Resources, Resources, Resources!

Over the last few years, Older Adult Ministries has offered more than 70 resources for older adults and those ministering with older adults. Our best moments happen when a person or group shares that they found one of these resources helpful. In this issue, we will highlight many of our most popular and utilized resources.

The most popular church project: How to Start a Lunch and Learn Program and Alleviate Loneliness

First Christian Church of Republic, MO was interested in starting a Lunch & Learn Program for their community. After developing a plan for the program, they recently held their first Silver Chalice Lunch & Learn event where they welcomed 20 community members. During the program, staff from Compassus, a national organization “transforming lives…for person-centered care delivered where people live,” shared stories about their work and the differences between palliative care and hospice care. They also discussed the many ways community members can volunteer, such as the Hospice Veteran to Veteran Volunteer Program that honors service, builds connections, and provides companionship. The group enjoyed lunch, conversation and fellowship, and shared ideas for future Lunch & Learn topics addressing real needs and providing helpful information.

Thank you to Rev. Lee Young of First Christian Church Republic for this story and photo.

Are you exploring the possibility of offering a Lunch & Learn Program in your faith community? Here are some helpful resources to help get you started:

• Good News Crew Checklist
• Bright Ideas in Older Adult Ministries
• Building Community With Older Adults

The most frequently asked question: What is the Silver Chalice Ministry?

Rev. Nicole Kelly Vickey follows the work of the Silver Chalice Ministry and was inspired to share about it with her congregation, Washington Park UCC in Denver, CO. She describes the congregation as “a small but vibrant, lively community of hope, healing and love … many of whom think of growth in terms of growth by young families.” However, Rev. Vickey felt that they should be measuring growth in another way: growing by more of who they already, authentically were. 

“What would it look like to embrace the fact that we are already an older adult community and intentionally grow with and among older adults? We want to be beloved community for all people…not just those who are young and able-bodied, and maybe an important part of our future is serving the needs and concerns many older adults face around loneliness, meaning-making, belonging, and a continuing sense of purpose.”

Together, Older Adult Ministries worked with Rev. Vickey to build a presentation to position their identity of a predominantly mature adult community as a strength, and to view their current situation as a ministry opportunity rather than a sign of decline. Additionally, the presentations offered examples of innovative ways congregations can embrace their current identity and serve other older adults in the surrounding community.

Thank you to Rev. Nicole Kelly Vickey for this story and Rev. Irene Albritton for the photo.

To learn more about Silver Chalice Ministry, check out these resources:

• Silver Chalice Ministry Brochure (English or Spanish)
• Silver Chalice Handbook
• Silver Chalice Presentation Script
• Silver Chalice “Power Point

The most requested webinar: Meditation and Contemplation for our Spiritual Journey

“It all began with a group of twelve leaders from health and social service organizations and congregations across the country, who gathered monthly to offer education and resources to congregations and communities regarding the concerns of older adults.” related Rev. Dr. Paul Koch, Regional Minister of Mid America. “The group’s earliest commitment was to develop a book about meditation.” 

Since then, three books about meditation have been produced: Looking For God Over Your Shoulder, The Fruits of the Spirit, and Celebrating Every Day Miracles. In addition, Older Adult Ministries has hosted fifteen webinar sessions focusing on meditation and contemplation – our most sought-after webinar topic. Rev. Dr. Koch and Rev. Kimberly Weir have led these webinars using portions of these meditation booklets that they have written or co-authored with others.

During each webinar, a scripture passage is presented on topics or issues in the Lectio Divina style and a quiet time and prayer are offered. Next, participants are broken up into small breakout groups to discuss their thoughts and views on the passage and how it impacts their lives before returning to the larger group for further discussion and to ask the hosts questions.

Participants return to the practice and subsequent meditation webinars again and again: average attendance has soared from one dozen to over 40. Our next four-week series will be held early next year between January 13th- February 3rd, 2027.

If you are interested in exploring meditation and contemplation, check out our collection of booklets:

• Looking for God Over Your Shoulder
• The Fruits of the Spirit
• Celebrating Every Day Miracles

We encourage you to explore all of our Older Adult Ministries resources. It may be that you will discover something new and/or discover something that impacts the season your ministry is now experiencing. Either way, we are quite sure you will find some that meet your needs.

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We would love to hear about ways you or your ministry have used Older Adults Ministries resources. Connect with us at oam@nbacares.org to share your stories, or post to our Silver Chalice: Older Adult Ministry Facebook group page!