Team grows in Downham Market

Fr James Mather with new Anna Friend Patricia Potter and Anna Chaplain Elizabeth Bryson (Photo credit: Fr Neil Bryson, Elizabeth's husband)

It is good to hear that Anna Chaplain Elizabeth Bryson is delighted to be joined in her ministry among older people by Anna Friend, Tricia Potter, in Downham Market:

'There was rejoicing at St Edmund’s Downham Market in Norfolk on Sunday February 15 when Patricia Potter, Tricia, was commissioned as an Anna Friend.

Tricia is the first Anna Friend in Downham Market and the deanery. Elizabeth Bryson who is Anna Chaplain at St Edmund’s in Downham Market, and also a LLM, has been pleased to have Tricia coming into one of the care homes with her as a volunteer. She led Tricia through the three sessions of the Anna Friend training. Tricia says:

‘I enjoyed the course – it gave me a far better insight and understanding of people living with dementia. I am looking forward to going into the care home as an Anna Friend.’

Elizabeth preached that Sunday morning and included information about Anna Chaplaincy, saying, ‘It is a great joy that today Tricia has been commissioned as an Anna Friend. She has chosen to ‘act faithfully’ and say ‘yes’ to God’s call. Tricia has been coming to Downham Grange care home to help in the Lounge Services and to talk with the residents, listening to them. She has completed the Anna Friend Training.

I wonder if the Lord is calling more of you to volunteer to accompany me into a care home and discover if the Lord is calling you to be an Anna Friend?’

Tricia adds , ‘I feel it is a real privilege to have become an Anna Friend.’   

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