[cs_content][cs_element_section _id=”1″ ][cs_element_layout_row _id=”2″ ][cs_element_layout_column _id=”3″ ][cs_element_text _id=”4″ ][cs_content_seo]The Golden Cross Foundation (GCF) is blessed to have a committed, caring, and experienced board. We thought you might like to know a little bit about each of these talented individuals. To start the series, we begin at the top with Charles Hewgley, chair of the Golden Cross Foundation’s board.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
A: I was born on an Army base in Virginia during World War II. I grew up in Arkansas and came to Nashville to attend college. I never left Nashville. My career included serving in the U.S. Navy, active and reserve, until I retired. I also worked in state government during and after my time in the Navy. After retiring from the state, I entered the private sector and worked for a multi-state healthcare organization that serves older persons. My area of specialization involved in-home services for elderly clients.
Q: How many years have you served as a Golden Cross Foundation board member?
A: I have served since 2015.
Q: Why are you involved in ministry with older people via serving on the Golden Cross Foundation board?
A: My professional career has been in the field of aging, both in the government and private sector. I enjoy working to help create, support, maintain, and enhance programs and activities that allow persons to enjoy life as they become older.
Q: How has God blessed you while serving on the board?
A: I feel blessed to work with highly-qualified and devoted individuals who share my passion for creating and supporting activities to benefit others. I enjoy when the GCF can work with smaller churches to grow their ability to provide worship experiences for their aging members, especially during this time of limited gatherings.
Q: What hopes or dreams do you have for the Golden Cross Foundation over the next year? In the next few years?
A: I hope that GCF can continue to grow and expand our capacity to serve UMC churches and their elderly congregants.
Q: What’s one little known fact about you?
A: I grew up in a small, rural town in the South that, in 1927, my grandparents helped found and charter as a city with two other couples from the town’s first Methodist church (of which they also were co-founders).\n\n
[/cs_content_seo][/cs_element_layout_column][/cs_element_layout_row][/cs_element_section][/cs_content]
Improving Church Leaders’ Communication with Older Adults
Good communication is an important part of the relationship process among the pastor, church staff, and congregation. However, having successful relationships with older adults often requires unique communication skills and strategies. Effective pastor-older adult communication has great benefits: Older adults are more likely to participate in church activities, express greater satisfaction with their church and church leadership, and have a greater sense of well-being.
