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| Intergenerational Activities at MWS-Charis ACE |
'Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. The one who falls alone is in real trouble' Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT)
When my late father was alive, on the first day of every Chinese New Year we celebrated two birthdays, his and my grandson, James. They were both born on first day of the New Year which means that at every CNY we will be celebrating their Chinese birthdays. Such birthday celebrations are a big deal to our extended family, altogether 43 of us spanning three generations. We count it very fortunate that we are a close knit family and will find reasons, ever so often, to be together.
Such extended family gatherings are becoming a rarity in modern urban societies. Today, many families are separated, fiercely independent more nuclear than extended. The old people in these families become secluded in their small apartments in empty nests as the children leave home to establish their own nuclear families. This world has lost its sense of community. The ‘kampong’ (village) spirit is long gone. In its place is a selfish, ego-centric individualistic modern reality; the old left alone at home.
The song by Ralph McTell, 'The Streets of London' describes a pathetic loneliness amongst the old, that exists in our crowded cities. There is a very tragic line in the song, 'The rain cries little pity for one more forgotten hero and a world that doesn’t care.'
Have you seen the old man
In the closed down market
Kicking up the papers
With his worn out shoes?
In his eyes, you see no pride
Hand held loosely at his side
Yesterday's paper
Telling yesterday's news
So, how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of London
Show you something to make you change your mind
Have you seen the old girl
Who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair
And her clothes in rags?
She's no time for talking
She just keeps right on walking
Carrying her home
In two carrier bags
So, how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of London
Show you something to make you change your mind
In the all night cafe
At a quarter past eleven
Same old man
Sitting there on his own
Looking at the world
Over the rim of his tea cup
Each tea lasts an hour
And he wanders home alone
So, how can you tell me you're lonely?
Don't say for you that the sun don't shine
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of London
Show you something to make you change your mind
Have you seen the old man
Outside the seaman's mission
Memory fading with
The medal ribbons that he wears?
In our winter city
The rain cries a little pity
For one more forgotten hero
And a world that doesn't care
So, how can you tell me you're lonely
And say for you that the sun don't shine?
Let me take you by the hand
And lead you through the streets of London
I'll show you something to make you change your mind
Erich Fromme in his book “The Sane Society” wrote, “There is not much love to be found in the world of today. There is a superficial friendliness that rather conceals a distance and indifference, a subtle mistrust.” Psychologist Karen Horney wrote, “The average individual today, even when they have many contacts with others and are happily married nevertheless feel comparatively emotionally isolated. They are hungering for a great deal of affection and yet find great difficulty in obtaining it.”
Can the church fill this gap? Is there a Christian community spirit today?
- Phase 1: Growing Old Gracefully. We invited the elderly in the community to join us at our centre and participate in the activities organised from 9 a.m to 5 p.m, Mondays thru Fridays. Until then they were mostly alone in their apartments whilst their children are out working and the grandchildren in school. Today we have about 200 members with different 80 members attending the centre daily. They are interacting with each other, exercising, playing board games, singing Karaoke, playing Ukelele, having happy hours celebrating their birthdays. Excursions to various attractions and shopping centres are organised.
- Phase 2: Growing Old Healthily. The staff from the local hospitals and the Healthy Promotion Board gave lectures on health issues of the elderly. They started to monitor their blood pressures and weight. Everyone is given a annual health screening. Supervised exercise classes are held three mornings a week. A nurse will visit the centre for consultations if required. Each member takes personal responsibility over personal health
- Phase 3: Growing Old, Reaching Out. Under supervision by the Health agency, Agency for Integrated Care (AIC), the centre started reaching out to elderly sick who may be less mobile. Staff and members are trained in Health Befriender Programmes and given a list of elderly people in the neighbourhood to visit and inquire into their health issues. This phase attempts to empower the capable elders to reach out to their neighbours by telephone communications or home visits
This engagement is how love and community is expressed by the church written in the Bible as Koinonia. As we worship God in a vertical relationship, we also establish fellowship with others in a horizontal relationships. We can then face future challenges undaunted, the elderly will grow old together gracefully as:
A Sharing People
A Generous People
Secondly, Koinonia means a generous community. It is interesting that the apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians used the same word for the offering he was raising from the Greek churches in aid of their fellow Christians in impoverished Judea. The church is a fellowship of people who exhibit the principle of generosity. We should give freely as we see the needs of others within and without the church.
A Engaged People
Thirdly Koinonia carries the principle of Engagement; of Total Commitment. We are not afraid to live lives of interdependence with one another. Engagement goes beyond just church members or Christians but to the community and society at large. We are true neighbours, brothers and sisters. We are comrades, sharing our joys and pains. We are united by common experiences, interests and goals. We are God’s Lively People
The Bible states
'And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.' Hebrews 10:24-25
The apostle Peter wrote,
“Love each other deeply, because love will cause many sins to be forgiven. Open your homes to each other, without complaining. Each of you has a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God’s various gifts of grace.” 1 Pet 4:8-10.
That main objective of the Methodist Welfare Society - Charis Methodist Church Activity Centre for Elders is to 'Reach Out and Touch Somebody's Hand.'
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Take a little time out your busy day
To give encouragement
To someone who's lost the way (Just try)
Or would I be talking to a stone
If I asked you
To share a problem that's not your own (Oh no)
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
If you see an old friend on the street
And he's down
Remember his shoes could fit your feet (Just try)
Try a little kindness and you'll see
It's something that comes
Very naturally (Oh yeah)
We can change things if we start giving
Why don't you (Why don't you)
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand
Reach out and touch (reach out)
Somebody's hand
Make this world a better place
If you can
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand (touch somebody's hand)
Make this world a better place
If you can (why don't you)
Reach out and touch
Somebody's hand (somebody's hand)
Make this world a better place
If you can
Lionel
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