PROGRAMMES

HEED THE NEED

GOLDEN AGE CENTRE

MINI EDUCATION CENTRE

CARE AND SHARE

GOLDEN AGE CENTRE
During the eighties there seemed to be much concern for "youth" but little for those "in-age". Just as the parish church initiated an ecumenical bazaar at Christmas time, the Golden Age Centre (GAC) opened on Thursday 2nd October 1986 with participation by the Methodists, RC's of St Francis, and the Garden Church of God, with Rotary West and Soroptomist support. Irene Massiah was its first co-ordinator. Rotary refurbished the Old Vestry and Soroptomists provided $1000 p.a. towards running expenses.

First challenge was transport of senior citizens from their homes and parishioners readily collected and delivered members each Thursday. Apart from outings, weekly meetings had hymn singing and prayers, exercises, games, refreshments and sometimes a visiting speaker. At first, participants were quiet and "turned-in" on themselves: now it is hard to stop them talking and many, many say the GAC is the high point of their week.

The Golden Age Centre celebrates its twentieth anniversary on Thurs 26th October and has produced a full report of its first twenty years.

Many people already help in person and as drivers, providers of refreshments or financially, but further assistance would enable the GAC to do more for the elderly, so please speak to the Rector or any of the Helpers if you would like to be part of this outreach programme.

"We can do no great thing but little things with great love."
Six Helpers brought their cars and each took three Golden Agers for a picnic on the last Thursday in September. Only one member had ever visited St. Philip the Less, Boscobel, so the Priest-in-charge, Archdeacon Emeritus Jimmy Springer, had the Church and bathrooms open for us.

TOP

Home │History │General Info │Programmes │A Look Inside │Projects │Diocese of Barbados

Copyright © St. James Church 2003 All rights reserved
May, 2003