The Senior Point — January 2019 by The Woodlands Methodist Church

JANUARY 2019 EDITION

THE WOODLANDS UMC

POINT A MESSAGE FROM

CLIFF RITTER

PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS

Happy New Year! The promise and hope of a new adventure, that’s what the New Year brings for us! We can anticipate all the things that will be on the horizon. We can plan for the abundance we have only dreamed was possible. We can live into our greatest spiritual expectations.

CRAFT CIRCLE 2019! Sales for Missions from the Craft Circle Boutique, Chef’s Favorites, and the Masterpiece Gala totaled $295,500! Thanks be to God for these blessings!!! Craft Circle ladies (and a few men) worked faithfully on Tuesdays throughout this year to create a wide variety of hand-crafted specialty items. Their expressions of commitment to our Lord, to Missions, and to each other has been, and continues to be, the foundation for Craft Circle. Please consider joining them as they begin a new year on January 15. Craft circle meets in The Loft in the Children’s Ministry area every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. “Kick-off Tuesday” we’ll begin by cleaning/organizing the craft room and everyone brings a covered dish for a pot luck luncheon. New visitors please arrive by 11:30 a.m. “The Lord has blessed us all with creativity - Craft Circle is a great opportunity to discover and share your gift while blessing others!” Sharon McMahon, Craft Circle Chairperson for 2019. Our new BE CREATIVE! Craft Circle for The Church at Woodforest met after Thanksgiving for a morning of planning, fun & sharing. We have an abundance of creative talent, many great ideas and tremendous enthusiasm! Beginning in January, we will be meeting on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Meetings will be held in private homes until our church building is completed and a room is available for us. January meetings: Thursdays, January 10 and 24 at 1:00 p.m. Arlene Seekatz’ home 106 Blue Gilia Ct Bonterra at Woodforest 936.588.3929 akseekatz@gmail.com The items we make will be included in The Woodlands UMC’s annual Missions Boutique and Gala. Proceeds will be used to support missions.

The change of calendar usually comes with a list. We make a list of all those things we want to accomplish in the New Year. January 1st is not only filled with black-eyed peas and cabbage, it comes with an annual mandate: we must create a list. Sometimes our list is long, and sometimes it is short. I always vote for short lists. Long lists can be far too specific and detailed. A long list always devolves into diet and exercise. So, long lists are really worthless. Short lists get to the point. I vote for short lists. This year, I think my list will be the summary of three big ideas. Three of the most important things I want to see come to be real in my life. Here they are, not that you asked. I plan to be more courageous. I remember God telling Joshua to be strong and courageous. I think I need more courage. Along with courage, I know I can use an added measure of humility. The New Year can cause us to ask for more than we deserve, and expect more than we could possibly manage. I hope I will learn to be humble in all things. It goes without saying that I need to be more thankful. I think gratitude is the opposite side of the coin from humility. When we are humble, we can be genuinely thankful for the blessings of God. Genuine thanksgiving is divine gratitude. And, a spirit of gratitude is always married to humility. It pleases the heart of God, somehow. Sometimes it takes courage to remain humble, to give more that we expect to receive, to be thankful in the face of some of the challenges we will inevitably face this year. I like short lists: courage, humility, gratitude. That will do. I pray your New Year will bring a renewed sense of God’s presence in your life. I know God hears our prayers, I am confident we can trust God. Keep showing up in a big and bold way. And, trust God for every day! With grace and peace,

The Woodlands United Â Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands, Texas 77380 281.297.5900 thewoodlandsumc.org

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A GLANCE AT NEXT MONTH: FEBRUARY SHEPHERD CARE QUARTERLY MEETING Thursday, February 14 | 2:00 p.m. | Asbury Hall Join us in welcoming author and speaker Missy Buchanan! Missy is a well-known author on topics of aging and faith. Missy has appeared on Good Morning America and written multiple books on aging.

RESOURCE CORNER SURECARE AT HOME SureCare At Home is a leading provider of in-home senior care services. SureCare offers multiple levels of care for you loved one. Please contact Nancy Larkin at 281.501.4760 for additional information, or an in-home assessment by one of their Care Managers. UNLIMITED CARE COTTAGES Unlimited Care Cottages is a home-style care facility giving seniors the opportunity to feel as they are still a part of a family. They offer a low resident to staff ratio with the one on one attention they deserve. For more information contact Terri Buckholtz at 713.419.2609

Visit thewoodlandsumc.org for information about these and other church events.

MERRIMENT WAS HAD BY ALL! GOOD NEW CLASS CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS ON DECEMBER 1

Bob Leilich

Charlie Beaman

Valerie Ellis

Gary and Tess Dempsey

Susan Young

Sam Weaver

PERSPECTIVES CLASS CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS ON DECEMBER 1

Steve Powell, Pat Thompson, Lloyd Phillips, Martha Taylor, Cecile Phillips, and Annie Wills kneeling.

Luis and Heather Ramirez

Steve and Judy

Bishop Bob Hayes

Rev. Luis Ramirez

SMALL GROUPS

SUPPORT

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP Friday, January 18 | 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Allen Parlor A support group for caregivers of family and friends with chronic, long term or terminal illness. Group is led by Rev. Cliff Ritter.

SHEPHERD CARE Shepherd Care is a ministry to serve those individuals in our church who are in need of Christian companionship. This “friendship” program allows us to show compassion and hospitality to those who can no longer attend church. If you know of someone in need of companionship or if you would like to volunteer to be a Shepherd, please contact Kay Meador at 936.321.5159

GOLDENAIRES CHOIR Tuesdays | 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | Music Suite *Rehearsals begin on January 15. The Goldenaires, our senior adult choir, is the perfect way for you to spread joy through singing. No audition is required. All seniors are welcome. For more information, contact Ed Wandling at 281.355.0053 THE GATHERING PLACE Not meeting in January. We’ll see you next month! SURVIVORS OF SUICIDE First and Third Tuesday of each month | 7:00 p.m. | Allen Parlor A small adult support group sponsored by the United Way Agency for those who have lost someone to suicide. SENIOR FITNESS Tuesdays and Fridays | 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Join us twice a week for a muscle toning, strength training and stretching using hand weights, tubes and chairs. Segments include warm-up, strength training, stretching and cool-down. Modifications can be made for any fitness level.

COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY Our computer support ministry is Free of charge! If you need computer assistance, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 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. PARKINSON’S DISEASE EXERCISE AND SUPPORT GROUP Parkinson’s Disease Exercise and Support Group meets every Thursday at 1:00 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall. For more information, contact Dale Mefford at 936.443.5351, or go to the Houston Area Parkinson’s Society’s website. We are in the north group.

PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB Tuesday, January 15 | 12:30 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Bring a brown bag lunch and join us in discussing the book Still Me by JoJo Moyes. If you’d like to read ahead, next month is The Kept by James Scott. Coffee and cookies are provided. Everyone is welcome! For more information, contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 SINGLE LIFE WIDOWS Friday, January 11 | Check TWUMC website Friday, January 25 | Check TWUMC website For more information, contact Terry Loughridge at 281.297.5932

Glenna and Ed Wandling

Dick and Barb Olson

DECEMBER PRIME TIMERS LUNCHEON ON DECEMBER 5

Carolyn and Alan Bowman

Ken and Valerie Ellis

Goldenaires

JANUARY 2019 SUNDAY 30 DECEMBER

MONDAY 31

TUESDAY 1

WEDNESDAY 2

THURSDAY 3

FRIDAY 4

Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Lunch Bunch 11:00 a.m. Mi Rancho

15 Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Peggy’s Book Club 12:30 p.m. Aldersgate Hall

Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. Infant Care Room

29 Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall

Parkinson’s Exercise & Support Group 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall

17 Senior Adult Fitness

Intermediate Class 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Parkinson’s Exercise & Support Group 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall SAM Meeting 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Jones Library

Grief Share: Loss of Spouse Seminar 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. Jones Library

24 Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. Infant Care Room

Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall

5 Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall

The Woodlands UMC Closed

SATURDAY

Senior Adult Fitness Intermediate Class 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Parkinson’s Exercise & Support Group 1:00 p.m. Aldersgate Hall

Senior Adult Fitness Kick-off Event 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Single Life Widows Check TWUMC Website Senior Adult Game Night 5:00 –7:30 p.m.

Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Caregivers Support Group 1:00 – 3:00 a.m. Allen Parlor

Senior Adult Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. Aldersgate Hall Afternoon at the Movies 2:30 – 5:00 p.m. Music Suite Single Life Widows Check TWUMC Website

FEBRUARY

UPCOMING EVENTS AN AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES Friday, January 25 | 2:30 p.m. | Music Suite Join us in viewing Dear John a 2010 American romantic drama-war film starring Amanda Seyfried and Channing Tatum. It follows the life of a soldier (Channing Tatum) after he falls in love with a young woman (Amanda Seyfried). They decide to exchange letters to each other after he is deployed to the war. The movie was filmed in 2009 in Charleston, South Carolina. No reservation is needed. For more information, contact Glenda Bailey at glendabailey@gmail.com. All senior adults are welcome. GRIEF SHARE: LOSS OF A SPOUSE SEMINAR Wednesday, January 16 | Jones Library 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. The Loss of a Spouse is one of the most significant losses we can endure. This one day seminar is designed to help us process our grief and think about what life after the loss of a spouse might bring. Our life will never be the same, but we believe this seminar will help us to face the future with a measure of hope. The seminar is filled with practical information that will encourage us to grieve together, and to grieve well. GRIEF SHARE Mondays starting January 21 | 7:00 p.m. | D206 Wednesday starting January 23 | 1:00 p.m. | D206 A 13-week small group experience navigating the challenges of grief. This course explains both the spiritual and practical issues of grief and suggests specific strategies to guide you back to fullness of life. Learn how your experience of grief can be transformed into something positive. LUNCH BUNCH Tuesday, January 8 | 11:00 a.m. Join us at Mi Rancho located at 19189 I-45 South, Shenandoah. Reservations are due by Monday, January 7 at noon. Call Dolly Loftiss at 210.844.2062. All senior adults are welcome.

MEN’S BOOK STUDY Wednesday, January 9 and 23 | 10:00 a.m. | Infant Care Room Join us for a continuation of The Joy Stealers by Rob Renfroe. New members are welcome any time. For more information, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY Those who love to knit or crochet are invited to participate. Although most of the hand work will be done at home, we will meet occasionally for fellowship and to pray for the recipients of our shawls. Shawls will be given in faith, hope and love to those in need. For more information, please contact Connie Norton at concetta44@comcast.net or 281.292.3875 PRIME TIMERS LUNCHEON Not meeting in January. We’ll see you next month! SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY PLANNING MEETING Thursday, January 17 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Jones Library Join us in planning Senior Adult activities for 2019! SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Friday, January 11 | 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Join us for a night of fun, fellowship, games and light refreshments. The cost is $1 per person. Please bring a snack to share. All senior adults are welcome. For more information, contact Ann and Jerry Armstrong at 281.419.2666 or Jerry and Lil Whitehouse at 225.937.4893 2019 SENIOR ADULT FITNESS KICK-OFF EVENT Tuesday, January 11 | 8:30 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall We wish you a happier, healthier and fitter New Year! Join us in kicking-off our Fitness New Year! We’ll have a morning stretch, play games, raffle prizes and hear an encouraging word from Garrett Ritter, Director of Recreation Ministry. NEW SENIOR FITNESS INTERMEDIATE CLASS Thursdays | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Move through a variety of exercises designed to increase muscular strength. This is a functional fitness class and all exercises can be adapted to your personal fitness level.

FRIENDSHIP CLASS CELEBRATED CHRISTMAS ON DECEMBER 7

Jerry Whitehouse

Ken and Joyce Nesmith

Evalyn Corley

Joe Brame

Jim and Margi Davies

Carolyn Lentz