Many years ago, I knew a woman I’ll call Lorraine who saw herself as generous. She and her husband often took the pastor and spouse out to dinners they would not have been able to afford. She brought small wrapped gifts to the women’s group—one for each person. She helped her widowed mother and sister with things for their home. In the congregation, people assumed Lorraine and her husband were among the church’s most generous supporters.
AGE FRIENDLY The population of the United States is aging. A 2017 study found that “within just a couple decades, older people are projected to outnumber children for..
Many residents in our community seek to live fully each day by focusing their energy on the light of hope. Addressing the joys and challenges of aging while living..
Assessing for Hope As a chaplain working with older adults in long-term care, part of my call is to complete spiritual assessments with residents. In obtaining their..
A Community's Birth Communities of people are fluid. We change houses or jobs, get a promotion at work or join a church. Years later, some may choose to move into a..
Our assisted living community celebrated the life of one of our beloved residents a few weeks ago. Preparing for worship, I thought about how a community of saints can..
The Impact of Clergy Age on Churches When I was ordained back in 1981, I accepted the call to serve St. Andrew’s UCC, a small congregation in the old industrial city of..
Connecting Through Small Groups: A Story Last week, at the continuing care retirement community where I serve, the speaker for our senior class group that day called two..
My mom was diagnosed with vascular dementia several years ago, and she has had increasing memory problems. Mom is one of close to six million people living with dementia..
Community is a core concept that we value deeply at United Church Homes. When the Board, staff and residents gathered in 2015 to articulate a new vision, mission and..
