Thursday 21st November 2024
Hope in a dark place
Alex Drew from our partner charity Faith in Later Life explores how to share the gospel with older people in winter
Winter can be a challenging time for many, but especially for older people. As the days grow shorter, colder, and darker, opportunities for social connection diminish. It becomes harder for them to attend their usual lifegiving activities or even leave their homes, making older people vulnerable to isolation and loneliness.
This is an opportunity for us all to consider how we can show love and care for those who are staying home more during the winter, and of course, at Faith in Later Life we believe that a relationship with Jesus is the ultimate lifelong and eternal response to loneliness.
But sharing the gospel with older people comes with challenges, especially during the winter months. Overcoming these requires creativity, understanding, and authenticity.
Challenges
For many older people, winter brings additional hurdles. Mobility and health issues can be worse during the colder weather, moods often dip and worries over the cost of heating and rising living expenses leave many financially strained and even stressed in this season.
These challenges can make it physically and emotionally difficult to get out and about and remind us that connecting with older people during winter is much needed but requires a little more thought.
Overcoming
Winter brings one particular opportunity — Christmas! The festive season can soften hearts and open doors, as the familiar message of Christ’s birth brings great comfort to older people.
Churches can host Christmas events that include older people, such as accessible carol services at care homes or Christmas dinners for those who live alone. Small gestures like a home visit, phone call, or thoughtful gift or card can spark meaningful conversations about the hope Jesus brings.
Beyond Christmas, invitations that come with the offer of a lift are wonderful ways to brighten dark winter days. Whether it’s an invitation to your church’s seniors’ event, Warmbank, or coffee morning, or an outing to a garden centre or your home for lunch, these are likely to be appreciated.
We also encourage people to share our free DailyHOPE phoneline number with older people – 0800 804 8044. This is a lovely way of listening to hymns, prayers and Bible reflections, giving hope from the comfort of home, without the need to interact with others, for those days when that’s difficult.
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Margaret's story
Margaret, 82, had lived alone for several years after her husband died. Winter was always a bad time for her. “It felt like I was waiting for the end,” Margaret said. “I didn’t have much hope left, and the dark days made it even worse.”
One winter, her neighbour reached out with an invitation to pop over for a cup of tea. Over time, the neighbour shared the gospel and invited Margaret to a carol concert at her church. It was there Margaret heard the message of Jesus’ birth in a new way – the promise that God had come to be with every one of us, even in our darkest moments, even to those who had never been to church before.
Margaret found new hope that winter. “I realised I wasn’t alone, that God had been with me all along, even when I felt abandoned. That Christmas was the start of my relationship with Jesus.” Margaret is now a church member and volunteer, and draws comfort from her faith in every season.
Winter does bring some challenges when it comes to connecting with older people, but it also provides fabulous opportunities to share the life-giving message of Jesus. Through thoughtful and meaningful outreach, we can bring the light of the gospel into some of the darkest seasons of life. It could change someone’s winter – and their eternity.
Love My Neighbour
This simple campaign encourages us all to connect with older neighbours this winter. Find out more.
Share the faith
Revd Canon Ian Knox has some words of advice to help us share the gospel with older people this Christmas
It’s a Winter-ful life
Whether it’s a lift to church or a tasty meal, here are 10 ways that you can support older people in your church congregation to flourish this winter
Brain and Soul Boosting for Seniors at Christmas
For Christmas, we’re offering a special edition of our Brain and Soul Boosting resource as a free download