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Sunday Worship: Lost Years

Lost Years

BBC Radio 4 - Sunday Worship, Lost Years

A moment of remembrance led by the Archbishop of York marks the loss of over 125,000 lives

A moment of remembrance led by the Archbishop of York marks the loss of over 125,000 lives as the nation prepares to mark the anniversary of lockdown. Leader: Debbie Thrower.

As the nation is about to mark the anniversary of the first lockdown, Debbie Thrower - broadcaster and founder of Anna Chaplaincy which promotes the spiritual welfare of older people - marks the loss of more than one hundred and twenty five thousand lives to the pandemic in the United Kingdom. Many of those who died were in their later years – some living in care homes. There are currently 160 or so Anna Chaplains (and others in equivalent roles) in the national network ministering to older people across the UK. Named after the widow, Anna, in Luke's gospel, the chaplains help older men and women reflect on the narrative of their lives, to seek meaning and purpose and to foster hope and resilience in old age. The Anna name reinforces the fact that much of the work is with those who have suffered loss and bereavement. Yet it is a hope-filled ministry, highlighting the tradition of older people having prophetic voices. It recognises that many in retirement have wisdom to impart to younger generations, and key life lessons to share spiritually and in other ways. Appropriately, for a ministry that is a gracious offering from church to the community, the name Anna means ‘gift’ or ‘grace’. Preacher: The Very Revd Catherine Ogle, Dean of Winchester, and with a Moment of Remembrance led by the Archbishop of York. Reading: Luke 7:11-17; Producer: Philip Billson

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