Contents:

• Intergenerational and Caregiving Ministries
  Intergenerational or multi-generational ministry within the community of faith is a blessing, not a curse. A church filled with young and old is a gift and a treasure for all generations. Unfortunately, intergenerational ministry is seldom planned in many of our congregations. For that reason, we may need to be quite intentional about creating opportunities that value and respect the gifts of all generations, young and old alike.


• Jurisdictional Representatives to the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries
  The Colleges of Bishops have named the following persons to the United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries for 2009-2012.


• Examples of Previous Grant Award Ministries
  These are just glimpses of how grant funding is helping in various ways to further ministry by, with, and for older adults. There are other examples of intentional and creative ministry happening as a result of leaders listening and responding to the needs of older adults, and visioning and planning appropriate programs. We hope by sharing a few examples you will be inspired and encouraged to continue (or begin) in ministry by, with, and for older adults.


• Silver Link Ministry: Connecting with the Frail
  Silver Link Ministries at Church of the Resurrection is a Congregational Care ministry that reaches out to the frail -- the homebound, those in care homes, persons with dementia or on hospice -- with worship and care.


• Top 10 Reasons to Encourage Older Adult Ministry
  Over the next 16 years, the number of people over 50 will grow by 74 percent, while the people under 50 will grow by only one percent. The church must pay attention!


• Getting Started: Older Adult Ministry (pdf -- 6 pages)
  This leaflet is for leaders wanting to get started in ministry by, with, and for older adults or for leaders who want to reinvigorate an existing ministry. It briefly covers "Five Steps to Older Adult Ministry," the "S.E.N.I.O.R.S." ministry model and other helpful information.


• Lazy Daze Older Adult Retreat
  In aging, we can experience gratitude and hope in ways not possible when we are younger.


• Not Alone: Encouragement for Caregivers
  Devotional support that will help individuals committed to attending to an ill or impaired love one or friend. Each devotion has three parts -- Scripture, personal experience from real life and prayer -- selected and written to massage your tired spirit and bolster a calm reverence for the calling you didn't choose.


• Opportunities for Growth in Older Adult Ministries
  In addition to the various workshops and seminars on older adult ministries that are conducted in districts and annual conferences by Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., you may be interested in participating in several other exciting and beneficial training and learning opportunities.


• Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation 2009-2012 -- Adult Ministries
  The adult ministry life span is the greatest and most diverse of any age level because it can encompass seven (or more) decades. An adult ministry that includes all adults encourages people to grow and mature in faith so they may be vital disciples for a lifetime.


• Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century: An Inquiry Approach
  Aging faithfully is a blessing and a challenge, and Richard Gentzler is an expert on the subject. In his newest book on aging, he offers church leaders a structured approach to implementing strong ministries by, with, and for older adults.


• Older Adult Ministry Events
  A calendar of events.


• Spring 2009 Center Sage in pdf format