Senior adults (ages 65+) live in the Compline Years and form more than a third of Episcopal (and some other mainline) congregations. How does the church enable seniors to continue to live Baptismal vows and continue in belonging, belief, and behavior for all their years--including a time when they may not be able to be physically present in the worshipping community? This book explores some pastoral needs of this group and provides an example of domestic church/monastic practices developed and used by one senior community.

"We need more young families in church." "We need a rector who will bring in young people." How often do we hear such statements from church members? After we remind everyone of the priesthood of all believers and that church growth/leadership/outreach belongs to all and not just those ordained, perhaps we will then move forward to develop an active, vibrant ministry with those who currently make up our congregations—including this huge percentage of people in (and approaching) the Compline Years. This book uses the term "Compline Years" because the order of Compline in the Daily Office (Book of Common Prayer) provides prayers at the end of the day, and the Compline years provide seniors with time for prayerful reflection in the latter days of life. While the Compline prayers embrace the hope and faith that the faithful sleep and then awaken to a new day, the Compline of life embodies and animates the hope and faith of the deep sleep of death as part of the journey just begun in the light and love of God in eternity. This hope, faith, and time of prayerful reflection also involves full, active participation in continuing to live out Baptismal vows.

Betty Creamer serves as a resident Chaplain in a senior resort in the Southern California desert.