BBC Radio 4 Sunday Worship, 21 March 2021, Passion Sunday, 8.10–8.50 am:
‘The Lost Years.’
Here is the BBC's billing for Sunday's programme, which will feature some members of the Anna Chaplaincy network:
As the nation is about to mark the anniversary of the first lockdown, Debbie Thrower – broadcaster and founder of Anna Chaplaincy which promotes the spiritual welfare of older people – marks the loss of more than 125,000 lives to the pandemic. Many of those who died were in their later years – some living in care homes.
There are currently 160 or so Anna Chaplains (and others in equivalent roles) in the national network ministering to older people across the UK. Named after the widow, Anna, in Luke's gospel, the chaplains help older men and women reflect on the narrative of their lives, to seek meaning and purpose and to foster hope and resilience in old age.
The Anna name reinforces the fact that much of the work is with those who have suffered loss and bereavement. Yet it is a hope-filled ministry, highlighting the tradition of older people having prophetic voices. It recognises that many in retirement have wisdom to impart to younger generations and key life lessons to share when it comes to spiritual formation. Appropriately, for a ministry that is a gracious offering from church to the community, the name Anna means ‘gift’ or ‘grace’.
Preacher: The Very Revd Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester, and with a Moment of Remembrance led by the Archbishop of York. Reading by Canon Richard Fisher, Chief Executive of The Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF): Luke 7:11–17; Producer: Philip Billson.