wfn.org | Resource created to help congregations focus on older adults

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

July 28, 1998	Contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - A United Methodist agency is sending out
copies of a new guide to help churches plan programs and ministries for
older people in the coming year.

Developed by the churchwide Board of Discipleship, "The 1999
International Year of Older Persons Resource" is being mailed free in
August to all United Methodist pastors and leaders of older adult
ministries. 

The U.N. General Assembly declared 1999 the International Year of Older
Persons and passed a resolution urging that society pay attention to the
independence, care, participation and dignity of older adults.

Last spring, the churchwide Committee on Older Adult Ministries endorsed
the 1999 International Year of Older Persons and called on the church to
join with other religious bodies in focusing on the needs of older
people and planning ministries for them. Fifteen United Methodist annual
conferences voted this summer to do just that next year.

The committee's endorsement led the Rev. Rick H. Gentzler Jr. to compile
the resource guide to help United Methodist congregations make 1999 a
time of celebration and recognition for older persons. Gentzler is
director of adult ministries for the Board of Discipleship and he
relates to the churchwide older adult committee.

The guide includes worship service suggestions, ideas for weekly and
Sunday celebrations, programming ideas, a litany for aging, models of
ministry, suggested resources for older adult ministry and an article on
"global aging."
 
The resource is also available online and may be downloaded from
http://www.gbod.org/adult/older adults/intro.html, the board's World
Wide Web site. 

 For more information about the guide or the 1999 International Year of
Older Persons, contact Gentzler by e-mail at rgentzler@gbod.org or at
the General Board of Discipleship, P.O. Box  840, Nashville, TN
37202-0840; phone: (615) 340-7173. 

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/