MARCH 2017 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS UMC
POINT A MESSAGE FROM
DON MEADOR PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
GATHERING PLACE PLANNING MEETING Katelin Warren, Care Team Coordinator at Interfaith Care Patners, Jean and Chuck Abernathy, and Rev. Cliff Ritter
Thirty four dedicated Gathering Place volunteers recently met for a planning meeting in Jones Library. Chuck and Jean Abernathy have recently taken over as leaders of The Gathering Place at The Woodlands UMC. In December, Nancy Williams was honored for leading the group for over eight years.
Like tiny scraps of cloth that combine to create a lovely quilt, or colorful stones that are arranged just so to reveal a magnificent mosaic, each month the efforts of each of our Gathering Place volunteers combine to radiate God’s glory in growing seeds of love into precious fruit of joy for our Care Partners and their caregivers. — Jean Abernathy Chuck Abernathy and Nancy Williams
It is always pleasing and surprising to read something positive and affirming about the aging process. There was such a piece in the February 7th issue of the Houston Chronicle. Under the headline “Wisdom and Altruism Come with Age,” the author, Dr. Roberta Ness, states that aging may gift us with a common pathway to shedding our egos, and that older people are less focused on money, power and prestige and more focused on finding connections through love and service. She states that as we age our appreciation of small blessings increases, our sense of beauty and wonder is intensified, and our ability to connect to others and forge better relationships increases. We discover the pleasure of doing nothing and have a greater sense of well-being. We know that getting old is all about loss. We lose our loved ones, our physical capabilities, and our place in the social order. We have to confront the reality that we are no longer on top of the totem poll and must find meaning elsewhere. But that process of detachment can be freeing, causing us to live more in the moment, experiencing extraordinary flashes of joy and less mental chatter. Surveys suggest that elders are, in fact, happier than younger people. Early in life, so many feel the need to accomplish and a sense of shame in not pursuing this. But there is a time and place for everything. Perhaps becoming more humble, giving in, brings liberation. Perhaps this is what is called wisdom. So, we can celebrate the aging process. I am honored to know so many humble, liberated friends who are growing wiser every day. Your friend,
HONKY TONK ANGELS A group of senior adults from The Woodlands UMC recently dined at Houston’s Downtown Aquarium then attended a performance of “Honky Tonk Angels” at Stages Repertory Theatre. Watch our Senior Point newsletter for upcoming day trips!
Lil Whitehouse,Millie Henderson and Darlene Daniels
Mary and Harold Kerr
Lillian McBride and Ellen McCoy
Lynne Turner and daughter Mariah
Barbara and Richard Fulmer
Marie and Harlan Hartman
TRIP TO THE RODEO MONDAY, MARCH 13 Cost $45 (includes ticket and transportation)
The Woodlands UMC Seniors will take a trip to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The bus will leave the church at 12:30 p.m. arriving at NRG Park at 1:30 p.m. We will enjoy the livestock show, shopping, educational displays and, of course, the great Rodeo food! The rodeo will begin at 6:45 p.m. followed by music by Sam Hunt. We plan to leave NRG at 10:30 p.m. Please contact Helen Burgdorf at 713.822.5728 to make reservations. Bill and Barbara Scott are the organizers of the event. They have been involved in the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo for many years and know all the ”ins and outs,“ assuring everyone a good time!
Gin Meinhardt, Alice Rogers, Judi Bonds, Sue Stephenson, B. J. Dunlap, Helen Burgdorf, Becky Hamrick and Dixie Jackson
THE SASSY SISTERS The Sassy Sisters recently had a tailgate party at the church while assisting the accounting department.
UPCOMING EVENTS SMALL GROUPS PRIME TIMERS LUNCHEON Wednesday, March 1 Join us at 11:15 a.m. for our monthly luncheon in Wesley Hall. Entertainment will be provided by Almost Heaven Bluegrass. Please RSVP by noon on Friday, February 24 to Joyce and Ken Nesmith at 281.367.5519. The cost is $7 per person and checks are preferred, payable to TWUMC. THE GATHERING PLACE Monday, March 6 The Gathering Place is an outreach program for adults who have early to moderate Alzheimer’s or dementia. Volunteers arrive at Aldersgate Hall at 8:45 a.m. and our guests arrive at 10:00 a.m. The theme will be “Hawaiian Luau.” For information, contact Chuck and Jean Abernathy 936.449.6450. SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Friday, March 10 Join us from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall for a night of fun, fellowship, games and light refreshments. Games include Mexican train, bridge, hand and foot, and Rummikube. $1 per person. For more information, contact Ann and Jerry Armstrong at 281.419.2666 or Jerry and Lil Whitehouse at 225.937.4893. Everyone is invited! Please bring a snack. TRIP TO THE RODEO Monday, March 13 See Page 2 for more information. LUNCH BUNCH Tuesday, March 14 Join us at 11:00 a.m. at Red Phoenix Hunan Restaurant, 3091 College Park, Suite 170. Reservations are due by Monday, February 13. For more information, contact Joanne Black at 936.273.3045. CAPE COD TRIP INFORMATIONAL MEETING Wednesday, March 22 Interested in a trip to Cape Cod, September 10-17, 2017? The trip will feature Boston, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket and Newport. Meet us in Jones Library at 2:00 p.m. for more details. For more information, contact Helen Burgdorf at 713.822.5728.
STATE OF THE ECONOMY SEMINAR
Thursday, March 23 We will have the pleasure of hearing two representatives from JPMorgan Chase speak on the state of the economy. Please join us at 2:00 p.m. in Jones Library. For more information please contact Dr. Ken Ricks at 281.789.7739. AN AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES Friday, March 24 Come see the movie, Songcatcher. During a visit to her sister in Appalachia, a gifted musicologist stumbles upon a musical treasure trove of dozens of Scots-Irish ballads that have been preserved for generations by the local populace and are unknown to the outside world. Meet in Aldersgate Hall at 2:30 p.m. Snacks will be served. Please RSVP by Tuesday, February 21 by signing up or by calling Dee and Dave Megee at 281.364.7114. All senior adults are welcome.
GOLDENAIRES CHOIR Tuesdays | 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Music Suite The Goldenaires rehearse each week. This is a group of folks who like singing together and providing music for various functions such as Prime Timers, funerals and visits to senior facilities. There is no need to audition. The group rehearses each Tuesday from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. under the direction of Stephen Jones, The Woodlands UMC’s Music Associate, Organist. For more information, or to get involved, contact Ed Wandling at 281.355.0053.
MEN’S BOOK STUDY
Wednesdays, March 8 & 22 10:00 a.m. in the Infant Care Room Join us for a men’s book study/Bible study, which meets on the second and fourth Wednesdays each month. We are studying The Book of James from RightNow Media with Francis Chan. Each session includes reading the Bible verses, watching the short video and group discussion. Contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 for more information. SENIOR FITNESS Tuesdays and Fridays | 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Join us up to twice a week for a muscle toning workout for men and women featuring strength training and some stretching using hand weights, tubes and chairs. Lite body sculpting is an unintimidating, less strenuous class with modifications for any fitness level. Segments include warm-up, strength, stretching and cool-down. There is no charge. Please wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes. For more information please contact Jackie Martini at 281.451.3844. PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB Tuesday, March 21 | Noon in Allen Parlor Bring a brown bag for lunch, we will discuss the book The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. Coffee will be provided. Contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 for more information.
SUPPORT SHEPHERD CARE Shepherd Care is our ministry of friendship for our members who are in local nursing homes, senior adult residences and private residences. New shepherds and new lambs are always welcome. For more information, contact Karen Freeman at 858.204.0012. COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY The Computer Support Ministry is alive and going strong helping many of our senior adults. If you need computer assistance, please call Jerry Barney, a member of The Woodlands UMC at 281.826.3232 (home) or 915.373.3707 (cell). There is no charge. Call Jerry to help run MALWAREBYTES to remove viruses on your computer.
The Woodlands United Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands, Texas 77380 281.297.5900 thewoodlandsumc.org
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MARCH 2017
1 Wed | 3 Fri | 6 Mon | 7 Tue | 8 Wed | 10 Fri | 13 Mon | 14 Tue | 17 Fri | 21 Tue | 22 Wed | 23 Thur | 24 Fri | 28 Tue | 31 Fri |
Prime Timers 11:15 a.m. lunch in Wesley Hall Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall The Gathering Place 8:45 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Goldenaires Rehersal 3:00 p.m. in the Music Suite Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. in the Infant Care Room Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Senior Adult Game Night 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall Trip to the Rodeo leave the church at 12:30 p.m. Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Lunch Bunch 11:00 a.m. at Red Phoenix Goldenaires Rehersal 3:00 p.m. in the Music Suite Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Peggy’s Book Club Noon – 2:00 p.m. in Allen Parlor Goldenaires Rehersal 3:00 p.m. in the Music Suite Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. in the Infant Care Room Cape Cod Trip Informational Meeting 2:00 p.m. in Jones Library State of the Economy Seminar 2:00 p.m. in Jones Library Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Goldenaires Rehersal 3:00 p.m. in the Music Suite Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall An Afternoon at the Movies 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall Please RSVP for Prime Timers by noon today
A LOOK INTO JUNE MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR A BASEBALL GAME: THE ASTROS VS. THE TEXAS RANGERS Wednesday, June 14 For more information, contact Helen Burgdorf at 713.822.5728
ELDERRIDE Contact Ken and Linda Keith at 936.271.3810 if you need a ride to a medical appointment. Please call at least 48 hours in advance.
Visit thewoodlandsumc.org for information about these and other church events.