ENCORE Ministry is a valuable resource available in the Tennessee Conference to help congregations meet the needs of the fastest growing demographic group in our conference. And, because this ministry is funded by a grant from the Golden Cross Foundation, there is no cost to congregations or districts for its service. More About ENCORE
Face Cover Ordering
For a limited time, the US Dept of Health and Human Services is providing free face coverings for community organizations. Church leaders, planning to restart in the near future with their face-to-face Sunday morning worship services and meetings and who are in need of a large number of face masks can receive them free from this federal government agency. See the attachment for more information and to order.
Resource List for Older Adults in Middle TN During COVID-19
The Council on Aging conducted a survey of Leadership Council members in April 2020 to assess the challenges and unmet needs of older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.1 View the key questions asked and the top results from the survey.
Scam of the Month: Online Shopping Safety Tips
According to the Better Business Bureau of Middle Tennessee (BBB), online shopping scams have accounted for 40% of scam cases since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. BBB offers these tips for safe online shopping. Read More
In a World of Sheltering in Place, Scammers Turn to Extortion Emails
While most of us are stuck at home, the scammers are still hard at work. In fact, they are customizing their approach to target us while we work from home or otherwise spend time online as a way to stay connected to the outside world. The Fraud Watch Network Helpline has seen a big spike in email extortion scams. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) documented over 51,000 cases of online extortion at last count, with victims suffering losses of $83 million. Read More
7 Things Churches are Learning During the Pandemic
For the past six to seven weeks, as a proactive expression of love for our people and our communities, most of our churches have been gathering online for worship, Bible study, and committee meetings rather than assembling in person. Read More
COVID-19 Scam Brochure
The Office of the United States Attorney, Middle District of Tennessee Coronavirus Fraud Task Force has prepared the following COVID-19 Scam Brochure to identify potential fraud. View Brochure (pdf)
Council on Aging: COVID-19 Scams
Recently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) have issued reports that older adults are being targeted by scammers using the COVID-19 health situation. Read More
Caring for Older Adults — From a Distance
As church leaders, our calling to love our neighbors is not something new, but it is ever evolving and changing as we understand the new normal being realized in our churches and communities as we face the COVID-19 pandemic. Read More
COVID-19 Older Adult Ministry Leader Resources
A collection of all COVID-19 resources collected for older adult ministry faith-based and community leaders. View all Resources
COVID-19 Mythbusters
During this time of uncertainty, misinformation is being circulated. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has compiled a list of some frequent myths surrounding COVID-19. Read More
The Coronavirus, the Elderly, and the Church
With increasing numbers of cases of coronavirus and the vulnerability of many, especially among the elderly and young children, it behooves church leaders to rethink how we worship and gather together and to begin cultivating community in creative ways. Learn More
2020 Local Church Leadership Resource Packet
This resource packet is developed for a local church leadership team implementing an older adult ministry, Download (pdf)
Resources for Celebrating Older Adult Recognition Day
The material in this resource will provide you with information on how your local congregation can celebrate Older Adult Recognition Day.
Who’s Calling? Beware of Growing Government Imposter Phone and Email Scams
I’ve gotten the fake calls “from the Social Security Administration,” and I bet you have too. I know I don’t need to tell you that the people we serve are getting these calls every day.
Scammers are increasingly using phone calls, emails, and even text messages to impersonate government officials in an attempt to steal money and personal information.
Facts About COVID-19
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Protecting a Senior Against Coronavirus
Older people are known to be more at risk of serious illness due to coronavirus, especially those with pre-existing conditions and those who are immune compromised. The majority of older adults do not live in residential facilities and instead are cared for by family members, therefore the coronavirus outbreak is especially worrisome for those who are living with elderly loved ones in a multigenerational home.
Advance Care Directives: Preparations for the Unforeseeable Future
An advance directive is a legal document in which a person spells out their health care preferences for use in the event that they become unable to make decisions for themselves. Drafting one provides invaluable guidance and peace of mind for family members and medical professionals.
Book and Church Resource by Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr.
An Age of Opportunity by Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., Director of ENCORE Ministry, provides church leaders with information on how to grow and sustain their ministry into a truly spectacular, creative, and visionary model that will serve the church.
Published by Discipleship Resources, you can order your copy today through the Upper Room Books at 1-800-972-0433 or at Bookstore.UpperRoom.org
ENCORE Ministry District Team Leaders
A new network of leaders in older adult ministries in the Tennessee Conference has been formed by ENCORE Ministry called ENCORE Ministry District Team Leaders.