Clay Center Presbyterian Manor
NOVEMBER 2022
Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Dave Parker, chaplain at Salina Presbyterian Manor®. Chaplain Dave joined in July 2022 and is the pastor of a church in Abilene, Kansas. His earlier career was in the financial industry. Dave coaches soccer and loves to sing and play music.
Lots of ingredients go into keeping
Chasing the Son
the kitchen running
By Dave Parker, Chaplain “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and selfcontrol.”
Three times each day, residents gather to enjoy a home-cooked meal - and well before the dining room fills, Dining Services Director Sandra Tate has been working to make it all come together.
1 Timothy 1:7
“It’s sort of hard to explain,” Sandra said. “I do the orders, scheduling, all the stuff that makes things work.” With Sandra’s ability to multi-task and manage multiple demands, the more than 50 residents who gather each day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, get to enjoy a full meal without first-hand knowledge of all the moving parts.
Sandra Tate
“We do a weekly order, usually go through the menu, and see what we have in stock and if we’re low, I order it,” Sandra said. “We prepare meals in the main kitchen and the Assisted Living and Independent Living dining rooms are right off the kitchen.”
Tate –continued on page 2
I am deathly afraid of heights. Not so much high places, but edges. Mountain roads that Dave Parker are sheer, edges of buildings, roofs, even ladders. Above the third rung on a ladder, I feel like I’ve accomplished something. But I can assure you my heart is pounding as I step up to that fourth rung. I tried crossing the Royal Gorge Bridge in Colorado many years ago. I was just fine — until I looked down and could see between the metal planks under my feet. I immediately dropped
Chaplain –continued on page 3
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at ClayCenterPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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Tate - continued from page 1
. . . the residents’ favorite is chicken fried steak, mashed potatoes, and gravy. That and meatloaf.”
Sandra, who joined the manor in May, said she can’t quite say what her personal favorite dish is from their kitchen. “I like all of our dishes,” Sandra said. “I take pride in all of them. But the residents’ favorite is Chicken Fried Steak, mashed potatoes, and gravy. That and meatloaf.” When she’s not working, Sandra enjoys spending time
with her three grown children and three grandchildren - all of whom live within a three-block radius of her.
“And camping and fishing!” Sandra said. Thanks for everything you do, Sandra! u
November is Good Nutrition Month National Peanut Butter Lovers Month American Indian Heritage Month ...and Thanksgiving.
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Community Matters 785-632-5646 u Fax: 785-632-5874 924 Eighth St. Clay Center, KS 67432-2620 ClayCenterPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2022
is published monthly for residents and friends of Clay Center Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: dkuhlman@pmma.org Dani Kuhlman, marketing director Amy Hoch Altwegg, executive director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Chaplain continued from page 1 to my knees, did an about-face and crawled back 20 feet to solid ground. Then I sat there for a while, just to make sure the world was stable. Heights are just not my thing. I simply do not trust my own ability to stay safe around edges, and I don’t intend to try to conquer that fear any time soon. We all have certain fears that hold us back. Some may be more obvious than others. Maybe those fears keep us from being all that God wants us to be for Him. Too often, fear may turn into complacency, as we give it
too much control over our life. We try to justify an attitude of, “What’s the point in trying? I’ll just work around it.” This is especially true when it comes to sharing the Gospel: Fear of rejection turns into avoidance. But Paul tells us that rather than allow fear to direct us, the Spirit fills us with the power and love of Jesus Christ. He will guide our steps. This gives us courage and strength to live our lives without the fear of worldly obstacles. There is no fear in Christ. His perfect love for us strips away all
the insecurities, doubts and uncertainties. In His image, we are empowered to go make disciples. We are filled with the Spirit of Jesus, and as He promised, He is always with us wherever we go - even on edges. The love of God conquers all things. Lord, we place our faith in You. We lift ourselves to Your service for Your mission to build Your church. Thank You for loving us perfectly and giving us your Son as the pathway to redemption and eternal life with Him. In Jesus’ name. Amen. u
The love of Jesus Christ gives us courage and strength to live our lives without the fear of worldly obstacles.
Clay Center Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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924 Eighth St. Clay Center, KS 67432-2620
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | November 2022