Transition Ministry
by Robbie Youngblood

Transition Ministry, a spiritual enrichment ministry, has been added to our older-adult program at FUMC. It is designed to help members deal with change, especially that of moving from a familiar and loved home to a retirement center, an assisted living facility, or another city.

Knowing that such changes can cause anxiety and even pain, and inspired by Rick Gentzler's book, The Graying of the Church, we have created a ritual to help members deal with change, separation, and new commitments. We invite three or four close friends to serve as a support team. Before the move is made, the support team visits the present home for a time of sharing memories. The member making the transition shares the joys and sorrows with these close friends as they sit around the kitchen table with refreshments brought by one of the team. In a tour of the home, the member in transition shares memories evoked by each space. This provides the opportunity to meet the need of older adults to recall and celebrate the goals they have achieved. The visit ends with Holy Communion and a ritual of blessing for the home.

After the move is made, the same three or four close friends gather in the new home to talk about the transition and to celebrate the move. One of the friends provides refreshments. With a tour of the new home, the host shows special items or furniture, telling why they were brought to the new home. A blessing of the new home with Holy Communion helps in making this transition.

Guidance for these rituals can be found in Rock of Ages: A Worship and Songbook for Retirement Living (Discipleship Resources) and The United Methodist Book of Worship (Cokesbury).

For more information, contact Robbie Youngblood, Director of Older-Adult Ministry, First United Methodist Church, 1201 Lavaca, Austin, TX 78701; phone: 512-478-5684; robbie@fumcaustin.org.