'Slowing Down' brings unexpected bonuses
- debbiethrower0
- 28 minutes ago
- 2 min read
We were able to make gifts of this book to everyone who attended our annual Anna Chaplaincy Gathering this autumn. Slowing Down- Finding beauty in the slow lanes of life (Instant Apostle, 2025) is by Bristol-based Anna Chaplain, the Revd Dr Anne-Louise Critchlow.
The author has many years' experience as a chaplain serving older people in care homes, sheltered accommodation and those still living in their family homes. 'I have very much enjoyed reading it,' writes Anna Chaplaincy Pioneer Debbie Thrower. 'I was struck by Anne-Louise's descriptions of ministering to those who have become disillusioned in their older age.'
'She has wise words to say about men and women who have been disillusioned by quarrels they have witnessed in churches, both ones they were involved in and disagreements they have observed from the side lines':
'Sometimes they have found themselves cold-shouldered by people because they appeared to back the 'wrong side'. It has caused some of them to leave the church and even give up their faith.'
'How important it is in these circumstances to reiterate the faithfulness of God, despite the imperfections of Christians. It takes time on the part of the pastoral visitor to listen to the details of such stories, especially when the resulting bitterness has festered over the years. Fortunately, God is still pursuing us into old age.'
How positive and reassuring that thought is. She goes on: 'Holding on to God's faithfulness changes us, and some people need to return to that understanding in their later years. If we minister among them, we should help them to be able to do that.'
She has many personal encounters to draw on by way of illustration and has carefully anonymised details in order to protect confidentiality. Each example helps flesh out what can learnt from the ways she has navigated some difficult pastoral situations.
Nevertheless, Anne-Louise is disarmingly honest about her own flaws and shortcomings. Her self-deprecation is engaging and helps encourage us all that, despite our own faults, God can use us to good effect on occasions when people unburden themselves. We should never underestimate the effects one can have (on them and those with whom they live) by listening:
'When someone feels no hope for the future, it brings their companion down too. A kind thought from someone outside the situation makes all the difference. However good a counsellor or psychiatrist is (and that level of professional support may be very important), the joy of knowing someone who shows empathy and who is not being paid for what they do is amazing.'
The paperback has been reviewed by Eliza Bailey for Christianity magazine who said: 'Slowing Down is a gentle call to rediscover the quiet power of pastoral care. With warmth and wisdom, she honours the often-overlooked ministry of supporting the elderly.'
'Slowing Down is brief and straightforward. But it isn’t light on content or lacking in depth. The topics tackled range from disappointment and discontent, to serious illness, to death - a range Critchlow is able to engage with due to her own rich and moving life experience.'
Eliza Bailey 'Christianity'
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