wfn.org | [UMNS-ALL-NEWS] UMNS# 219-Church plans annual celebration of older adults

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

Church plans annual celebration of older adults

>May. 22, 2008

NOTE: Photographs are available at http://umns.umc.org.

>By Kathy L. Gilbert*

FORT WORTH, Texas (UMNS)-An annual Older Adult Recognition Day will be
held in The United Methodist Church starting in 2009 to celebrate older
adults.

The 2008 General Conference, the denomination's top lawmaking body,
voted to add an Older Adult Recognition Day to the special observances
on the church's calendar. The day is to be observed annually, preferably
during the month of May.

The day is intended to provide congregations with the opportunity to
learn more about the issues and concerns related to aging and older
adulthood. The Committee on Older Adult Ministries, Board of
Discipleship, will have responsibility for supervising and promoting the
observance.

During the April 23-May 2 international gathering, the denomination
revised its resolution on aging in the United States to include the
latest information from the U.S. Census Bureau. Updated information
shows people are living longer, and by 2032, there will be 72 million
people 65 years of age and older in the United States. The average
United Methodist is at least 60 years old, according to the committee.

>Older adult ministries

The church's Comprehensive Plan for Older Adult Ministries for 2009-2012
will emphasize intergenerational ministry and caregiving ministry.

Intergenerational ministry will build understanding between younger
people and older adults by promoting the gifts, faith and wisdom of each
age group.

The Census Bureau projects that by 2030, there will be more older adults
in the United States than children and youth combined. Intentional
church-based caregiving will become more necessary as federal
entitlements are cut and family structures change.

Two hundred years ago, people didn't retire; they just "worked until
they wore out," according to the comprehensive plan. Medical and
scientific advances mean people are living longer, and post-retirement
can be 25 to 35 years or more.

Some of the more alarming statics about aging include the rising rate of
dementia for those 85 and older. In 2000, more than 4 million people in
the United States had Alzheimer's disease, and it is predicted that by
2050, 16 million could have the disease.

"In many ways, we haven't determined the modern purpose of a longer,
healthier old age," the comprehensive plan states. "To what use do we
put the incredible resource of elderhood? How do we help older adults
continue to grow in faith as disciples of Jesus Christ? We need new
models of old age for our coming maturity."

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

>********************

United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org

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