The Beauty of Collaboration

When we put our voices, knowledge, and actions together, our world expands exponentially. When we work and share together, Older Adult Ministries grows organically. An amazing example unfolded recently.

Laura Hoke was struggling to find some resources mentioned in a recent Silver Chalice Churches meeting she had attended. Her congregation, First Christian Church in Quincy, IL had recently begun their journey to earn the Silver Chalice designation, and Ms. Hoke was looking for resources around end-of-life planning for an upcoming event the church was hosting.

In addition to the Silver Chalice meeting she had attended, Ms. Hoke had also participated in an Older Adult Ministries webinar, and through contacts from these gatherings she sent out a group email asking for help. “During our meeting, there was talk about resources available for participants to create a binder with pertinent information [about end-of-life planning]… Can someone please point me in the right direction?”

Very soon, responses started coming in:

• A pastor and director for an ecumenical council of churches recommended a one-hour presentation from Shelly Halverson called “A Lifetime Gift,” which includes a binder with checklists and instructions for end-of-life planning.
  
• Another pastor responded and suggested that they contact the Christian Church Foundation to present on end-of-life giving.
  
• A pastor in another part of the country who is a certified End of Life Doula and has done presentations for their congregation offered their assistance.
  
• Rev. Darnell Fennell, a pastor and director of NBA’s Social Entrepreneurship program, suggested that Ms. Hoke reach out to NBA’s Incubate Partner, Darthula Young’s Rooted in Dignity, which helps individuals “navigate the journey of end-of-life care with compassion and knowledge.” 
  
• Silver Chalice team member Rev. Kimberly Weir shared a book she wrote entitled Celebrating Your Life: A Guide to Planning Your End-of-this Life Celebration, and offered to send copies to Ms. Hoke. (Rev. Weir also created the “Service of Release & Renewal” resource on the NBA webpage.)
  
• Dr. Marcia Blake offered to share materials used to put on a series called “Finishing Faithfully” at her congregation, Sun City Christian Church in Sun City, AZ.

Ms. Hoke was overwhelmed with the responses and many options offered to her, and everyone benefited from the online conversation. Through networking with others from the events she attended, it opened the doorway for Ms. Hoke’s congregation to collaborate and cooperate with Disciples churches all over the country.

Would you like to pose a ministry question to our older adult ministries’ colleagues? Contact us at oam@nbacares.org and we will share your inquiry with the group!

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Check out these additional resources on the Older Adult Ministries resource page:

• Service of Release and Renewal
• Finishing Faithfully Guide, Supplement, and Schedule