Seniors Week - Riverlinks
Aileen Atkins enjoyed listening to her great-nephew Stephen Atkins' music at the Seniors Week concert at St David's Church, Riverside. Photo Jenny Pedley
Reaching out to seniors
The congregation at St David’s Church Riverside have been reaching out to seniors in their area for two years by providing a special weekday service, Friday, twice a year. The last one was held during Seniors Week on 2 October this year.
Stephen Atkins, a well known young Gospel singer from Devonport, who makes his living as a musician, was engaged as the attraction/entertainment for the afternoon. Stephen played piano for some pieces and sang and played for others. His repertoire included Amazing Grace, the Seekers song Another you, as well as some of his own writings.
They all spoke to our hearts of the love and grace of God and of times gone by. All really enjoyed his music and had the opportunity to buy or order CDs.
Stephen also provided his father Peter for the sermon during the short service which was held first at 2.00pm. Peter was delighted to have this opportunity to speak the Gospel to his contemporaries.
It turned out that he had a lot in common with many of the parishioners. He had gone to school with one and lived in the parish of Kentish where another had worshipped as a child.
Also Peter’s aunt and uncle, Ken and Aileen Atkins, had been involved with St David’s and had been involved in the building of the church in 1963.
It was all very amazing! His talk was described by our enabler as ‘winsome’. I am very sure it did win some.
The ladies provided a sumptuous afternoon tea, with their own beautifully embroidered cloths and brought along their prettiest cups, saucers and plates which added an old-world atmosphere of yesteryear to the presentation of the afternoon tea.
Paintings and old photos, brought from homes, were displayed to give a relaxing, homely feel to the hall. Flowers lent a Spring feeling along with the beautiful sunny day.
One of our ladies fellowship groups agreed in their next meeting that it had been a very enjoyable, lovely afternoon’s outing.
From Jenny Pedley