As we enter November we pause to remember, to honour and to show our respect in many ways. We take time to remember the sacrifices made by people in the great wars which provided us with a life of relative security, freedom and abundance. And as we move toward winter and watch the leaves fall from the trees we remember loved ones who have passed away. We reflect on what we have learned, where we have been, and how our lives have been changed by the many important people in our lives.

In November we would like to take some time to focus on the theme of Eldership. We invite you to reflect on the role of elders in our faith community.

Faith is a life long journey, not one that stops when you are baptized, or confirmed. It does not stop when you get married, or have children. It does not stop when you hit 65 and retire, and it certainly does not stop when you move into your 80’s, 90’s, 100’s. The faith journey continues into death and beyond. For as it says in Romans 8:38-39, “I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

With this in mind, I have been reflecting and pondering what the role of seniors and elders are in our midst. Have we lost the role of elders in this post-modern era in our faith community? In this fast paced and constantly changing world, have we forgotten to slow down and take the time to name who our elders are and listen to them? In a world where information is at our finger tips, has the role of elders become unnecessary or obsolete? In a country where seniors are grouped together in care facilities, where extended families are spread across the country have we lost a vital piece of the fabric of who we are? I do not believe these statements to be true.

It saddens me when I hear Elders in our community say:
I have retired from church.
I’ve done just about every role in the church so I don’t have anything more to offer.
There is nothing here for me anymore.
I don’t have the energy to do these things anymore.
I will just slow everyone down.

How can we dispel the myth that seniors are no longer vital to the life and purpose of the church? Perhaps we need to find a new way of acknowledging seniors in the faith community while walking with our seniors as they move into this new stage of life. In some cultures, Elders are story keepers. In the New Testament of the Bible, elders were responsible for the primary leadership and oversight of the church, they taught, they visited the sick, they prayed, and they cared for the church. Elders have a wealth of experience to draw on and provide others with a unique perspective. So what is the role of elders today?

In reflecting on the role elders have played in my own life, it is clear that what has been offered and shared is invaluable. Listening to the stories of how their faith has sustained them and guided them through life fills me with hope.

If I were to sum up what I have received and learned from my elders so far it would be this:
Patience – the importance of slowing down and being present in the moment.
Perspective – as you go through life, your perspective changes and the things that seemed important now may not be later, the immense fear or sadness will lessen with time.
Priorities – always put your loved ones first, find balance between work and play, and do your best but remain humble.
Promise – we are not alone. God is with us, God is caring for us, sustaining us, strengthening us and loving us for who we are.

In a faith community, elders help us to remember where we have been and what we have learned. They remind us to pause and pray, and to have faith – even when things seem impossible, for nothing is impossible for God. I think that we are here to remind our elders that their time has not passed, that their wisdom is essential in understanding God’s call for our community. We need to take time to invite our elders to share their stories, and their wisdom with us.

I cannot adequately express my respect and desire to be with and listen to the wisdom that my elders hold. Being able to live in a multiage community is a gift! Let us take time this month to intentionally listen to our elders, and hear how faith has lead them to this moment. Where do they see the spirit at work in our world, and in our community? Where is God leading us? How has our past led us to this moment and what will we take with us as we move together in to the future?

Let us pause, remember, honour, and show our respect.