'Anna Chaplaincy… helps us to show the value of the older generation, and gives lay pastors authority to visit people in their own homes and minister to them' says the bishop of Portsmouth.
Cascading news of Anna Chaplaincy to clergy, lay ministers and congregations at the grassroots level is aided by comprehensive coverage in the Portsmouth Diocese's regular magazine. A double-page spread sets out the new bishop of Portsmouth, Jonathan Frost's roadmap for the coming months.
Bishop Jonathan wants to see 'Anna Chaplaincy in every parish', and to that end, the communication campaign has begun, firstly with an article from me (writes Debbie Thrower) in the summer edition of @CofEPortsmouth magazine on the importance of ministry among older people.
The bishop set out his plans in the magazine issue's main article:
'The vision I want to offer is a diocese where everyone belongs, older and younger, but in which we have made a commitment to offering life-enhancing encounters with Jesus to children, young people and young adults.'
'Anna Chaplaincy is a beautiful, growing movement to develop the spirituality of older people. It helps us to show the value of the older generation, and gives lay pastors authority to visit people in their own homes and minister to them.'
The summer issue also includes a report of the commissioning of the diocese's first Anna Chaplain on the mainland, Dr Coleen Jackson. Already a reader of licensed lay minister (LLM), Coleen was commissioned by Bishop Jonathan at a service in St Michael's Church, Chalton, last month.
Coleen joins Anne Powell, who became the Isle of Wight's first Anna Chaplain last year.