Home | About Us | Pastoral Care | Bi-weekly Resources
PASTORAL CARE
October 8, 2018
Find tips and resources for self-care, material to assist you in providing pastoral care, and general information to help you in your practice of ministry. Information will be updated every two weeks concurrent with the East Ohio E-news. Archives Here ...
A Way Forward: Walk Gently on the Earth
Mature religions and individuals have great tolerance and even appreciation for differences. When we are secure and confident in our oneness—knowing that all are created in God’s image and are equally beloved—differences of faith, culture, language, skin color, sexuality, or other trait no longer threaten us. Rather, we seek to understand and honor others and to live in harmony with them.
During the Convivencia in Spain [711–1492], Jews, Christians and Muslims not only lived side by side in an atmosphere of religious tolerance but they also actively collaborated on some of the most important works of art, architecture, literature, mathematics, science, and mystical teachings in the history of Western culture. . . . The commitment to welcoming people of all faiths is still a beacon that shines from the heart of Islam. —Mirabai Starr
Aging and Memory
by Joe Brennan
Two older men talking on the phone about the problems with aging:
Jim said to Fred; "You know Fred this aging caper has nothing to recommend it.
"You're right" said Fred "there are so many things that you can do when you're young that you can't do when your old. My biggest problem is my memory, I've forgotten so many things lately that I cant remember half of them".
Jim replied "I know exactly what you mean Fred but I was lucky I found a great memory course and it really helped me, it taught me how to use different methods to remember things by associating names with other names and ideas with other ideas to jog my memory and now I can almost remember anything"
Fred said, "That sounds fantastic Jim, what was the name of the course?"
Jim paused for a moment trying to remember, glanced over at his wife quizzically and then turned back to Fred on the phone and said, "Fred, you know that flower I have in my front garden? It has a beautiful red petals on it and a stem with very sharp thorns. What's it called?"
"Ah yes" says Fred "that's the rose".
Relieved, Jim turned back to his wife and said "Rose what was the name of that memory course that I did??!!"
On the Brink of Everything: Grace Gravity and Getting Old
by Parker Palmer
Aging as a passage of discovery and engagement: From bestselling author Parker J. Palmer comes a brave and beautiful book for all who want to age reflectively, seeking new insights and life-giving ways to engage in the world. “Age itself,” he says, “is no excuse to wade in the shallows. It's a reason to dive deep and take creative risks.”
Looking back on eight decades of life—and on his work as a writer, teacher, and activist—Palmer explores what he's learning about self and world, inviting readers to explore their own experience. In prose and poetry—and three downloadable songs written for the book by the gifted Carrie Newcomer—he meditates on the meanings of life, past, present, and future. “The laws of nature that dictate sundown dictate our demise. But how we travel the arc toward the sunset of our lives is ours to choose: will it be denial, defiance, or collaboration?”
With compassion and chutzpah, gravitas and levity, Palmer writes about cultivating a vital inner and outer life, finding meaning in suffering and joy, and forming friendships across the generations that bring new life to young and old alike.
A Very Present Help: Psalms for Older Adults
by
Miriam Dunson
Having found a strong correlation between themes in the psalms and the personal and spiritual issues that older adults deal with everyday, Miriam Dunson selects ten of the best-known psalms for in-depth studies exploring issues of particular concern to older people. She opens avenues for study and reflection by including in each chapter a discussion of the psalm's background, its meaning, and how it relates to the lives of older persons.
Love, Our First and Finally Home
by Richard Rohr
There is only One Love that will lead and carry you across when you die. If you are already at home with Love here, you will quite readily move into the eternal home of Love, which most of us call heaven. Death is not a changing of worlds, as most imagine, as much as the walls of this world infinitely expanding. If you get love here, you have found the eternal home base and you will easily and naturally live forever.
Life is not about being correct but about being connected. At all costs, stay connected!
Wrinkles Don’t Hurt: Daily Meditations on the Joy of Aging Mindfully
by Ruth Fishel
No matter if we're thirty or ninety, we can learn to live in a way which will help us deepen our joy of living. And while we know deep down that wrinkles don't hurt, sometimes we disagree with those who tell us to seize the day--that the best is yet to come. We know the goal is to greet each day with optimism, enthusiasm, and a zest for living, but sometimes it's hard to know how to begin. Bestselling author Ruth Fishel provides much-needed wisdom, guidance, and inspiration to help us remain positive, present, and more mindful. Studies show that mindfulness may be the best medicine for what ails us physically and emotionally: It's a powerful tool that can keep our memories sharp, alleviate stress, boost immunity, and help us better handle life's ups and downs.
Written in a page-a-day format, Wrinkles Don't Hurt is filled with practical suggestions, affirmations, and whimsical illustrations that will help you let go of worries and fears, remember that you are not alone, and help you discover and celebrate the joys that come with living a seasoned life.
Walking Each Other Home: Conversations on Loving and Dying
by Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush
We all sit on the edge of a mystery. We have only known this life, so dying scares us—and we are all dying. But what if dying were perfectly safe? What would it look like if you could approach dying with curiosity and love, in service of other beings? What if dying were the ultimate spiritual practice?
Ram Dass and Mirabai Bush began their friendship more than four decades ago at the foot of their guru, Neem Karoli Baba, also known as Maharaj-ji. He transmitted to them a simple philosophy: love everyone, tell the truth, and give up attachment to material things. After impacting millions of people through the years with these teachings, they have reunited once more with Walking Each Other Home to enlighten and engage readers on the spiritual opportunities within the dying process. They generously share intimate personal experiences and timeless practices, told with courage, humor, and heart, gently exploring every aspect of this journey. And, at 86 years old, Ram Dass reminds us, “This time we have a real deadline.”
In Walking Each Other Home, readers will learn about: guidelines for being a “loving rock” for the dying, how to grieve fully and authentically, how to transform a fear of death, leaving a spiritual legacy, creating a sacred space for dying, and much more.
“Everybody you have ever loved is a part of the fabric of your being now,” says Ram Dass. The body may die, but the soul remains. Death is an invitation to a new kind of relationship, in the place where we are all One. Join these two lifelong friends and spiritual luminaries as they explore what it means to live and die consciously, remember who we really are, and illuminate the path we walk together.
Beginning this Fall…
Locations:
Ashland—2nd Wednesdays, 1:00-2:30
Canton—3rd Thursdays, 1:30-3:00
Solon—2nd Thursday, 2:30-4:00
Vermilion—3rd Friday, 11:00-12:30
Focus of the Year: “Being Peace”
Considering the conflict and lack of civility in our world and communities, our churches and families, and within ourselves, the focus for the year is: “Being Peace.” Following Jesus’ practice of going into a quiet place to spend time alone with Abba, we will seek to find our center and listen for what God is calling us to, so that we may emerge as agents of transformation in the world.
To Register:
Please indicate your interest, including location preference, by email: hkhumphress@gmail.com, or call the Office of Pastoral Care: 330-456-0486.
The Program in Pastoral Care and Counseling encourages the spiritual formation of our pastors believing a strong spiritual base is the greatest resource a church leader can possess. It helps us weather the many storms of ministry and deepens the incredible joys ministry provides. Following is a list of Spiritual Directors in our area. We encourage you to take advantage of this rich resource. This listing will appear in each edition of our bi-monthly webpage updates and new names and contact information will be provided as we learn of them and have permission to include them. If you are a director or know of a director that is not included here please let us know.
Spritual Directors:
Debbie Baker - connectingministries@gmail.com
Bruce Batchler-Glader – brucebg@yahoo.com
Harry Finkbone - Finkbone1@gmail.com
Joyce Gordon - joytgordon@gmail.com
Karen Hollingsworth - karenj.hollingsworth@gmail.com
Liz Nau – mlnau2002@gmail.com
Hazel Partington – lakehavenministries.com
Jennifer Olin-Hitt – jolinhitt@gmail.com
Sharon Seyfarth Garner – spiritualdirection@att.net
Carol Topping - cptopping@gmail.com
Laurie Tucker - ltfriendship188@gmail.com
10 Things Every Family Should Know About Aging with Dignity and Independence
by The SCAN Foundation
Caregiving, Home and Community-Based Services - Aging with dignity and independence is the ability to live life to its fullest in the place you call home, regardless of age, illness, or disability. This ideal is important because many Americans have loved ones who are aging, whether it is a spouse, neighbor, parent, or other family member. As a result, those closest to us may soon need some assistance and care in order to continue to live in their communities and among friends and family. A little-known reality is that 70 percent of people over 65 will need long-term care at some point in their lives. To better prepare, here are 10 things to know if you are providing help to an older loved one.
Ten things to Know ...Aging Matters: Finding Your Calling for the Rest of Your Life
by R. Paul Stevens
Vocational discernment, says R. Paul Stevens, is a lifelong process — one that takes on even more significance in later life. In this book Stevens argues that our calling does not end with formal retirement; to the contrary, we do well to keep on working, if possible, till life's end.
Stevens delves into matters of calling, spirituality, and legacy in retirement, showing that we must continue to discern our vocation as we grow older in order to remain meaningfully engaged for the rest of our lives. He reframes retirement as a time of continued calling and productivity and points to biblical wisdom that can help us redefine aging as an extraordinarily fruitful season of life.
If you have any questions or issues you would like for us to address or would like to get email alerts when new resources have been posted please contact Howard Humphress at hkhumphress@gmail.com or use our quick contact form.
Or contact our office at pastoralcareeoc@gmail.com or call 330-456-0486.
The East Ohio Conference Pastoral Care Office:
Howard Humphress, D. Min.
Executive Director
E-mail
Office Administrator
Lynn Smith
E-mail
Address:
1445 Harrison Avenue NW · Suite 301
Canton, Ohio 44708
Phones/Fax:
Local: 330-456-0486
Toll Free: 866-456-3600
Fax: 330-456-6421
Office Hours: Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
© EAST OHIO CONFERENCE. All Rights Reserved.