Conference Update 2011

It has been a great few days here in San Antonio.  I have been a bad blogger and not said  word, or taken any pictures, but I have been thoroughly enjoying myself and seeing old friends and meeting new ones.

For me, one of the highlights of the conference each year is the networking – hearing what is happening in individual churches and pastoral settings, and how we all minister to older adults in different, but similar ways.  As always, I have a few new tools to take back to think about and mull over.  Two topics I want to research more are generations theory  (Builders, Silents, Millennials etc) and assembling care teams – -what would that look like, how would they function?  As always, I find tidbits that enhance the other areas of my ministry as well — the prescription assistance program cards that I can use for folks who need help when they come in off the street was a good find, as well as the nFog workshop (for places to start with our congregation as we look to move forward with the new BOO).

So, I invite us to practice this “blogging” thing together –  find the link that says “comment”, click it  and answer this question – what was the highlight of your POAMN experience this year?  What are 1 or 2 nuggets you will take back with you to use in your work?  If you would like to write an article or submit something longer, if you have pictures I can post, send them to me at fpcpastor2@earthlink.net.  Note:  you can also subscribe to this blog by e-mail by clicking on the link to the right.  I promise I don’t send spam!

Nominations Sought for Executive Committee

Nominations Sought

The Nominations Committee will soon begin working to recruit persons to nominate at the business meeting at October’s annual conference.

We are asking for suggestions of names to fill three vacancies and two elect positions—President, Secretary, Member-at-Large for Membership, Treasurer Elect, and Member-at-Large for Conference Planning Elect.  Please email me (dyoungblood@swbell.net) your suggestions or complete the included form.

Remember that all persons nominated to be Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network officers must have the following qualifications:

1. A member of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

2. A POAMN member for at least two years

3. Attended at least two POAMN conferences

4. Shown an interest in Older Adult Ministries

5. Shown desire and availability to serve God through active participation on the Executive Committee

In selecting its officers POAMN will seek to reflect the rich diversity of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

For each nomination please include the nominee’s name, address, phone number, presbytery and synod, experience in Older Adult Ministry, and the office or committee the nominee would be interested in serving on.

Thank you for your help.

POAMN Nomination Form

If you are interested in serving on the POAMN Executive Committee or wish to nominate a POAMN member to serve, please complete this form and return it to the Nominating Committee Chair at the address below.

Nominee:______________________________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________________________

Phone:________________________________________________________________________

Email address:__________________________________________________________________

Presbytery:____________________________________________________________________

Synod:________________________________________________________________________

Experience in Older Adult Ministries:_______________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________

Office or area the nominee is interested in serving:_____________________________________

Nominated by:__________________________________________________________________

Address:______________________________________________________________________

Phone:________________________________________________________________________

Email Address:_________________________________________________________________

Please return the completed form to:

Rev. Désirée M. Youngblood

10105 Talleyran Dr.

Austin, TX  78750

 

Or e-mail to dyoungblood@swbell.net

October seems to be coming very fast. The Executive Committees of both ARMSS and POAMN are working hard to make this year’s conference awesome and chock full of good stuff. We are excited to see you all in San Antonio. If you have not registered, yet, you can find the registration on our website. http://www.poamn.org/

POAMN – Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network

www.poamn.org

POAMN is the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network, a network of persons who are engaged in ministry with older adults.

POAMN Conference Scholarship Information

From Desiree Youngblood’s Facebook post:

We are very excited about this year’s conference in San Antonio. Come enjoy the River Walk while learning great new ways to make Older Adult Ministries exciting in your church. After all, older adults are the past, present, and future of our churches.

For more information, or to receive an application by e-mail contact Desiree Youngblood.

ARMSS / POAMN

Association of Retired Ministers, Their Spouse or Survivors Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network Conference

At the Crossroads of Change

October 11 – October 14, 2011

San Antonio, Texas

Application for Partial Scholarship

The Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network (POAMN) offers scholarships of $200 to first-time participants as a way of promoting growth in this important network of older adult ministry resource persons.  The applicant may represent a local congregation, a Presbytery or a Synod.  Applications should be sent to POAMN, P.O. Box 700311, Oostburg, WI  53070, gnyhuis@frontier.com, or faxed to (920) 564-3051 attention Ginny Nyhuis. Applications should be received no later than September 1st, 2011.  Notification of scholarship awards will be made by September 10th.   Please complete the questions as fully as possible.  You may attach additional sheets if necessary.

A progress report will be expected during the 10-12 month period after the POAMN conference attended by the recipient.  The Executive Committee will provide feedback on its assessment of the project and make suggestions about the project, as appropriate.

Scholarships will be granted on the basis of the uniqueness and creativity exhibited in the project design.  Following are examples of model ministries that have been successful:

1) Carry out a needs assessment in my congregation during the next 12 months.

2) Commit to a ministry of visitation in a nursing home.

3) Develop a plan for the study of issues by older adults as well as social events in the congregation.

4) Develop a resource that will assist members of the congregation in planning for issues they will face as older adults, such as caregiving, advance directives, planning a memorial service.

Please include the following information on your application statement:

Name, address, phone and email

Church name & address, position or responsibilities associated there

POAMN membership status (current, new, non-member)

San Antonio Tip #1: Good Food

I have been to san Antonio twice.  Both times were day trips and both times I ate at this wonderful place.  Touristy — yes.  Of course.  They have flags and lights and streamers and banners hanging from the ceiling.  It is an overload of color and lights.  But it is so yummy!  Last night I was craving the Puebla chicken – “Pollo en Mole Poblano. Quarter Chicken topped with our delicious Mole Sauce. Served with Spanish Rice and Refried Beans.”  It’s the Mole (say it Moe-lay!) that I love.  Deep intense layered nutty spicy earthy flavors.  Yum.

You too can have some of this amazing sauce, and also the dulce de leche candy that I have yet to find elsewhere if you join us for the POAMN conference October 11-14.  Registration forms can be downloaded here, along with other information.

Dr. Cynthia Rigby is our keynote speaker.

“Being Alive in a CrazyBusy World” If there are any two words that describe the average American on any given day, they are: tired and busy. Our lives are not only full, they are crammed full. And we are always trying to figure out how to pack more in: how to be more efficient; how to create more time; how to be more productive. And, in the midst of all this, we want to be disciples. To follow the One who promises us rest who promises us peace, who promises us joy, who promises us life. At this conference, we’ll strive to reclaim the abundant life Christ came to give us, his beloved disciples.

Older Adult Ministries Planning Guide

Sunday, May 11, 2011 is Celebrate Older Adult Sunday in the Presbyterian Church (USA).  When my 2011 Older Adult Ministries Planning Guide  (download yours for free here!) arrived in the mail a while ago, I put it in the stack of things to read when I had time.  Yesterday I fount it, and gave it some overdue attention. 

My initial thought was that this would only be a guide for Celebrate Older Adults Sunday.  Some worship materials and not much more.  I was pleasantly surprised!  If you have never had time to explore the planning guide, here is a quick behind the scenes tour.

Yes, the guide does contiain resources for liturgy and worship.  One that grabbed my attention, and has me dreaming about ways it can be used is the liturgy for the Celebration of Wisdom Giving up the Privilige of Driving.  It acknowledges our freedom, the loss that comes with giving up our independence, and our reliance on God in all times of our lives.

Not only is there liturgy, but there are articles about intergenerational ministry and also aging in general.  I can see this guide having a place on my desk or ready refrence shelf for the next year, and I am ordering ciopies for my older adults committee.

There is a space on this blog for you to leave your comments — what is your favorite part of the guide this year?  How do you see your church using it?

We’re Here!

Welcome!

This is the brand new blog for the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network.  I’m your cruise Director, Julie Jensen, Associate Pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Cartersville, GA.  I joined POAMN last year and attended their conference last year.

I find myself still referring back to what I learned in workshops and in times of one on one conversation.  There were hospital chaplains, retirement community chaplains, and hospice chaplains in addition to the pastors and lay people from churches across the country.

My hopes in administrating this blog are to provide a place to let the executive committee let people know what is happening with the group beyond the website.  Look for announcements when the newsletter is published, events are scheduled, and they have news to share.  This can also be a place to share your joys and trials of older adult ministry and allow others to comment.  On the right hand side, you will see a place to subscribe by e-mail.  Those addresses are not shared, but will allow you to get posts as soon as they are published so you do not need to come back here to see what you missed.

As of today, I am still in the setting up stages of the blog, so look for pieces to be added in the coming days.  If you have thoughts or ideas, please post them in the comments below.