Older Adult Ministry

The Older Adult Ministry

Sharing wisdom and hope…

The Older Adult Ministry believes that the wisdom, skills, experience, and faith of older adults should be intentionally developed and fully utilized throughout life.

As a church we work for and with older adults to connect at-home families with their church through programs of monthly at-home Holy Communion, at-home visitations, quality worship services delivered at assisted living facilities, distributing conference, district and community resources, and creating valuable training support to help volunteers develop a ministry of faith helping older adults share their faith, stories, wisdom and hope.

Fellowship Activities

Ligaya

An adult group that meets monthly for food, fun and fellowship on the second Saturday. Location of the meeting is according to the program, it may be a field trip or meet in family homes or at the church. Contact Wilma Thompson for more information.

Vanguard

An older adult group that meets monthly during the school year for a mid-day meal and program. Catered meals are served for Thanksgiving and Christmas meetings. Programs include travel, community resources, spirituality and many other creative and stimulating ways to stay engaged with world. They meet on the third Friday in the McMullen Room. Contact George Margeson for more information.

Men’s Lunch Bunch and Ethel’s Lunch Bunch

Fellowship and food is served weekly for this jaunty group of men and women who travel to a different restaurant each Tuesday (men) and Thursday (women) at 11:30 am. Watch for information in the Sunday bulletin to know which restaurant they meet at each week. Contact George Margeson or Sue Woodward for more information.

Men’s Thursday Breakfast

Bible study, fellowship and food is ordered up weekly for this early morning group of men who meet at 7am every Thursday morning in the McMullen Room. Contact Bill Wycoff for more information.

Saturday Breakfast

Food and fellowship is served monthly on the last Saturday of the month in the McMullen Room. Breakfast is open to the community. Contact Jim King for more information.

Knitter’s Group

A regular group of crafty women meet weekly in Susanna Wesley house each Thursday at 10 am. They produce ‘prayer shawls’ for people coming out of hospital or with a sickness or illness that is prolonged. Contact Dian Jorgenson for more information.

Older Adult Council is the planning arm of the Older Adult Ministry. They meet bi-monthly are composed of seven church members. Contact El Shaw for more information.

Spiritual Growth and Christian Education

Holy Communion @ Home

Each month trained stewards take consecrated elements into the homes of at-home elders. This occurs on the first Sunday after church services. Contact Pat Sanborn for more information.

Services at Assisted Living Facilities

Trained lay speakers and ministers take services to residents of local facilities. They provide music and hymns, a homily, prayers and scripture readings. Contact Pat Sanborn for more information.

Assisted Living Worship Services:
Second Sundays at Avalon!

Our dearly beloved Opal Shinabarger (celebrating her 95th birthday this year) is not daunted by not
being able to attend weekly Sunday Services at FUMC; instead, she has invited her church family to serve her and friends where she is living. FUMC Older Adult Ministries takes Sunday worship services to Avalon at Brush Creek, 4225 Wayvern Drive in Santa Rosa. Our church sister and fellow resident, Jane Athy (celebrating her 90th birthday this year) plays hymns on her piano in the upstairs lobby. Pat Sanborn conducts the service and Manoa Bale serves as song leader. All members and friends of our church family are invited to join in taking this service to Avalon; we will need greeters, readers, and musicians, just like any other service. Let Pat know if you would like to participate.
 

Companions in Christ

This is a study that deepens spirituality using Companions in Christ materials. Classes are held in evenings at Susanna Wesley House or during the day in the chapel. Contact Judy Hull (evenings) or Cathie Bryan (days) for more information.

Bible Study

A deeper look at the Sunday scripture and discussions on a series of books in the Bible occurs on Sunday mornings at both Stony Point and Montgomery campuses. Look for information in worship bulletins. Contact Norm Bryan (Montgomery) and Bruce Warner (Stony Point) for more information.

Lenten Studies

Offered in the time leading up to Easter, deeper studies are scheduled on the Bible and the meaning of Lent. Find more information on this web site, in the monthly RoseLeaf newsletter, or weekly worship bulletin.

Wo/Men’s Retreats

A once a year weekend gathering offsite is separately planned for Bible study, fellowship, fun and renewal in an offsite location. Dates and location vary, for more information, look on this web site, in the monthly RoseLeaf newsletter, or weekly worship bulletin.

Angels on Call, Pastoral Care

Those of us who cook for ourselves might not realize just how much a home-cooked meal would be appreciated by someone recovering from illness or surgery. For that reason, it would be helpful for you to know there are church families who would love it if you could cook an extra serving or two and take it to them. That’s where Angels on Call comes in, arranging and coordinating meals to be prepared and delivered.
 
Angels on Call are “at the ready” to bring in meals for a variety of reasons, and we are able to meet specialized dietary needs. Our local community also offers food services through Meals on Wheels (525-0143), Ruthy’s Real Meals (888-0128, ruthy@sonic.net, www.ruthysrealmeals.com) and Schwan’s (877-302-7426), who can deliver over a longer period of time.
 
If you need help with meal preparation or can offer to provide meals, please contact Pat Sanborn, coordinator of Angels on Call. This warm-hearted group of volunteers meets the first Monday of each month at 4 pm in Susanna Wesley House. You are invited to drop in, learn more about this ministry, and decide if you would like to join Angels on Call.