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As a child, I had freckles on my nose and cheeks. My body was not covered in freckles like some of my childhood friends, but I didn’t like that I had freckles anywhere on my body. My distain for my freckles was well known to my family.
Before the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference’s birth in January 2022, the legacy Memphis and Tennessee conferences had senior ministry programs: GOLDEN CROSS Senior Ministry (GCSM) and ENCORE Ministry (EM) While each ministry lives on in the TWK Conference, they have distinct functions and characteristics.
Memphis’ St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church received a $7,250 ENCORE Ministry grant to help renovate a storm-damaged room and make it a safe and inviting workout area for senior adults. Church member and community residents use the facility.
Older adults play vital, positive roles in our communities – as family members, friends, mentors, volunteers, civic leaders, members of the workforce, and more. Just as every person is unique, so too is how they age and how they choose to do it – and there is no “right” way.
While retirement has changes and challenges, it also provides opportunities to embark on new adventures. ENCORE Ministry Director Rev. Dr. Richard Gentzler provides an inspiring and alternative view of retirement.
ENCORE Ministry Executive Director Kent McNish announced the Bill and Lynn McAlilly Fund for Church Accessibility at the inaugural Tennessee-Western Kentucky (TWK) Annual Conference June 15-17, 2022. During the announcement, McNish presented a check for $500,000 from ENCORE Ministry to establish the fund.
If we reframe aging and discount the aging myth, then we affirm that life can be an exciting adventure through the decades.
Nashville’s Arlington UMC received a $10,000 ENCORE Ministry grant to help renovate flood-damaged areas in the church’s lower level.
Important links to elder abuse resources for Kentucky and Tennessee.
Elder abuse affects older people across all socioeconomic groups, cultures, and races and can occur when they are disconnected from social supports. While older adults may experience the same crimes as other age groups — including financial, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse and neglect — they are less likely to report the crime and recover from their victimization.
Helpful checklist ensures health care and financial arrangements are in place before serious illness or health care crisis.
Prior to serving as director of communications for ENCORE Ministry, Solomon worked for a plethora of United Methodist boards and agencies in a variety of sales, marketing, and project management roles as a consultant.
We may need to rethink the type of people who might be attracted to our churches. Is the correct question, “how can we get more young families in our church?” Or, is it something else?
Property values are on the rise. This means an increase in property taxes, a concern for many older adults living on fixed incomes. Click read more for information on Tennessee’s Property Tax Freeze Program and Property Tax Relief Program.
As we begin the third year of the COVID pandemic, we are well aware that the coronavirus has wreaked havoc throughout the world. According to
Wings of Hope, a non-denominational religious organization, promotes the cause of Christ by educating and demonstrating Christian love through chapters, churches, and community to those who have lost a spouse.
Out of that experience, Bishop Carder felt led to create a five-part study, Alzheimer’s/Dementia: Ministry with the Forgotten, (free downloadable videos and leader’s guide are available below) because he wanted to help start conversations within United Methodist congregations and generate action around caring for people who have a form of dementia as well as their caregivers.
Free Resource Helps Congregations Care For People With Dementia Diseases And Their Families For Bishop Kenneth Carder, retired bishop of The United Methodist Church, November
Nashville’s Connection United Methodist Church received a $2,004 grant to help fund an elevator door restrictor that improves church safety and accessibility.
With the graying of America and our churches, older adult ministry is now more important than ever. The new Tennessee-Western Kentucky (TWK) Conference includes organizations devoted to older adult ministry that have their roots in the legacy Tennessee and Memphis conferences.
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.
