ANE : Senior Adult

VISION STATEMENT:

We believe God is calling us to take his love in concrete ways to senior adults in our churches and our communities. This will be accomplished through regular planned programs and activities, the goals of which are: spiritual growth, community building, health/wellness and recreation.

Senior Adult Ministry is a new ministry for the district. The ministry is still under construction and how it goes and how it grows depends on you folks. Your input is needed as far as what programming and activities you would like. If you have knowledge or talent to share, you are encouraged to do so. Seniors are a valuable but often untapped resource. Do not lose the chance to share the wealth of information, experience and faith you have with others.

NEWS & EVENTS:

Wisdom for Widows A "Wisdom for Widows" class will begin Wednesday, September 3, 2008 at Middle Creek Church of the Brethren, 1 PM to approximately 2:30 PM in the Gathering Room. It is an 11 week video series. A workbook is required at the cost of $11.00 - checks payable to the Atlantic Northeast District. If interested please call facilitator Belinda Graybill at 717 626-4276 or the church office at 717 733-4222.

W idows - Comprehend the Bible's portrayal of God's heart for the widow
I solation - Learn how to face the biggest obstacle- loneliness
S uffering - Understand how God may use suffering in anyone's life
D ecision Making - Recognize both difficulties and solutions in making decisions
O vercoming - Know the stages of grief; what to expect; how to work through grief
M arriage - Note some scriptural truths concerning marriage and remarriage

F orgiveness - Work at digging up the roots; the need for forgiveness
O pportunities - Biblical, historical and current ways widows can be used by God
R elationships - Learn how to develop new and deepen old friendships

W ealth - Learn how to cope with much or little; setting financial goals; principles of Biblical stewardship
I ntercession - Use your time more productively and become less withdrawn
D ifferences - Understand how your temperament and spiritual gifts make you different from others
O rganization - Learn the importance of a written plan and how to complete it
W orship - Experiment with the healing ministry of worship
S ervice - Identify specific areas in which you could become involved

National Older Adult Conference
September 1-5, 2008
Lake Junaluska, NC
For information: brethren-caregivers.org, then National Older Adult Conference
or call 1 800 323-8039

Lancaster County Parkinson's Support Group
Third Monday of each month at 2 PM, exercise begin at 1:45 PM
Landis Homes, West Community Room
509-5494
1001 Oregon Rd, Lititz

There is also a Parkinson's Caregivers Breakfast the first Wednesdays of each month at 9:30 AM at the Oregon Dairy, 2900 Oregon Pike, Lititz

Parish Nurse/Health Ministry Meeting
First Friday of each month
9 AM to 10:30 AM
Oregon Dairy Restaurant
Responsible for your own meal
Informal time of sharing and learning
Contact Dr. Ruth Stoll at ris15@verizon.net or 717 560-9969 or
Judy Laubenstein at jlaubenstein@ane-cob.org or 717 367-4730, mailbox 222
Next meetings: September 12, October 3, November 7, December 5, 2008

Congregational Health Ministries Seminars for 2008
The Parish Resource Center
633 Community Way
Lancaster, PA 17603
12 Noon, donation for lunch which is provided
Contact Dr. Ruth Stoll 2 days prior to date at 717 697-6560 or ris15@verizon.net
Wednesday, Septembr 17 "Health Advocay: Empowerment Makes a Difference"
        Speaker: Ruth Stoll, DNSc;, RN
Wednesday, October 15 "Update on Diabetes"
        Speaker: Judy Laubenstein RN,BSN,CDE
Wednesday, November 19 "Ideas from the Frontlines: Health Ministries Best Practices"
        A panel of local nurses and care coordinators sharing programs that work
Wednesday, December 17 "Fostering Self-Care: Discipleship!"
        Speaker: To be announced.

Coming in September, but you need to start planning now - "Walk to Bethlehem" Would like to see district-wide participation. Your congregation will collectively walk the number of miles from your church to Jerusalem from September to December. Let's all get on the exercise band wagon and join the fun. For information contact: Judy Laubenstein: 717 933-5369 or jlaubenstein@ane-cob.org

SENIOR ACTIVITIES:

Newsletter: January 2008

Fall Fellowship Banquet, Wednesday, October 1, 2008, 12 Noon, Yoder's Family Restaurant, New Holland, PA; Entertainment: Joy Bells

RESOURCES:

Health/Wellness

American Heart Association

American Cancer Society

American Diabetes Association

First Place

Implementation-Health Ministry/Parish Nursing