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07541 August 31, 2007
Nashville church models caregiving ministry
Outreach to older members is 'grounded in prayer'
by Mike Ferguson Presbyterian News Service
NASHVILLE - One way members of the First Presbyterian Church in Nashville minister to older members is to grab dinner out of a church freezer, slap a card on the meal and deliver it to someone who appreciates both the meal and the visit.
That freezer, dubbed the "Manna Freezer" and run by "Manna Mamas," never seems to run short of food, says the Rev. Sandra Randleman, the church's associate pastor for congregational care and discipleship. It holds food that's delivered to many groups of people, including folks caring for aging or injured members.
"If you have a heart for this ministry," Randleman said during a workshop Thursday at the National Elders Conference here, "it's terrible not to use your gift."
The first-ever conference is being attended by more than 300 elders from across the nation. The theme is "Elder as Spiritual Leader: Reclaiming the Call."
Caregivers are increasingly numerous among Presbyterians, where the average age is 58. For every Presbyterian 25 and under, there are six who are 65 and older.
Not everyone has the gifts to be a caregiver, Randleman said, but there are a couple of tests to gauge whether you're cut out for the work: Does it bring you a sense of fulfillment, a feeling you're doing what you were created to do? And how do people respond to what you're doing?
At First church, members have found creative ways to provide what the church calls at-home ministry:
At least once each quarter, elders and deacons fan out into the community to provide informal worship and communion at retirement and nursing homes and at members' homes. Randleman offers them a brief liturgy, and church officers share highlights from the sermon they heard that morning.
What to do with the flowers left over from Sunday worship? On Monday morning, members rearrange them into small vases and then deliver them to at-home members. "It is way to remember people and make them know they are an important part of the congregation," Randleman said.
The church offers sandwiches each month during caregivers' support group meetings, recognizing that it can be difficult for caregivers to get away even for two hours to attend a group designed for them. "It's important knowing you're not the only one facing the challenge," Randleman says. "Those meetings are on our Web site, and we reach a lot of nonmembers that way."
A men's group meets monthly to do home repairs for older adults and single mothers. When they can't find a project, they "do fix-up stuff around church," Randleman says with a smile.
For the most part, caregiving at First Church is being provided by other older adults, Randleman said.
"Older adults are often wonderful ministering to other older adults," she said. "They have the time and compassionate hearts. But we're trying to bring in some younger older people."
Before they get down to their difficult task, caregivers must tap into their source of strength, Randleman said.
"Caregiving as a ministry can't be effective unless it's grounded in prayer," she said.
Mike Ferguson, a Presbyterian elder, is a reporter for the Baker City Herald in Baker City, OR.
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