Parsons Community Matters – June 2023

Award from Parsons Community Foundation supports intergenerational program at Parsons Presbyterian Manor

A grant from the Parsons Community Foundation will allow Parsons Presbyterian Manor to expand its intergenerational program with first graders at Lincoln Elementary School. The program is the brainchild of Crystal Packard, executive director, with help from Becky Nash, life enrichment director.

“I have worked at daycare centers with an intergenerational component in the past and I’m always looking for ways to get kids involved at our community,” said Packard. “Becky has been instrumental in planning all the activities and scheduling the meetings.”

A group of Assisted Living and Health Care residents have been welcoming the first graders since the program began in March of this year. The students come to the Manor and play Bingo or participate in other games. Residents then go to the school and read books that were purchased by the Manor.

“It’s been well accepted by the school, and we plan to expand it to the entire first grade, thanks to the grant and the popularity of the program,” said Packard. “The grant will allow us to continue the program through at least next year.” u

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 Rev. Richard Russell, chaplain at Lawrence Presbyterian Manor®.

Walking with God

By Rev. Richard Russell, Chaplain

I was thinking about a little chorus that we sing at the end of our Vespers service each Friday afternoon and the Biblical meaning behind the words and how powerful they are. The chorus says “Depart in peace to do God’s will, walk ever in His light. Christ is with you evermore to guide you day and night.” It is sung to the tune of Amazing Grace.

Presbyterian Manor received a grant to expand the intergenerational program.

So what does the Bible say about walking in God’s peace? One of the best examples is in the words of Jesus, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” - John 14:27

When you and I find ourselves in a situation where we are troubled

Chaplain -continued on page 2

Parsons Presbyterian Manor

Rev. Richard Russell

Meet our new director of nursing, Trisha Forbes!

Trisha Forbes joined Parsons Presbyterian Manor in March as our new director of nursing.

Trisha has significant experience in healthcare. She spent nine years as a Nurse Care Manager at Labette Center for Mental Health. Outside work, Trisha enjoys traveling, spending time with her grandchildren, and going to Kansas City Chiefs games. u

Chaplain– continued from page 1

or afraid it should remind us to go to our Lord and give Him that concern and ask for His peace, so that have what we truly need.

What about walking in His light. Well Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the Light of life.” - John 8:12

So, we have available to us His Light that can show us His direction in a dark world that is filled with misdirection, so we can walk in a way that brings the greatest fulfillment and purpose. The last phrase speaks of Christ’s guidance and we can look at a very familiar text for this, Psalm 23:3:

“He guides me along the right paths for his name sake.” Well, in verses 1 and 2 of the Psalm we see it is our loving shepherd that is leading to places that give his comfort and care, as well as the refreshment of my soul. So now we move forward in the Lord’s paths to

his plans for our life and His name’s sake.

This is a beautiful little chorus with a powerful reminder that we are walking with our God into His plan for each new day. u

counselor

Did you know? Father’s Day was first celebrated in 1910

Father’s Day is officially a modern holiday – it wasn’t under 1972 when it became a nationwide holiday in the United States, but it was first celebrated on June 19, 1910. As you may imagine, the inspiration for Father’s Day was Mother’s Day but it was tougher to convince people of its importance. According to history.com, one florist said “fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have.” It wasn’t until a Washington

woman, who was one of six children raised by her father – a widower –decided to honor fathers. She drummed up support from local churches, the YMCA, and shopkeepers and Washington State was the first to celebrate Father’s Day.

But it also came with controversy. Many men called it a commercial gimmick and scoffed at the “sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness…” During World War II, advertisers began to

celebrate the day as a way to honor American troops in the war. And finally, Richard Nixon signed a proclamation to make it a federal holiday in 1972.

Today, the United States honors fathers on the third Sunday in June. Economist estimate that Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on gifts. Some other countries celebrate it in March, on St. Joseph’s Day, a traditional Catholic holiday.

Source: www.history.com u

Parsons Presbyterian Manor shares customer service survey

Parsons Presbyterian Manor continues to seek customer feedback through monthly telephone surveys. Each month, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight.

The graphic highlights recent survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score. Between April 2022 and March 2023, Parsons Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores for cleanliness, dining service, and demonstrating dignity and respect.

Many also said they would recommend the community to others.

“It is important that she’s treated with dignity,” said a family member. “The nursing staff has done a very good job at taking care of her.”

We greatly value the opinions of our residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. u