Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network (POAMN) annual conference in Solana Beach, CA. POAMN has been around for a little over 40 years, having been established around the time of the “reunion” of the northern and southern Presbyterian denominations. In their own words, POAMN describes their mission:
To promote the development of older adult ministries and the value of such ministries. POAMN’s mission includes nurturing the faith community, equipping leadership, and resourcing congregations and other organizations that minister to, for, and with older adults. POAMN seeks to encourage ministries that affirm the dignity and value of the multiple generations of aging adults with a focus on spirituality, wellness, care, and social involvement. Its purpose is to educate, advocate, develop and share resources, and train leaders by raising awareness around issues facing aging adults and those who serve those aging adults, all in a covenant relationship with the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). https://poamn.org/who-we-are/
When I first arrived at the conference, I wasn’t sure if I would know anyone, but I figured I’d had to know at least somebody; the Presbyterian world is actually quite small. As it turned out, there were two other folks from Arizona, a minister, Rachel, from de Cristo Presbytery and Larry, an elder from Casa Grande. We formed a little cadre, sharing stories and brainstorming ideas for promoting POAMN in our two presbyteries. There were about 70 other people there, from all over the US, everyone dealing with similar issues around the aging of the PCUSA.
Our workshop choices for the 2-day conference dealt with issues around: retirement, caregiving of significant others, dementia, grief, loss, loneliness, isolation, intergenerational connection, spiritual growth, gratitude, and storytelling. We talked and shared ideas about older adults’ involvement in mission, both local and global, like starting tutoring programs or making “quilts for those in need.” And amid all the discussion, I had the chance to reflect on how Pinnacle “scores” in terms of addressing the concerns of those living in their “third thirty.” What I can say is that we, as a church, are primed to build on what we are already doing: shaping community and connection where older adults are valued, engaged, and given resources to address changes and transitions with a depth of faith and love.
And we can be more intentional about helping those in our community understand when they are feeling isolated, alone, and insignificant, and how to overcome these…through community connection. We have a number of Stephen Ministers who help the pastoral staff address these issues, one on one. We also have fellowship groups where learning and enrichment occur both socially and spiritually. And we would benefit from some more intentional programming around “navigating grief,” and rediscovering purpose as aging brings about change in health, ability, mobility, and mental acuity.
One take-away from this conference that I look forward to working on here at Pinnacle is helping older adults tell their story. Having worked with SAGE (our Wednesday Senior Adults Gaining Enrichment) group for the last six years, I have heard amazing stories about all the things our Pinnacle members have done in their lives. Pastor Erik modeled storytelling in his first sermon in the “Women of the Early Church” series. I hope you got the chance to hear him talk about his Aunt Helen, who had multiple degrees, was a professor, wrote books, and she prayed for everyone in her address book, and prayed over stories she highlighted in the newspaper. And, Erik has asked for congregation members to send in pictures of women who have shaped their faith, and to tell their stories.
In the coming year, here at Pinnacle, we’ll be doing intentional education around aging, health, and dying. In the midst of this, we will be seeking to form community across generations and help our older adults tell their stories to one another and the next generations.
I am certainly glad to attend the POAMN conference, to see what we at Pinnacle are already doing well and what we can improve on. Please let me (mhegeman@pinnaclepres.org) know what ideas you have for telling yours and others’ stories, and how we can continue to build a loving and gracious web of faith-filled connection.
