Candlemas gathering in Portsmouth focuses on 'The Power of Storytelling'
- debbiethrower0
- 6 hours ago
- 4 min read
They came from all over south Hampshire and the Isle of Wight - 57 Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends - all spending a day together culminating in a Candlemas Eucharist in Portsmouth Cathedral.
'You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.'
1 Peter 2: 5
Anna Chaplaincy coordinator for Portsmouth Diocese Emma Sneddon says of her role: 'It's not a job, it's a joy!'
She and colleague the Revd Dr Coleen Jackson (who has been so instrumental in setting up Anna Chaplaincy in the area) chose the Bible text from 1 Peter as the theme for the day: 'Living Stones- The Power of Storytelling'.
Everyone who came was encouraged to bring photos and stories illustrating the power of their ministries in the communities they serve. Soon a 'Living Wall' was created highlighting myriad examples of how they facilitate connections. Pictures showed the ways older people's wellbeing is at the heart of all that they do- honouring the stories of people's long, and often colourful, and fruitful lives.
We heard from Caroline Free from the parish of Warblington with Emsworth where there's well above the average number of people over the age of 65. Anna Chaplains have started a monthly Anna Cafe Church attended regularly by 30 or more older people - many of whom regard this service and fellowship as 'their church' now.
She told how volunteers have come forward to help - 'others are interested in becoming Anna Friends' and valuable links have been forged with other local organisations, including local GPs' social prescribers.
Marian Muskett, BRF Ministries' Anna Chaplaincy coordinator, updated everyone on the growth of the network - currently more than 480-strong across the UK (and that's not including Anna Friends) and also bearing in mind that another 120 or so Anna Chaplains have retired in recent years, in many cases after long years' service. She is confident of hitting the 500 mark this year!
She also broke the 'not so good news' though, that Portsmouth, which has been the largest regional cohort of Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends in the country, has just been pipped at the post. Their counterparts in Devon, overseen by Exeter Diocese, now claims that title!
'Truthfully though', she added, 'it's almost neck and neck' at 59, compared to 56 in Hants and the IoW. If Anna Friends are included, Portsmouth's total rises to, getting on for, 100 we heard later. Inevitably, there was much muttered determination to see that top place regained locally in coming months!
Also taking part as guest speaker was founder of the Bournemouth-based charity Truth Be Told, Gemma Gillard, who captivated her audience with three short stories showing the power of inter-generational storytelling in care home settings. Plans are being hatched for training sessions for local Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends who wish to use such narrative tools in their own ministry settings.
Debbie Thrower spoke of her own 'call' leading to Anna Chaplaincy getting off the ground in Alton, Hampshire, from 2010. Listening was the Bishop of Portsmouth Jonathan Frost who'd joined the throng to thank all those present (and their colleagues who hadn't been able to make it) for all they do for older people in the name of Anna Chaplaincy.
Bishop Jonathan is a keen supporter of this ministry among older people across his area; stressing that all the 'doing' is balanced by prayer and contemplation. He gave examples of his own parents' lives in older age and related other, amusing, personal experiences as he explored the topic of later life discipleship, summing up:
'Contemplative action and active contemplation - that's my definition of discipleship.'
Bishop Jonathan Frost
Portsmouth Cathedral has its own dedicated Anna Chaplaincy team in common with a number of English cathedrals such as Rochester and Wells. Winchester is holding a special Choral Evenson dedicated to Anna Chaplaincy on Sunday, February 22 at 3.30pm when Debbie Thrower will speak of the growth of the ministry which started in Hampshire. All are welcome!
There was just enough time to get some fresh air in Old Portsmouth- the cathedral is situated a stone's throw from the historic harbour walls - before the start of the evening's choral Candlemas service at which there were many friends and supporters taking part.
The Candlemas Eucharist including 'a celebration of Anna Chaplaincy' was led by the bishop and the preacher was the Canon Chancellor Harriet Neale-Stevens. She recalled a training placement she'd enjoyed with a chaplain in a Methodist Homes (MHA) care home which had had a profound effect on her. She, too, paid tribute to the ministry of Anna Chaplaincy - a 'slightly different community-based' model of spiritual care for older people, than that which MHA chaplains have been offering in residential settings since 1943.
The candlelit service ended with a procession of all the Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends from the congregation - who'd been invited to gather round the altar - with the bishop, to the font... and the steps beyond. He concluded with the words:
'Here we have greeted the Light of the world.
Help us, who now extinguish these candles,
never to forsake the light of Christ.
Here we turn from Christ's birth to his passion,
Help us for whom Lent is near,
to enter deeply into the Easter mystery.
Here we bless one another in your name.
Help us, who now go in peace,
to shine with your light in the world.
Thanks be to God! Amen.
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