Discovering The Mature Lifestyle
Ron Everist of Burnsville filled a unique volunteering niche for Lakeville Schools. Page 3
Volunteerism
July 16, 2015
July Issue
Edina woman opts to work with children, after 30 years in ministry BY SUE WEBBER CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Onward
Retirement. I wondered how I would feel with fewer deadlines and time on my hands. What would I choose to do — would I be bored or alone? Retirement Day came with celebrations and a sense of accomplishment and my heart open to the future. I spent some time, thinking. Finding ways to entertain myself would soon run dry. Where would I find relationships and activities that would fulfill my open days? Who would need me most? Could I help at church or the hospital or with my neighbors down the block? I chose children. Woven between the joys of time to go to plays and concerts, or outdoors, or lunch with friends, were opportunities to care about someone else. I need not be bored for I could offer to help with schools or parks or grandchildren. I will keep growing. And I will not be alone.
Judith Mattison finds it rewarding to work with youngsters, such as this 3-year-old girl, at the Southside Family Nurturing Center in south Minneapolis. (Photo by Sue Webber)
I can still contribute to the world and make it better. --Judith Mattison When the Rev. Judith Mattison retired in 2009 after a 30-year career in the ministry, she decided to wait a year before she became involved with organizational
boards of directors or other activities. But it was a given that she would become an active volunteer. “To me, volunteering is kind of an automatic thing,” Mattison said. “We’re not here to entertain ourselves. The meaning of life comes from contributing. I just think volunteering is a very important part of contribut-
ing to society.” At the end of Mattison’s self-imposed year off, she said, “I decided to focus on children.” Her decision wasn’t surprising, considering that the Edina resident majored in elementary education at the University of Minnesota and taught school for four years before entering the seminary at the age of 41. Now she reads to kindergartners at Bethune School, on the north side of Minneapolis one morning a week. “It gives me great pleasure to do that,” Mattison said. “It’s so great to watch the little people coming in and learning to socialize. Before they leave kindergarten, they can read.” Another of her volunteer activities is working with a Development Committee at the Southside Family Nurturing Center in south Minneapolis. The center has since 1974 offered services to children and families in the heart of the Phillips Neighborhood. Ninety-eight percent of the families served are at or below federal poverty guidelines. “My work tends to be with administration and fundraising,” Mattison said. “These families deserve a break. The programs are offered at no cost to them, and we see such improvement.” Though she isn’t in the active ministry, Mattison still occasionally is called upon to preach, and to conduct weddings or MATTISON - TO PAGE 3