If you are interested in volunteering on behalf of your congregation or would like to volunteer on ad-hoc committees working on projects such as caregiving, accessibility or fundraising,
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For a listing of current volunteer opportunities available through Episcopal Senior Ministries, click here.
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and give your name, address, phone numbers, interest and availability. Thank you for volunteering.
2008 Parish Senior Ministries of the Quarter
Dr. Lee, Rev. H. Jocelyn Irving, Wilhelmina Walden of Atonement
1st Quarter - Church of the Atonement, Washington, DC
The Episcopal Church of the Atonement in Southeast Washington, DC has a very active senior ministry for their parish and the community. The senior programs have been active for at least 5 years and started with the previous Rector, The Rev. Robert Hunter. Now they are spearheaded by members of the parish and the current Rector, The Rev. H. Jocelyn Irving. Because the church lists 50% of it’s congregation as over 65 years of age, the need for homebound visits are great. The Rev. Irving makes weekly visits to those that are unable to attend services. There is also a church van that provides transportation to and from services for those that are not able to drive. Rev. Irving feels that the senior ministries “allow the parish to stay connected with its seniors and those that are homebound." For example, meals are served to members of the community and delivered to shut in seniors for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Wilhelmina Walden, Parish Contact for Episcopal Senior Ministries, is very active in providing information and resources to her fellow parishioners and encouraging attendance at the senior events. She posts all notices on the bulletin boards and makes announcements at services on Sundays. Most recently, she coordinated a program that involved Dr. Barry Lee, M.D. (a relative of a parishioner). He provided a seminar on Health Care and Preventative Care for seniors. Lunch was provided for the seniors by the members of the Men’s Club. Approximately 50 seniors attended the program.
There are several groups at The Episcopal Church of the Atonement that focus on seniors and their specific needs. One of the senior groups in the parish calls itself the 2nd Wednesday Club which provides an open forum for discussion and socialization for seniors. They also play Pokeno and take bus trips to Hagerstown for shopping and take in the sights and sounds during the holiday season.
There is also a Chair Exercise Group for Seniors, led by a personal trainer, that meets on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.. Stretching, muscle toning and strengthening exercises designed specifically for the mature physique are offered. Approximately 20-25 seniors attend regularly.
The 3rd Thursday prayer group is another senior ministry that focuses on meditation and prayer. Prayers are put into a prayer box and the entire group prays as one for the needs listed in the box. The group has also started its own bead ministry. Members of the group gather to make prayer beads and learn how to use them as a tool for prayer.
The Episcopal Church of the Atonement provides seniors with a place to pray, socialize, exercise, and eat. This parish is a fine example of integrating senior ministries into parish life.
Congratulations to The Episcopal Church of the Atonement!
2007 Parish Senior Ministries of the Month Honorees:
January - St. George's, Washington, DC - "Seniors on the Go"
February - St. Philip's Baden in Brandywine, MD
March - Calvary Episcopal Church, Washington, DC
April - St. Alban's Super Sixties, Washington, DC
May - Grace Church, Silver Spring's Strolling Seniors
June - St. Andrew’s Leonardtown Seniors
July - 55+ Group at the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration
August - Redeemer Seniors - Church of the Redeemer, Bethesda
September - Third Agers Group - St. Mark's, Capitol Hill
October - Good Shepherd Visitors - Good Shepherd, Silver Spring
November - Trinity Church, Newport & Oldfields Chapel, Trinity Parish
December - St. Paul's, Piney Parish
For complete descriptions of these honorees, click here.
To start a Parish Senior Ministry in your parish, please contact:
Dr. Lee, Rev. H. Jocelyn Irving, Wilhelmina Walden of Atonement