Congratulations to Evelyn Wakeling | Celebrating an amazing 40 years of volunteer service at Baptcare

Recently, the team at Baptcare came together in celebrating an astounding milestone – 40 years of volunteer service by our much-loved team member, Evelyn Wakeling.

The festivities started with a service of thanksgiving at our Hedley Sutton Community in Canterbury. Evelyn is a talented volunteer pianist at Baptcare. Funnily enough, even though to the service was to celebrate and thank Evelyn, she provided the piano accompaniment as cherished hymns were sung to honour her service.

A special lady with a very special talent

Everyone attending was transported by Evelyn’s flawless performance of Oh, love that will not let me go.

The hymn was published in 1882 by George Matheson, a Scottish minister who went blind at an early age and was spurned by his fiancée who couldn’t face life with a sight-impaired husband. He wrote the verses on the eve of his own sister’s marriage, at a time when he was alone and no doubt, reflecting on his own personal loss and hardship:

Oh, joy that seeks me through the pain

I cannot close my heart to Thee

I trace the rainbow through the rain

And feel the promise is not vain

That mourn shall tearless be

Evelyn effortlessly conveyed the emotion of the piece . She has been playing since the age of five, so we were in expert hands.

“I started lessons quite young – my father was a trained baritone singer and I guess the family thought I could learn piano and accompany him,” laughed Evelyn.

But there’s something more to her skill than just decades of practice and performance. Pressed further to explain how she manages to convey such beautiful emotion with her playing – and bring a 140-year-old hymn to life, Evelyn’s formula was simple in its brilliance. “I play the words – not the music,” she said. “That’s the key. And that’s what is important to me.”

Therein lies the essence of her magic. Evelyn instinctively feels the meaning behind the lyrics and it flows from mind to body as the most perfect expression of emotion. The piano filled Hedley Sutton’s lounge area with waves of warmth, hope and tenderness.

A powerful team

Evelyn’s appreciation of the beautiful hymns we sang can be traced back to the early 1980s at the East Kew Baptist Church. Her husband was the pastor of the church, preaching at Hedley Sutton and Karana services. Evelyn would arrive early, playing piano as the residents streamed in accompanied by their Carers. The older hymns were firm favourites. “They may not have known the words, but they knew the melody,” she says. “Even when they’ve forgotten the words, they can hum along to the music.”

Sadly, Evelyn’s husband passed away in 2000 – but her motivation to continue playing for our residents never dimmed. “My husband and I were a team,” explains Evelyn, “and I just wanted to continue after he died. I feel so loved and needed by everyone. That’s important for all of us.”

A poem of thanks to mark 40 years of service

The feelings of gratitude and appreciation from all of us at Baptcare are best summed up by another much loved member of our team, Hedley Sutton’s chaplain, David Ware. A talented poet, he delivered the beautiful sentiments of everyone present in his new piece, ‘Super Glad’ (excerpt below):

The magic’s found in spirit

And a soul infused with heart

A faith that has no limits

In which we all do share a part.

It’s seen in every gift we bring

And in generous friendship found

It’s grounded in a daily care

That continues to astound.

Today we pause to celebrate

So much that has been done

As we give thanks for hope’s promises

And for all we’ve shared as one.

Once the service finished, we adjourned to the Hedley Sutton café where balloons and flowers cheerfully celebrated Evelyn’s 40 years of volunteer service. The tables were quickly filled by residents, volunteers, staff and friends who all adore Evelyn .

David spoke with joy about meeting Evelyn back in 2014. “The piano we had back then came out of Noah’s Ark, I think!” he said with a sparkle in in his eye. “A couple of keys didn’t work but that didn’t matter to Evelyn – her playing flowed so beautifully.”

Others in the room spoke not just to her musical talents but also to Evelyn’s generosity of spirit.

“So lovely and easy to work with.”

“A great team player – so flexible!”

The compliments were overflowing. Forty years of volunteer service is a tremendous milestone and, perhaps, a record at Baptcare.

Fond memories and friendships

Interestingly, Evelyn’s connection to Baptcare reaches further back than her commencement as a volunteer in the 1980s. Her mother was involved in the Victorian Baptist Women’s Association which was integral to the establishment of Strathalan, which marked the beginning of our not-for-profit organisation in the 1940s. “Mum always talked about how important it was to be doing something for senior citizens and providing services for them,” said Evelyn. And so, from mother to daughter, the seed of compassion and service was planted and has grown to bear this remarkable fruit of 40 years of volunteering.

Evelyn has so many fond memories from across the years. “People thank me for my hard work, but the word ‘hard’ doesn’t come into it,” she chuckled. From remembering sitting with her treasured friend, Glennys, over lunch after finishing her volunteer shift, to recalling good times with another chum, Margaret. “Such an encourager!” explains Evelyn when speaking of Margaret. “Her memories of the old days were amazing! She loved her football and her tipping.” To meeting another fellow ‘muso,’ John, whose mum was a resident at Hedley Sutton.

“I knew his mum because I worked with her on the residents’ committee. That’s when I realised that John was a very talented organist,” says Evelyn. “We were trying to put together a book of hymns to play for our residents – it was taking time. Well, John came in with a big folder of music within a week! He’s so efficient. And now it’s there for everybody to use.”

Feeling embraced by this strong community of volunteers, residents and staff has played a key part in keeping Evelyn going over the years. While this is our opportunity to give thanks for Evelyn’s service, she is at pains to point out the strong contribution of others along her journey. “I want to say a tremendous word of thanks and appreciation to David, the chaplain here at Hedley Sutton,” said Evelyn. “Last year when I was unwell, he rang me all the time to make sure I was OK and had everything I needed. And while I can’t say I’ll be back in every week at this point, I know I’m welcome to come in at any time.”

“That is music to my ears!” responded David with a broad smile. While we are all looking forward to seeing Evelyn again and hearing her beautiful music, after 40 years of continuous service we know she’s earned the right to put her feet up and relax.

As Evelyn received her Certificate of Appreciation and presents, surrounded by her Baptcare friends, David summed up what we were all feeling: “We are so thrilled to have you as part of our team, Evelyn. We hold you in our hearts always and cannot thank you enough for your service.”