Stories United:
Harvesting Elders’ Wisdom
Available Now!In September 2008, First†Metropolitan published Stories United: Harvesting Elders’ Wisdom (PDF), the funny, sad, moving and always interesting stories of the first group of sixteen elders as told to their companions.
Stories touch on such themes as early memories, love and friendship, accepting loss and death, building a faith community and the many faces of God.
The book is available at a cost of $22 through the First†Metropolitan church office, by mail (download a copy of the order form [PDF]), locally in Victoria through Koinonia Books, or nationally through the United Church of Canada Resource Distribution .
Twelve volunteer lay persons have been trained as spiritual companions to help elders reflect on their life experience and record the spiritual lessons at First†Metropolitan United Church. The program is designed to reduce the isolation of elderly, frail members of First†Met through building a mutual spiritual friendship, and to ensure the wisdom of our elders is passed on through an Honour Our Stories project.
First†Met hopes to grow as a community in which all members are valued and involved regardless of their age or physical circumstances. The volunteer companions are “hearts with ears and a pen” and meet with their elders every two or three weeks to record their stories and build a relationship.
For more information or to participate as an elder or companion, please contact Terry Dance-Bennink at (250) 220-6834 or by email at tmdance@shaw.ca.
Category: Pastoral Care | Also filed under: Church Work |