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Almost 90 attend Age-ability Committee seminar on dementia

Wednesday October 20th 2010

Almost 90 clergy and lay people from across Connor Diocese attended a seminar on the pastoral care of people suffering from dementia organised by the Age-Ability Committee.

Returning to address this very relevant topic was the Rev Dr Heather Morris, who spoke at the committee’s first seminar on dementia two years ago.

The seminar took place from 9.30am until 1.30pm on Wednesday October 20 in the Dunadry Hotel, Templepatrick.

Heather Morris is a Methodist Minister and Director of Ministry at Edgehill Theological College, Belfast, where she has a particular interest in practical care and pastoral theology.  Her PhD in Practical Theology is from the University of Edinburgh and focuses on pastoral communication with confused elderly people.

During the course of the morning, Heather helped participants explore how the Church cares for people affected by dementia, both the individuals themselves and those who care for them.  She reviewed the nature of dementia and some Christian responses to it.

The morning’s two sessions focused on pastoral care, including leading worship that connects with those suffering from dementia and caring for carers, and the seminar gave participants the opportunity to integrate theology and practice.

The Age-Ability Committee was set up under the Diocese of Connor’s Building for Generations initiative. Its aim is to identify some of the circumstances, problems and opportunities common in older age and bring these to the attention of the leadership in each parish.

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