Dear Sir,
It’s encouraging to read that Mr Baverstock has been involved with services in care homes in the community for many years (Letters, February en). And I completely agree when he says that it’s time to rethink the traditional hymn/prayer/epilogue that has formed the context of devotions for so long.
This is not simply because there are fewer Christian residents to whom this may be relevant. In our homes (Pilgrims’ Friend Society) residents are drawn from all Protestant denominations with a wide range of ‘traditional’ services, so have differing expectations.
We find that older people, especially those who are frailer, benefit from a fresh approach that invites their participation, arouses their interest and keeps them engaged. So we are producing devotions in a new format that is participative, rather than ‘top down’, and begins with a visual prompt. This has worked well, and we hope to have sets of them available in a couple of months’ time. We are currently considering the best practical delivery format. Needless to say, they retain the essential elements of the gospel.
Yours in Christ,
