Nurturing the spiritual lives of older people
Anna Chaplaincy sprang up from a grass-roots initiative, very much like Messy Church. BRF (Bible Reading Fellowship) was so convinced of its potential that in 2014 the charity launched the Anna Chaplaincy programme to improve the spiritual lives of older people in the UK.
Anna Chaplaincy is one of the leading UK charities offering training and networking in older people’s ministry. A ministry of BRF Ministries (home to Messy Church, Parenting for Faith, and Living Faith) it enables local churches to offer high-quality spiritual care to older people in the community, who may be of strong, little or no faith.
Anna Chaplaincy for Older People is for those who sense a calling to this ministry and the churches or Christian organisations who commit to supporting, mentoring and commissioning them.
You can find more information on the Anna Chaplaincy website, where you can also download a leaflet about Anna Chaplaincy.
Anna was the name chosen for Anna Chaplaincy because of its echoes of the woman, the widow and faithful older person who, together with Simeon, recognised the baby Jesus as the Messiah and proclaimed the good news to the world.
The Anna name also reinforces the fact that much of the work of Anna Chaplains and Anna Friends is with those who have suffered loss and bereavement. It is a ministry that is full of hope and that highlights the tradition of older people having prophetic voices. It recognises that many older people have wisdom to impart to younger generations and life lessons to share when it comes to spiritual formation.
It is an ecumenical, community-based ministry, within a network that promotes the spiritual welfare of older people of strong, little or no faith at all.
The first Anna Chaplain in Ely Diocese was commissioned in April 2023. Since then, Anna Chaplaincy has continued to grow. The following video features an Anna Chaplain in the Diocese, show us what the work of an Anna Chaplain might look like. Pat - An Anna Chaplain in the Diocese of Ely
Anna Chaplaincy in the Diocese of Ely
Are you interested in exploring Anna Chaplaincy for your church? Your local coordinator offers support for you every step of the way. Contact the Rev'd Marie Lucchetta-Redmond, Anna Chaplain and Associate Priest in Girton and Madingley on: anna.chaplaincy@elydiocese.org to find out more.
Anna Chaplaincy News
Find out more about the work of our Anna Chaplains in the Diocese of Ely on our Anna Chaplaincy News page!