by Liz Hogarth

Pioneering efforts to reach out to residents of a nursing home complex in southwest Sydney were commended recently by the Archbishop of Sydney, Dr Peter Jensen.

“This is a good example of the diocesan mission at work in a location and setting outside the actual church building,” said Dr Jensen of the work of the four-strong team from St Alban’s, Macquarie Fields at the Frank Whiddon Masonic Homes in Glenfield.

Over the past two years, three additional church services have been started for residents who suffer from varying degrees of dementia, making a total of ten services per month. The combined ministry now reaches 250 out of the 460 residents of the Masonic Homes.

The team heading up the ministry comprises the Rev Rod Casten, 54, a retired Congregational minister and Anglican lay reader, John Munns, 64, and his wife Marelle, 62, a retired couple, and Beryl Long, a resident of the Homes. Together the group has also started four men’s groups, averaging ten regular attendees.

“These aren’t Christian groups,” said Mr Munns of the men’s meetings. “Men find it hard to open up to people and so we just encourage them to meet and talk. We talk about anything. But, of course, if church does come up we do talk about that.”

Mr and Mrs Munns also organise regular musical outreach events which attract around ten to 30 people. They say they were heartened by the recent high turnout for special Easter and Anzac Day services.

The amount of time Mr and Mrs Munns devote to the Homes has grown significantly over the past few years. The couple are the official voluntary Pastoral Care ministry team, a role they embarked on after taking the Anglicare ‘Foundation for Christian Living’ course. Both are now able to spend 15 hours per week attending to the personal and spiritual needs of the residents and staff. “It is very exciting, particularly working with those with dementia,” said Mr Munns. “We are so grateful to God for this rewarding and needy ministry, and the support of the staff.”

The Rev Hugh Isaacs, rector of St Alban’s, paid tribute to the team’s commitment, and said their ministry is having a significant impact on the nursing home community. “John was recently asked to take a memorial service for all those who had died over a recent period,” Mr Isaacs said. “It is notable that it was not clergy who were asked to take this service, but a layman who has credibility.”