Our church gives a monthly worship service to the Alzheimer’s section of a nearby retirement home. Because their memory is better the longer back that things occur, we use the “old” liturgies – lots of “thee” and “thy” – and they respond very well. Many recall the hymns and join in. (And we use their 48″ flat screen to put up the verses.)
But we also do a special “Christmas hymn sing” where we go to the common area in each of the four wings and sing the old favorites: “Silent Night, Holy Night”; “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”; “Joy To The World”; and etc. You should see their eyes light up as they hear the old words they memorized fifty, sixty or seventy years ago and join in.
The sad part of this? We’re the only group that visits to sing. So if you have a chance to go caroling – especially to the elderly – then DO it! And if you don’t have an Enid to coax you, then YOU be the Enid. You don’t have to have a trained singing voice. All you need is a loving heart. Joy in your voice will always drown out any “clunkers” you might sing.
Pete… I’ve arranged a few singing gigs to a few of the Old Folks’ homes ’round here…. and they (the homes’ activity directors) seemed shocked that there was no fee for our time… they were so excited to have us come… You’d a thought that they’d won the lottery or something. And good on you and yer church for going out and lighting up the world.
brig… Great of you to arrange group festivizings. I recall such gatherings in the past through different church groups. We’d start with tree decorating. But, what was the best, after going out on trooping into cold nights, was coming back to waiting hot cocoas and ciders along with Christmas cookies that were set up in our absences. You know, since your fellow carollers won’t be hitting the streets, you could set things up with the rest homes to possibly involve you and the residents to do some tree trimming, singing and snacking together as a big happy group.
Dada/brig… I’ll give it to yous two that the Enid fairy does have a certain green tint to her. Wow, and here I thought this comic was about holiday spirit. More like holiday spirit spirits. (laugh) Watch out all, below and around, that the Enid fairy’s supposed booze and sugar-fueled overdrive does not blow a gasket and get sprayed all over everyone. Some spirits are better shared than others.
I’m letting my wiskers grow out to see if there is any pepper left. No luck, it’s all turned to salt. I was asked if I was growing a beard, I said “I’m trying to scare the kids who are afraid of Santa.”
Love. That. Woman.
Free food. She must love that.
music and free food = lots of fun!!
Our church gives a monthly worship service to the Alzheimer’s section of a nearby retirement home. Because their memory is better the longer back that things occur, we use the “old” liturgies – lots of “thee” and “thy” – and they respond very well. Many recall the hymns and join in. (And we use their 48″ flat screen to put up the verses.)
But we also do a special “Christmas hymn sing” where we go to the common area in each of the four wings and sing the old favorites: “Silent Night, Holy Night”; “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”; “Joy To The World”; and etc. You should see their eyes light up as they hear the old words they memorized fifty, sixty or seventy years ago and join in.
The sad part of this? We’re the only group that visits to sing. So if you have a chance to go caroling – especially to the elderly – then DO it! And if you don’t have an Enid to coax you, then YOU be the Enid. You don’t have to have a trained singing voice. All you need is a loving heart. Joy in your voice will always drown out any “clunkers” you might sing.
Enid is full of the Christmas Spirit to be sure.
Pete… I’ve arranged a few singing gigs to a few of the Old Folks’ homes ’round here…. and they (the homes’ activity directors) seemed shocked that there was no fee for our time… they were so excited to have us come… You’d a thought that they’d won the lottery or something. And good on you and yer church for going out and lighting up the world.
…or the Absinthe Fairy, which no one ever sees but for some reason we believe in it!
Oh, I believe in the Absinthe Fairy… yes, I do! The Green Fairy visits my house rather regular-like.
Come hungry…Quiche is for dinner???
brig… Great of you to arrange group festivizings. I recall such gatherings in the past through different church groups. We’d start with tree decorating. But, what was the best, after going out on trooping into cold nights, was coming back to waiting hot cocoas and ciders along with Christmas cookies that were set up in our absences. You know, since your fellow carollers won’t be hitting the streets, you could set things up with the rest homes to possibly involve you and the residents to do some tree trimming, singing and snacking together as a big happy group.
Dada/brig… I’ll give it to yous two that the Enid fairy does have a certain green tint to her. Wow, and here I thought this comic was about holiday spirit. More like holiday spirit spirits. (laugh) Watch out all, below and around, that the Enid fairy’s supposed booze and sugar-fueled overdrive does not blow a gasket and get sprayed all over everyone. Some spirits are better shared than others.
I’m letting my wiskers grow out to see if there is any pepper left. No luck, it’s all turned to salt. I was asked if I was growing a beard, I said “I’m trying to scare the kids who are afraid of Santa.”
Regarding yesterday’s post:
http://www.collectedcurios.com/sequentialart.php?s=736