Senior Health and Advocacy Ministries

1. Senior Health and Advocacy Ministries Denise Leichter, RN SCMC Staff & Support Minister

2. Senior Health & Advocacy Ministries • Demographic need in SCMC for this ministry is significant • Resources: • People and programs from the past • Faith Community Nurse, Parish Nurses, Cong Health Ministers • Health Ministry Association (C of C) www.hmacofchrist.org • 3-21-10 Received allocation from El Segundo Congregation’s gift to MC

3. “Honoring the Past…Envisioning the Future” • BRIDGEBUILDERS and the leaders like Diane Shirota, Charlotte Jones, Gary Haas and many others that have organized communication links, fellowship, education and worship for our seniors. It’s time to reactivate!

4. Purpose • To meet the needs of our senior members, families and communities that each one may better experience wholeness of body, mind, spirit and the “blessings of community” (an “Enduring Principle” of Community of Christ).

5. Objectives • To provide needs assessments and create resource materials for senior ministry, as well as link with community-based organizations in order to be a “Blessing of/and in the Community”. • To create and heighten sensitivity of Senior needs, giftedness and value to community while building a skill set for our local congregations, and within SCMC Staff and Leadership to address the spiritual needs of the healthy, chronically ill and dying members and friends of the church.

6. Objectives • To support SCMC Church Growth Plan through a Bridging Ministry (reaching out to those currently or potentially separated from the church) of compassionate care to honor the worth and lifelong ministry of our Seniors and Dependent Adults affected by aging, or acute/chronic health issues that may prevent them from being fully engaged in the life of the church.

7. Financial Resources • Disbursement of funds from El Segundo to Mission Center • $40K to launch in 2010 and opportunities to sustain through 2012 • Tangible Love Grant? (submission in September 2010) • Look for Community Grants along with individual charitable donors/donations

8. SCMC Demographics Congregation Enroll 87+ 66-86 % Impact 45-65 Anaheim 138 4 41 33% 48 Basileia (Transferring)) 16 9 Burbank 117 8 29 32% 34 Canoga Park 133 10 34 33% 44 Costa Mesa 71 5 8 18% 30 El Segundo (Transferring) 49 8 9 35% 16 Gardena 40 1 18 48% 14 Hemet 137 18 44 45% 26 Inland Empire 46 16 Long Beach 222 30 45 34% 68 Orange 217 7 48 25% 96 Santa Barbara 39 1 8 23% 13 Simi Valley 41 2 6 20% 19 SC Expansion 77 8 19 35% 64 Temple City 114 4 29 29% 53 Upland 177 8 38 26% 66 Ventura 53 1 20 40% 22

9. Expenses • Coordinator salary (half time year one) • $25K • Office support • $1200 Supplies/Postage • $600 Phone/Web • Ministerial (travel, training, volunteer stipends, etc.) • $8200 • Misc • $1000 TOTAL $36K with growth potential

10. Spirituality & Healthcare • Now a required assessment during hospitalization • Faith Importance/Influence Community Action in Care • Chaplaincy & Bioethics Consultations • “Taking Care of Business” (End of Life Planning) • Life Review Identity Forgiveness/Reconciliation Eternity

11. Job Description for Staff Position • Conduct surveys of congregations and assessments of members • Coordination of personal ministries • Coordination of volunteer care team (including orientation and training) • Development and maintenance of customized database • Voice for Senior Care Ministries (Body, Mind, Spirit) in all SCMC settings • Advocacy and referral system for Senior members within SCMC

12. Congregational Benefits • Congregational Benefits- • Added support to Pastoral Teams with resources needed for seniors and supporting families. • Enhanced Chaplaincy skills/services • SCMC Web Site access to a multitude of community links, Q&A communications. • Work with Property Stewardship Team for evaluation to barriers for seniors to safely attend and be comfortable at events. • Offer ideas & resources for Community Outreach projects (B/P Screenings, Flu Clinics, re-cycling of Healthcare Equipment ,etc)

13. Priorities • El Segundo Members • Clean up data for members (87-110, 66-86, 45-65) and start a master mailing about new ministry. • Assist congregations with highest percentage of Seniors (Hemet, Gardena, Ventura, SC Expansion) for member assessments and to train/coordinate local leaders/volunteers based on greatest needs. • Develop deeper links and trials with community resources within northern congregations first (closest to staff ministers home) as model to share with all congregations by end of 2010. • Website enhancements, SCMC communications, and develop “buddy support” for seniors/families

14. Priorities (con’t) • Call out other professionals (legal, medical, nutrition, finances, social services) to provide expertise. • Seek Grant Writing assistance • Create reports to be shared at monthly staff meetings, conferences, congregations on activities, contacts made, barriers encountered, and lives impacted by this ministry.

15. Calling & Closing • Denise Leichter, RN has agreed to accept a part time position with the MC to launch and grow this ministry effective in March. • Others are already responding to the invitation to serve in new ways. • Invite, Educate, Empower and support multiple generations to link together based on needs discovered to make a difference. • Thanks to the El Segundo Congregation for making this ministry a possibility with your support!

16. The special “Called Conference” on 3/21/10 voted to approve this ministry and funded it for 2010. The ideas generated at the MC Council Meeting on 3/20 and at Conference were very affirming for the support anticipated at the local level. For more information; contact DeniseLeichter@cofchristla.org and watch the MC website, Community of Joy newsletters and e-bulletins. Questions/Comments