Community Matters Aberdeen Village
April 2017
Joining hands on the journey By Diane Gunsolley, Aberdeen Village chaplain
One recent research study shows that greater than 90 percent of seniors rely on their faith to cope with health problems and difficult circumstances to a moderate degree at least. I believe that study is accurate. Serving as chaplain in various settings since 2008, I’ve had the sacred privilege of joining hands with many on their faith journey. Repeatedly, I’ve witnessed how a vibrant faith in God connects to a sense of meaning and purpose in life. I’ve also observed the importance of community in surviving heartache. For these reasons, I strongly encourage you to continue with the faith practices that you have found meaningful through the years by joining us in our religious activities here at Aberdeen Village. Our Spiritual Care Department includes JOURNEY, continued on page 4 CEO, continued on page 4
Residents Gib Hart and Mary Lou Niebling.
Celebrating service April is National Volunteer Month, and we have many volunteers right here at Aberdeen Village to celebrate! While we’d love to highlight them all, we’d like to call out Mary Lou Niebling and Gib Hart, two residents who demonstrate what it means to have a heart for serving others. Mary Lou Niebling She enjoyed working at Aberdeen Village as a nurse in our assisted living community so much, Mary Lou Niebling decided to move here in 2003. She brought with her an extensive background in service and volunteerism. She worked many years in the medical field and also gave her time in service at Village Presbyterian Church, singing in the choir and working in the food pantry. Right off the bat, she started a recycling program when she arrived here, and she was also on the resident council for several years. She plays piano during Vespers and serves at the SERVICE, continued on page 2
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Library as well as on the Spiritual Life Committee. She’s a resident ambassador and leads aquatic aerobics on Saturdays. “My parents were avid volunteers, so it comes naturally to me,” said Mary Lou. “Volunteerism helps me get to know people; it’s a readymade group of friends, intellectually challenging and keeps me mentally sharper.” Gib Hart
Special Training Program in 1943, then went on to get his Aeronautical Engineering degree from KU in 1947. He eventually began his own industrial pipefitting company, from which he retired. He moved to Aberdeen Village in 2001 and has given of his time freely and joyfully. His volunteer experiences have included Meals on Wheels, the Village Church food pantry, and serving as a Bingo caller, resident council member and package deliverer.
He’s also had an opportunity to Much like Mary Lou, Gib utilize one of his hobbies to serve experienced service in a professional others. setting before moving to Aberdeen “I’ve been a model train enthusiast Village. He served in the Army
my whole life and now run the holiday train every Christmas season at Aberdeen,” said Gib. “I have to say, though, that the Village Church Food Pantry was the most fulfilling of volunteer opportunities because there was such a need and you seemed to do such good for people. Volunteering is important to me because of the satisfaction in knowing you can help someone enjoy their life just a little bit more.” Join us in thanking Mary Lou, Gib and all of our volunteers for all that they’ve done and continue to do for Aberdeen Village.
Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Aberdeen Village by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at: PresbyterianManors.org. Tim Allin, executive director Chrissie Ammann, director of sales and marketing To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Chrissie Ammann, director of sales and marketing, cammann@pmma.org. Telephone: 913-599-6100 Fax: 913-599-3810 Address: 17500 W. 119th St., Olathe, KS 66061-9524 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
MAKE THE MOVE Take advantage of Presbyterian Manor’s maintenance-free lifestyle—and find more time for what you enjoy. Call 913-599-6100 for more information.
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Community Matters April 2017
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Mark your calendar: Art is Ageless® entries You’re invited to enjoy the Art is Ageless® juried exhibit to be held April 24-May 26. A reception will be held at 3 p.m. May 19. And if you’re planning on entering your own art, there’s still time! Entries of artistic works will be accepted until April 12 from any area artist who is 65 years of age or older. Artists may choose to enter the exhibit only. For the competition, works are to have been completed in the past five years (since January 2012). Local competition winners
will join winners from 16 other Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica communities to be judged at the systemwide level. Entry forms and information can be picked up at Aberdeen Village, 17500 W. 119th St., Olathe, or by contacting Chrissie Ammann at 913599-6100, ext. 2501, or cammann@pmma.org. Or go online to ArtIsAgeless. org to view rules, download an entry form or enter online.
Aberdeen Village’s Post-Acute To Home (PATH®) program isn’t just about getting you home— it’s about getting you back to your life. Call 913-599-6100 today to schedule your personal appointment and tour. AberdeenVillage.com
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JOURNEY, continued from page 1
volunteers living at Aberdeen Village as well as community volunteers and local clergy. Together, we are here to come alongside you on your faith journey with ministry as unique as you are.The key question is: What spiritual practices are important to you?
If you seek spiritual direction, we facilitate both group prayer times as well as one-on-one ministry.We also arrange for sacramental ministry in line with your faith tradition as well as spiritual guidance including end-of-life and other spiritually linked decisions.
If you desire to connect with your home church, we serve as liaison If you value attending a Sunday service, with your faith community. If you we offer two live Sunday services value your alone time with God, upholding the worship of God and check out our libraries for Christian unity among Christians of all faith fiction and nonfiction material. backgrounds. In addition to these Also take advantage of the variety of services, we offer weekly Roman religious TV programming including: Catholic services, plus we simulcast Channel 291 the Global Catholic the Sunday Village Presbyterian Church Network, celebrating daily Mass; service. Channel 288 Daystar, Channel 290 Trinity Broadcasting Network; and If you enjoy studying the Word of many music channels from hymns to God, we provide weekly Bible studies soothing instrumental music. promoting a lifelong commitment to developing our relationship with If you are searching for grief support, God while fostering the extension of we recognize that loss comes in many community among neighbors here at forms—be it the death of a loved one, Aberdeen Village. a move to a new home, retirement, or
loss of health, to name a few.We offer both individual assistance as well as a monthly grief support group to care for one another. If you long to serve God here, let Chaplain Diane know.There are plenty of volunteer opportunities, and there is a spot that’s just right for you. Start giving your time and you’ll begin to see God bless you and the people of Aberdeen Village. Once you’ve identified the practices that are important to you, check out the monthly calendars, Friday Flyers and in-house TV channel 990 to determine the specific times and locations of spiritual activities. Connect with me, Chaplain Diane, through the front reception or by requesting a pastoral visit through nursing staff. I’m also available by email at dgunsolley@pmma.org. Follow through. You’ll be glad you did and we will be enriched by your presence.
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Father’s Day
We will be featuring summertime and Father’s Day in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story to tell about a memorable Father’s Day or how your father influenced you, we want to share it. If summertime is your favorite time of year and you’ve got great memories to share, let us know. If you’ve got a story to share, contact Director of Sales and Marketing Chrissie Ammann, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters April 2017
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