Spirituality of Ageing (Leeds)

Faith in Elderly People (Leeds)

The Christian Council on Ageing, including their Dementia Project in Newcastle and

Dementia Working Group (DWG)

The Leveson Centre in the West Midlands (a resource for the study of ageing,

spirituality and social policy)

Some of these organisations produced a range of booklets addressing the spiritual needs of

older people in residential and nursing homes which formed the beginning of a Resource

Centre for PSALM.

1 This was set-up from the monies that had been accumulated over the years by the former London Diocesan

Board for Social Responsibility, including a bequest from Dame Geraldine Alves. The themes that were

identified as priorities were: older people, hospitality in areas of high mobility and young people at ‘risk’ 2The Diocese of London vision for the Church in the 21

st Century – see

www.london.anglican.org./TheLondonChallenge 3The Edmonton Area Council is a council for the Edmonton Episcopal Area (covering the London Boroughs of

Camden, Haringey, Barnet and Enfield) and chaired by the Bishop of Edmonton.

3

Another significant influence in the creating of PSALM was the conference held in Durham

on Ageing Spirituality and Well-being attended by Claire and many others directly concerned

with the spiritual needs of older people. Some were hospital chaplains, others were co-

ordinating parish-based community groups and church networks working with older people.

Claire in her report to the working party said that the conference raised many issues that

demand greater attention than is currently being offered by most faith communities.

The key issues included:

Helping older people to find meaning in later life;

Dealing with difficult questions and providing space for these to be raised;

Helping the older generation to maintain links with a changing society;

Using creativity to enable older people to express their inner resources and to find

fulfilment and value in their lives.

The recurring theme was the widespread and desperate problem of isolation and loneliness of

Britain’s ageing population. This of course gives rise to the need for human communication

and companionship. Albert Jewell (2004:20)4 in Ageing, Spirituality and Well-Being makes

the point that as people enter advanced old age, family dispersal, the deaths of contemporary

friends, changes of neighbours, hearing and sight loss, and increasing immobility mean that

many become cut off from normal regular contact with other people. He also makes the valid

point that sometimes older people can deter visitors by their capacity to talk non-stop at great

length. In my own research among Church Army Evangelists who have contact with older

people, state over and over again that their own need for working with older people is TIME.

A PSALM Resource Centre would contain information and advice for older people, as

well as materials for those who work with the elderly frail to borrow.

Other research carried out by Claire was to provide examples of Church initiatives in other

parts of the country, and those undertaken within the Edmonton Episcopal Area, including

Age Concern’s involvement in each of the Boroughs. The PSALM resource centre holds

information about the Age Concern reports and projects for each of the Boroughs covered by

the Edmonton Episcopal Area. In her report Claire highlights some very good schemes

undertaken by the church (see Appendix 1) which are effective in keeping older people in

touch with both society and the church, in helping older people to maintain their

independence and addressing their sense of isolation. Claire says,

…the message generally from all boroughs was that, besides befriending, there is a

need for churches to become more involved in residential care homes and sheltered

housing, where there are many people who feel isolated and who would benefit

greatly from more contact with outside communities.

Camden Council has been given a special mention, chosen as a ‘beacon council’ for

encouraging the independence of older people. Also within Camden, the Well & Wise

Network for Older People led by Age Concern is a network of organisations that have come

4 Ageing Spirituality and Well-Being, Edited by Albert Jewell, Jessica Kingsley, Publishers.

ISBN 1-84310-167-X

4

together to encourage, support, and promote healthy living for older people in Camden with a

freephone information line. See their web site (www.wellandwise.org.uk).

One of the key functions of Well & Wise is to use older people as Networkers, who are

recruited both from the community and the local churches. In fact the Well & Wise healthy

living network was initiated by older people and will continue to be key players, as staff

and committee members.

Claire recognised that while it was important for the church to respond to the needs of the

older frail, care should also include the spiritual needs of older people who are fit and

active, some approaching retirement and in the early years of retirement who may have

time, enthusiasm, commitment and experience to offer (see quote from Ann Morisy in the

conclusion below) and who could become a tremendous resource for the church and wider

community. With this in mind a questionnaire was drawn up for churches to use with their

own church members in order to guide any church initiative (Appendix 4). Along with this

was a list of workshop suggestions from Ageism to Volunteering for the over 50’s which

churches could use to help them to explore. Discovering what was already happening in the

area was stressed as important, as it would be pointless to provide services already offered by

other agencies such as Luncheon Clubs and Day Centres. A good place to start would be the

local Age Concern office. However, Claire observes that there could be scope for a

representative/linkperson from the church to advise older people on what opportunities there

are for older people and where they could find out more information along the lines of the

Well & Wise scheme mentioned above but perhaps on a smaller scale. They could also

maintain an important link with 4th

agers, thus supplementing the pastoral care provided by

the clergy. With local training in providing activities within a care home, they could develop

their own form of lay ministry.

Suggested training sessions for people of all ages, wanting to work in care settings for older

people:

The spiritual needs of older people

Memory box/reminiscence work

Worship in residential homes

Visiting older people (including those suffering from strokes)

Dance/Music/Art and spirituality for older people – workshop for potential facilitators

Hand massage and aromatherapy

How to set up and run intergenerational projects

Active discipleship for 3rd

agers

Dementia: Understanding the condition/worship/visiting etc

Other considerations included details such as an accessible location and access for people

with disabilities. Those over 50 who wished to become active volunteers could be directed to

local agencies with information about volunteering opportunities. Details of such

organisations are included in the PSALM resource directory.

5

It has been proved that activities, in general, reverse physical deterioration, ease anxiety

and improve memory and concentration. Therapeutic activity also combats feelings of

depression, isolation and loneliness. Enabling older people to maintain links with the

older community and a changing society increases their overall wellbeing.

(PSALM Report Feb 2003)

When deciding on a name for the organisation, committee members suggested a few ideas.

The name offered by Clarie was PSALM, an acronym formed from the title, ‘Project for

Seniors And Lifelong Ministry’. The name originates from the view held by Claire that more

needs to be done to recognise and develop the important role in the life and mission of the

church of people who are in the later stages of their lives. A psalm is a sacred song which is a

lovely thing to be identified with. The title was accepted and Claire was appointed PSALM’s

Co-ordinator. More on the management structure later.

The Vision of PSALM The visualisation of PSALM emerged from the research programme which today is based on

Claire’s recommendations of February 2003 to the working group, which were to:

Provide a modest resource centre at St Pancras Parish Church, London, containing books,

publications and equipment; also an information and advice section.

In the short term PSALM to operate as a sub-committee of St Pancras Church PCC, (in effect

a management committee) with its own bank account in order to provide a framework for

fundraising. When PSALM reaches ‘maturity’ the plan is for it to become a separate charity

(PSALM now enjoys charitable status).

Encourage individual churches to appoint a member of the congregation to keep up-to-date

with the widest possible range of activities and initiatives for the over 60’s, and to act as a

link-person both to older people in the church and in the parish.

The PSALM management committee to develop a business plan including costs and

associated fundraising strategy in order to

� organise workshops and training events and support for link-workers, volunteers and

others involved;

� set up a pilot project; facilitating an art/activity group in a care setting;

� to equip and encourage people of all ages to get involved in residential care homes,

sheltered housing and resource day centres;

Encourage parishes to give priority to participating in local steering groups or to become

involved with local network organisations working with older people.

Enable the Episcopal Area to encourage specialist training for the pastoral care of older

people for both lay people and clergy. This could be incorporated in Continual Ministerial

Education (CME) programme, and within the framework of training for spiritual direction.

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Constitution The constitution adopted on 3

rd March 2004 states the following Objectives,

1. To advance the education of the public in the subject of the care of the elderly, including self-help by the elderly, through the provision of lectures, seminars, hands-on training, and provision of a publication resource centre.

2. To assist in treatment and care of elderly persons suffering from mental or physical illness of any description, or in need of rehabilitation as a result of such illness, by the provision of carers/visitors to provide facilities for recreation.

3. To relieve ill and/or disabled elderly people resident in the Diocese of London through the training and support of carers/visitors to provide regular support and advice to such elderly.

4. To provide services of worship and religious teaching, according to the beliefs and practices of the Church of England, for elderly people unable to attend the local church.

Turning Research/Theory into Practice It has to be recognised that PSALM is in its infancy and is therefore evolving and developing

its services. However a good start has been made. The report of the main activities of

PSALM covering the period February 2003 to April 2004 are summarised below.

From January to December 2003, two members of the PSALM Management Committee

studied for a City and Guilds Certificate in Providing Therapeutic Activities for Older People.

In conjunction with the C&G course, a pilot project was carried out at a care home in

Southgate. Claire Pinney, PSALM co-ordinator, visited the home on a weekly basis,

facilitating activity sessions. Activities included, art, cookery, gardening and hand massage.

Claire has produced an information pack on massage, available at the Resource Centre.

A goal for PSALM will be to encourage, train and support volunteers from churches across

the Edmonton Episcopal Area for those living in care homes and sheltered housing in order to

provide regular social and creative activities. An outline volunteer training programme has

been drawn up.

A resource booklet with directory was compiled and sent to churches across the Area together

with a covering letter requesting prayer support for the work of PSALM.

Three information/training seminars have been conducted.

i. The first in August 2003 when 50 people gathered for a half-day seminar

by way of introduction to the PSALM initiative. They learnt about other

church-based projects with older people across the Edmonton Episcopal

Area under the title “A New Map of Life” with Ann Morisy providing

some input on the social and cultural changes of the past few decades

which have had an impact on our perceptions of ageing.

ii. The second took place in March 2004 focussing on the subject of Strokes

(understanding the aftermath and confronting the challenges) in which 15

people took part.

7

iii. The third half-day seminar was on ‘Preparing for Retirement’

A database of individuals interested in work with older people has been set up.

Articles about the work of PSALM have been published in ‘Plus’, the journal of the Christian

Council on Ageing and also the Leveson Newsletter (the Leveson Centre for the study of

Ageing, Spirituality and Social Policy).

The PSALM Resource Centre is accessible Mondays to Fridays 9 am to 5 pm by

arrangement. The Centre has books, publications and equipment that people can browse and

borrow and includes internet access.

PSALM produces a Directory listing the following:

• Useful contacts – general

• Useful contacts for each borough in the Edmonton Area

• Volunteering

• Creative & Expressive Arts/Activities – Training and Resources

• Church Initiatives

• Projects or Centres of Interest outside London

• Books, booklets and articles held by PSALM’s own resource centre

Feed-Back from seminars includes one person who had attended the Preparing for

Retirement seminar wrote an article on her reflections for her Parish Magazine entitled Is

there Life after Work? In May of last year (2004) she suddenly found herself taking early

retirement and said that, unfortunately, thoughts and promises never turned into deeds and

actions, and says

“So there was no master plan to turn to when I was suddenly ‘unplugged’ from a

lifetime’s work in the legal profession”.

She goes on to admit that she was totally lost and so far as she was concerned, in a parallel

universe containing time with no purpose (see comment from Ann Morisy in the

conclusion). A key issue for her was that of relationships, not least her relationship to God,

and was comforted by the thought from Prebendary Paul Hawkins (Vicar of St. Pancras,

Chairman of PSALM)) that it is OK to feel angry with God when life challenges you. In

saying how much she valued the seminar, encouraged PSALM to run another one and

thanked PSALM for the excellent event and the quality of the programme.

Feed-back is now actively encouraged from training events by the introduction of evaluation

sheets for delegates to complete before they leave.

WHAT PSALM HOPES TO ACHIEVE The main emphasis and thrust will be on training, as will be seen in the following statement.

We will train significant numbers of volunteers to visit older people in their homes and in residential homes, and we will train volunteers to share in the wider pastoral work of parishes.

8

Older people living in care homes and sheltered housing schemes can often feel isolated or bored. Current statistics reveal that 60% of older people in residential homes suffer from depression. Prolonged inactivity can, and often does, lead to physical and psychological ill health, vegetation and death. Following on from discussions with workers in residential homes, Age Concern, Good Neighbour schemes and through NAPA (National Association for Providers of Activities for Older People), we seek to increase the involvement of volunteers from churches to help elderly people who are frail. This will help frail, older people to find meaning, fulfilment and value in later life, and to maintain links with a changing society. It will also provide a space to deal with difficult questions. Whilst remembering and responding to the needs of the old and frail, we will not forget the spiritual needs of older people who are fit and active, some of whom may only be approaching retirement or in the early years of retirement. Many have time, enthusiasm, commitment and experience to offer, and are a tremendous resource for the church and wider community. Through this project we will enlarge the number of lay people, particularly amongst active retired people, who will be trained and supported to take part in the wider pastoral life of parishes.

With a minimum of 6, and a maximum of 12 people required for each course, we anticipate that the number of people trained each year will range from 24-48, who will then be available to support the life and work of parishes and to reduce chronic isolation and loneliness amongst the frail. Through on-going networking we will increase levels of wellbeing for those involved in the work and promote a vibrant sense of purpose for all.

In the immediate future ‘Sharing Stories’ will be launched in 2005. It is described as a

multi-cultural lunch club for the over 60’s in Central Camden. This will be a once-a-month

bring and share lunch, based at St Pancras Church House.

Other training events will include:

� The PSALM Volunteer Training Programme: Visiting Elderly People in their

Homes. March 2005.

� The PSALM Pastoral Care Course: A training programme for active retired people

(and others!). October 2005

These training programmes are basic introductory courses for those who wish to share in the

pastoral and outreach work of the parish.

Management and Funding As a registered charity, PSALM has an Executive Committee and is no longer a sub-

committee of St. Pancras Parochial Church Council (PCC) which was a temporary measure

until PSALM became established5. Its purpose remains the same: to ensure that the work

undertaken by PSALM is well-managed, well resourced and responsive to the needs and

issues associated with older people in the local community, as well as across the Edmonton

Episcopal Area. The training programme for 2005 can be achieved with current levels of

funding.

The project depends on grant funding and so far the following grants have been received

• a grant of £6000 received from the Budget of Opportunity for Social Action

5 The terms of reference for the original management committee, although no longer applicable, are attached as

Appendix 2 for information.

9

• a grant of £3570 received from Awards for All

• a grant of £500 received from St. Pancras Parish Church

• a grant of £3000 has been allocated for PSALM by the Thanet Street Trust

An application for £44,674 to fund the cost of the work plan for the forthcoming three years

(2006 – 2008) is currently being submitted to a number of trusts6.

PSALM in context: Demography of the Episcopal Area of Edmonton & Care Provision in London It is worth pausing for a moment to consider whether PSALM, its vision and objects actually

coincide with the needs of the area. First by looking at the percentage of older people in the

area compared with other age groups and secondly by looking at the provision of care in

London in general.

1. Demographics. The Episcopal Area of Edmonton covers two Inner London

Boroughs of Camden and Haringey and two Outer London Boroughs of Barnet and

Enfield. The table below shows the comparisons of the population size of each borough and

the percentage of older people in five age groups. The figures are graphically represented in

Fig 1 & 2 below. It can be seen from these that the outer London Boroughs have the higher

populations and that these have the higher percentage of older people and in all four

Boroughs the greater percentage of older people are in the 65-74 age range.

Table 1

Percentage of people aged:

London Total

Population

60-64 65-74 75-84 85-90 90+

Camden 198,020 3.5 5.7 3.7 0.9 0.5

Haringey 216,507 3.6 5.5 3.1 0.8 0.4

Barnet 314,564 4.1 7.3 5.0 1.5 0.8

Enfield 273,559 4.4 7.2 4.7 1.3 0.7

(Figures extracted from 2001 Census)

The significance of this is that the PSALM Volunteer Training Programme7 and the PSALM

Pastoral Care Course8, whether by default or by design has been targeted to the younger aged.

6 The Aims and objectives submitted with applications is attached as Appendix 3

7 See details above

8 See details above

10

Figs 1 & 2

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

Camden

Haringey

Barnet

Enfield

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

60-64 65-74 75-84 85-90 90+

The highest percentage of the population in each of the boroughs is in the 30–44 age range

representing 26.8% for Camden; 27.6% for Haringey; 23.8% for Barnet; and 24.6% for

Enfield.

Percentage of people stating religion:

London Christian Bud-

dist

Hindu Jewish Muslim Sikh Other

Religions

No

Religion

Religion

not

stated

Camden 47.1 1.3 1.5 5.6 11.6 0.2 0.6 22.0 10.0

Haringey 50.1 1.1 2.1 2.6 11.3 0.3 0.5 20.0 12.1

Barnet 47.3 1.1 6.7 14.8 6.2 0.4 1.0 12.8 9.7

Enfield 63.2 0.5 3.4 2.0 9.6 0.3 0.6 12.4 8.1

(Figures extracted from 2001 Census)

Note that the largest group after ‘Christian’ are those with ‘No Religion’

2. Care Services for Older People in London: London does not have a good

record for the provision of care services for older people. The King’s Fund9 has published an

interim report following its enquiries. The main problems reported are:

limited choice, even for people who purchase their own care. For example

it is particularly difficult for older people to find a care home near their own

community;

serious shortages of provision for older people with mental health

problems:

difficulties in staff recruitment and retention, resulting in delayed

assessments and lack of continuity in providing care;

home care services are of poor quality and unreliable, often providing very

short visits which are limited to carrying out a rigid set of tasks;

larger new care homes fail to provide a homely atmosphere;

increased Government funding has been largely spent on short term

services intended to speed up hospital discharge. Councils face rising

9 Care Services Inquiry Interim Report: Concerns about Care for Older Londoners by Janice Robinson., 18pp.

Available free from King’s Fund, 11-13 Cavendish Square, London WIG OAN. Tel: 020 7307 2801. Also

available on the Internet at http://www.kingsfund.org.uk/pdf/careservicesinquiryevidence.pdf

11

costs, and some have chosen to prioritise spending on services for

children and families;

some older people have decided to stop using services due to increased

charges; and

there is little evidence of a London wide approach to investment in

services.

(Source: Age Concern Information Bulletin, Dec. 2004)

One possible reason why London does not have a good record for the provision of care

services for older people is that London, along with Northern Ireland, has a low proportion of

older people compared with other areas in the U.K. The highest is in Wales, Cornwall and

coast. According to the Office for National Statistics: May 2004 Focus on Older People,

these differences in geographic distribution are thought to be due, in part, to many older

people choosing to leave congested urban areas to settle in coastal and rural destinations.

Urban and surrounding areas draw younger people due to employment opportunities and

other reasons. Furthermore, major cities like London have a high proportion of people from

non-white minority ethnic groups, who have a younger age structure than the overall

population. The largest percentage falls of older people of pensionable age were in urban

areas.

In conclusion, these figures demonstrate and support PSALM’s desire to concentrate its focus

on the active retired within the church; to encourage them in ministry to the elderly frail and

isolated. While PSALM cannot hope to provide for the care needs of the wider population,

even though the number of elderly is low compared with other parts of the country, it does

highlight a need which the church is attempting to address among the churched and

dechurched.

Difficulties and Barriers? As with most projects of this nature funding is a key issue. The search for funding takes up

an enormous amount of time and Claire’s time as PSALM’s co-ordinator is limited.

Volunteering is another difficulty highlighted by Claire. ‘there are fewer people able to give

time to voluntary work these days’

Not necessarily a difficulty or a barrier but there is a need need to recognise that volunteers

may be coming from different church backgrounds. Claire makes the point that one

church’s approach to pastoral visiting may be very different from another’s. The outlook in

PSALM is to equip our volunteers to have a holistic approach to the needs of those they visit.

For instance, an outline approach to visiting in a residential home situation is given, including

addressing the spiritual needs when they can, but that does not mean the situation should be

used for evangelism.

Meeting the Spiritual Needs of Older People One of the key functions stated in Objective 4 of the constitution earlier above is to provide

for the spiritual needs for people unable to attend the local church. This is a need often

over-looked by the church in general. Many older people, for whatever reason, become

12

detached from the church (dechurched). Fig. 3 below shows church attendance in 1998. The

bottom line shows that in 1998 just over 10% of people aged 15 attended church or Sunday

School at least once per month. There is a decline of people in their early adult life, at about

the age of 25, to 7% and then a steady increase in attendance as age progresses. Older people

attending church in 1998 at least once a month was about 15% for those aged 80. The

significant point of note is that the majority of those aged 80 in 1998 (80%) would have

attended church or Sunday School below the age of 15. So there are significant numbers of

older people aged 80 and over who no longer attend church but have a basic knowledge of

the Christian faith in our post-Christian, post-modern England and are therefore an important

area of outreach for PSALM in providing spiritual support for the over 80’s. It is significant

therefore that PSALM has identified this age group as an area of their concern. Also note that

c.40% of the population now approaching retirement age would have attended church or

Sunday school as a child.

Fig 3

NB there are no figures available for those under 15 in 1998

(Source: Rev Steve Hollinghurst Researcher in Evangelism to Post-Christian Culture, Church Army

Sheffield Centre; reproduced by permission.)

Theological Reflection PSALM is another example of lay led mission that could be regarded as either a new

expression of the church or even a fresh expression of the church depending on how these are

defined. I said in my introduction that my previous two papers in this series reported on

projects that had begun and evolved from local initiatives driven by lay people from the

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

0 10 2030 40 5060 7080

age in 1998

% pop

attendedchurchunder 15

attendingchurch1998

10 %

30%

60%

13

ground upwards, gaining the trust and support of both the local and wider church. The

initiative in the case of PSALM began by key players, Diocesan and local Church staff,

listening to each others’assessment of issues and possibilities.

On reflecting on mission in the wake of the Enlightenment and the rise of Voluntarism

Bosch10

(1995: 327 &328) says

‘One of the most remarkable phenomena of the Enlightenment era is the emergence of

missionary societies: some denominational, some interdenominational, some nondenominational,

and even anti-denominational….The fact is that, for more than a century after the Reformation,

the mere idea of forming such “voluntary societies” next to the church was anathema in

Protestantism. The institutional church, tightly controlled by the clergy, remained the only divine

instrument on earth. Voetius spoke for the Reformed tradition when he said that, if there were to

be any talk about mission…only the institutional church – local church council, presbytery, or

synod – could act as sending agency.’

Bosch (1995:328) goes on to say that in recent years enormous amounts of energy have been

devoted to theological discussions about whether missionary societies are legitimate agents of

mission, asking the question “ Is mission not rather to be regarded as an expression of the

Church?

Moving from the macro missionary scene of a hundred years ago to the micro home

missionary scene of today, it seems to me that local initiatives like PSALM are experiencing

an emancipation loosed from the chains of the institutional church whereby lay people have a

very good chance of exercising a very valid ministry organised on the voluntary principle

(like-minded individuals banding together, Bosch 1995:329) and initiating fresh expressions

of the church outside of traditional church buildings. PSALM could be described as para-

church sponsored by the church in providing for and meeting the needs of older people

with a desire to engage in ministry as well as making contact with elderly and frail socially

isolated dechurched. This gives people the feeling of belonging even though they no longer

formally participate in formal religion, especially that provided by the Church of England.

It is interesting to note that ever since the British Social Attitudes (BSA) surveys began in

1983 it has asked its respondents about their ‘attachment to religion’ as well as their church

attendance. The results consistently show that the proportion of the population who regard

themselves as belonging to a particular religion is considerably higher than the proportion

who attend church regularly, but there are signs of decline, from 69% in 1991 to 59% in

2003. This discrepancy says Kenneth Howse11

“enables us to identify a category of people

who ‘belong without participating’”12

(my emphasis). There is a sense therefore that

dechurched people still perceive themselves as belonging. It must not be overlooked however

that the surveys show that support for institutional religion in Britain is low and declining

while belief in God remains high. This may be typical of other European Countries but is not

true of other parts of the World. Grace Davie has produced a book in which she suggests that

Europe is the exceptional case.13

She compares secularised Europe with the States, Latin

10

Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Orbis. 11

Quoted in an Article entitled Religion and Spirituality in Later Life in Generations Review Vol.14, 16-19, the

British Society of Gerentology 2004. 12

See also Grace Davie, Religion in Britain Since 1945: Believing Without Belonging, Paperback Blackwell

Publishers – Sept 1994 13

Grace Davie, Europe the Exceptional Case. Paperback Darton, Longman & Todd – April 2002

14

America, Africa, South Korea and the Philippines. Davie observes, according to one

commentator that,

…institutional religion, does not lead to a parallel loss in “religious sensitivity”…, and to a

widespread adoption of secular alternatives: it is rather indifference that is prevalent. Many

Europeans still draw on the religious capital at crucial times (e.g. for rites of passage), considering

their Churches as public utilities. That type of religion she calls “vicarious religion”

There is no doubt that a growing gap is emerging between formal religion and personal

spirituality in England Wales and Scotland. This fact is a challenge to initiatives such as

PSALM.

Summary This paper set out to give an overview of the Project for Seniors and Lifelong Ministry

(PSALM) and to follow the progress of its development from an idea through to conception.

The demographic context was considered along with the care provision of older people in

London in order to ascertain, with some theological reflection, whether PSALM’s ambitions

made sense.

Conclusion Where the work of PSALM began, in St Pancras Church on Euston Road, there is a

commitment to community involvement, but the situation is somewhat unusual. The area is a

mixture of hospital and university buildings, office blocks and institutions, hotels,

backpackers’ hostels, halls of residence for students and residential accommodation. The

parish is in an area of social deprivation, with many pensioners, lone parents, a large

immigrant Moslem community, and a high number of students and visitors to London from

overseas.

I began my introduction by saying that this project is an example of a top-down initiative.

Morisy, commenting on this statement of mine, explained that in this project Claire was the

real visionary and saw the possibilities that a contribution from this key central London

location could make. Rather than seeing it as a top down process it was more one of key

players listening to each others’ assessment of issues and possibilities.

PSALM is a project for seniors and lifelong ministry which seeks to target people coming up

to retirement, or are in their active retirement, and who have the potential of a very fruitful

time of ministry for churched people. So often very many retired people with a vast range of

skills and expertise are not recognised by the church and used effectively or constructively.

People in this category can often feel devalued and detached from the church and society.

This was illustrated by a lady who had attended a PSALM Preparing for Retirement

Seminar who said that after spending many years in the in the legal profession found herself

to be totally lost and so far as she was concerned, in a parallel universe containing time

with no purpose. This admission speaks volumes, and probably echoes the feelings of many

of her generation of Christians.

This kind of experience is supported by research commissioned by Barry Curnow and John

McLean Fox (1997:64) in The Chance to Live More Than Once14

In a section on ‘Planning

for Retirement they say that experience shows that when retirement date becomes imminent,

there is a long period of inaction while the person adjusts to the reality of the situation.

14

Published by Management Books 2000 Ltd ISBN 1-85252-286-0

15

There was one lady in one of their workshops who could only write down the date she

was leaving the company on her planning sheet; she could not bring herself to think

through the implications in practical terms.

PSALM is an ambitious project seeking to fill this gap in older peoples’ lives, encouraging

them to engage in voluntary work thus meeting their own as well as the spiritual needs of the

socially and church isolated, especially those in residential and sheltered housing situations

and those living with dementia; providing not only worship opportunities but other activities.

This has been and is being achieved by developing a resource centre and arranging training

programmes.

In a paper on the ‘Vocation of Age’ Ann Morisy (September 2003) suggests that on

retirement most people find themselves living for at least another twenty years – the third

age; without any clear idea of what the purpose or fulfilment of those years might be

compared to the second age of creating our own household and doing well at work. There is

evidence to support a general apathy toward planning for retirement. Again, Barry Curnow

and John McLean Fox (1997:64) said that when they asked respondents in their research

whether of not thy had planned for retirement activities, 12% said Very; 50% Fairly; 14%

Not very and 23% Not at all. They say that ‘fairly planned’ implies that some general

thoughts about the future were held, rather than a substantive plan drawn up. This supports

the view that people try to avoid thinking about retirement until as late as possible in some

cases, the day after the retirement party.

PSALM therefore is an opportunity for the church to help people to understand and engage

with opportunities that this third age presents. It is also important Morisy says that this third

age is used to prepare us for the rigorous challenges of the fourth age; the possible loss of

dignity, the loss of relationships and the loss of independence. It seems to me that PSALM is

taking up this challenge by providing training opportunities and other services for older

people to serve their church and community in demonstrating the care and love of Jesus to

those who are and can be socially isolated.

One of the interesting things for me in the birth of this voluntary organisation was the way in

which the KEYPLAYERS listened to each other and words turned into action. I would

venture to say that most lay-led organisations begin from ‘grass roots’, as a kind of ‘bolt on’

to mainline church; that is, a group of committed people with similar interests working

together to deliver a service, as witnessed in my previous two papers in this series. The birth

of PSALM has certainly challenged my view that worthwhile projects can only begin from

grass roots lay involvement. This project shows the value of ‘professional Church’ being

instrumental in enabling and releasing potential ministry among lay people and assisting in

the setting up of support and management structures. It also adds value to the work of lay

people and creates a healthy tension between lay and ordained, by placing trust in the laity to

deliver.

Other papers in the Discovering Faith in Later Life series

No. 1 PARCHE (Pastoral Action in Residential Care Homes for the Elderly): Taking

the church into residential care homes in Eastbourne.

No. 2 St. Stephen’s Seniors:Christ to the elderly and lonely in East Twickenham.

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Appendix 1

SOME SCHEMES EFFECTIVE IN KEEPING OLDER PEOPLE IN TOUCH WITH

BOTH THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY

EXAMPLES OF CHURCH INITIATIVES IN OTHER PARTS OF THE

COUNTRY � The Diocese of Rochester have an Older Persons Officer (employed for one day a

week) to support parishes in developing their work with older people. Activities

include arranging a one-day "visiting and listening" course.

� Southwark Churches Care is a project that provides volunteer visitors for frail

elderly people in the northern half of Southwark.

� The Nugent Care Society, the social welfare agency for the Roman Catholic

Archdiocese of Liverpool, organises deanery networks for group leaders involved

in parish-based initiatives. These resource groups help local leaders to learn from

each other and share resources and ideas. Since the group leaders are all older

people themselves, the resource groups also provide a living network of older

people in the community.

� PARCHE15

(Pastoral Action in Residential Care Homes for the Elderly) An

ecumenical, evangelical group based in Eastbourne, which aims to support and

encourage existing pastoral care, to link care homes with a local church, and to

train local Christians for working in care homes.

EXAMPLES OF INITIATIVES ALREADY BEING UNDERTAKEN IN THE

EDMONTON EPISCOPAL AREA

The ordinary day-to-day life in and around the church often creates a community of

mutual support where older people are fully involved. The importance of such all-age

communities should not be undervalued. However, one or two initiatives will be

mentioned that are being undertaken by churches in the Edmonton Episcopal Area,

specifically with older people in mind. In consultation it was decided not to mail

parishes to obtain a comprehensive list of activities within the Area, so here are just a

few examples:

� The Third Age Project, Munster Square, is an example of what was possible in an

area where a large proportion of the population was over 60. This church-led

initiative found funding to redevelop the St Mary Magdalene church crypt, to

establish an excellent day centre for older people.

� Christchurch, Barnet, organises weekly hospitality for frailer older people,

including special oasis weeks. This is for those who no longer feel they can go

away for a holiday. The hall is transformed as best as they can into a hotel foyer

and during the week people gather and go on day trips. Throughout the year

people are invited to oasis reunions.

15

See also Discovering Faith in Later Life No.1

17

� Older people in the Parishes of Old St Pancras meet up at a social club every

fortnight. Activities are varied and often speakers are invited to talk on particular

matters of interest. Older people also give time and energy as school governors.

Besides being chaplain to many older people at St Pancras Hospital, a member of

the clergy sits on the SRB Older People's Steering Group Committee.

� St Paul's Church, Tottenham, provides a luncheon club once a week, and a

member of the congregation conducts a keep fit class once a week in a sheltered

housing scheme.

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Appendix 2

PSALM (PROJECT FOR SENIORS AND LIFELONG

MINISTRY)

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

(Now history but essential in the early establishment of the project)

Purpose The purpose of this management committee is to ensure that the work undertaken under the auspices of PSALM is well-managed, well resourced and responsive to the needs and issues associated with older people in this local community, as well as across the Edmonton Episcopal Area.

Status of the Management Committee This Management Committee is a sub-committee of St Pancras, (Euston Road) Parochial Church Council (PCC) and therefore has no authority in its own right, either legal or financial. The Management Committee is not empowered to borrow any money or allow its bank account to go into deficit. The PCC gives permission to the PSALM Management Committee to open and maintain its own bank account. This account will have 3 named signatories; one of which will be the incumbent at St. Pancras and a second signatory will be a member of St Pancras PCC. All cheques must be signed by two of the three signatories.

The PSALM Management is empowered to set up sub-groups to oversee specific initiatives;

however, accountability to the PCC will remain via the PSALM Management Committee.

The PCC agrees that the resources accruing to PSALM will be transferred to a legally constituted successor body. Should it be necessary to dissolve the work of this sub-committee the PCC will ensure that any resources associated with this initiative will be disbursed to organisations with similar objectives to that of PSALM.

Responsibilities In particular, the Management Committee will have the following responsibilities:

1. To develop a work plan for PSALM that identifies clear priorities produced after

consultation with relevant individuals, groups and organisations.

2. To be responsible for identifying and implementing a fundraising strategy to support the annual work plan.

3. To take responsibility for the appointment of a project co-ordinator and any other post

holders, ensuring that all aspects of good practice in relation to recruitment and contractual obligations are adopted.

4. To support and liaise with any post holders associated with PSALM and to receive

reports of the work being undertaken by these post-holders.

5. To provide regular reports to the PCC and the Edmonton Area Council about the initiatives taking place under the auspices of PSALM, and in particular to inform the

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PCC of any financial or contractual obligations that are being considered and request its authority.

6. To prepare a report on the work of PSALM for inclusion within the PCC's annual

report, and to present a report on this work at the Annual Parochial Meeting.

7. To prepare an annual budget for PSALM, and to present this to the PCC for approval and likewise to the Edmonton Area Council. In association with this responsibility for budgeting, the Management Committee will also:

i. monitor income against expenditure

ii. ensure that financial activity is recorded in a way that is clear and

compatible with the accounting principles adopted within the annual accounts of the PCC in order that all financial activity can be scrutinised by the Annual Parochial Meeting.

8. With the PSALM coordinator, to ensure that all activities conform to all aspects

of good practice, e.g. Health & Safety, Child Protection and Equal Opportunities.

9. To monitor the initiatives undertaken under the auspices of PSALM in relation to Equal Opportunities and to take steps to address any lack of involvement by particular groups and sections of the community.

10. To ensure that appropriate reporting is made to funders and others with a legitimate

interest in the PSALM initiative.

11. To establish appropriate sub-groups to oversee specific initiatives associated with

PSALM in order to ensure:

i. appropriate skills and commitment are available to support a specific

initiative

ii. adequate time can be devoted to supporting each initiative.

Each sub-group should have a regular membership and have a convenor nominated by

the PSALM Management Committee.

The agenda for the PSALM Management Committee should allow for regular reports from any sub-groups. With the specific agreement of the PSALM Management Committee, there is scope for a sub-group to draw up a budget for its work and to undertake fundraising. However, these fundraising activities must be regularly reported on at meetings of the PSALM Management Committee and to the PCC (see item 5 above)

12. To explore the options available to the initiative in relation to its future legal status and to take steps to implement the agreed option.

13. To pray for the PSALM Project and all those associated with it and encourage others

to pray likewise.

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Membership The membership of the Management Committee is as follows:

� The Incumbent of St Pancras Church, Euston Road.

� The Chair of the Edmonton Area Social Responsibility Committee. � Three people nominated by St Pancras PCC, one of whom must be a member of the

PCC. � Three members appointed by the Edmonton Area Council, one of whom, in addition

to the Chair of the Social Responsibility Committee, must be a member of the Area Council.

� The coordinator of the PSALM Project and the Principal Community Ministry Adviser for the Diocese of London will be in attendance.

The PSALM Management Committee is permitted to co-opt up to two additional members whose skills will be helpful to its work e.g. Age Concern, NAPA etc. The Chairman of the Management Committee will be the Incumbent of St Pancras Church, and will have a casting vote. As Chairman of the Management Committee he will provide day-to-day management of the PSALM Coordinator. In the case of an interregnum the Bishop of Edmonton will be asked to provide a nominee to undertake this role.

The Management Committee will appoint from its membership a Secretary and Treasurer

The Management Committee will keep minutes of its meeting

The Management Committee will meet not less than four times a year.

Draft January 2003

21

Appendix 3

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

• To deliver two courses a year, training volunteers to visit elderly people in their own

homes and in residential homes in order to extend levels of emotional and spiritual care,

reduce chronic isolation and, especially in residential homes, to promote stimulation and

well-being through the provision of activities (Course A)

• To deliver two courses a year to train volunteers, especially from amongst retired people,

to engage in the pastoral life of parishes, through visiting, not only the elderly, but the

unwell, bereaved, those wanting baptism, and to act as nctworkers for the elderly (Course

B)

• To deliver four 1-day seminars a year, which address the needs of both the frail and the

active amongst the older generation in London.

• To produce a newsletter to publicise the work of PSALM, and activities which

specifically target older people within individual parishes. Through this to establish a

network for those involved in church-based work with older people across London, and to

develop the use of a resource centre for people to borrow materials for their voluntary

work with older people,

Courses and the resource centre will be located at St Pancras Church, Euston Road, NW1.

Timetable

2005 (year preceding the project for which we are seeking funding)

With existing levels of funding, we will run two courses during 2005, Course A and

Course B.

Through deanery and chapter meetings, churches will be visited throughout the year

to advertise courses and to recruit volunteers.

We will also run one 1-day seminar.

2006 Course A will be run 2 times

Course B will be run 2 times

We will run 4 x 1-day seminars/workshops

The newsletter will be produced and the first edition distributed.

2007 Course A will be run 2 times

Course B will be run 2 times

We will run 4 x 1-day seminars/workshops

The next two editions of the newsletter will be circulated.

2008 Course A will be run 2 times

Course B will be run 2 times

We will run 4 x 1-day seminars/workshops

The next two editions of the newsletter will be circulated.

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Appendix 4 PSALM

QUESTIONS FOR PARISHIONERS (aged 60 or over)

If workshops were being planned to address issues of concern to people over 60, what issues would you like to see covered? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Should there be a church visitor for older people in parishes? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… How, if at all, do you keep up-to-date with events/initiatives for people over 60 in Enfield or in your local area? Would it be helpful for churches to have a linkworker for older people and, if so, what would be an effective way of passing on information? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Are there any local societies/groups/centres that are particularly helpful to older people? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Did you feel adequately prepared for your retirement/later years? What might have helped or still might be helpful for adjusting to this phase in life? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Do you anticipate staying in London and in your present community for the foreseeable future? …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

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Would you like to become more involved in any particular arena of life (please include anything whatsoever in society/politics/religious life/anything else)? Would you be interested in receiving any further training? ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… If you are not already doing so, would you like to make your skills and resources available to others in need in society, through the church Would you be prepared to be included in a church 'skills register? ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Thank you very much for your participation in this research project.

24

This paper was written and produced with the support of the Sheffield Centre,

Church Army’s Research Unit. Directed by Revd George Lings. For further information contact c.dalpra@sheffieldcentre.org.uk or 0114 272 7451.

Also visit www.encountersontheedge.org.uk & www.churcharmy.org.uk

Sharing Faith through Words and Action