Spring 2021
Rediscovering meaning and purpose Through our compassionate presence, Life Care’s chaplaincy team continues to accompany residents, along with their loved ones and staff, through the joys, sorrows and transitions of life. While all of us continue to adapt to the challenges of the pandemic, we have forged ahead with innovations and opportunities to strengthen and develop our chaplaincy service. Life Care is a member organisation of Meaningful Ageing Australia, the peak body for spiritual support in aged care. This year we have integrated one of its best practice resources, ConnecTo, into our process of seeking to understand the religious and spiritual care needs of older people who live in our homes. ConnecTo is a spiritual care screening tool. It asks people: “What’s most important to you?” and supports them to identify areas of their lives that offer meaning and purpose. It explores connectedness through the lens of relationship with self, with others, with nature, creativity, and with “something bigger”, which for many people includes religion or faith. ConnecTo also helps identify ways people have become disconnected from deeply meaningful parts of their lives, whether that be faith, close relationships or nature. People in our care can be supported by chaplains and other staff to explore how to re-connect and rediscover meaning, purpose and hope. In this edition of Church Link, it is also exciting to share with you our new training partnership with Tabor College with our first ministry student on placement with Reynella chaplain Lorraine Croker. We are also celebrating the ministry of retiring Parkrose Village chaplain, Peter Bradley, who has been greatly
Nigel Uppill respected and loved in the community because of his dedication to forming rich relationships with many over the past five years. We are pleased to introduce Anthony Hill, who has been appointed to take up the mantle of care at Parkrose Village. Life Care’s chaplaincy team asks for your support in two important ways. Firstly, we have some excellent opportunities for people of all ages to help bring love, joy and hope to older people by volunteering in our homes, and we would love to hear if you would like to join us. Secondly, we value your continued prayers for us as we look to God to sustain us as we serve. Nigel Uppill, Coordinating Chaplain