Our annual Refresh and Resource Day on Monday this week and held at Portswood Church, brought people working in older people’s ministry together from across Southampton, Hampshire and beyond for a varied and encouraging day focused on staying spiritually strong in ministry and faith.

Our Chairperson, Dr. Esther Clift opened the day with a warm welcome and wishing everyone a “sappy day” — a reflection inspired by John 15 and the image of vines drawing life-giving sap from the vine. She took time to reflect on the losses Caraway has had this year of our founder, Erica to new pastures in Devon, and our dear friend Susan to the Lord, reminding us of the importance of remaining rooted in Christ and connected to one another.

Rev. Dave Hendra led our morning worship with a short though around Psalm 100. He asked us – ‘What is your joyful noise’? He spoke about how much easier it is to carry burdens together than alone, reminding us that God carries our burdens with us.

We then welcomed our Guest Speaker for the day – Henrietta Blythe, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland. She opened in thanks for the work of those in the room, sharing recent personal experience with her own parents and how grateful she was to those who had simply spent time sitting and talking with them. Under the heading ‘Staying Spiritually Strong’, Henrietta then spoke about her experiences supporting persecuted Christians through her work with Open Doors along with personal stories from some of the people they work with. She spoke deeply about faith, suffering, prayer, and the sustaining power of Scripture in some of the world’s most difficult situations for Christians.

Henrietta pointed out that in countries right across the world, Christianity is under attack. But that parallels can be drawn between methods of this attack no matter where it is taking place and has narrowed that to three angles:

1 – The first thing to be attacked is the Bible.

The Word of God is the source of all truth and is the key to spiritual and mental well-being. Those attacking Christianity have recognised the power and importance of the Bible and seek to remove and censure it – often to the extreme. Stories were told of the bravery and lengths people go to to access Scripture covertly. It was a good reminder of how deeply important the Bible and contact with the scriptures is to those older people who may be unable to attend church, or read for themselves as easily as they once did.

She asked us to discuss – ‘How do you use the Bible’.

2 – The second aspect they target is the Body of Christ.

Church leaders, priests, prominent speakers are targeted, as well as their entire extended families in some cases. Groups are dispersed, gatherings are too dangerous, communications with the global Christian community are shut down. Recognising the importance of meeting together for encouragement and worship and the power of collective prayer, the attackers seek to render this impossible. One thing Open Doors seek to do if there is an attack in a particular area is immediately send a member of team to that place so that people there know they are not alone. In our work with older people, it is so important to have fellowship, to have relationship with others, to have people come alongside you so you know that you’re not alone.

We were asked to talk about ‘When you are in pain or struggling, how do you use the Body of Christ for support?’.

3 – The third is how those with a vibrant relationship with the Lord are targeted.

Henrietta talked about how many times, when visiting a community under attack, she had met those that seemed to glow from their personal knowledge and relationship with Jesus. She shared a story of a Muslim women who converted to Christianity and was evicted by her husband along with her 5 children. They were destitute and homeless, she attempted to sell food on the street but with little success and cried out to God. Then one night she had a dream that the Lord had come and stood behind her and spoke to her – she felt a huge warmth. From that night, her street food business started to thrive and the family were able to turn their lives around. Telling her story – her face literally shone with the experience of meeting the Lord.

Henrietta finished by asking us – ‘How well do you know him really? What can you do to get to know him better?’

We can ‘Stay Spiritually Strong’ by ensuring we explore God’s Word through the Bible, use the Body of Christ for fellowship and Prayer, and never stop deepening our personal relationship with Him. These are also the ways we can encourage colleagues and those older people we work with.

Following Henrietta’s wonderful talk, the morning also included three workshops:

  • Open Doors Conversation – further in depth stories and reflections from persecuted Christians around the world with Henrietta and a chance to ask questions.
  • Prayer Workshop – Dave led a group exploring different ways to pray.
  • Journalling Workshop – a creative session led by Ros using images, reflection, and writing things in Journal.

After a delicious lunch provided by the wonderful Maggie, attention turned to mental health and pastoral care in chaplaincy settings. Through a series of real life case studies, the group collectively thought about how they might respond in some difficult scenrios including dementia distress, carer burnout, and hoarding behaviours.

We reflected on some sobering statistics:

  • 90% of people over 80 have experienced trauma in their lives
  • Over 40% of older people in care homes experience depression
  • 57% of unpaid carers report feeling overwhelmed

We considered practical ways to respond using the CARE model for Mental Health First Aid:

  • C – Check for risk
  • A – Apply non-judgemental communication
  • R – Reassure
  • E – Encourage professional support

After a second round of workshops, the day ended with a closing reflection and blessing from BRF’s Julia Burton-Jones.

It was a wonderful day full of encouragement, learning, prayer, and fellowship — reminding us that none of us walks this journey alone. Coming together as a community to meet with and encourage each other is so important.

A huge Thank you to our speakers, Caraway staff and volunteers.