Site
Contents
 |
Imagine Indiana Transition Team Information
General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Area United Methodist
Foundation
Prayer Guides
(Courtesy of the NIC Prayer Team)
For resources to assist your congregation in welcoming guests,
click here
Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
May 2001 |
Older Adult Visitation Ministry
"Out of Adversity … a ministry of the laity"
By Beverly Calender-Anderson
Special to the Hoosier UM News
In 1998, the Rev. Ed Helm, Pastor of Visitation at Anderson New Horizon UM Church, was diagnosed with prostate cancer and heart disease. A retired UM pastor, Helm had been on the staff of New Horizon UMC since 1991. He spent most of his 20 hours per week visiting shut-ins at nursing homes and assisted living facilities as well as in their own homes. With his diagnosis, in addition to focusing attention on his own treatment and recuperation, he was overwhelmed with concern for the more than 30 elderly shut-ins that he called on each month.
To resolve his dilemma, Pastor Ed sent letters to 50 members of Anderson New Horizon UMC asking for their assistance. The letter asked if each person would be willing to spend one hour per month with one shut-in. Unsure of the outcome, Ed stepped out on faith and prayed that enough people would respond. He hoped there would be at least one caller for every two shut-ins. Forty-nine people responded and the Older Adult Visitation Ministry (OAVM) was born.
Every member
|
OAVM provides opportunities for service to retirees who are church members, 60-65 years old and in good health. These volunteers call on the church's elderly shut-ins at least once a month. In addition to keeping shut-ins connected to the congregation and providing companionship and support, OAVM gives the callers a sense of usefulness and well being. According to Helm, "When older people have something to do, they feel that life is worth living."
"The Older Adult Visitation Ministry has put ministry back into the hands of the laity," says the Rev. Stephen Holdzkom, Senior Pastor of Anderson New Horizon. "As a church, we try to help people discover their spiritual gifts. OVAM fits in with our general philosophy.
Helm says elders are often the last to be thought of when it comes to performing volunteer tasks. Younger people don't want to impose on their golden years, or feel that elders would rather rest than work. In many cases, nothing could be further from the truth.
How it works
Ken Brammer, a retired teacher, is one of those who said yes to Pastor's Ed's original request. He now serves as the General Coordinator for OAVM. "Sometimes we don't realize how lonely it can be," says Brammer. He supervises three other coordinators to assure that the church's more than 28 shut-ins are called on at least once a month. OAVM Coordinators depend on the congregation to help identify new shut-ins. Each coordinator has a team of 6-8 callers and a list of shut-ins for whom they are responsible. Brammer says that OAVM is moving into a new phase.
They have begun collecting the birth dates of the shut-ins. In addition to the monthly calls, OAVM volunteers will provide birthday cards, thereby increasing the shut-in's sense of belonging to the larger church community.
At 75 years young, Pastor Ed now calls on about three members per month in addition to providing leadership to OAVM, teaching Sunday school and singing with the choir. He continues to look for new ways to be in mission and ministry. "My body isn't what it used to be but my mind and spirit are as strong as ever. I want to be in mission as long as I live." If the Older Adult Visitation Ministry is any indication, Pastor Ed Helm's impact on the lives of people will be felt for many years to come.