A number of staff at Caring For Life have had to embrace new roles in response to the challenges of lockdown. In this article Harriet, our Expressive Arts Project Leader, reflects on the role she has fulfilled over the last year.
‘It is such a privilege to be part of the Core Team here at Caring For Life - ringing folks, visiting on doorsteps, and giving practical support. I feel very blessed by the encouragement and wealth of experience on the team, and to have so many opportunities to share Jesus’ love with our dear beneficiaries.
In some ways, my new role during lockdown is very different to what I would usually be doing as Music Project Leader! Rather than leading beneficiaries through tongue twisters and breathing exercises, I’ve helped them make calls to their utility providers or the Department of Work & Pensions. Teaching the marimba has become bidding for council properties, and instead of staging concerts, I’m more likely to be chasing up housing repairs!
Though, in other ways, the roles are more similar than you might at first think. A crucial part of Caring For Life’s ministry is walking alongside people, and I’m honoured to be able to do this in my new role just as I did in Music. Building relationships is key, and I feel so privileged to be able to talk with each person, and support them each week with whatever they’re going through.
I’ve recently been reminded of 2 Corinthians 1:3-4: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
I’ve been learning in my current role not to underestimate God’s power & will to work through us, as we offer His comfort and His compassion to those we support. Whether it’s helping someone with their housing, or enabling them to sing their favourite ABBA song amongst friends, we are truly blessed here at CFL to be a part of each precious person’s life." Harriet