Community Matters Aberdeen Village
February 2016
Welcome to our new chaplain Join us in welcoming our new chaplain, Don William Wilson. Reverend Don received his bachelor of arts from Kansas Wesleyan University in 1963, and his master of divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology in 1967. He’s held various positions over the years, including work at the Topeka State Hospital, Heartland Health Systems, Synods of Mid-America and Lincoln Trails. He’s served as head pastor for the following congregations: Federated Church, Columbus, Neb.; Nemaha Valley Parish and First Presbyterian Church, Atchison. He’s also been an interim pastor for the following congregations: First Presbyterian Church, Warrensburg, Mo.; Southridge Presbyterian Church, Roeland Park and First Presbyterian Church, Clinton, Mo. Reverend Don has been a member of Rotary International in three communities and also served on boards and committees of various civic organizations. We’re looking forward to his service! CEO, continued on page 4
Be a track of light By Rev. Dr. Larry Thornton, former chaplain
Centuries ago in a European mountain village, a wealthy nobleman decided to build a church to leave as a legacy. After it was completed, the people gathered at the grand opening and marveled at the church’s beauty. But someone asked, “Where are the lamps? It’s quite dark in here. How will the church be lighted?” The nobleman pointed to some brackets on the walls, then gave each family a lamp.
The Rev. Dr. Larry Thornton
“Each time you are here, the place where you will be seated will be lighted,” he explained. “Each time you aren’t here, that place will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to worship, some part of God’s house will be dark.”
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LIGHT, continued on page 2
LIGHT, continued from page 1
This is a dramatic reminder about the value that God sees in each one of us…You are the light of the world! Our presence can be light that dispels any darkness in our Aberdeen community and in our world. What a crazy world we live in. If we were to believe all the news headlines, we would decide our world is splitting apart at the seams. Oh, how we need God to breathe light and peace on our planet. Actually, God has. When the Lord Jesus hallowed this broken, crazy world with his coming at Christmas, he showed us heaven’s headlines: “Peace on Earth, Goodwill to
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 To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact Suzanne Willey, community relations director, swilley@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.
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Community Matters February 2016
all people.” Yet despite the peace and light of Christmas Day, things will get crazy with us again. That’s why the world needs God’s light and peace every day. The Good News is that God is now with us! How will our community and our world know this? God’s light shines through people…through us! My prayer is that as we turn our thoughts toward the year ahead, we will be reminded that whenever we fail to be a light of God, some part of our community will be dark! What a challenge!
Upwalthan, England: “I will not wish you riches nor the glow of greatness, but that wherever you go…Some weary heart shall gladden at your smile, or shadowed life know sunshine for a while, and so your path shall be a track of light, like angel’s footsteps passing through the night.”
God is depending on us…to shine! Ask God to help us so that in the new year we will be like these words found on a church wall in
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How to travel alone and love it Soaking in a mineral spring pool at a spa, I started talking with another pool denizen. The woman, in her late 60s, asked if I were traveling with family or friends. I said I was alone. She said, “I would be too afraid.” Timidity around this topic baffles me. For more than 30 years, I have traveled mostly on my own. I prefer solo travel, I told the woman, because I go where I want, see what I want and have the freedom to change my plans at any time. Do I get lonely? No, because I talk to strangers.
1. Do use common sense Plan a trip that matches your comfort level, whether you head out with a little help from a travel agent or with an itinerary you craft yourself.You may want to sign up for a guided tour. (Look for one that builds in plenty of free time for solo exploring.) Or you may want to book a cabin on a cruise ship, where you have the option of talking to hundreds of new people, all with stories you’ve never heard. When traveling, don’t say your room number aloud in a hotel lobby, never flash a lot of cash and don’t wear pricey jewelry. Before you leave your hotel room for dinner, turn on a light and the TV and put out the “Do Not Disturb” sign. 2. Don’t be ageist
Hear new stories
Of course another boomer likely will respond to your conversationopener, but it’s also OK to talk to young people.You may even end up with greater respect for a different generation.
Courtesy of Patricia Corrigan
your birthday, and good will and warmth from many a stranger will come your way. Two birthday trips brought me special joy. In addition to meeting many interesting people, I saw blue whales in the Saint Lawrence Seaway and spied a hippopotamus beside a tree right outside my lodge in the Serengeti in Tanzania.You will never convince me the animals showed up for any reason other than to help me celebrate. 4. Don’t pass up opportunities
One day in Varanasi, India, I decided to go for a walk. Outside my hotel, a dozen rickshaw drivers crowded On a trip to the Galapagos Islands, I around me, all eager to serve as learned that a young man on the ship transport. I convinced all but one was an archaeologist who searched that I preferred to walk, and he for mummies in Peru. Usually on a followed me. Every few yards, the cruise or guided tour, I table hop, gentleman would drop his asking sitting with different people each price, but I politely declined and You can do this! You’ve spoken to night at dinner. Because I thought kept walking. strangers before when asked for this fellow’s work was fascinating — your impression of an attraction you and he enjoyed talking about it — When I suddenly realized I was were visiting, a concert you were we ate a number of meals together. depriving the man of making a living, I got in the rickshaw. The man attending or a meal you were eating. told me about his city, his home and On the road — whether far away or 3. Do be a source of cheer his family as we rode through streets close to home — all you have to do The quickest way to do this while filled with pedestrians, cars, trucks, is smile and start a conversation. on the road is to travel on your overloaded buses and the occasional birthday, and say so. Tell people in Here are eight tips, along cow or donkey. What a remarkable the tundra vehicle on a polar bearwith stories about some of my adventure! experiences talking to strangers, for watching trip or in the Zodiac raft in © Twin Cities Public Television - 2016. All rights reserved. making the most of a solo adventure. Antarctica that you are celebrating Everyone has a story. Travel with a spouse, partner or friends, and most often you will speak only to them. Go it alone, and you will talk with people you’ve just met. Their stories may amuse you or even astound you. Some may broaden your worldview.
Aberdeen Village
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Sweet Sounds for Sweethearts Wynne Jennings, the violinist who played during our Taste and Tour event, will once again grace us with his sweet sounds on Friday, February 12, for our Valentine’s parties. Come prepared to enjoy his musical talents, and make sure to request your favorite song that reminds you of your sweetheart.
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Time to celebrate volunteerism! How have you answered the call to be a volunteer? How have volunteers helped you in a time of need? Why do you think volunteers are so important? How have you benefited from being a volunteer? If you’ve got a story to share about volunteering, contact Community Relations Director Suzanne Willey and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.
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Community Matters February 2016
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