Gig
Harbor
United Methodist Church
Older Adult News:
Older Adult Ministries is alive and well. We are making plans for coming events but need some help. With Al and Carolanne leaving we will need someone to take over the Senior Travelers program as well as someone to drive the van for our trips. If this is something you would be interested in please contact Rod Case or Betty Meyer. If you have some great ideas for the committee you are welcome to join us, We meet every other month on the 4th Thursday at 10:30am in the Library at church.
OLDER ADULT GROUPS
Keeping up with our older adults is a real race! They are a busy age group! This ministry is for, with and by older adults themselves.
Young at Heart: This group meets on the fourth Monday monthly for a luncheon and program. They are spoiled by a wonderful caterer, and Gwen Rankin provides a variety of stimulating and fun programs.
The Senior Travelers: They gather in the church van on a monthly basis to tour fascinating places in the area while enjoying the sights and the fellowship. There is a small van fee and everyone covers their own lunch cost. In December a popular trip is to tour Christmas lights. Typical trips include Boeing's Museum of Flight, Wright's Park Conservatory, a tour with Larry Anderson of his area sculptures, Northwest Trek and others yet in the planning stages.
The Bridge Go-'Round: This group is a women's fellowship opportunity that includes dedicated Bridge Players who play all year. (Some have been know to come home from vacations so they don't miss their game.) Other senior adults enjoy games of Rummy-cubes for fun and fellowship on a sporadic schedule. Janet Medcalf is their contact person.
Keep-in-Touch: This is a special calling ministry that keep our senior adults in daily contact with others helping with safety, support and fellowship. Any senior living alone or as a care giver for another is encouraged to participate.
Tours of Area Retirement Homes: Tours are planned as interest is expressed. We plan these so our seniors can look and listen to a variety of facilities before needing to make decisions about their future housing needs. Since it is easier to do this as a group, we provide the tours.
Annual Senior Adult Health Fair: In October 2003 we had the first Health Fair in the community. It links more than 30 providers of older adult services in our community with those interested in learning more about what is available. The resounding success made this an annual event we provide to the community.
The Senior Meal Program: It is housed in the church in answer to an effort to provide fellowship and healthy meals for seniors throughout the community. Catholic Community Services provides healthy meals at a very reasonable cost here at noon on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. The monthly menu and the number to call to make reservations is posted in the Narthex.
Older Adult Ministry Committee: This project is devising a way for seniors to post their emergency information in their homes as requested by local emergency personnel, while also maintaining their privacy. We are concerned about our homebound seniors and are working on more communication connections for them.