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 2, 2009, is a date he will never forgot. The irony is that his wife, Linda, has. On that brisk November day, the Carders received Linda’s diagnosis of Frontotemporal Dementia. Since then, Bishop Carder has …

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.

A demographic shift is taking place throughout much of the world. Population aging is changing lives and institutions. Never before have so many people lived to such old age. In the USA, the number of people age 65 and over is projected to leap from about 54 million in 2019 to more than 80 million by 2040. By 2030, all Baby Boomers (1946-1964) will be 65 years of age and older.

Dec. 2021 — The Golden Cross Foundation, now known as ENCORE Ministry, awarded almost $102,500 to 12 churches and organizations in 2021 for a variety of projects that benefitted older adult members. Recipients were throughout the Tennessee Conference, now part of the Tennessee-Western Kentucky (TWK) Conference of The United Methodist Church.

Dec. 2021 –When the calendar flips to 2022, ENCORE Ministry will be the combined organizational name for two entities of the Tennessee Conference that will unite to support older adult ministry in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference (TWK).

by Pat Brandenstein I recently visited a local store to purchase Halloween candy. And to what to my wandering eyes did I see, but a Santa Claus and 12 tiny reindeer. What?! We haven’t had Thanksgiving yet and there are Christmas ornaments. I guess I better start planning, I hadn’t even thought about the holidays. People grieving the recent loss …

The S.E.N.I.O.R.S. Ministry model is offered as a means of designing an intentional older adult ministry that meets the needs of all, or at least most, of the older adults in your congregation and community. The model’s components address: spirituality, enrichment, nutrition (health and wellness), intergenerational, outreach (evangelism), recreation, and service.

ENCORE Ministry invites all pastors and church leaders related to older adult ministries in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference to complete and return the charge conference report, even if you do not have an older adult ministry.

I am sure many of you watch game shows on TV. In fact, you probably kick back in your favorite recliner attempting to answer the question in 15 seconds as music plays in the background ticking off the clock.
Today, I am going to be your game host. You have 15 seconds to answer the following question. Are you ready? Set? Go! What ministry in your church takes place with two people and requires six sessions?