Silver Chalice Ministry Member Congregation Highlight: Senior Connections Lunch and Learn Program

Contributed by Rev. Kimberly Weir, Older Adult Ministries Innovative Conversations Group

Riverside Avenue Christian Church in Jacksonville, FL embraced Silver Chalice as a pilot church earlier this year, and formed a Silver Chalice team. The team decided to start a lunch and learn program to bring people together over a meal, while also learning something useful about aging.

The team was inspired to act after attending the virtual OAM webinar Your Congregation CAN Do Older Adult Ministry. In the webinar, Abby Coles-Johnson of Community Christian Church in Kansas City, MO outlined how she created an effective model of older adult ministry in her congregation.

The lunch and learn program is called Senior Connections Lunch and Learn and is held every other month. At the start of each session, “Table Topic” cards are laid out on each table to generate conversation among people as they arrive and find a seat.

The presenter then speaks for about 20 minutes, allowing for a time of questions and answers as well as time during the meal for individuals to ask the presenter questions one-on-one. Topics discussed include the different types of senior housing, how to avoid scams, how to make final arrangements before death and avoid probate, and the types of senior home care options available. Participants are asked to pay $10 per session, but if someone cannot pay accommodations are made. On average, 15 people attend each Senior Connections Lunch and Learn.

Initiating and enhancing intergenerational programs and those for older adults is a key element of the Silver Chalice Ministry movement. The Lunch and Learn Program has been replicated in several churches, and proven popular and successful in each. It is a helpful first step in Older Adult Ministry for churches to take. If a luncheon program sounds like something you would be interested in starting in your congregation, we encourage you to head to the OAM Resources page on the NBA website and download the Good News Crew Checklist resource, which lays out a step-by-step guide to help you get started!