Aging, a Gift to be Embraced
Our churches are graying. But aging and growing older shouldn’t be thought of as a negative life stage. Aging can be the path leading toward maturity, growth, and wisdom.
September 5, 2023
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Our churches are graying. But aging and growing older shouldn’t be thought of as a negative life stage. Aging can be the path leading toward maturity, growth, and wisdom.
Ageism can shorten a lifespan by 7.5 years, according to a 2002 study by Becca Levy. Individuals with a more positive self-perception of aging lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those with less positive self-perceptions.
Helpful self-care tip sheet for grandfamily caregivers
Free webinar on August 29, 2023, helps families navigate dementia journey (will also be recorded and posted).
The role of the church, Sunday School class, or other older adult ministry group in relating to persons moving from their home to age in another place.
ENCORE Ministry grant helps rebuild four homes for low-Income senior adults in Waverly, Tennessee.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day raises awareness of cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
World Elder Abuse Awareness booklet pulls together what is known about elder abuse and provides suggestions on how to respond.
ENCORE Ministry grant helps make Beersheba Springs Assembly personal retreat lodging more accessible for older adults and guests with mobility issues.
Sunny Day Club® provides respite for family caregivers and a regular outing for loved ones in the early stages of memory loss.
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.
Franklin (Tennessee) First United Methodist Church offers a monthly worship service intentionally created for people who are living with mild-to-moderate dementia symptoms.
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.
ENCORE Ministry, the official older adult ministry of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of The United Methodist Church (TWK), awarded $205,502 to 26 churches and organizations in 2022.
SeniorHousingNet is an online platform that allows users to search for asisted living and long term care homes for seniors. To visit their webpage of
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!
The program, We Remember You, provides holistic and all-encompassing support to family caregivers of persons living with dementia. It also supports community education programs.
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.
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.
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.
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.