Building an Elder Ministry Program: A Case Study

Building an Elder Ministry Program: A Case Study

Elder Ministry CommitteeEpiscopal 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

0200,000400,000600,000800,000

1,000,0001,200,0001,400,000

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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