The Senior Point — May 2021 by The Woodlands Methodist Church

THE WOODLANDS UMC

MAY 2021 EDITION

POINT WHERE IS HOME Written by: Daniel Lumpee

“Daddy, where is home?” Our 3-and-a-half-year-old daughter Graysen asked me this question back in October when we first arrived in The Woodlands. It was her way of expressing confusion, excitement, maybe a touch of sadness, about arriving in a new city and living in a new house. She understood that we no longer lived in College Station, that she would not be able to see her friends every day, but that a new home meant a new playroom and even a playground in the backyard. A new city meant new adventures, but it still did not feel like home. That was eight months ago. Now, Graysen feels right at home. She’s made friends at school, played in a soccer league, and is enjoying The Woodlands as much as we are. Our youngest daughter Camryn especially loves watching the squirrels jump through the trees. My wife Alex and I have loved getting involved in our church and meeting so many of you. But I’ve thought often about that question, “where is home?” It’s a question I’ve asked myself, and maybe you have too. What does it mean to be home? Is it a place with walls and a roof where memories are made, or is it something more than that? Although my family and I love being residents of South Montgomery County, I know that this place is not our home. Sure, we have a mortgage, pay our property taxes, and our mail comes to our address, but we will not live here forever. Our citizenship is not in The Woodlands or Texas or even the United States. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Philippians 3:20 that we are “citizens of heaven.” We may live on earth for 70, 80, 90 years, but this place is not our home. Heaven is. That gives me hope. When I look around at our world, with so much chaos, violence, hatred, the ever-present threat of Coronavirus—this place doesn’t feel like home. I read the newspaper each morning and usually find myself despairing at what is happening all around us. How can this be what we’re designed for? One of my favorite quotes is from the great C.S. Lewis, who once said, “If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” Or maybe you prefer the words of the legendary Bill Gaither: Going home, I’m going home There is nothing to hold me here I’ve caught a glimpse of that Heavenly land Praise God, I’m going home. Where is home? Our home is in that Heavenly land. For a while, we’ll pass through this earth. We’ll experience the good gifts of family and beauty and community. But for those of us in Christ Jesus, we must remember that the home we build here is just a foretaste of glory divine.

A MESSAGE FROM

LEE BREWER

PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS

There are a couple of interesting facts about May. First, no other month in any year begins or ends on the same day of the week as May. (There is some serious trivia for you!) Secondly, May is officially “Older Adults Month” in the United States. That has a nice ring to it for those of us who will always consider “senior” adults to be someone at least ten years older than we are! May is also the beginning of summer, the time when gardens grow and we delight in the fruits and vegetables we harvest from our own little plots or buy from the farmer’s markets that are filled with the bounty of the season. For many of us we savor the taste of tomatoes that actually taste like a tomato again! Summer is a time of abundance. For us as Christians, every month of the year should be like May: a season of fruitfulness. In John 15:16 Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last . . .” When we are truly connected to Christ who is the vine, we are branches that cannot help but be fruitful. Every day we can bring forth the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. When I look at the fruits of the Spirit, I see a guide to becoming the kind of person not only that God desires us to be, but also the kind of person that other people want to be around. In the same way we are drawn to the fresh produce that is so enticing to our tastebuds, so people are drawn to the savor of godly lives. May can be the month we bear fruit for the Lord by living in Christ and in the power of the Spirit. The world is hungry for the fruits of summer our lives can produce. Anticipating things to come!

WOODFOREST LUNCH BUNCH Our Woodforest friends met for lunch at Pie in the Sky Company in Conroe.

SUPPORT CARING MINISTRY PRAYS FOR SENIORS OVER LENT Our Caring Ministry partnered with churchwide prayer partners to bathe our senior adult community in prayer over the Lenten season. We hope you were richly blessed by this endeavor. SHEPHERD CARE MINISTRY Shepherd Care is our ministry of friendship for our members who are in local nursing homes, senior adult, 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 A big thank you to our Shepherds who prepared Easter baskets and delivered Easter lilies to our Lambs this year.

PERSPECTIVE CLASS Romeo’s group meet for lunch at Spring Creek BBQ in March. COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY Computer Tip: DO NOT respond to any COVID vaccine surveys you may receive via email. There is a new scam going around trying to get your personal information. If you need computer assistance or assistance with Zoom, please call Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 ELDERRIDE MINISTRY This group is taking a break. 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 This group is taking a break and will reconvene in July. For more information contact HAPS’ at www.hapsonline. org. Parkinson’s Disease Exercise and Support Group meets Thursdays 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.

CROSS ART Abby Salazar presented The Way…A Journey To and Through the Stations of the Cross as a Lenten series in March. Photo below is Peggy Renfroe working on her cross.

PRAYING FOR A GRADUATING SENIOR “We will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, His power, and the wonders He has done.” — Psalm 78:4 God calls us to pour into the next generation with Christ’s love, grace, and wisdom. We are excited to be able to partner with Rebelbase Youth Ministry and provide an opportunity for our Senior Adult Members to bless this year’s graduating seniors with our prayers as they prepare for the next chapter of their lives as college students. What an amazing opportunity to see God’s intergenerational community come together to nurture and provide support at such a transitional time of life. If you would like to participate in Praying for a Graduating Senior, please contact Teri Rossi at trossi@twumc.org

THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS UPCOMING EVENTS THE WOODLANDS CAMERA CLUB May 3 | 7:00 p.m. | Zoom The Camera Club is as active as ever with its six Special Interest Groups meeting regularly. Join us for an exciting Zoom meeting with Joe Webster called “It’s a Small World!”. Mr. Webster, coming to us from Arizona, is an award winning photographer, specializing in landscapes, macro, and wildlife. This will be a fun meeting even if you don’t own a camera, so please join us! For a full calendar of events, we invite you to visit our webpage: TheWoodlandsCameraClub.org PRIME TIMERS May 5 | 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | North Shore Pavilion A Join us for our annual picnic. There will be BBQ, fun and games! All seniors are welcome. Cost of a ticket is $10. For more information about this event contact Helen Burgdorf at 713.822.5728. Register for this event at https://www. thewoodlandsumc.org/senior-adults NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER May 6 | Noon | Robb Chapel Join us as we celebrate The National Day of Prayer. Dr. Lee Brewer will be leading us as we unite our hearts around this year’s theme “Lord Pour Out Your Love, Life, and Liberty” – 2 Corinthians 3:17. We pray and lift our national, state, and local leaders before the Lord as a community of faith. God instructs His people to intercede for all those in authority and to ask for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in their leadership (1 Timothy 2:1-2). PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY MEETING May 11 | 2:00 p.m. | Via Zoom Join us for virtual fellowship! Zoom details shared via email. 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 THE HOLY WALKAMOLIES Tuesdays and Thursdays through May 27 | 9:00 a.m. Meet at the Recreation Center Join our spring senior adult walking club! Meredith Covell our Sports Director will lead this group. We will meet at the Rec Center for light stretching, a short devotional and a walk around the neighborhood. Tuesdays is the beginners’ group and Thursdays is our advanced group. The advanced group will cover more distance and be faster paced. Groups are limited to fifteen people per group. Bring a friend! Register online at www. thewoodlandsumc.org/group-detail/215102 GRIEF SHARE Beginning Wednesday, May 26 1:00 – 2:30 p.m. | Otterbien If you are experiencing a season of grieving, join Grief Share for 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. Register online at www. thewoodlandsumc.org/group-detail/195017

PRAYER MINISTRY John Wesley describes the Christian life in relation to prayer, making it his fourth mark of discipleship. Prayer is the way we create, commune, and sustain our relationship with God. Wesley viewed prayer as “the chief of these means of grace, whether in secret or with the great congregation.” We at The Woodlands United Methodist Church are a praying Church. We have Prayer Teams available in the Harvest, Loft, Traditional and Woodforest services. If you would like prayer, prayer team members are available after the Chapel and Traditional services. We would love to pray for you! In addition, if you have a heart for prayer or the gift of prayer, we would love for you to join our prayer team as well. — Margarita J. McCarthy, Caring Ministry Prayer Assistant

FUTURE EVENTS SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Second Friday of each month | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Main Campus Aldersgate Hall This group is taking a break and will reconvene in 2021. For more information, contact Linda Henderson at 936.273.3167 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! Stay-tuned for future gatherings! All senior adults are welcome to join us for this time of food, fun and fellowship! For more information about this group, contact Dolly Loftiss at 210.844.2062

WOODFOREST CAMPUS UPCOMING EVENTS WOODFOREST LUNCH BUNCH May 13 | 11:30 a.m. | Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen Join us for lunch at Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen on FM 2978 in Magnolia. Deadline for making a reservation is Monday, May 10. For additional information please text or call Angela Street at 281.723.6819 GRIEF SHARE April 11 - July 11 | Sundays at 2:00 p.m. | WF classroom Join us for a 13-week small group experience navigating the challenges of grief. The cost of this program is $20. For more information about this session please contact Gail Getschman at 281.923.9767

FUTURE EVENTS SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Fourth Friday of each month | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Woodforest Campus Worship Center This group is taking a break. 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. All senior adults are welcome! No registration required. For more information, contact Teri Rossi at trossi@twumc.org

SMALL GROUPS Our small groups are re-opening with COVID-19 protocols in place. We hope you will join us if you feel safe. Check out our hybrid options in many groups.

THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUP *Friday, May 7 | 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor A support group for caregivers of family and friends with chronic, long term or terminal illness. Group will be led by Dr. Lee Brewer. No registration needed. *Meeting once a month. THE GATHERING PLACE Currently serving our clients through “at home” projects The Gathering Place ministry is an ecumenical ministry for adults who have been diagnosed with early to moderate dementia. This ministry is provided in partnership through the Care Partners organization. There is a simple eligibility process to determine if this program is the right fit for you. For more information about The Gathering Place, contact Pam Baker at 832.381.4514 Gathering Place delivered Easter lilies to their clients for an Easter surprise! Thank you to our Gathering Place volunteers for all you do.

PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB May 18 | Noon | Aldersgate Hall Join us in May to discuss The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. If you would like to read ahead, in June we will review Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly. Bring your sack lunch and beverage to join us for a lively discussion. Men and Women are welcome. For more information about Peggy’s Book Club, contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 or Kathy Wisenbaker at wisenbaker@sbcglobal.net GOLDENAIRES CHOIR This group is taking a break. 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 SINGLE LIFE WIDOWS This group is taking a break. Stay-tuned for future activities! 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

WOODFOREST CAMPUS WOODFOREST CRAFT CIRCLE 2nd and 4th Thursday 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. | Woodforest Gymnasium We welcome all who have creative skills or no skills to join us in sewing, knitting, painting, crafting, and holiday cheer to create beautiful works to sell at our Craft Circle Boutique! All proceeds go to our Missions Ministry. Times are flexible. Bring a sack lunch or a snack! For more information contact, Barbara Green at 713.248.1228 PICKLEBALL Mondays | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. | Woodforest Gymnasium Join us for Pickleball! 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. Masks required when off the court.

MEN’S BOOK STUDY May 12 and 26 | 10:00 a.m. | Via Zoom We are studying Max Lucado’s book “Out Live Your Life.” Come join us in this discussion of the book along with a short DVD by the author. It’s not enough for you to do well. You want to do good. You want your life to matter. You want to live in such a way that the world will be glad you did. But, how can you? How can I? Can God use us? For more information about this group, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 HYBRID SENIOR ADULT FITNESS Senior Adult Intermediate Fitness Mondays | 9:00 a.m. | Rec Center Activity Room 1 Senior Adult Basic Fitness Wednesdays and Fridays | 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Woodforest Senior Adult Basic Fitness Tuesdays and Thursdays | 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium Continue your health and wellness journey by joining us for a hybrid senior adult fitness class. The hybrid class will follow all CDC guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19. Please wear a mask upon entry to the building, during exercise the mask may be removed. Registration is required to secure a “face-to-face” spot. Our online class via Zoom will meet the same time as the face-to-face classes. Zoom Meeting ID: 735 678 773 | Password: SFIT

WOODFOREST BOOK CLUB May 20 | 11:30 a.m. | Woodforest Classroom Let’s meet for lunch and a book review! Join us in reviewing Elizabeth Street by Laurie Fabiano. If you would like to read ahead, in June we will review Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan. No registration required. For more information about this group, contact Diane Oakley at 936.701.8067 SENIOR ADULT FITNESS Tuesdays and Thursdays | 8:30 a.m. | Woodforest Gymnasium For more information, please refer to the same listing under The Woodlands Campus. Please note the Woodforest class is a face-to-face class only.

MAY 2021

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

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

25 APRIL

WF Pickleball 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. WF Gymnasium The Woodlands Camera Club 7:00 p.m. via Zoom

11 WF Pickleball 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. WF Gymnasium

Happy Mother’s Day

WF Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium The Holy Walkamolies 9:00 a.m. Recreation Center Prayer Shawl Ministry 2:00 p.m. via Zoom

18 WF Pickleball 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. WF Gymnasium

WF Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium The Holy Walkamolies 9:00 a.m. Recreation Center

WF Pickleball 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. WF Gymnasium

31 Memorial Day TWUMC closed

WF Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium The Holy Walkamolies 9:00 a.m. Recreation Center Peggy’s Book Club Noon | Aldersgate Hall

25 WF Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium The Holy Walkamolies 9:00 a.m. Recreation Center

Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Prime Timers Annual Picnic 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. North Shore Pavilion A

12 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Men’s Book Study Group 10:00 a.m. via Zoom

19 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall

26 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Men’s Book Study Group 10:00 a.m. via Zoom Grief Share 1:00 p.m. | Otterbien

WF Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium The Holy Walkamolies 9:00 a.m. Recreation Center National Day of Prayer Noon | Robb Chapel

WF Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium The Holy Walkamolies 9:00 a.m. Recreation Center WF Lunch Bunch 11:30 a.m. Gringo’s Mexican Kitchen

20 WF Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium The Holy Walkamolies 9:00 a.m. Recreation Center WF Book Club 11:30 a.m. | WF Porch

27 WF Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 8:30 a.m. | WF Gymnasium The Holy Walkamolies 9:00 a.m. Recreation Center

Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall Caregivers Support Group 11:00 a.m. | Allen Parlor

Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall

28 Hybrid Senior Adult Fitness Basic Class 9:00 a.m. | Aldersgate Hall

CAMPUS MAPS

ABOUT OUR MINISTRY THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS

THE WOODLANDS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 2200 Lake Woodlands Dr. The Woodlands, TX 77380

CONROE

Find more information at thewoodlandsumc.org/senior-adults Contact us at 281.297.5935 or seniors@twumc.org Like us on Facebook

The Woodlands United Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands, Texas 77380

WOODFOREST CAMPUS THE CHURCH AT WOODFOREST

The Senior Adult Ministry at The Woodlands United Methodist Church is a vital part of our church, with new and expanding opportunities for involvement.

105 2854

700 Fish Creek Thoroughfare Montgomery, TX 77316

I-45

1488

HOW WILL YOU SERVE?

RESOURCE CORNER

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” — 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

CARING MINISTRY We truly seek to be the body of Christ at The Woodlands United Methodist Church and to live that out in word and deed. As a Pastoral Care team we are here for you when you may need prayer, support, counseling, or a listening ear. Please feel free and welcome to contact us.

SPRING CRAFT CIRCLE BOUTIQUE Thank you to all our Craft Circle participants for making this year’s Spring Craft Circle Boutique a success! All proceeds from the sale go to our Mission’s Ministry.

Rev. Joy Johnston Pastor of Caring Ministry and Special Needs Ministry 281.297.5900 jjohnston@twumc.org Dr. Lee A. Brewer Pastor of Caring Ministry and Senior Adult Ministry 281.297.5900 lbrewer@twumc.org

THIRD SUNDAY FOOD DRIVE Sunday, May 16 | 8:00 a.m. | TWUMC Parking Lot Collect food and leave it by your car in the parking lot of the church on the third Sunday for volunteers from the Boy Scouts to pick up and deliver to the local food pantries. Check out other ways to serve our community at thewoodlandsumc.org or for more information, contact Sherry Lewallen at 281.466.8627

Susan Goldsmith Caring Ministry Administrative Assistant 281.297.5953 sgoldsmith@twumc.org Teri Rossi Senior Adult Ministry Administrative Assistant 281.297.5935 trossi@twumc.org Margarita McCarthy Caring Ministry Prayer Assistant 281.822.8250 mmccarthy@twumc.org

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