Nostalgia Now
Let the stocktake begin!
Tasmanian Anglican asked Bruce Geeves to
review Nostalgia Now in the light of his expectations and
the development of this ministry.
Tasmanian Anglican: Bruce, how old is
old?
Bruce Geeves: That depends! People will often deny
their ageing process, yet how much time do you spend as you
get older, trying to discuss your medical condition as light
entertainment or conversation?
Nostalgia Now has been going for about 18 months. What
started all this? What were your expectations?
At first I thought my vision was to help the elderly to
reminisce, but it has been more than that. I am thankful
that God has opened this door to me. I felt that it needed
to be ‘people’ rather than a ‘program’.
For the first few months I got to know clergy and lay
leaders so as to see how I could supplement what they were
doing, rather than do a program just for the sake of it.
What needs do you think this ministry can
address?
The need to interact with other people and be valued is
important for the elderly, so they can keep their mind in
the present as well as share valuable and rich memories.
Everybody has a story. But some people fear that others
might see it as boring. (Some are, (and a ‘gong’
is needed!).
No doubt there were some frustrations along the
way.
Oh yes! The main one is that I don’t have enough
time with people. That, and the lack of confidence in many
seniors: they don’t feel their memories are of interest
to anyone else. Also parishes need to ‘own’
Nostalgia Now; the memories and reminiscences can be great
tools for outreach to other elderly.
What inspires and pleases you about this
ministry?
I am constantly amazed when people say that they are very
ordinary, yet in their lives they have faced huge trials
with a sure confidence and trust in Christ. This is a
challenge and inspiration for me.
To be able to bring a little bit of joy, by sharing the
good news of Jesus is incredibly satisfying. Going into
nursing homes, parishes and equipping lay people to share
their faith with friends wherever God has placed them has
given me a bit of a buzz.
So how do you think Nostalgia Now has met
expectations? What is your ‘stocktake’ of
it?
Churches have really begun to value the spiritual
heritage of seniors in their own congregations. I have been
working on some follow up material to maintain the
evangelistic focus, so that momentum will not be lost.
Do you feel encouragement to continue?
For sure. I’ve had a mountain of support from
people. It has been great to be invited to churches around
Tasmania and other Dioceses to tell others about the
ministry.
What about future directions? Will Nostalgia Now
continue?
Certainly, for as long as it is relevant. I hope we can
form a network of people who work with seniors to
co-ordinate activities throughout the State, with a prayer
network for those in pastoral care in nursing homes. Coming
up is a Bible conference for seniors and a camp for people
aged over 50, who can reflect on their lives and gain
strength as they face the future.
Well, we have done the stocktake. How would you sum up
Nostalgia Now?
It has given people purpose, endurance and hope and the
need to hear and re-tell it and share the joy. You
can’t help but see that faith is essential to surviving
life and sharing the stories is a vital part of that.
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