Reverend Michael Jackson, who was a director of St John’s Winchester Charity for 26 years, recently published a book on spirituality. He shared his thoughts with The Almshouse Association on the great importance of spiritual development alongside physical and mental health
“If almshouses are to provide holistic care then it is of great importance that residents have the opportunity to nurture their spiritual lives as well as their physical and mental health. Indeed that was often a particular focus of those who established almshouses. Much has been written about the economic and healthcare implications of our ageing population, but it remains of great importance that we do not overlook the spiritual development of residents.
For twenty six years I was director of St. John’s Winchester Charity, one of the oldest members of the Association, which with its own medieval chapel has a long tradition of Christian care. I was also on the Executive Committee of The Almshouse Association for some years representing Hampshire charities. I was ordained as an Anglican priest during my time at the Charity and as a non-stipendiary minister assisted in a benefice outside Winchester whilst continuing my full time job at St. John’s. I developed an interest in what helped our residents to cope in later life, and was particularly interested in the role faith played in this. During my time at St. John’s I led a number of conferences and workshops exploring these issues. One such conference which I chaired for The Association in 2005 was entitled ‘The Spiritual Care of Older People’ and held at St. John’s Hospital Bath. It was always my hope to write more fully about this subject, but that has taken longer than I envisaged because after retirement from St. John’s I spent some years as house for duty vicar of a parish in the Yorkshire Dales. My book has though now finally seen the light of day. It is entitled Still Love Left: Faith and Hope in Later life,* and has a foreword by the Bishop of Leeds.
Still Love Left draws inspiration from poets, writers and Christian theologians to help readers embrace old age in ways that strengthen their faith and build a deep sense of hope in later life. It explores the theme of ageing and spirituality from the perspectives of past, present and future. Through these lenses I consider the spiritual gains which help us to approach old age positively and the qualities which most exemplify a fulfilled old age. I have tried to meld my own experience with current thinking on the subject and to draw insights from a wide range of literary sources.
I am deeply inspired by the way faith and literature engage with each other so draw on poets and novelists as readily as theologians! It is a short book but written with a view to slow reading and reflection. I hope it might inform both trustees and staff of almshouse charities and also residents interested in exploring this subject. “
The Reverend Michael Jackson
[*Still Love Left: Faith and Hope in Later life is published by YouCaxton Publishers at £9.99 and details can be found on their website: https://www.youcaxton.co.uk/still-love-leftmichael-jackson/]
Posted 18 Jan 22