On 9th
November Sue Kirkbride from the
United Reformed Church in Edinburgh
together with Mary Moffett from FiOP, led a workshop on Worshipping with People
with Dementia.
16 people
came from a wide variety of Christian denominations and social care
backgrounds.
We spent some time exploring some of the statistical
and medical facts about dementia. This
is always a popular subject in workshops as it helps us understand and
empathise with the experience of dementia.
Much new work in the last five years has been done
on understanding how relationships affect the wellbeing of people with
dementia. The Church community and
visitors and their attitudes have a vital role to play in embodying and sharing
what is “best practice”.
We also explored some of the theological ideas of
Stanley Hauerwas & Jean Vanier. If we are truly to be “the body of Christ” in
our churches and community then we need to realize both the importance and
centrality of including everyone, whatever their brokenness and gifts.
Jean Vanier’s recurring theme is that it is in the
caring for, living with and being present to people who have disabilities, as
equals, that we learn how to be fully human and more Christlike. People with dementia are just that, people
who have the disability of dementia, and people who are every bit as much a
part of the body of Christ as those who consider themselves “normal”!
Sue Kirkbride then shared some of her
examples of worship that have worked well over a number of years.
She has found an emphasis on music and images has
been fruitful, and emphasized that words, unless they are familiar or “off by
heart”, should be kept to a minimum.
Expecting to share the “good
news” of the Gospel in wordy sermons or lengthy prayers is not appropriate.
Her creative approach and excellent examples were
very encouraging.
A workshop
along similar lines is planned for May in St Andrews
offered through Pilgrim Care but please ask if you would like us to offer one
in your area.
email: info@fiop.org.uk
