The Senior Point — September 2020 by The Woodlands Methodist Church

SEPTEMBER 2020 EDITION

THE WOODLANDS UMC

POINT BACK IN THE DAY I can still hear the sound of his voice. “Back in my day…” Though his was not the only voice that I ever heard express this statement just before reliving a moment of his distant past, my Papa’s recollection of his days as a young person back in the hills of North Carolina, where he walked through the snow to school, uphill both ways, remains as a lasting impression that he attempted to make on me that times were a lot tougher for folks “back then.” As an aside, we once took a family vacation to his hometown and the trail he took to school really was, somehow, uphill both ways. Yet, despite how much easier he believed my modern childhood life was in comparison to his, I also heard he and others who had lived longer than me speak reminiscently about “the good ol’ days.” These two seemingly contrasting descriptions of the days of the past left me wondering, “Was it better, or worse, back then?” Especially as we find our way out of the Covid quarantine of 2020, here’s what I’m learning. The “good ol days”, whether years ago or just prior to March of this year, were neither better nor worse than these days; they were just different. And, we cannot go back to those days anyway. God is inviting us into today, into this moment. He’s giving us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hands with which to serve. The Psalmist reminds us that “This is the day that the LORD has made.” And then goes on to pronounce, “we will rejoice and be glad in it!” (Psalm 118:24) If you are reading this, you are alive! God is still breathing His life-giving, soul-stirring, and love-generating spirit into your lungs. And, as long as He is blessing you with this gift of His breath in your lungs, He has plans to bring His Kingdom into clearer view for you, in you, around you, and through you! Let’s give people reason to call these “the good ol’ days!”

Brent Parker, Woodforest Pastor

60 YEARS Nedra and Jerry Brandt at the front of the First Methodist Church in Texas City where they were married 60 years ago on August 13, 1960. “It has been a wonderful road of joy, blessings, and fulfilling memories. We have two children and four grandchildren. Theresa Wisda lives in Morrison, Colorado along with her husband Jon, grandson Joshua and granddaughter Emilee. Brian Brandt lives here with his wife Jill and our granddaughter Whitney Gillett, husband Ib and grandson Tyler and his wife Kaley.”

A MESSAGE FROM

LEE BREWER

PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS

What a joy it was to finally see some faces and to meet some of you during our communion drive-through on Sunday and at the peach bake-off event at Woodforest. It will be so good to meet more of you when we can gather together in person. The church Trustees have been in continuing consultation with health and medical experts to ascertain when it is safe and advisable for on-property events to begin again. Even now we are making plans for a partial reopening of the church for worship and events as soon as circumstances allow. In these weeks where our worship services have been only through media, we have been blessed by the music and the wonderful messages. Our church is blessed to have such a great group of people who put our broadcast services together. But it has brought home in a very powerful way how participating as a group of gathered believers changes the dynamics of worship hasn’t it? We have been created with the need for community and God provides such a marvelous means for each of us to find that community and belonging in the Church. I know when the day comes that we are gathered in worship again, many of us will truly say along with the Psalmist, “I was GLAD when they said to me, ‘Let us go into the house of the Lord!” That does not mean that we will be stopping our online worship. There are those who will choose to wait awhile to return for safety concerns, so we will still be broadcasting services to make sure everyone can be involved in worship. I will also be offering a study online, beginning Wednesday, September 9 at noon, “Humanity’s Search for Meaning.” It will be an eight-week study on the history of religion with breakout groups following each session to enable small groups to engage in discussion. I hope that you will join us for this Zoom presentation. The church website provides more information and a place to register. I keep you continually in my prayers! Lee

WOODFOREST SENIOR ADULT PEACH BAKE-OFF The winner of the Peach bake-off was Carol Kellum. Participants included Sarah Paul, Pam Honeycutt, Tommie Sheppard, Lora Parker, Teresa Thomas. Not shown are Mary Erkmann and Peggy Nates. Dr. Lee A. Brewer and Rev. Brent Parker judged the contest.

FOURTH OF JULY AND SUMMER FUN Fireworks and celebrations!

UPCOMING EVENTS FUTURE EVENTS There are many opportunities to lend a hand from home! Check out our local missions’ projects!

THE WOODLANDS CAMPUS *NEW* SENIOR FITNESS CHALLENGE Join us as we continue to strive for good health and well-being! We are offering a senior fitness challenge the month of September. Track your walks, exercise, drinking water and reading scripture to win prizes! Register to participate by emailing trossi@twumc.org *NEW* PASTOR LED LUNCHTIME STUDY Every Wednesday beginning September 9 – October 28 Noon | Via Zoom Join our new pastor Dr. Lee A. Brewer for a senior adult bible study! Humanity’s Search for Meaning: Religion from Its Beginnings to United Methodists Today. Join us as we travel the winding road of faith leading up to the Christian Church and the theology that guides our path today. Register for this event at thewoodlandsumc.org/event/962 *NEW* SENIOR ADULT PLANNING MEETING September 17 | 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. | Via Zoom Join Dr. Lee A. Brewer and Teri Rossi to plan our future Senior Adult Ministry events. Zoom details to be shared via email. Register to participate by emailing trossi@twumc.org THE WOODLANDS CAMERA CLUB September 7 | 7:00 p.m. | Via Zoom The Camera Club will continue all meetings on Zoom through this month. Club members are meeting exciting Daily Photo Challenges on Facebook. Labor Day evening, we are offering members (only) a workshop with one of the world’s very best architectural photographers, Rick Hulbert - “Architectural Photography - Inside and Out.” Our next meeting will be October 5. All are open to anyone interested. Information and scheduling are available at thewoodlandscameraclub.org or email info@thewoodlandscameraclub.org PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY QUARTERLY MEETING September 11 | 10:00 a.m. | Via Zoom Join us for virtual fellowship. Zoom details shared via email. 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 Caring Ministry received a generous donation of beautiful prayer shawls and blankets made by Ruth Havard.

PRIME TIMERS LUNCHEON The Burroughs Park picnic will be rescheduled for a later date. For more information about this gathering, please contact Helen Burgdorf at 281.397.3726 SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Second Friday of each month | 6:00 p.m. | Aldersgate Hall This group is taking a break and will reconvene soon. 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. 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

WOODFOREST CAMPUS SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Second Friday of each month | 6:00 p.m. | Woodforest This group is taking a break and will reconvene in the Fall. 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 *NEW* LUNCH BUNCH September 10 | 11:30 a.m. | Woodforest Patio Join us for a “Welcome Back” lunch on the church patio! Face masks and social distancing encouraged. Lunch will be ordered from Jason’s Deli. Deadline for placing an order is Tuesday, September 8. To place an order or for more information about this event contact, Pam Honeycutt 713.725.0130

RESOURCE CORNER CARING MINISTRY We are here to help! Our Caring Ministry team is available by phone or email! If you need assistance or prayer, please reach out to us! 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 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

SMALL GROUPS Due to COVID-19 most of 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 GOLDENAIRES CHOIR Tuesdays | 2:30 - 3:30 p.m. | Music Suite This group is taking a break and will reconvene in 2021. 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 September 14 | Via Zoom Join us for a Gathering Place Planning meeting. 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. 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 This group is taking a break and will reconvene when the church reopens. You may want to join our Women’s Ministry Book Club group. This group is meeting the last Monday of the month at 1:00 p.m. via Zoom. This is a great way to stay connected with other avid readers. For more information on our Women’s Ministry Book Club check the TWUMC website. For more information about Peggy’s Book Club, contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 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 SINGLE SIXTY-SOMETHINGS This group is taking a break. Stay-tuned for future activities! 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.

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 *New* September 17 | 11:30 a.m. | WF Patio Let’s meet on the patio for lunch and a book review! Join us in reviewing Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate and The Dearly Beloved by Cara Wall. If you would like to read ahead next month, we will review Beantown Girls by Jane Healey. 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.

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. 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: Choose strong passwords. For every website or account with a login, choose a unique password that only you would know. Use special characters and symbols and consider using longer words strung together. If you need computer assistance, contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.3232 ELDERRIDE This group is taking a break and will reconvene soon. 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 For more information on current meeting dates and times please contact HAPS’ at www.hapsonline.org. 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.

SEPTEMBER 2020

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

SUNDAY 30 AUGUST

MONDAY 31

TUESDAY 1

First day of the Senior Fitness Challenge!

Senior Adult Fitness Class 9:00 a.m. | Zoom Gathering Place Planning Meeting 10:00 a.m. | Zoom