Monday 17th October 2022
Christian Resources Exhibition
Louise Morse
Last week we were at the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) at Sandown Park, Esher. There were over 150 organisations represented, and ours was the only one with resources specifically benefiting older people. They included our books and leaflets, the Pilgrims’ Magazine, the new puzzles and picture book, and brochures for our housing and care homes. We were often asked ‘do you have anything in my area?’ It’s a joy when we can say ‘yes’ and talk about it. Priscilla and Sarolta were kept busy handing out leaflets and magazines, and taking payments for books and puzzles on the new credit card gadgets. Hundreds of visitors come each year to CRE to browse and buy. This year the range was just as extensive - there were sound and video systems, literature, architecture and building design, church furniture and robes, puppets for children’s work, missionary information, Bibles and Gospel literature, gifts and even Holy Socks, with Scripture verses sewn in! Do they give a new meaning to the old stanza, ‘standing on holy ground’?
A large gathering of believers always makes me feel that we are indeed, standing on holy Ground! CRE is like a large family reunion as fellow Christians meet after not seeing each other for a while. It reminded me of Psalm 16:3, which says, ‘as for the saints who are in the earth, they are the majestic ones in whom is all my delight‘.
One of my talks was about ‘Preparing for a Great Old Age.’ We looked at the Old and New Testament Scriptures that reveal that God designed old age to create a good cultural balance in society. ‘The glory of young men is their [physical] strength, and the honour of aged men is their grey hair [representing wisdom and experience],’ says Proverbs 20:29.
Ephesians 2:10 shows that God has a purpose for the whole of our lives, including our later years, and He plans how that will be unfolded for each one of us. Ephesians 2:10 says, ‘For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago,’ (NLT). Most listeners agreed that we need to have a better idea of the biblical meaning of ‘good works.’ We won’t all be preachers, evangelists, or missionaries, especially in our old age. For a 70 year old living in our retirement housing the ‘good work’ that gave her the most pleasure was cleaning the church, and for another it was leading one of the prayer streams. Others love helping with mums and toddlers’ groups, or baking cakes. Most importantly, they encourage others in whatever they do.
After the talk David came to tell me how his father had created a church in his care home after he had gone in at the age of 96! He said, ‘It began with a piece of paper with a Scripture verse and a thought on everyone’s breakfast tray, and after a while someone suggested holding a meeting and it went on from there. Even after Dad’s death the church continued.’
And I told him about Constance, an 89 year old in Luff House, our care home in Essex. Like David’s father, she is now with the Lord, but she used to hold Bible studies in the home and one of the carers told me how taking part had led him to faith.
There are so many stories of people whom the world thinks are ‘past it’, but who are living fulfilled lives as God unrolls his plan for them. It’s our privilege to be able to support those in our housing and care homes.
My other talk at CRE was called ‘Slaying the Dementia Dragon,’ showing that the rate of new cases of dementia is falling in the Western world, and how research has shown the things that are needed in a lifetime to prevent the onset of dementia in old age.
Would you like notes of the talks? The timing of both was shorter than usual, so instead of trying to cram the facts into the time available I’ve written notes to send to those who would like them. Email louise.morse@pilgrimsfriend.org.uk.
