Site
Contents
 |
General Information about the Area Office
North Indiana Conference Office
South Indiana Conference Office
Prayer Guides
(Courtesy of the NIC Prayer Team)
Area United Methodist
Foundation
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 Methodists together |
September 2004 |
Celebrate National Grandparents Day Sept. 12
By Richard H. Gentzler Jr.
According to the Census Bureau, the United States will have 72 million grandparents by 2005. By 2010, that number will rise to 80 million.
Since 1978, the United States has observed the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. Many United Methodist congregations use this Sunday to honor all older adults, to give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their grandchildren and to help children learn of the strength, information and guidance older adults can offer.
Many older adults do not have family living nearby. United Methodists can help fill the void of loneliness many older adults experience. In every community, there are elderly persons who would welcome an opportunity to be a part of a family's life. Your congregation can open doors to foster fulfillment and be a blessing in the lives of older adults.
As Grandparents Day approaches, congregations can:
-
Invite young people or families to "adopt" older adults in the congregation. Include everyone-whether or not they have grandchildren. Invite the family to pray for the older adult and to write a special note or card in honor of Grandparents Day. Sit together during worship and, if possible, share a meal, play games, visit a museum or see a movie.
-
Invite older adults to "adopt" a child or young family. Older adults can become "grandparents" for the children of the church by preparing a meal, sending cards and corresponding by e-mail.
-
Invite youth to interview older church members and record the information in a journal, on audiocassette or on video. Find ways of sharing the interviews during Sunday school or worship.
-
Involve older adults in planning and conducting the worship service on National Grandparents Day. Ask then to serve as greeters, ushers, readers and liturgists or song leaders. Keep in mind that there is a great diversity in the age of grandparents. Some are in their 30s and 40s, while others are in their 80s and 90s. Plan your celebration to reflect the age differences.
-
Following Sunday morning worship, hold a special dinner recognizing older adults and celebrating their various ministries.
-
Encourage young people and families to visit homebound adults and residents of continuing care and retirement communities.
Richard H. Gentzler Jr. serves the United Methodist Board of Discipleship based in Nashville. This article originally appeared in the July-Aug. issue of Interpreter magazine. For information about subscribing to Interpreter, log on to www.interpretermagazine.org.
Last updated on 08/20/2004