50+ ADULT EVENTS
Hang tight while we look up scheduled events...
90+ CELEBRATION
Our honored members who have blessed us with 90+ years of life!
Ernie Bruce, Betty Cannon, Stone Caraway, Mary Coker, Violet Collins, Claire Davis, John Ellett, Wilton Fridge, Irma Lee Harrison, Ben Heidenreich, Ted Holmes, Tommie Hubenthal, Howard Jackson, Roy Johns, Jr., Angie Jones, Ralph Karst, Bill Kelly, Genevieve McDuff, Mac McRight, Jeweldeen Perry, Miriam Scalia, Gail Thompson, & Dorothy Williams
50+ Adult Ministries connect older adults to new hope, new life, and new beginnings.
As older adults retire or semi-retire a need for community arises. Many older adults find themselves retiring or semi-retiring and are looking for a way to connect with fellow Christians. Others may become single through the loss of a loved one or divorce and are searching for a new norm, adjusting from a couple’s life to single life, and wanting to meet others like them. A few have moved to the Monroe area to be closer to their adult children and want to make new friends. And, there are those who have grandchildren or are rearing their grandchildren and others who are caring for parents that are seeking support and programming addressing the needs as a caregiver or legal guardian.
We are a place that welcomes anyone looking for a place to connect. Life definitely has its highs and lows and we offer hope through the love of Jesus. If you are new to the area or your church doesn't offer programing for your age you are welcome here at First Methodist Monroe.
More and more Americans are living longer. With better knowledge of how to take care of ourselves and improved medical technology, the older population is increasing each year. In the year 2030, there will be 69.4 million people age fifty and older. We are quickly moving away from a youth-oriented culture to an “elder culture,” where older adults will outnumber the children and youth in our society.
First Methodist Monroe is being proactive in providing a wide variety of activities, programming, and trips for this growing population of active older adults. Below are some ways they may connect:
“Be Fit” Exercise Class
Mondays and Wednesdays from 10-11am in our fellowship hall.
Bridge Group
The second Wednesday of each month from 1-4pm in room #19.
Quarterly Grand-parenting Events
For grands and their grandchildren/great-grandchildren including Bingo and Gingerbread House Making Party
Widows and Widowers Valentines’ Day Luncheon
Anyone who has lost a spouse is welcome to join our luncheon for food, fellowship, and fun.
Senior Adult Vacation Bible School in August
We want to encourage life-long learning as we become people of Christ. This is a three-day event that will grow your understanding of God’s word as you interact with other adults in their faith while having a great time doing it.
Summer School for Senior Adults
Six to eight sessions with speakers who are experts in their area giving presentations on subjects like Grand-parenting Matters, Grief & Loss Workshops, and Dave Ramsey Legacy series.
Senior Adult Day and Overnight Trips
Grandparents Conference, Celebrator’s Conference, and the Women of Joy Conference are a few worship events we have attended. Trips to Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and South Dakota have been made in recent years, and a church trip to the Passion Play in Bavaria is planned for July 2022.
Senior Adult Mission Trips to OWL Center
We want to love and serve others, so we make a habit of going to places like the OWL center and serving them by making salsa and/or jelly for fundraisers and events in the community. We also sell OWL products at the church with all the proceeds going to purchase items on the wish lists of the OWL Center or LA Methodist Children’s Home.
Please contact Nannette Flowers, Director of 50+ Adult Ministries for more information on how you can connect to our older adult ministries.
ELDER CARE RESOURCES
For those taking care of an older spouse, parent(s), an elderly relative, or friend, below are some valuable resources:
Bibliography
“How to Care for Aging Parents” by Virginia Morris - 1996 Workman Publishing, New York
“The Everything Guide to Caring for Aging Parents” - by Kathy Quan RN, BSN, PHN – 2009 F+W Media Inc.
“Caring for Aging Loved Ones” (Focus on the Family) –General Editors – Henry Holstege, Ph. D, Robert Reiksem Ph. D. 2002 Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Websites
Eldercare.com - (Helpful information about Eldercare)
Eldercare.gov - Eldercare locator – helps locate agencies in your area.
HELP FOR THE JOURNEY OF GRIEF
A six-week personal study for your journey from mourning to joy
This will guide you to sections of the Bible that are relevant to the emotions, worries, and questions you are dealing with grief. We like to think of the Bible as the “owner’s manual“ for life. It’s a place where you can get real-world answers for real-world problems, including the death of someone special.
We’ve prepared six weeks of material that can make a significant contribution to your healing process.
Make time each week to explore the material in this personal study section. You’ll find it can become a time to grow closer to God and find His help for the things going on in your life (no matter how difficult or painful!). The study is separated into six weeks, with five days of Scripture reflections, questions, and life applications. You might want to highlight or underline verses that are especially meaningful to you. This can help you find those verses again quickly.
Ask for help
A good way to begin your personal study time each day is with a simple prayer asking God to show you what He would like you to see during your study that day (can you imagine Him not answering that prayer?). You don’t have to use fancy words, just talk to God and ask for His help in understanding what you read.
Six-week study
