God called Jeremiah to be a prophet during a turbulent time. Jeremiah responded to the needs of his people by proclaiming the message of God’s judgment and hope.
What is one of the great needs within CPC during the pandemic? How has the Lord called us to respond to this need?
Seniors within our congregation would certainly be considered as a group in need of our care. Seniors are usually less resourceful, less adaptable and not at all technology savvy compared with younger folks. And during the pandemic, all those abilities are critical in maintaining a person’s well-being. So, seniors are at a disadvantage.
According to a rough estimate late last year, there were around 200 seniors who were 60 or over across all of our congregations with about 20 of them staying in nursing homes. In order to care for our seniors more effectively, we have hired a part-time Senior Care Coordinator recently utilising funds designated for the senior’s ministry.
Our church volunteers have been faithful in caring for our seniors since the pandemic. Some took turns calling up seniors each week. One senior commented warmly that a volunteer had contacted her more than 30 times since then. Others bought food for seniors who live alone. All this care and actions of kindness have been greatly welcomed by our seniors.
Since becoming our Senior Care Coordinator, Diana has helped to coordinate initiatives for seniors and train volunteers. There were around 40 seniors for the PWA and Men’s fellowship online meeting in September. Some seniors were not able to use the online conference tools so they were on the phone listening in. The coordination to get all seniors online was not an easy job. In an effort to include the views of seniors in the Cantonese survey, volunteers were trained to call up seniors and take them through each survey question over the phone. They spent a considerable time with each senior to discuss and to share.
With such a big number of seniors among us, there is still much to be done to meet their needs. Some seniors might have been overlooked or not being supported as much as they would like. If you are a senior who needs better support, please share your need with us.
It is not easy to stay connected with seniors who are at nursing homes or who are less mobile. Recently, one member who lives alone fell down and was taken to hospital only on the next day. Neither the family nor the church was aware of the situation until the next day.
Would you please support us by praying for the ministry for seniors? May the Lord open our eyes and our hearts to see and to respond to the many needs of our congregations.
神是在一個動盪的時代呼召耶利米作先知的，而耶利米回應祂子民的需要，宣告神審判和盼望的信息。
在這個全球性的疫情下，華人長老會其中一樣最大的需要是甚麼呢？神如何呼召我們回應這個需要呢？
我們會眾中的長者們應是被關懷的一群。長者通常都比年輕一輩有較少的資源，適應能力較弱，也對科技較少接觸和認識。在疫情下，這些資源和能力是對保持身心康泰非常重要，所以長者就會吃虧。
根據去年底一項粗略的統計，我們教會共有約二百位六十歲以上的長者，其中有大約二十位在護老院居住。為了有效地照顧長者的需要，教會用了專用在長者事工的基金，聘請了一位兼職長者關懷聯絡員。
從疫情開始，教會當中也有不少義工在忠心地照顧我們的長者。有一些義工每星期輪流打電話給長者。有一位長者開心地分享到其中一位義工一共打了超過三十次電話給她。也有一些義工為獨居的長者購買食物。所有愛心的行動和關懷都令長者感到被關愛。
鄧鄭丹瑜女士成為兼職長者關懷聯絡員後，協助我們統籌鼓勵長者的活動及訓練義工。在九月份我們舉行了一次在線團契聚會，有大約四十位婦女弟兄團契的長者參加，有一些長者未能使用線上會議平台，所以他們是用電話連線收聽。要透過網絡聯繫所有長者實在不是一件簡單的事情。為了在粵語堂的調查問卷中容納長者的意見，義工們接受了培訓，通過電話讓長者們表達對每個調查問題的意見。他們花了相當的時間與每位長者談論和分享。
有著這麼多的長者在我們中間，其實需要真的很大。一些長者可能被忽視了或有沒有得到他們所期望的關懷。如果您是一名長者又想更好地被關顧，請與我們分享您的需求。
與居住在護老院的，或一些交通或行動不便的長者保持聯繫是不太容易的。最近，有一位獨居的會友在摔倒後的第二天才被送往醫院。因為無論家人或教會都是在第二天才知道這個情況。
請大家都支持我們，在關懷長者事工上切切代禱好嗎？願主打開我們的眼睛和心靈，讓我們看到並回應會眾中的許多需求。
