for a while this morning.
I am headed off to the little craft group at the church on the hill. Middle Cat and I discussed this and she asked our GP when she had an appointment earlier in the week. We decided it was safe for me to go.
The group is tiny compared with most church based craft groups around the city. This is probably because the church itself is rather out of the way. There is no public transport close to hand and the church is not on a main road.
It is one of the oldest churches in the city and located on a quiet corner amid trees. Naturally it is heritage listed. The stained glass windows alone would make it worthy of heritage listing but there is also a particularly fine organ. We have a CD of music played on that organ and, if you listen carefully, there is a bird joining in for a brief moment at one point.
Most of those who attend the church are "elderly". I think the Senior Cat may be the most elderly of all but there are others in their nineties, at least two of whom go to the craft group and drive themselves there. Most of the others would be in their eighties.
The curate is less than half their age.
It is the second time I have been to the group. I went in February to talk to them about making squares for "Replanting Australia". At that time the convenor of the group thought I might come back in early August but things have changed rapidly since then. Today is the last time the group will meet for now.
I was thinking about this yesterday. There will be groups that do not survive because of the present pandemic situation. If they cannot meet for six months those who are less keen will also be less likely to return. Where there are many elderly people in the group there may be some who will, sadly, no longer be with us - and more of them than might otherwise have been. Others will simply feel that it is not worth the effort of attending. They will have learned to cope without the group or groups they once enjoyed. Those who who have elected roles may not be able to continue - or not wish to do so. Life is going to change.
But those groups will still be important, perhaps even more important than before. There are often related Facebook groups. Those groups may become even more important than before but they will need to be managed well. People will need to feel welcome there, particularly older people and people who are not used to the ways in which such groups function.
I know those groups vary greatly in the degree of control the administrators choose to have over them. Some groups are tightly controlled, others are more relaxed and friendly. Social media can be a force for good and, at present, it might also be a substitute for face-to-face interactions. It is important that people feel welcome. I hope the fledgling group I set up for the Replanting Australia project will always make people feel welcome.
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2 comments:
Morning Cat
My group in 'The Hills' will continue, but in these trying times, so the exec committee have decided to establish a phone tree. Most of our members are in the 'At Risk' group and will be isolated and stressed by unfolding events.
There are about 20 members in the group so we will contact everyone once a fortnight, or more if we feel there is a need. Just to let them know they are not alone and check if they need anything. Some don't use online social media, so we are going 'old school' :-D
Linda
Sounds like a very good plan - and the priest at the church was outlining another plan for people to keep in touch as it looks as if CofE services will also be cancelled - and the Senior Cat won't be going to church anyway. We have also cancelled his non-essential medical appointments...but will monitor the situation.
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