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A Note from Nancy Gordon
Director of California Lutheran Homes Center for Spirituality and Aging
Spring greetings from Southern California. While our spring is not the abrupt change from winter that it is in many parts of the world, generous rains have contributed to green hills and the flowering of trees, shrubs and gardens. My hope is that you, too are experiencing a greening of newness in your life and work.
And if you are in San Francisco the last week of this month, join us at Wingspread on Monday, April 25. (See event announcement below). On Tuesday, April 26 I will be presenting along with Don Koepke, CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging director emeritus, and Judy Turberg a workshop on "Celtic Spirituality as a Framework for Spiritual Engagement." We'd love to have you join us.
Blessings to you in your work with older adults.
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Don't Forget to Breathe!
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When I was going through a rough patch several years ago, a friend sent me a greeting card. On the front it said "Don't forget to" (and then in very large letters) "BREATHE." I thought that was good advice then and it's still good advice.
Breathing is something we do every day, all day. But because it's part of the body's system of life support that operates without our conscious volition, we often can go through a whole day without conscious thought of our breath. But if we stop for a few moments and pay attention to our breath--I at least, find myself breathing more deeply, more slowly--and I find myself feeling calmer and better able to engage in the tasks before me.
In the language of the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian New Testament, the words for breath and spirit are interchangeable. God breathed into Adam--and he became a living, breathing human. When we stop to breathe and breathe deeply we find ourselves touching our own spirit in ways that we don't otherwise.
Breathing opens up an internal space--a space for us to stop and recollect ourselves--and a place for our spirit to catch up to our busy bodies and minds. It's no accident that almost all spiritual traditions have practices of "breathing" as part of the foundational piece of their contemplation, prayer or meditation.
So in the busyness of life and service, I offer my friend's advice: "Don't forget to breathe!" And it's perhaps something you can offer the older adults you serve. As they come to you with their questions, concerns, and anxieties, can you invite them to just take a moment and "breathe" with you? Could you perhaps share a quiet, sacred moment together before going on to address the issue before you?
My sister, Judy, has a friend who lives in a convalescent care center in her small town. This woman is vital and alive. As Judy was leaving from her last visit, the woman said, "Now don't forget--everyday--take lots of deep breaths." Part of this woman's secret of vital aging, even in a care center, was breathing deeply. It's an example we would do well to follow and a secret all too easy to pass on.
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Caresharing Spring Educational Events | |
Caresharing: Creating Hope and Keeping Heart
Northern California 
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Sunny View Retirement Community
22445 Cupertino Road
Cupertino, CA 95014
Southern California
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Walnut Village Retirement Community
891 S. Walnut Street
Anaheim, CA 92802
In Caresharing, Marty Richards, M.S.W., A.C.S.W., L.I.C.S.W., author of Caresharing: A Reciprocal Approach to Caregiving and Care Receiving in the Complexities of Aging, Illness or Disability, encourages caregivers and the recipients of care to take the "opportunity to recognize what is most deeply human--and most deeply Divine--in the other. This sense of reciprocal sharing--between the caregiver, care receiver, and with others around you--is the essence of the dance in caresharing."
Caresharing as Family and Friends (9:30 - 11:30 am) A morning workshop offered for those giving and receiving care as a family member or friend. There is a $10 registration fee for this workshop. Register for Cupertino Morning Workshop Register for Anaheim Morning Workshop Caresharing as a Professional (1 - 4 pm) An afternoon workshop offered for those working as caregivers and with caregivers as part of their work in healthcare, residential, and congregational settings. $40 registration; CE certificate $20.
Register for Cupertino Afternoon Workshop Register for Anaheim Afternoon Workshop
Contact Tuesday, May 10, 2011 Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Marsha Wells Nancy Gordon
Email Marsha here Email Nancy here
Center for Aging and Spirituality CLH Center for Spirituality and Aging
408-454-5625 714-507-1370 |
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Wingspread
A Pre-Aging in America Event for
Local Faith Communities
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The Faith Community's Role in the Silver Tsunami
Monday, April 25, 2011, 1 pm - 5 pm
St. Mark's Lutheran Church
1111 O'Farell Street
San Francisco, CA 94109
A pre-event of the Aging in America Conference, Wingspread brings together representatives from the AiA conference and from local faith communities to learn about ways to respond to the spiritual needs of the aging in congregation, mosque, and temple. We invite clergy and congregational leaders, seminarians, judicatory leadership and faith-based agencies serving older adults.
SCHEDULE AND SPEAKERS
12:30- 1:00 pm - Registration in Heritage Hall
1:00-1:15 pm - Welcome/Introductions/Opening Remarks in Sanctuary
1:15-3:15 pm - Keynote Presentations by:
- Stephen Sapp, Ph.D, professor at University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, since 1980.
- Ronald Y. Nakasone, Ph.D, Professor of Buddhist Art and Culture, Center for Art, Religion and Education, Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley since 1987; core faculty at the Stanford University Geriatric Education Center; and fellow at the Open Research Center at Ryukoku University in Kyoto, Japan.
- Rabbi Moshe Levin, Congregation Ner Tamid, San Francisco.
- Ozgu Elci, Pacifica Institute Women's League.
- Zeya Mohgin, Vice Chair, Muslim Support Network, Fremont, CA.
3:15-4:00 pm - Reception in Heritage Hall with opportunities for networking and visiting exhibitors.
4:00-4:45 pm - Interfaith panel - the five keynoters
4:45-5:00 pm - Closing comments
5:00 pm - Adjournment
Cost:
Event Fee: $10
To Register:
Click here to learn more and to register on-line
Contact:
A. Eugene Smiley, D. Min.
Chairperson, Wingspread 2011 Planning Committee
Email Gene here
513-324-3999
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| New Story Available for Sensing the Sacred | |
 We recently posted "Jesus and Zacchaeus" worship script and patterns as the second "Sensing the Sacred" story made available for those wishing to use this form of worship for those with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Previously, the script for "The Good Shepherd" was made available as part of our effort to make this award-winning program available for use in residential living and congregational settings. "Sensing the Sacred" is a a worship that uses all senses for delivering the message. It is an adaptation of a well-tested, Montessori-based children's worship program that uses wooden figures to tell Biblical stories as the "sermon" part of worship. The worship program enhances connectedness--helping people with Alzheimer's or dementia connect with themselves, with others, and with God. It meets them where they are, rather than expecting them to fit into a normal worship service. To access these stories, use the links below. "Jesus and Zacchaeus" "The Good Shepherd"
To read an introduction to using the program, click here.
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