Anna Chaplaincy

Anna Chaplains are named after the widow, Anna, who appears with Simeon in Luke’s gospel at Candlemas, in the Temple. Simeon and Anna are good role models of faithful older people, and Anna Chaplains are there for people of strong, little or no faith at all. Their purpose is to offer spiritual support to older people living in care homes, sheltered housing complexes, and to promote the spiritual welfare of older people in the wider community. Anna Chaplains also support those facing challenges of living independently, along with support for their relatives and carers.

In a society and church increasingly made up of older people, there are more and more people who feel themselves to be beyond the interest and concern of the wider community. Anna Chaplaincy seeks to accompany older people at this stage of their lives, as an ecumenical, community-based, person-centred, and non-judgmental ministry promoting the spiritual welfare of older people.

Avon Valley Community Matters funds the training and supports the work of our two local Anna Chaplains, Mary Melbourne and Julie Francis. For more information, please email avcommunitymatters@gmail.com.