From the Pastor at Trinity!

The following is an excerpt from an article found on the webpage of the United Methodist Church, entitled, Aging in the United States-The Church's Response.

"Older adult membership in The United Methodist Church is growing rapidly. In the past, the role of older people in congregations was limited, either by choice or circumstance. Congregations often viewed older adults as a liability rather than emphasizing the potential for a renewed or visionary ministry?As a result of better health care, nutrition, and job safety, many more Americans are living into older adulthood. By the year 2030, there will be proportionately more older adults than young people in the population. Every day in the United States 5,600 people celebrate their sixty-fifth birthday, and 4,550 persons, 65 years or older, die. The result is an increase of 1,050 older adults per day."

The statistics above are quite startling, and quite frightening as well. Nevertheless it is a reality that we have to deal with, individually and corporately. Since this is true, then how do we view our older adults? As a liability or an asset? Leviticus 19:32 says we are to highly value our elderly and by doing so we show our love for the Lord ("Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.")

Maybe it's because I read this article. Or maybe it's because I just had a birthday. Or maybe it's because this past Sunday morning I was asked to check into the possibility of adding some more handicap parking spaces. Or maybe it has to do with the lady at the Thrift Store who asked me if I was a certain age so I could get a senior discount on my purchase. Regardless of the reason, the fact remains the same, I have been reminded again of the importance of honoring those who are now fast becoming my peers.

Without a doubt Trinity continues to be blessed with those who are older and wiser, even though some are more active and able, while others are more fragile and frail. But I have to ask myself, "Do they really receive the respect they deserve?" Until recently, showing respect to our older adults was a tradition we all valued. But that is slowly changing, and I, for one, am deeply concerned about that.

Won't you join me in a concerted effort to reclaim this valuable tradition? You young and middle-aged adults, consider saving the front row parking spaces for those who have a much harder time getting around than you do. You youth and children, be more respectful to the elderly when talking to them. And let us all treat them with honor, remembering, we too hope to be that person one day! I trust you will because it is indeed a tradition worth keeping!