Building an Elder Ministry Program: A Case Study Elder Ministry Committee Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
Dec 16, 2015
Building an Elder Ministry Program: A Case Study
Elder Ministry Committee
Episcopal Diocese of Milwaukee
Committee Members
• Fr. David Pfaff – Spiritual Leader• Pat Boyer –St. Bartholomew, Pewaukee
– Committee Chair– President - Boyer & Associates
• Ken Castello – St. Francis, Menomonee Falls– Chaplain three nursing homes– Member of Community of Hope– Member of Franciscan Order
• Barb Lentz – St. Bartholomew, Pewaukee– Representative of Community of Hope
Committee Members
• Deacon Evelyn Payson- ?Church– Retired Librarian
• John Hanna – St. Lukes, Madison– Ombudsman for the State of Wisconsin
Elder Ministry Committee Goals for 2007 - 2008
– A needs assessment of the Diocese– Encouraging Parish Senior Ministries– Strengthening ties with St. John’s & other
senior housing & aging services– Increasing awareness & support within the
Diocese of aging services– Recognizing contributions of older
Episcopalians – Understanding the needs of the
“Sandwich” generation
Major Accomplishments in 2008
• Website
• Parish Survey
• Diabetes Health Fair
Website
Parish Survey
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
# Parish # Responses
59 Parishes - 49% response rate (29)
Survey Results
• Over 221 surveys returned from 29 Parishes– 63% - 65+– 23% - Sandwich Generation– 9% - Caregivers– 5% - Other– 1 person – 90+
• 13 churches – want to develop parish elder ministry committee
Survey Results• Suggestions
– Support Group for people caring for seniors– Assistance with helping a parent cope with
change of residence– Intergeneration Programs – Adopt a Grandparent– Resource Center– Funeral Planning– Senior Singles– Day Trips for Seniors
Many said they are not familiar with the Internet
Survey Results
• Web site info suggested
– Nurse for Senior Health Issues– Legal assistance – Spiritual website specific for seniors– Steps to locating info on the web
Survey Results
• Suggestions for Diocesan Level programs– Central information center for seniors– Celebration of Golden Wedding couples– Tours of the Cathedral
Diabetes Health Fair
• September 13, 2008
• Three speakers– Nutrition– Foot Care– Diabetes by the Numbers
• Good comments although low participation
Goals for 2009
• Increasing members of the committee– Varying meeting times, days & location
• Assisting in developing parish elder committees
• Speaking at the American Society on Aging Conference – 2009 – building an elder ministry – Sharing our Vision
Why Ministry for Elders?
• Sandwich Generation
• Aging population
• Baby Boomers retiring
Population Growth
• Baby Boomers – reach retirement age after 2010
• 65 + - by 90.2% in 2030
• 85+ - by 65.7%
703,000
97,000
1,336,000
158,000
0
200,000
400,000
600,000
800,000
1,000,000
1,200,000
1,400,000
2000 2030
65+
85+
How to enhance Senior Resources in churches
• Create a parish elder committee
• Develop Senior Programs– Invite neighborhood seniors– Keep seniors in active ministry
• Develop intergenerational programs– Adopt a grandparents– Celebrate your own Elders in your church
Ending Thoughts
It is important that we continue to focus on the needs of the youth in our churches, they are our future. However, it is just as
important that we expend that same energy on the needs of our elders.
The Baby Boomers are coming!!
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