Idea Exchange: Congregations in the Spotlight
Mt. Bethel United Methodist ChurchMarietta, GA
This congregation operates an adult daycare ministry five days a week, Monday through Friday, for the frail elderly and people suffering from the early stages of Alzheimer's Disease. The ministry uses more than 100 volunteers every month, while providing a three to one ratio of care. Volunteers provide transportation, prepare and serve lunches, and direct the daily activities of the participants. In a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere, participants know they are valued and have worth. Seniorcise, music by volunteers, visits by the preschool, field trips, and various games and interest activities are part of the daily menu offered.
For information about this exciting ministry, contact Conny Mason, RN, Director, Older Adult Ministries, Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, 4385 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068; 770-971-2880; conny.mason@mtbethel.org.
First United Methodist Church
Fort Worth, TX
First UMC has a "three-pronged" ministry with older adults. The first is "The Lamplighters," a 21-member council that meets monthly to plan and present programs. Each program includes music, food, and a speaker. The second "prong" is the Lay Ministers of Care, a group of 18 people who oversee the design and delivery of all the programs of care. They distribute Christmas gifts, design and mail birthday cards, deliver sanctuary flowers, visit homebound members, maintain a loaner program for medical equipment, and provide minor home maintenance and repair. In addition, support groups for people with beginning Alzheimer's and caregivers are held on a regular basis, along with free personalized counseling services. The third "prong" is continuing education classes, which include computer training and other areas of interest.
For more information about this ministry, contact the Rev. Larry Grubb. His phone is 817-339-5098, and his e-mail address is Lgrubb@fumcftw.org.
Texas Conference Mature-Adult Division Opens Office
The Mature-Adult Division of the Texas Annual Conference has opened "The Center on Aging and Mature-Adult Ministry" with the Reverend J. Dean Robinson serving as part-time consultant. The Center relies on volunteers to assist. The vision and purpose of the Center is: "Recognizing that the older adult population in the U. S. and The United Methodist Church is growing rapidly, the Texas Annual Conference Division of Mature-Adult Ministry is committed to being involved in the Spiritual, Physical, and Emotional well-being of Mature Adults. The Division seeks to be involved in the aging process, giving hope, encouragement, guidance, information, and training to all mature adults and their leadership. The Division is called to be an advocate for the elderly, for their sense of personal identity, for utilization of experience, wisdom, and skills; for health maintenance; for educational opportunities; for support through life's transitions, for and service to others."
For more information about the Center, contact the Rev. Dean Robinson, 4300 North Shepherd, Houston, TX 77018; 713-695-2010; stever5596@aol.com.
We are grateful to Conny, Jean, and Dean for sharing their ministries with our readers. If you have a unique or exciting older-adult Ministry program and would like to share information about it with others, please submit a 400-word article highlighting your ministry to:
The Center on Aging " Older-Adult Ministries
P.O. Box 340003
Nashville, TN 37203-0003
Fax: 615-340-7071
E-mail: tkline@gbod.org