The Senior Point — May 2020 by The Woodlands Methodist Church

JUNE 2020 EDITION

THE WOODLANDS UMC

POINT BE THE CHURCH Until several weeks ago, if someone asked “How are things at home?” you might have responded about the grandkids that came to visit or about a dinner you had at your house the other night or about the remodeling you were having done to your bathroom or your kitchen. Today, if we are asked “How are things at home?, it takes on a whole new meaning. We will now respond with something like, “I haven’t left my house in weeks!” or “I’m cleaning out closets and found all kinds of things I didn’t know I had!” or “I just finished my third jigsaw puzzle!” It is so interesting how life gives us new opportunities and new circumstances in ways we could never imagine. For me, it helps me to remember that so many things within this world change but the one constant that never changes is that God is with us, He will never leave us, and I can rest in His arms. I love our church! I love how our church is not the building. (It’s a good thing since we can’t use it now). This situation shows how the Church is its people. I LOVE our online worship services and how thousands of us are all worshiping together at the same time. The Holy Spirit comes through every laptop and tablet so that we can feel His presence in a powerful way. I LOVE how we never stop being the Church! From the first day, we have been reaching out to help those who are in great need. And we are doing it in creative ways. • We are trying to call and connect with all of our seniors to have times of fellowship and conversation, to laugh and pray together, and to see if there are any needs that we can help with. • We are encouraging all church members to write notes of encouragement that we will pass on to nursing homes, foster care group homes, low-income and atrisk families, and to those in prison. • We are purchasing Wal-Mart gift cards (through your donations to our “Disaster Relief Fund”) and giving them to low income families who are barely surviving. • Our members are sewing masks that we are distributing to hospitals and nursing homes.

A MESSAGE FROM

CLIFF RITTER

PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS

I trust you are staying safe and sound as our community emerges from the Coronavirus shut down. These are indeed times that will test our spirits. Each of us will need to have a strategy for reengaging the world in a new way. Some will be more aggressive than others. Even the experts disagree on the right way forward. I know I don’t need to tell you, but you need to do what is right for you. As of this writing, it looks like the church will be emerging into a new reality as well. Small groups will begin meeting again in limited capacities starting in June. The buildings and facilities will be accessible with new restrictions to help keep us safe and protected from another round of the pandemic. Worship in larger groups will likely look very different. The church leadership has formed a team to help navigate us through all the nuances. Things will be different, but I assure you they will be good. Because, God is good! On a personal note, you have undoubtedly heard that I will be moving to a different church in July. While I sincerely grieve our departure from The Woodlands UMC, we are genuinely excited to begin a new season down at St. Luke’s UMC in Houston. Change is always difficult, but I know you will embrace the person who fills my role as Pastor of Senior Adults with enthusiasm and generosity. It’s the Methodist way!

I LOVE that even though we may be in a unique and difficult time, GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL and we are His people! You are loved by God and by this Church!! And we will “Be the Church” to those in need.

More importantly, my garden is growing quickly and my tomato plants are getting thick with leaves. We started them as seeds on Palm Sunday, so we are a little behind many of you! I’m trusting we will have fruit by the summer. The orchard in East Texas will need lots of TLC this summer. The blueberries have taken root, and we are thrilled to see some of the apple trees bearing fruit this year. My fig trees are in open rebellion, so I’ll need to check in on their progress. Nonetheless, life is good, as long as we keep growing.

John Hull, Pastor of Missions

I will see you soon! In the meantime, be well and be blessed! Remember, “This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalms 118:24)

• And we are getting food to the homeless with the help of Interfaith and The Montgomery County Food Bank.

With grace and peace,

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION Beginning this month, the printed version of the Senior Point newsletter will be mailed to church members over the age of 75. For those under 75, you will receive an electronic copy by email. If you need a printed copy, please contact the church office and we will gladly mail a copy to your home.

Cliff Ritter

CLIFF RITTER’S VICTORY GARDEN! Cliff Ritter’s COVID-19 Victory Garden!

RELAXING DURING QUARANTINE! Our seniors were busy during the quarantine period!

Joe Floyd with the tomato challenge!

Ann Armstrong with the tomato

Ann Horton has been baking!

Our Woodforest ladies sewed face masks!

Mary Grace and Margaret Randerson worked on jigsaw puzzles!

Mary Perry wrote notes of encouragement!

Brenda McWilliams celebrated a special birthday!

“Last breakfast” at Dennys. Left to right are Dick Brown, Jerry Armstrong, Mere Spoon, Dale Birran, and Bill Scott.

Newborn fawn At Woodforest Golf Club #3 hole

challenge!

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK Senior Adult Ministry has a new community Facebook page! Watch our ministry page for upcoming events and photos from our activities! Like us on Facebook! http://bit.ly/2uZ0eB0

EVENTS

WOODFOREST CAMPUS

THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS PRIME TIMERS LUNCHEON First Wednesday | 11:15 a.m. | Asbury Hall This group is taking a break this month! Stay-tuned for future events! For more information about this gathering, please contact Helen Burgdorf at 281.397.3726 PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY QUARTERLY MEETING Meets Quarterly | 10:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor Next meeting is scheduled July 10. All those who love to knit, or crochet are invited to participate! Hand work may be done at home and 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 on this ministry, please contact Connie Norton at concetta44@ comcast.net or 281.292.3875 SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Second Friday of each month | 6:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall This group is taking a break and will reconvene in September. Join us for a night of fun, fellowship, games and light refreshments. Our favorites are Mexican Train and Bridge. All senior adults are welcome. For more information, contact Ann and Jerry Armstrong at 281.419.2666 or Karen Freeman at 858.204.0012 LUNCH BUNCH Second Tuesday of each month | 11:00 a.m. | Main Campus This group is taking a break this month! Stay-tuned for future gatherings! All senior adults are welcome to join us for this time of food, fun and fellowship! For more information, contact Dolly Loftiss at 210.844.2062 MUSIC BINGO Friday, June 12 | 1:00 p.m. | Via Zoom Need a change of pace? Join Giny Gonzalez and Teri Rossi for music bingo via Zoom! Register for this event by sending an email to trossi@twumc.org. Once you are registered, Teri Rossi will send you the Zoom log on details and your bingo cards. You will need ability to print the bingo cards. We hope to “see” you on June 12!

SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Second Friday of each month | 6:00 p.m. | Woodforest This group is taking a break and will reconvene in September. Join us for Senior Adult Game Night in Woodforest! Let’s play Mexican Train, Hand and Foot, Scrabble, Bridge or 42 together. Don’t worry if you don’t know how to play, we’ll teach you. Bring a dish to share! The cost for this event is $1 per person to help cover the cost of snacks. All senior adults are welcome. No registration required. For more information, contact Teresa Thomas at 936.648.3340. LUNCH BUNCH Fourth Tuesday of each month | 11:30 a.m. This group is taking a break and will reconvene in September. Join us for an afternoon of food, fun and fellowship on the patio. All senior adults are welcome! For additional information contact, Ann Horton at 936.588.1663

SUPPORT SHEPHERD CARE Next meeting is scheduled for August 13. 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. 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 COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY Computer Tip: Is your email sending SPAM? Change your email password. Correct email settings: (a.) Delete Filters (b.) Correct “Reply Address” (c.) Check if emails are being forwarded. If you need computer assistance, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 ELDERRIDE This group is taking the summer off and will reconvene in September. We are so grateful for our ElderRide ministry! Our ElderRide team drives our members to over 125 appointments per year. The total mileage driven is about 4000 miles per year. Contact Ken and Linda Keith at 936.271.3810 if you need a ride to a medical appointment. ElderRide supports The Woodlands and our Woodforest neighbors! 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 1:30 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. For more information on current meeting dates and times please contact HAPS’ at www.hapsonline.org

COOKIES AND CARDS Caring Ministry delivers Notes of Encouragement to our local nursing homes!

Broadmoor at Creekside

Heritage Oaks Nursing Home in Conroe

Encompass Health

Carriage Inn Nursing Home in Conroe

The Woodlands Nursing and Rehabilitation Center

SMALL GROUPS Due to COVID-19 our small groups are not meeting face to face; however, there are many opportunities to meet your friends online via Zoom. We hope you will join some of our unique online opportunities. We are sending prayers for continuous good health and well-being.

THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP First and Third Friday of each month | 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor This group is not meeting this month. A support group for caregivers of family and friends with chronic, long term or terminal illness. Group is led by Rev. Cliff Ritter and Michelle DeCantillon. THE WOODLANDS CAMERA CLUB First Monday of each month | 7:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall Please check the website for current meeting details. Join us for our monthly meeting and fellowship. We welcome all ages and all skill levels! For more information, contact Jean Drummond at 281.467.8817 or thewoodlandscameraclub.org GOLDENAIRES CHOIR Tuesdays | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Music Suite This group is taking a break and will reconvene in September. The Goldenaires, our senior adult choir, is the perfect way for you to spread joy through singing. No audition is required. For more information, contact Ed Wandling at 281.355.0053 THE GATHERING PLACE First Monday of each month | 10:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Please check with the church administration office for current meeting details. The Gathering Place is for adults who have been diagnosed with early to moderate dementia. For more information about this program, contact Pam Baker at 832.381.4514 MEN’S BOOK STUDY Our men’s book study group is taking a break and will reconvene in September. For more information, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 SENIOR ADULT FITNESS Tuesdays and Fridays | 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall SENIOR ADULT FITNESS INTERMEDIATE CLASS Thursdays | 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. | Rec Center Activity Room 1 Our senior fitness is currently meeting online Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:40 a.m. Join us for 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. Join Zoom Meeting: Meeting ID: 735 678 773 Password: SFIT PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB Third Tuesday of each month | 12:30 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall This group is taking a break and will reconvene in September. Bring your sack lunch and join us for our monthly book review. For more information about this group, contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 SINGLE LIFE WIDOWS Friday Mornings | 10:30 a.m. | Zoom Join this group via Zoom! This group is designed to offer support and create fellowship, as we discover new ways of doing life alone. For more information, contact Terry Loughridge at 281.297.5932. Join Zoom Meeting: https://zoom. us/j/419642276

SINGLE SIXTY-SOMETHINGS Tuesdays | 6:30 p.m. | Zoom Join this group via Zoom! Our new study is Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts: A Personal Inventory Method by Kenneth C. Kingdom. This group consists of men and women who are eager to grow in Christ! We meet every Tuesday to grow spiritually through studying great books and enjoying lively discussions. We get together socially once a month which allows us time to learn more about each other. Watch the calendar for our scheduled events. Join Zoom Meeting: https:// zoom.us/j/334804545

WOODFOREST CAMPUS PICKLEBALL Tuesdays and Thursdays | 8:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Gymnasium This group will reconvene when the WF campus is reopened. Pickleball is a paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple, and the game is easy for beginners to learn. This game will be played indoors, with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. The game is played as doubles or singles. No registration required. CRAFT CIRCLE Second and Fourth Thursday | 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Gym This group will reconvene when the WF campus reopens. We welcome all who have creative skills or no skills to join us in sewing, knitting, painting and crafting to create beautiful works to sell at our Craft Circle Boutique. Times are flexible, bring a sack lunch or a snack. For more information contact, Arlene Seekatz at 936.588.3929 BOOK CLUB Third Thursday of each month | 12:30 p.m. | Classroom This group is taking a break and will reconvene in September. Bring your sack lunch and let’s review our book selection. No registration required. For more information about this group, contact Diane Oakley at 936.701.8067 SENIOR ADULT FITNESS Mondays and Wednesdays | 8:15 – 9:05 a.m. | Gymnasium For more information, please refer to the same listing under The Woodlands Campus.

EASTER LILIES Kay Meador, Coordinator of Shepherd Care, Rev. Cliff Ritter and Teri Rossi delivered Easter Lilies to our Lambs for Easter!

JUNE 2020

*Green text represents events at The Woodlands Campus and blue text represents events at the Woodforest Campus

SUNDAY 31 MAY

MONDAY 1

TUESDAY 2

Senior Adult Fitness Class 9:00 a.m. | Zoom The Woodlands Camera Club 7:00 p.m. | Zoom