The July 23, 2010 August 17, 2012 The Gathering Place.............. 1 Experience, Grow, Share........ 2 Staff Contacts.......................... 2 Worship Schedule................... 3 Learning Ministry.................... 3 Upper Room Community..... 4 Serving Ministry...................... 5 BOLD Adult Ministry............. 6 Caring Ministry....................... 6 Children's Ministry................. 8 Serving Ministry...................... 9
Ministry provides fun, fellowship for unique group The Gathering Place is a little-known ministry of Chapelwood that meets the first Monday of each month. It provides activities, entertainment and a meal for those who are affected by Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other debilitating diseases such as strokes or Parkinson’s. At the same time, it provides a few hours of respite for their caregivers, who sometimes have no other time they can call their own. Many of our Chapelwood volunteers have experienced the effects of having a family member with Alzheimer’s. They understand the need for 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week care, and have seen their own family caregivers in need of just a few hours of personal time. This is a ministry that many families will need at some point. When our care receivers arrive in the parking lot, they are greeted by name with a smile, a firm handshake or hug, or both. Volunteers help them out of their cars and assist with wheelchairs or walkers when needed. It usually takes about 25 to 30 minutes for most of our care receivers to arrive, get their nametags, and get settled inside. The “early birds” are treated to a cup of coffee and homemade snacks and have a chance to chat. Many guests clearly remember the early years of their lives and enjoy talking about work, their children, college, and favorite family outings. The volunteers love to see their faces light up as they talk about “old times.” Here is what the daughter of one of our care receivers has to say: "The Gatherings have been so good for my father! I can’t tell you how appreciative I am. Last week, he went to Dallas while my husband and I went to our daughter’s parent weekend at college. He came back in the most awful mood, and I just could NOT get him out of it on my own. It was such a blessing to have three Gathering meetings in the last week and a half. Today just might have been his favorite day at the Gathering. I don’t know what y’all did, but he was in a happy mood!" Under the auspices of Interfaith CarePartners, a non-profit organization, 58 area churches conduct a program very similar to Chapelwood’s Gathering Place. Care receivers are welcome to participate in any of them, as needed. As a result, almost any day that a caregiver needs assistance, a program is available that can provide it. The beauty of the Gathering is two-fold: home caregivers can have a break when they need it, and care receivers can enjoy a break from the routine, whether they come from their own homes, nursing homes, or assisted-living facilities. The backbone of the Chapelwood Gathering Place is a dedicated team of 30 to 35 volunteers who prepare snacks and lunch, decorate the tables, plan activities and programs, continued on page 7
Chapelwood Foundation........ 9 Announcements.................... 10 Calendar................................ 10 Community-wide Event....... 11 Kids Choir Rally.................... 11
Tom and Andrea Jaber recently led the Chancel Choir for the Gathering Place.