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and young adults,’ ” she said, adding that congregations seem to have little vision for seeing older adults as an asset. Although the center offers educational events and
provides e-newsletters and other resources for individu- als and congregations, the challenge is breaking through the mindset that older members are set in their ways and aren’t as important for congregational growth. “You have to know what you want to accomplish,” she added. For years Bethlehem Lutheran in Santa Rosa, Calif.,
was attracting young families to the church, said Brian Claasen, pastor. But in the past six years, the demograph- ics have changed. Almost 80 percent of worshipers on Sunday are 65 or older, including people from a nearby senior community. In 2009 the congregation started a Seniors in Tran-
sition program to help older adults who are facing life-changing decisions. Members Dorothy Wagner, a registered nurse, and Debbie Knudtzon, parish nurse, spearheaded the program that helps older adults think about independent living choices and assisted care. In 2011, with a grant from Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, Ill., three other area ELCA churches signed on to
the program. With 99,000 adults 65 and older in Sonoma County—and an expected increase to total 126,000 by 2030—the program is a link to seniors who can feel isolated and unsure about what to do in a crisis. “It can become a support group for older people,” Wagner said.
Looking at the second half of life As adults reach the sixth and seventh decade of their lives, many aren’t sure what to do with the “second half of their lives,” said Ausma Mursch, executive director for Creative Ministries, Lutheran Social Services of New York. Tey tell her: “I knew what was expected with a spouse, children, but now I don’t know.” Mursch said churches need to quit thinking that older
adults are only useful “for stuffing church envelopes” and need to say: “You have the time and maybe the energy. Let’s get you involved.” She added: “We haven’t learned the skill sets people
come with to our churches and how we can capture those for ministry.” Larry and Darlene Leatz, members of Trinity in Val-
paraiso, Ind., have attended several Lutheran churches while working full time in Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana. As educators and entrepreneurs, both were active in
Mary Schaefer shows her mother, Linda Lewis, photos of the great-grandchildren.
In our home she was an integral part of our fam-
ily—baking cookies, helping prepare dinner, regularly worshiping at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, and enjoy- ing the company of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. As her health declined, we could no longer care for
Glimpses of Linda’s grace By Tom Schaefer A
t 104 she was almost completely deaf, even with hearing aids. Her ability to read was limited. She smiled when family visited. And when her great-
grandchildren sang “Jesus Loves Me,” they made her day. For 13 years my wife’s mother, Linda Lewis, lived with
us in our home in Wichita, Kan. She moved in a year aſter her husband died. Te two of them, lifelong Luther- ans, had lived in Missouri most of their lives.
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www.thelutheran.org
her. Aſter much prayer and agonizing by us and her other daughter and son-in-law, we chose a six-resident care home for Linda. Te care was good, but it wasn’t her home. She wondered why God let her live. We didn’t have satisfactory answers. We assured her that God was with her and loved her. She knew that and trusted it was true. How did she cope? Family and church friends visited.
Photos and videos on an iPad of her great-grandchildren brought a smile. Every month one of our church’s Ste- phen Ministers, Arnold Dilley, gave her communion. She looked forward to his visits. Tey talked and prayed. During one visit he told us she had said: “I don’t know
what keeps me going, why I have to live so long.” Ten she mentioned that her granddaughter had stopped by that week and three of her great-grandchildren had
JAIME GREEN
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