SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES FOR ADULT MINISTRY
Before considering any event:
1. Pray for God's guidance
2. Choose 2/3 people to plan
3. Consider possible events
4. Discuss with 3 or 4 more people
5. Choose a date, time, location and activity
6. Get excited and tell, tell, invite, invite
7. Keep praying
8 Do it!
Hymn Sing/Hymn Study - The June issue of Portals of Prayer has a month's supply of hymn studies. Invite your church organist or a youth with piano skills to help. Or just sing the group's favorites. Or try writing a hymn verse. Read the hymn verses and use as prayers.
Personal Prayer Template - Brainstorm all the topics one would include in your prayers. Then take each day of the week and each individual assigns topics that you wish to pray for. Maybe you'll want to make a two week plan in order to include all your topics. Perhaps 3 topics a day is workable. You might want to include Luther's Morning or Evening Prayer and the Lord's Prayer.
Prayer Service - This can have a theme: members in need, neighbors in need, prayers of thanksgiving, your family, prayers for local, state and national leaders, Prayers for your pastor, district and synodical leaders, for health needs, for spiritual growth, etc.
Board Game Night - Everyone brings a game and you enjoy.
Cards - Everyone brings a deck of cards and instructs the group in the game.
BUNCO - A fun group game. Instructions are online. May want some prizes - white elephant items from each attendee
Indoor or Outdoor Picnic - Potluck style
Make a Salad buffet - Everyone brings something
Ice Cream/Yogurt Social - Everyone (or designated persons) bring a topping, others bring plastic ware) Find donors for the yogurt and ice cream.
Project Time - Find a leader who can help you make something - a favor for a children's home, for a veteran's home, for a care facility. Be sure to add a scripture message.
Host a local theatre group/local musician/stand up comic - how about some of your local students of all ages in the area.
Holy Yoga - Find directions for this in the NJ District newsletter - or contact the Parish Nurse, Colleen .
Chair exercises - Contact the Parish Nurse for suggestions. Are you o k with this , Colleen?? Or add suggestions to this list,
Host a Health and Wellness Walking Group - Pick a local walking trail or park with clear, even walkways and ample parking and a cool part of the day. Start with prayer and bring a prayer list to follow while walking.
A complete template for walking on a regular basis is available here!
1. Pray for God's guidance
2. Choose 2/3 people to plan
3. Consider possible events
4. Discuss with 3 or 4 more people
5. Choose a date, time, location and activity
6. Get excited and tell, tell, invite, invite
7. Keep praying
8 Do it!
Hymn Sing/Hymn Study - The June issue of Portals of Prayer has a month's supply of hymn studies. Invite your church organist or a youth with piano skills to help. Or just sing the group's favorites. Or try writing a hymn verse. Read the hymn verses and use as prayers.
Personal Prayer Template - Brainstorm all the topics one would include in your prayers. Then take each day of the week and each individual assigns topics that you wish to pray for. Maybe you'll want to make a two week plan in order to include all your topics. Perhaps 3 topics a day is workable. You might want to include Luther's Morning or Evening Prayer and the Lord's Prayer.
Prayer Service - This can have a theme: members in need, neighbors in need, prayers of thanksgiving, your family, prayers for local, state and national leaders, Prayers for your pastor, district and synodical leaders, for health needs, for spiritual growth, etc.
Board Game Night - Everyone brings a game and you enjoy.
Cards - Everyone brings a deck of cards and instructs the group in the game.
BUNCO - A fun group game. Instructions are online. May want some prizes - white elephant items from each attendee
Indoor or Outdoor Picnic - Potluck style
Make a Salad buffet - Everyone brings something
Ice Cream/Yogurt Social - Everyone (or designated persons) bring a topping, others bring plastic ware) Find donors for the yogurt and ice cream.
Project Time - Find a leader who can help you make something - a favor for a children's home, for a veteran's home, for a care facility. Be sure to add a scripture message.
Host a local theatre group/local musician/stand up comic - how about some of your local students of all ages in the area.
Holy Yoga - Find directions for this in the NJ District newsletter - or contact the Parish Nurse, Colleen .
Chair exercises - Contact the Parish Nurse for suggestions. Are you o k with this , Colleen?? Or add suggestions to this list,
Host a Health and Wellness Walking Group - Pick a local walking trail or park with clear, even walkways and ample parking and a cool part of the day. Start with prayer and bring a prayer list to follow while walking.
A complete template for walking on a regular basis is available here!
DISCUSSION TOPICS
NJ District Blog
Parables of the Unknown Hour & the Two Gates - Dr. Tony Steinbronn
The One Who Does Not Change - Rev. Richard Izzard
MINISTERIAL WELLNESS BLOG
Managing Life's Transitions - Colleen Bottcher and Dr. Steinbronn
God's Response to the Human Condition: The Parable of the Doctor to the Sick Dr. Steinbronn
Rest in the Light of Christ - Rev. Izzard
The Fundamental Human Condition - A Heart that Defiles - Dr. Steinbronn
Wise People Still Seek Him - Dr. Steinbronn
Walk by Faith and Not by Sight - Rev. Izzard
Culture Learning - Dr. Steinbronn
Etiquette 101: Tips for Better Email & ZOOM conversations - Susan Schultz
ALOA: ADULT LUTHERANS ORGANIZED FOR ACTION
About ALOA: Our nation is aging. The “graying of America” is a reality in all areas of life, the result of three persistent trends: we are living longer; there are fewer births; and “the boomer generation” will swell the ranks of seniors by 76 million over the next 25 years.
ALOA was formed in the early 1990’s by a group of LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) and ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) church leaders to help prepare the church for “the age wave.” ALOA’s focus was and continues to be:
Faith Stories: The Faith Stories™ project was developed to help older adults record a video testimony of their faith and life story. Our primary resource partners older adults with young people to produce their video Faith Story, but we’ve also included some ways others are utilizing for sharing Faith Stories.
- "How to guide", plan to tell, write, record. Ask your youth to help with technical
- Q&A 10 top questions "How to guide", plan to tell, write, record. Ask your youth to help with technical assistance, if needed.
- Tuesdays at Two - gives you an opportunity to listen in to Faith Stories
Video Resources:
- Ageism. Listen, learn and discuss
- Celebrate Milestones - church planning for future activities, a card ministry, a phone network, etc. A bible study is available
- Layers of Life Stages - learn how we continue to change and how to live with ones self
Webinar Archives:
- Enriching Spirituality in Older Adulthood
- Everyday Spirituality : Being Faithful in the Ordinary
- Faith Story: How to Share your Faith Journey - helpful explanation
Rich & Charlie Newsletter: This newsletter provides resources and support to older adults. It aims to provide a point of connection and community, as well as encouragement to one another. You can learn more by visiting their Facebook page here. To receive your own monthly issue, contact [email protected]
ALOA was formed in the early 1990’s by a group of LCMS (Lutheran Church Missouri Synod) and ELCA (Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) church leaders to help prepare the church for “the age wave.” ALOA’s focus was and continues to be:
- To help congregations strengthen their ministry with and for older adults; and
- To encourage older adults to affirm their gifts and use those gifts in service to family, church, community and the world.
Faith Stories: The Faith Stories™ project was developed to help older adults record a video testimony of their faith and life story. Our primary resource partners older adults with young people to produce their video Faith Story, but we’ve also included some ways others are utilizing for sharing Faith Stories.
- "How to guide", plan to tell, write, record. Ask your youth to help with technical
- Q&A 10 top questions "How to guide", plan to tell, write, record. Ask your youth to help with technical assistance, if needed.
- Tuesdays at Two - gives you an opportunity to listen in to Faith Stories
Video Resources:
- Ageism. Listen, learn and discuss
- Celebrate Milestones - church planning for future activities, a card ministry, a phone network, etc. A bible study is available
- Layers of Life Stages - learn how we continue to change and how to live with ones self
Webinar Archives:
- Enriching Spirituality in Older Adulthood
- Everyday Spirituality : Being Faithful in the Ordinary
- Faith Story: How to Share your Faith Journey - helpful explanation
Rich & Charlie Newsletter: This newsletter provides resources and support to older adults. It aims to provide a point of connection and community, as well as encouragement to one another. You can learn more by visiting their Facebook page here. To receive your own monthly issue, contact [email protected]
If you'd like to join ALOA, be added to their newsletter, or have questions, email Shirley at [email protected]