Godly Play Goes to the Nursing Home

By Anne Pirie

It started with a conversation.

My friend, Elsie MacDonald, shared her hope of maintaining meaningful connections with seniors who could no longer attend worship. I talked of offering Godly Play for adults.  What could be done? We read about Lois Howard’s ministry with elderly persons in a nursing home. A phrase leapt out: “to be a loving, accepting presence to often forgotten people”*.  Elsie described aspects of her pastoral visits with seniors: remembering their names, physical touch, speaking tenderly, listening, hugs, giving attention.

Godly Play at the Drew Nursing Home
Godly Play at the Drew Nursing Home

Hmmm…a loving presence: that is what we wanted to be. Godly Play offered a way.

Getting ready:     I wonder how a nursing home is like a parable.

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