Resource Archive

View our library of resources based on category.

Keep Your Fork

My good friend, Rev. Ward Tanneberg writes a blog titled, “Perspective: Living, Learning and Leading in Life’s Third Age”. In a recent blog post, he shared a story that has appeared over the years. As we prepare to celebrate Easter, I thought it would be appropriate to retell the story.

Read More »

Aging in Place or Aging in Another Place?

Older adults often say they want to stay in their own homes as long as they can. We describe such thinking as aging in place — defined as living in the home and community of your choice as you age. It is a place where one feels safe has the ability to control and enjoy life experiences.

Read More »

Aging in Faith

An important role for the Church in its ministry by, with, and for older adults is helping older adults age in faith. In other words, effective congregational ministries intentionally invite, nurture, and equip older adults to age faithfully!

Read More »

Free Programs and Resources Related to Older Adult Care

Free workshops and programs featuring topics ranging from defining dementias, caregiver support, transitions in care, advanced directives, disaster planning, legal issues, and mental health support are available from the TN Department of Health and The University of Tennessee Chattanoog School of Nursing.

Read More »

Advance Care Planning Tips

Advance care planning is important for adults at any age. During an emergency or at the end of life, you or your loved ones may not be capable of making decisions about medical care.

Read More »

What’s Your Personal Mission Statement?

On my desk is a small, unframed piece of paper. While the edges are frayed and the once-white paper is yellowing, it provides an important focus for living my days. It reminds me of who I am and what I hope to become.

Read More »

Mountain T.O.P. Receives $20K Grant to Help Fund Summer Staff Overseeing Community Outreach Programs

For more than 45 years, Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Project) has offered home repair and day camp programs to individuals and families experiencing persistent poverty in Cumberland Mountain counties. As in many rural places, fewer resources exist for older adults and community-wide issues such as food insecurity and health-related emergencies tend to overshadow older adults’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  
A $20,000 grant from ENCORE Ministry this year helped increase services to that older population.

Read More »

Ministry in the Midst of Grief

Sooner or later, everyone endures bereavement — the experience of the death of a loved one. Our emotional response to bereavement is grief, a personal experience whose duration and depth can vary from individual to individual. Some people recover quickly from a loss and move on. Other people grieve intensely for a short period before finding peace while other individuals feel profound grief for years.

Read More »

Guest Blog: Who’s Calling? Grandparent and Person-in-Need Scams

Jackie Blaesi-Freed, assistant director, department of Justice Consumer Protection Branch, shares a story about an 87-year-old woman in California who received a call from someone claiming to be the woman’s granddaughter. The “granddaughter” stated she had been arrested following a car accident and needed $9,000 for bail.

Read More »
Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus: Support Feeding Ministries
Be the Hands and Feet of Jesus: Support Feeding Ministries

The ENCORE Ministry Foundation provided a grant to First United Methodist in Columbia, Tennessee, to help fund their feeding ministry, the People’s Table. Since 2004, the People’s Table ministry serves meals to neighbors in need every Tuesday evening and Friday afternoon, providing nourishment, love, and hope to the homeless, elderly, families, and individuals struggling to make ends meet. However, the need in the community is growing. With the closure of a local battery plant and reductions in SNAP benefits, more families are facing food insecurity.


Together, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus, feeding the hungry, caring for the vulnerable, and showing love to those who need it most. Every dollar you give to the Kent and Ellen McNish Fund for Older Adult Food Security helps feeding ministries stretch resources and serve more meals to those in need. Donate today and help support life-changing feeding ministries like the People’s Table.