By Grace Thornton
The Alabama Baptist
When Bert Fowler takes his church’s senior adult choir to the local nursing homes, technically the 30 minutes of music is supposed to be the main event.
But to Fowler, it’s really the pre-show and post-show that count.
“We go early and stay late,” he says of their once-a-month gigs at each of the three area nursing homes and the local assisted-living facility. “We shake a hand and hug a neck. And we listen to their stories.”
‘As easy as it comes’
It’s about as simple as it could possibly be, said Fowler, associate pastor of worship and senior adults at First Baptist Church, Russellville, in Franklin Baptist Association. “If someone is looking to get involved in ministry, this is about as easy as it comes.”
But it’s very effective, he said — it meets a big need.
“Some of the residents of these places are so lonely, and it can be so depressing and disheartening to be in a building surrounded by people and feel so much loneliness,” he said. “They just want someone to give them a hug, tell them it’s nice to see them and then listen to them.”
So Fowler said he and his senior adult choir members pull up a chair. Different residents have different needs and different abilities, and for a while, he said he wasn’t sure quite where to start.
Basic questions
“I just learned to ask some basic questions,” he said.
Questions like:
• Are you from here?
• How long have you lived here?
• Tell me about your family. How long were you married?
• How did you meet your spouse?
“I have had some of them tell me fascinating stories. It’s a blessing to me,” Fowler said. “And the workers say that regular physical contact, familiarity and having someone pay attention to them helps them live longer.”
It’s such a small thing that can help so much, he said. “We sing the old hymns that they love. It gives us an open door to visit the nursing homes. And once we’re there, we can offer something simple that goes a long way.”
Eileen Mitchell, an associate in the office of Sunday School and discipleship at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, said nursing home ministry is a way to share the love of Jesus with a group of people who may never have other visitors.
Staying connected
“It is also a great way to stay connected with church members who reside in these homes,” she said. “I’ve heard many say that those making the visits receive the greater blessing as they minister.”
Don and Mary Albrethsen, members of Southside Baptist Church, Alabaster, in Shelby Baptist Association, say they would definitely agree with that sentiment.
For the past five months, Don Albrethsen has led a Bible study in a local nursing home, a ministry that got started after they went to visit a friend’s mother-in-law who lived there.
“It’s been surprising how it’s just developed,” he said. “People started coming, and they have started being honest and sharing more than I ever thought they would.”
Social interaction
He said he’s found the same thing Fowler did — that they are hungry for meaningful social interaction.
“They don’t want to be patronized. They want to talk with someone about life’s problems,” Don Albrethsen said. “I find often that I can listen and be of help to them.”
Mary Albrethsen agreed.
“They want a touch from the outside world,” she said. “They may be dealing with a variety of different problems, but I’ve found that God gives us the words to say. It’s been a very fulfilling experience.”
Danny Dean, pastor of Spring Creek Baptist Church, Honoraville, in Butler Baptist Association, said ministering to residents of the nursing home in Greenville has become part of the fabric of his church over the years.
“Every fifth Sunday, we cancel our Sunday night service and all get on the bus and go to the nursing home for the afternoon,” he said.
Their pianist plays, the choir sings and Dean gives a devotional. And when they’re done, they circle again around the common need — contact and conversation.
“When we’re done, all of our people greet and fellowship as long as the folks there will stay awake,” he said with a laugh. “These folks aren’t able to get out, so they truly love it. They have made us a part of them.”
Most of the people there were devoted members of churches when they were able to attend, Dean said. “They really truly want to worship.”
And once a quarter, Spring Creek throws a party for all the recent birthdays.
That sort of ministry is therapy for the residents of nursing homes, said Tim Hall, minister of music and senior adults at First Baptist Church, Demopolis, in Bethel Baptist Association.
Singing together
That’s why he also takes a senior adult choir from his church to local nursing homes and assisted living facilities on the second Tuesday of every month.
“We have a really good time and just all sing old hymns together,” Hall said. “Their eyes brighten up. It’s physically, spiritually and emotionally healthy for them to get together and sing. And we’re providing a human touch and sharing the gospel through our actions and our words.”
It’s simple, he said. “But that’s the reason we go.”
_____________________________________________________________________
Eastmont Baptist takes VBS to nursing homes
Billy Dickey said that it’s easy to see that the biggest need among assisted living residents is face-to-face time with people who care.
That’s one thing he loves about senior adult Vacation Bible School (VBS) — it gives him and other volunteers almost three hours of uninterrupted time with them.
“It brightens their day, and hearing their story enlightens you,” said Dickey, discipleship and senior adult pastor at Eastmont Baptist Church, Montgomery, in Montgomery Baptist Association.
Covering the area
During senior adult VBS, he lines up teams of five or six people to split up and go to five to eight of the assisted living facilities in the area and run a morning or afternoon session in each one for three days.
Guest speakers
“I line up people to speak. Sometimes it’s comedy, sometimes something else,” Dickey said.
They also have a Bible study, games, refreshments and a craft chosen with the abilities of the residents in mind. A choir will also come sing for them one day, and someone at each location will lead in singing gospel songs.
“They just like to see new faces and sit down and talk,” Dickey said. And after a little while of investing this way, the nursing home starts calling them to see if they can come back more often.
“The workers there like to see new faces coming in to help them,” he said. “That opens doors for us to come regularly and visit.” (TAB)
Share with others: