All Districts:

Opportunities to be in Missions, To see and feel the importance of  older adults in church family and the mission and ministry of Jesus, Parish nurses help w/sr. Adults Health care, meet and fellowship over a meal, prayer, over all care and concern, provide ramps for handicapped,.

6. Other Most Successful Activities:

All Districts:

Stephen Ministry, Adopt a Grandchild, purchasing needed items/groceries-medicine,etc., taking meals, prayer albums, wellness programs-walkers, yoga, etc, receptionists, telephone volunteers, help with monthly newsletter, phone daily, buddy system, computer training, how to use the internet, “Salt Shaker” Dinners, Adopt and Grandparent, nursing home activities, Baking homemade bread, senior support, “team” work with youth-scholarship program with Camp Don Lee, Sunshine baskets, Christmas Caroling, preparing Brunswick Stew.

7. Issues that older adults struggle with “other” category:

All districts:

Changing social attitudes

Caring for spouses with Alzheimer’s

Dealing with today’s lifestyles, transportation 3x, schedules too full, too much company, too much travel, Set in ways, resistance to new ideas, managed health care.

9. Issues Leaders struggle with “other category”

All Districts:

Apathy, denial of aging, too much to do at home, need someone to take on the task from start to finish, none of the seniors wishes to participate in planning and growth, volunteer leadership, interest in laity wanting to be involved with leadership, they tell me what they want and need, Lay leadership among Sr. Adults, finding trips that don’t require a lot of walking and don’t cost a lot, stretching group to self-reflection, sharing wisdom, time on a 3 point charge, spiritual immaturity, time, finding lay people with the vision to carry out the ministry, ability to get people to try new things, difficulties with physical limitations, lack of spiritual focus, unwillingness to try new things, complaints of no church growth,

No church van, intergenerational program-how to integrate all ages.

10. Describe an Older adult ministry that you have seen/dreamed about for your ministry:

All Districts:

“An organized and friendly group of seniors who enjoy being together for meals, games, and trips.”

“Regular senior luncheon”

 “One in which the members participate fully and want to give to others.”

 “More interaction with those who are not part the “in families” of the church or community.”     

“Prayer Partnership with younger Adults and Children.”

“Involving more of our older people in our fellowship.”

“Ministry to local retirement home residents” by our group

“Center where adults can have Bible Studies, crafts, square dancing, games, and church and community involvement.”

“Careline ministry: a telephone ministry to the sick and shut-ins.”

“Older adults sharing their life experiences or skills with our children—mentoring.”

“Regular-several times a week gatherings at the church for a variety of activities/studies/Fellowship with church transportation included.”

“David Bishop’s “Triangle Chaplain” ministry”

“Visiting homebound; effectively getting living arrangements made.”

“Adult Day Care.”

“Adult Day Care”

“Weekly prayer meeting (like an Upper Room)”

“An adult council or team working on older adult issues and specific input for older adults.”

“Seniors helping seniors-visitation to homebound…seniors helping community.”

“Support group for caregivers” Respite care network needed.”

“Community ministry to older Adults to meet need for in home care, pastoral support housing repairs, other needs…Duke funds available…team with Rural church>’

“Respite Care program”

“Van pick up of older adults to get to older adults socials and worship.”

“Transportation for appointments”

“Taped message/van to get people out of home and into a group setting/volunteers to help         

“Parish Nurses”

“Adult Day Care”

“I would like to have my seniors form to be a group of prayer warriors. This they could do from anywhere at anytime.”

“Daytime Bible Study”

“Older Adult Discipling”

“Weekly study/Fellowship sharing”

“Bible Study or Covenant Groups”

“Adult Day Care Center with transportation provided”

“ I have served churches where “fun” and “relationship building” have been a key in older adult ministries. We wish they were more readily desired here”

“Ministry to older ladies for fellowship” now leading to Bible study in the future.

“Weekly gathering with speaker on adult issues..health..finances etc.”

“Strong Consistent leadership. A corp of volunteers who will call on shut-ins, help w/transportation, provide meals. Make the ministry a project of the entire congregation”

“I dream of our older adults to be more active in our other church activities. Such as tutoring or pre-school”

“Trips”

“Community service projects”

“Daytime Bible Study for retired members”

“Retreat/trip”

“Monthly meetings at church for sr. adult fellowship (program and meal) open to community” “Taking day trips and longer trips maybe twice a year”

“Weekly Bible Study”

“To establish a directory of names and gifts so that our older members would have a person to call when they need help with something—repairs, shopping, transportation,”

“A program designed to get them back in church on a regular basis”

“Financial Planning-when to choose to move into a care center or do we ever move?”

“Vial of Life”

“Adult Day Care Center at our church”

“Putting our stored medical equipment to use by those unable to a afford a purchase”

“Tape ministry with worship services”