Contents:

• Who Will Shape Our Future?
  Older adults can play an important role in helping to shape the future of the United Methodist Church. They do so by their presence, prayers, leadership, gifts, service, and witness.


• Aging and Ministry in the 21st Century: An Inquiry Approach
  By Richard H. Gentzler Jr. (Discipleship Resources)
  While the popular perception is that the aged are needy and infirm, Gentzler contends that older adults have plenty to give. The church needs to tap into their wisdom, energy, experience and talents. It's time to rethink older adult ministry.


• New Beginnings: The Gifts of Aging DVD (Discipleship Resources
  New Beginnings looks at aging in our society and provides a glimpse at a variety of creative church ministries that are being enjoyed by older adults. Mission opportunities and teaching service abound in the stories told on film.


• Lay Pastoral Care Giving
  Lay Pastoral Care Giving provides a step-by-step program whereby laity are selected, trained, commissioned, and supervised by the pastor to assist in providing certain kinds of pastoral care.


• Committee News
  Susanne Paul, President of Global Action on Aging and a consultant to the UM Committee on Older Adult Ministries, was invited by the UN's Department for Economic and Social Affairs to participate in sessions exploring the state of older persons' rights.


• Older Adult Ministry Council of California-Nevada Conference
  The Older Adult Ministry Council of the California-Nevada Conference received special recognition by the National Interfaith Coalition on Aging (NICA) Wingspread Program for its "Best Practice Guide" and the "Coming Alive as You Age" workshops.


• OA Preference Survey in pdf format
  The United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries is surveying opinions related to the label "Older Adult" and we need your help. Please take a moment to complete this brief survey.


• Older Adult Ministry Grants
  The United Methodist Committee on Older Adult Ministries will be providing two kinds of grants related to older adult ministry during the 2009-2012 quadrennium.


• In Memoriam: Herb Bowman
  It is with great sadness that we report the death of our good friend Herb Bowman who died June 6, 2009, in Colorado.


• Slowing Down as a Way of Healing the Earth for Ourselves and All the Children
  I believe that by living our lives fully and by slowing down and savoring the blessings we have, we will help heal the earth with our good energy in body, mind, and spirit. This will also help ensure that the earth will still be in good shape for future generations.


• Walking With Grace: Tools For Implementing and Launching a Congregational Respite Program
  Walking with Grace is a manual that will aid churches and faith-based communities in the process of starting a Congregational Respite Program.


• Welcoming Christ to Christmas: Alternative Worship at a Nursing Home
  One of the loneliest places on earth at Christmas is a nursing home or a skilled nursing facility.


• R.A.P. (Retired Active People)
  Older adults in the community now have a safe and caring place. They feel respected by their peers.


• Older Adult Ministry Events
  A calendar of events.


• Fall 2009 Center Sage in pdf format