Commissioning in Beverley, East Yorkshire

debbiethrower0
3 hours ago
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Christine Larson, Anna Chaplain, Michelle MacKay, Anna Friend, and David Tongeman, Church Leader

Beverley Baptist Church were delighted to commission Michelle MacKay on June 28 as an Anna Friend, to work alongside Christine Larson, Anna Chaplain at Beverley Baptist Church.

Michelle was a care home worker for a number of years before she was diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's Disease, forcing her into early retirement. However, she felt she still had much to offer and becoming an Anna Friend has enabled her to carry on her calling, supporting those in later years.

During her commissioning, Michelle read out a poem she had written about her experience of living with Parkinson's Disease. It shines a light into the condition - a progressive neurological disorder caused by the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells- and it gives a vivid impression of how it feels when body and mind do different things.

Michelle’s Poem - 'The Warrior'

I fidget and twist without control.

I freeze like a statue, a twisted tremor,

That makes arms and both knees knock together.

I’m all shook up with Parkinson's Disease things.

I’m shaky, go stiff as a poker, clumsy and frail.

I can’t go quick, I’m as slow as a snail.

But, my resolve is still strong,

Stuck in a body where I don’t belong.

Parkinson’s won’t take me without a fight, I’m different.

In a way it’s a blessing

I don’t mind confessing.

Without it, I wouldn’t be me.

I’m still the same as before, when Parkinson’s knocked on my door,

It might make me weak,

But where there’s a trough, there’s always a peak.

It’s still such a fright,

But you find shafts of light,

And with heads held high,

We’ll reach for the sky,

Because Parkinson’s doesn’t have me.

Christine wrote to tell us how deligfhted to she was that the service went ahead as planned and the theme for it was ‘Ageing- a Spiritual Journey’.

We congratulate Michelle on taking this step and becoming a blessing to others. We wish her and her Anna Chaplain colleague Christine every success in their ministries in and around Beverley.

Meanwhile, here's news of a coming event in Beverley this autumn for those who would like to know more about Anna Chaplaincy: