Ann's Story
Most 79 year olds who have led an active and productive life might be tempted to sit down, rest their feet and let everyone else get on with it. But not Ann Walker. This spry 79 year old has found a new outlet for her desire to serve God right under her nose... the retirement village where she now lives!After completing some short courses with Mary Andrews College 12 years ago, Ann decided the time was right to take another look at study. "I wanted some stimulation for myself, brain-wise, but also I was really interested in what was going on in the church and felt that there was a great need, particularly for pastoral care, but also for women in the church to be educated." So Ann signed up for the Ministry With Seniors subject at Mary Andrews College. She recently shared...
"I've learned three things. I have learned a lot about what God says about ageing. It's made me very aware of what the Bible says about ageing and how we can still be of great use, no matter how old we are. The second thing is that it's made me look at my stage of life and what I need to do to put my own life in order.
"Finally, it's made me aware of what I hope to be able to do in the retirement village where I live now. There are 33 people in the village, and there's also a hostel attached with about 50 residents.
"The chaplain at the village said he had found little response from the independent living people at all. He made contact with people, I've got to know them. The people have got to know me first as a person. They all know I'm a Christian, that I go to church, and where I'm coming from. That's made it possible to talk to people and to ask if they would like to have some Christian fellowship.
"There are some people who have been very hurt by the church at different times, and also there are people who really have never had any contact with any religion at all. We have now got nine people who will come to a Christian fellowship once a week!"
"Finally, it's made me aware of what I hope to be able to do in the retirement village where I live now. There are 33 people in the village, and there's also a hostel attached with about 50 residents.
"The chaplain at the village said he had found little response from the independent living people at all. He made contact with people, I've got to know them. The people have got to know me first as a person. They all know I'm a Christian, that I go to church, and where I'm coming from. That's made it possible to talk to people and to ask if they would like to have some Christian fellowship.
"There are some people who have been very hurt by the church at different times, and also there are people who really have never had any contact with any religion at all. We have now got nine people who will come to a Christian fellowship once a week!"
Ann's witness in her village is a testamony to her desire to serve God at her age and stage of life.