CHURCH - COMMUNITY
GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY!
This title, which Jennifer Bute has given to her writings and resources around dementia (glorious opportunity.org), is where the challenge lies for many people in relation to dementia - and particularly the Church.
Generally speaking the challenge is framed by the view that dementia is only to be seen as a problem to be solved or a sickness to be healed or a disability to be overcome. The differing perspective is of a situation where there is no ‘solution’ and within which life is to be lived, a condition that is progressive and ongoing (albeit at an unpredictable rate) through which possibilities are to be discovered, of disabilities that re-shape life, taking away some gifts and abilities but encouraging the discovery of new dimensions to life.
The particular challenges to the Church are largely aimed at a faith that is intellectually considered, requires expression through words or deeds and which tends to a fairly narrow definition resistant to fresh insights and experience. Out of this is the challenge of enabling people living with dementia, or indeed any intellectual disability, to build and sustain a relationship with the God we know in Jesus Christ and in whose hands life is held (this and the next!).
Herein lies the glorious opportunity, for the church and for all who may be enabled in faith!
This title, which Jennifer Bute has given to her writings and resources around dementia (glorious opportunity.org), is where the challenge lies for many people in relation to dementia - and particularly the Church.
Generally speaking the challenge is framed by the view that dementia is only to be seen as a problem to be solved or a sickness to be healed or a disability to be overcome. The differing perspective is of a situation where there is no ‘solution’ and within which life is to be lived, a condition that is progressive and ongoing (albeit at an unpredictable rate) through which possibilities are to be discovered, of disabilities that re-shape life, taking away some gifts and abilities but encouraging the discovery of new dimensions to life.
The particular challenges to the Church are largely aimed at a faith that is intellectually considered, requires expression through words or deeds and which tends to a fairly narrow definition resistant to fresh insights and experience. Out of this is the challenge of enabling people living with dementia, or indeed any intellectual disability, to build and sustain a relationship with the God we know in Jesus Christ and in whose hands life is held (this and the next!).
Herein lies the glorious opportunity, for the church and for all who may be enabled in faith!
SENSE & FAITH in a CHURCH UPBRINGING
I need to unpack the role of the Church, as a community of faith, in the whole business of intellect and sense shaping faith. My thoughts here move on from the first thoughts on Intellect.
Through my childhood 'Junior Church' was a major feature, with adult 'teachers' helping me to learn Bible stories and translate these into a trust in Jesus Christ.
Church life in general has throughout my life provided a framework - with the liturgical year offering times of hope, expectation and celebration (Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter etc.) as well as times or reflection (Advent, Lent, Holy Week etc.). It has often been the senses that have identified these seasons - at Christmas the familiarity of the story and carols, of the crib and other decorations, the excitement in preparing a Nativity play of some sort. In Holy Week another holiday period marking it out from other weeks, again familiar stories but of a different tone.
During my teenage years in Kingston Good Friday in particular stood out. The Walk of Witness created a very long procession through the town centre. It was in solemn silence and clearly of great importance. A service followed in the URC with familiar hymns and readings. The 'hunger lunch' at the Baptist Church lightened the mood a little, but there was a sacrificial purpose which was clear, though un-said. The afternoon found us in the parish church for the Passion of St John - a plainsong rendition of the Gospel account punctuated by a few chorales that the congregation could join in. Anglican liturgy was evident, with everywhere stripped bare of ornament and purple drapes making a visual reminder of the solemnity of the day.
College life immersed me in Methodism, so one can imagine the significance of music and of Wesley hymns with their rousing tunes and familiar words. Chapel was an option everyday of the week and so the place of formal worship in daily life was established. Did this become habit? Was this attractive as an activity for friends together?
Already elements of faith are evident: familiarity with its sense of reassurance and comfort - mood and tone that mark out seasons and are part of how themes of faith are communicated - music that somehow enables the religious poetry of hymns and songs to become ingrained.
I need to unpack the role of the Church, as a community of faith, in the whole business of intellect and sense shaping faith. My thoughts here move on from the first thoughts on Intellect.
Through my childhood 'Junior Church' was a major feature, with adult 'teachers' helping me to learn Bible stories and translate these into a trust in Jesus Christ.
Church life in general has throughout my life provided a framework - with the liturgical year offering times of hope, expectation and celebration (Christmas, Palm Sunday, Easter etc.) as well as times or reflection (Advent, Lent, Holy Week etc.). It has often been the senses that have identified these seasons - at Christmas the familiarity of the story and carols, of the crib and other decorations, the excitement in preparing a Nativity play of some sort. In Holy Week another holiday period marking it out from other weeks, again familiar stories but of a different tone.
During my teenage years in Kingston Good Friday in particular stood out. The Walk of Witness created a very long procession through the town centre. It was in solemn silence and clearly of great importance. A service followed in the URC with familiar hymns and readings. The 'hunger lunch' at the Baptist Church lightened the mood a little, but there was a sacrificial purpose which was clear, though un-said. The afternoon found us in the parish church for the Passion of St John - a plainsong rendition of the Gospel account punctuated by a few chorales that the congregation could join in. Anglican liturgy was evident, with everywhere stripped bare of ornament and purple drapes making a visual reminder of the solemnity of the day.
College life immersed me in Methodism, so one can imagine the significance of music and of Wesley hymns with their rousing tunes and familiar words. Chapel was an option everyday of the week and so the place of formal worship in daily life was established. Did this become habit? Was this attractive as an activity for friends together?
Already elements of faith are evident: familiarity with its sense of reassurance and comfort - mood and tone that mark out seasons and are part of how themes of faith are communicated - music that somehow enables the religious poetry of hymns and songs to become ingrained.
THE CENTRALITY OF RELATIONSHIPS - personal and in the church
Jim is a retired Anglican priest living with dementia. I met him for a conversation on a ‘good day’ and while the conversation was perhaps not very ‘deep’ Jim was quite clear on two things:
Question: ‘As one who has enjoyed keeping abreast of theological developments through your ministry, how do you sustain your faith now that intellect is failing you?'
1. "I value going to church now much more than I have ever done." (Jim and his wife attend the church where they met, were married and all their children were baptised. It is to do with the fellowship within the elderly congregation, as the building burnt down some years ago.) The worship is high Anglican liturgical where there is much to engage the senses and prompt memory and faith.
2. "I depend for everything on Irene" (Jim’s wife). She is better than I at expressing faith in practical ways, in dealing with the family etc.
Jim’s personality allows him to be very much at ease with his situation - accepting those things he can no longer do, while continuing with what he can. He is not frustrated by his dementia that can leave him in limbo, not knowing where he is or what he is doing etc.
Out of this I perceive -
The centrality of relationships to faith - with those we love and who care for us and in whole we place faith instinctively - and with those in the church family who share our faith and who 'hold' it for us when we cannot.
The importance for someone with a life-time within the Church of the familiar liturgy etc.
For Jim a sense that he lives within the grace of God and at ease - not an attitude that is necessarily available to all who live with dementia.
Jim is a retired Anglican priest living with dementia. I met him for a conversation on a ‘good day’ and while the conversation was perhaps not very ‘deep’ Jim was quite clear on two things:
Question: ‘As one who has enjoyed keeping abreast of theological developments through your ministry, how do you sustain your faith now that intellect is failing you?'
1. "I value going to church now much more than I have ever done." (Jim and his wife attend the church where they met, were married and all their children were baptised. It is to do with the fellowship within the elderly congregation, as the building burnt down some years ago.) The worship is high Anglican liturgical where there is much to engage the senses and prompt memory and faith.
2. "I depend for everything on Irene" (Jim’s wife). She is better than I at expressing faith in practical ways, in dealing with the family etc.
Jim’s personality allows him to be very much at ease with his situation - accepting those things he can no longer do, while continuing with what he can. He is not frustrated by his dementia that can leave him in limbo, not knowing where he is or what he is doing etc.
Out of this I perceive -
The centrality of relationships to faith - with those we love and who care for us and in whole we place faith instinctively - and with those in the church family who share our faith and who 'hold' it for us when we cannot.
The importance for someone with a life-time within the Church of the familiar liturgy etc.
For Jim a sense that he lives within the grace of God and at ease - not an attitude that is necessarily available to all who live with dementia.
DEMENTIA & FAITH
The following outlines various aspects of church life and how familiar elements can be key to the faith-life of someone with dementia. I am interested in the fact that it is the faith community, the Church, which enables and holds these 'memories'. Even some with quite advanced dementia can demonstrate recognition of some of these elements, perhaps joining in hymns or prayers, but it is the wider community which is able to offer these.
Many persons with dementia still have a strong faith memory. A person’s faith may bring peace, hope and some sense of familiarity to a loved one with dementia.
The faith memory has its roots in the faith community: the Church, with its memory building sacraments, with its memory-rich hymns and liturgies, with its memory-grounding readings from the scriptures, and with its memory-nurturing community.
Here are aspects of faith that may bring comfort.
Music
Familiar hymns soothe the soul and connect someone with dementia to his or her faith community, despite the level of cognitive loss. Even a person not able to converse with caregivers may quietly sing the right words to an often-repeated and much-loved church hymn.
Scriptures
Psalm 23, John 14 and other familiar passages provide cues to recover the faith memory. Reading is a skill a person with a progressive dementia like Alzheimer’s disease maintains for a long time. Prepare large print cards with a loved one’s favorite scripture verses to read together. The use of visual and touch also cues memory.
Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer is the beautiful over-learned response one remembers. Include it in visits with loved ones who have dementia. And invite their prayers.
Holy Communion
The senses of taste, touch, and smell are often not affected by dementia. They, along with the familiar and rich liturgical rite, allow all to use those still-active senses and partake of Communion in a person’s faith tradition.
The following outlines various aspects of church life and how familiar elements can be key to the faith-life of someone with dementia. I am interested in the fact that it is the faith community, the Church, which enables and holds these 'memories'. Even some with quite advanced dementia can demonstrate recognition of some of these elements, perhaps joining in hymns or prayers, but it is the wider community which is able to offer these.
Many persons with dementia still have a strong faith memory. A person’s faith may bring peace, hope and some sense of familiarity to a loved one with dementia.
The faith memory has its roots in the faith community: the Church, with its memory building sacraments, with its memory-rich hymns and liturgies, with its memory-grounding readings from the scriptures, and with its memory-nurturing community.
Here are aspects of faith that may bring comfort.
Music
Familiar hymns soothe the soul and connect someone with dementia to his or her faith community, despite the level of cognitive loss. Even a person not able to converse with caregivers may quietly sing the right words to an often-repeated and much-loved church hymn.
Scriptures
Psalm 23, John 14 and other familiar passages provide cues to recover the faith memory. Reading is a skill a person with a progressive dementia like Alzheimer’s disease maintains for a long time. Prepare large print cards with a loved one’s favorite scripture verses to read together. The use of visual and touch also cues memory.
Prayers
The Lord’s Prayer is the beautiful over-learned response one remembers. Include it in visits with loved ones who have dementia. And invite their prayers.
Holy Communion
The senses of taste, touch, and smell are often not affected by dementia. They, along with the familiar and rich liturgical rite, allow all to use those still-active senses and partake of Communion in a person’s faith tradition.