Recently I mentioned on our WhatsApp group GoDeacons that I was starting a Guild of Simeon and Anna for the older members of our parishes, who can no longer get to church. This was the brainchild of All Saints’ Church Doddinghurst (diocese of Chelmsford) http://www.all-saints-doddinghurst.co.uk/guild-of-simeon-and-anna. There was quite a lot of interest among my fellow deacons, so here’s some more information.
The beauty of this Guild is that it’s very simple to set up. It also means that our older members are not just ‘receivers’ from church members, but also ‘givers’, able to provide much-needed intercession. The Guild gives them an identity and a purpose, and is connected to the life of the whole parish.
What strikes me is how easily this would mesh with Anna Chaplains http://www.annachaplaincy.org.uk around the country, who are already in touch with this age group, and who could easily take charge of the project alongside other members of the churches who visit the homebound. When I discussed it with an Anna Chaplain friend, she was delighted and is seriously considering starting a little Guild in her retirement block of flats.
Process
Our vicar gave the idea an enthusiastic welcome, and I prepared a short explanation to go to both PCCs. To my joy, they agreed to it unanimously.
I was already involved in taking round home Communions. It is a simple matter to raise this subject with those I am visiting, giving them the description below and talking it through with them. Each member also receives a welcome letter from the vicar, and a prayer card with the Guild prayer on it.
The prayer card is simply a piece of A5 card, folded in half so that it can stand on a mantlepiece or shelf. The image on the front is of Simeon, Anna, the baby Jesus and his parents and can be chosen from free images to suit the spirituality of the church. All Saints church have an icon on the front of their card: we aren’t a very icony church so we chose a clear and colourful image. Inside the card there is the Guild Prayer, another short explanation of the Guild (given that people’s memories are not always perfect!) and on the back, the church logo and the vicar’s contact details.
Here’s a copy of the explanation for each potential member:
The Guild of Simeon and Anna: an explanation for members
The Guild of Simeon and Anna was started about 10 years ago by All Saints’ Church Doddinghurst (diocese of Chelmsford) who wanted to enable their older members to form a praying heart for the parish. Their vicar, Rev Ann Coleman, says “I know that we could not engage in all that is happening in our little vibrant community without the prayer of the Guild.”
What is the Guild of Simeon and Anna?
The Guild is a fellowship of Christian disciples of more senior years who commit to offering prayer for the life of the churches and communities once a week, or more often, in your own homes. Older people of faith who can no longer get to church have huge potential to be a major prayer resource and channel of God’s grace for our parishes.
Simeon and Anna (Luke 2: 22-38) are models of Christian discipleship. They show us that the gifts of age and experience are important. God’s calling to prayer may also help us to speak into situations with wisdom and insight like theirs.
Who can join?
The Guild is particularly focused on those who are no longer able to get to church, but still consider themselves part of St Paul’s and Christchurch. Belonging to the Guild makes you part of a prayer powerhouse for the churches and the whole benefice.
What does it involve?
- Agreeing to pray for the life of our churches and communities at least once a week in your own home, using your own prayers, the Lord’s Prayer and the Guild prayer. This time of prayer can be any length.
- Each member of the Guild receives a prayer card with the Guild prayer, and a letter from the vicar, welcoming you.
- Prayer items will be updated as often as possible.
- The Church will pray for members of the Guild every week.
- Guild members will be invited to a tea each year hosted by the churches.-
- The wardenship of the Guild will be shared between members of a small pastoral team (I think this is where Anna chaplains could come in).
Updating Guild members with prayer requests needs careful thought: even though older people may have mobile phones, often they aren’t confident using them so we’re not able to update them by text. Most will need a paper copy, updated at least monthly.
Guild Prayer
God our Loving Father,
Thank you for calling us to this ministry
of prayer for your people, following
the example of Simeon and Anna.
As members of the body of Christ,
here in the benefice/parish of ….
may we so shine with Christ’s light,
through our words and actions,
that others may be drawn to follow Jesus
and our churches be transformed into a community
of peace and love; through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
CofE Network of Distinctive Deacons 
Thank you so much for sending this to me. My Diocese insists I must retire at the age of 73, yet most of our regular worshippers on Sundays are older than me and those whom I visit at home appreciate being linked with their church network . i For many people whom I visit or home, Holy Communion is a regular link with their church family and most of them remember the older liturgies. They may not know what day it is or what they had for breakfast, but as soon I begin with “Almighty God to whom all hearts are open ..” they are able to join in with the familiar responses, So thank God for Anna and Simeon! Jennifer
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I’m glad you like it, Jen. It helps older people (even older than us, in some cases …) to feel they are contributors, with a valuable part to play, rather than net receivers. That’s important for our dignity as children of God. I hope you adopt the Guild in your parish.
Gill K
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