The elderly and bereaved: a growing gospel need

“Let me put it this way. I don’t expect there to be many people at my funeral.”

My new friend said this to me as we talked about her imminent 90th birthday. It came in response to a simple question — "How has your week been?"

Hers had been quiet, with jigsaws, gardening and ’keeping herself busy.' She hadn’t seen many people, but that wasn’t unusual, which led to her make that comment. It went deep into my heart.

Our neighbourhood boasts a large population of people who grew up, raised families and retired here, often living in the same home for 50 plus years. It is a village within a city, and still there is so much loneliness.

Covid highlighted the epidemic of loneliness, especially among seniors, often through bereavement and isolation. Out of a vision to reach this group with community that’s rooted in God’s love and justice, comes Poppins, a weekly drop in café, mainly (but not exclusively), for the retired.

We have a partnership with a local, inclusive sport and community centre, which has welcomed us with open arms and a friendly discount at the café, with special Poppins cakes donated by a B-Corp food retailer.

Having started in June 2024, around 25 people have joined us, and we grow as they bring friends. Some came saying, “I’m just coming to show support this one time,” and have come back every week. Of the group, which has an average age of 83, 85 percent are bereaved, and we’re split about 60/40 women and men. It is a thoroughly delightful group of people.

God commanded His people to love and care for widows and the vulnerable based on His character as "the mighty and awesome God, who shows no partiality" (Deut. 10:18). The care of widows is commanded, encouraged, and witnessed throughout the salvation story and life of the first believers.

Poppins is now a tiny part of the witnessing life of the church, and we ask for your prayers.

While I want to respect the secular foundation of the centre that welcomes us, I have made two decisions over the course of our first few months:

Firstly, be unafraid in conversation to ask questions about faith.

Natural openings? Grab ‘em. We all know there is urgency in sharing the hope of Jesus, but it feels more pressing when we celebrate 90th birthdays!

Secondly, create situations to say something about the gospel.

I try to create situations where I can say something to the group, however briefly, about the gospel message. This led to the last Poppins before Christmas being gently different.

One of the teens my church small group brought us live piano music, and I spoke for 30 seconds:

“This is our sixth month anniversary. Poppins is a community where anyone is welcome. Thank you for making it such a special place. It’s appropriate that it falls at Christmas. The Christmas story of Jesus’ birth tells us that God has not left us on our own, so… Happy Christmas!”

My friend believes her funeral will be sparsely attended. I pray she discovers the certainty that she will never be alone if she allows God’s love to welcome her home.

This article is written by Rachel Lane, part of the Passion for Evangelism network. PfE exists to empower, encourage, and equip women to share the good news of Jesus with God-given confidence and creativity.