Purpose: To continue to engage our senior adults in the covenant community as they age, by ministering the gospel of Jesus Christ both to them and with them, and by facilitating connections with church and community resources.
Programs
Encouragers
Our Encouragers group is comprised of single adults age 50 and older, who meet regularly for fellowship, fun, and spiritual nurture. If you are single and over 50, you are warmly welcomed to participate.
Adults In Action
Our Adults in Action (AIA) group is comprised of married couples age 50 and older, who meet regularly for fellowship, fun, and spiritual nurture. Any married couples over 50 are warmly welcomed to participate.
Regular Events
Lifelong Learning Series
In response to expressed needs and desires of our seniors, we periodically offer seminars on topics germane to the challenges and opportunities of aging. The four topics covered in our 2019 series were: Personal & Digital Security: Protecting Your Identity, Money, & Devices, Medicare, Alzheimer’s Disease and other Dementias, & Computer Technology
Encouragers’ Breakfasts
Encouragers meet in Jackson Hall for a delicious hot breakfast on the first Saturday of each month at 9 am. Breakfast is followed by a brief devotional time in God’s word and the singing of a hymn.
Encouragers’ Outings
Once a month, Encouragers enjoy a local outing. Recent outings have included: enjoying local cuisine, visiting the State Fair, and exploring museum exhibits.
Encouragers Adventures
Encouragers venture beyond the greater Columbia area to take in one of the many attractions the Southeast has to offer. A sampling of adventures includes trips to Savannah, Camden, and Bonclarken.
Special Events
Patriotic Dinner
During the week of July 4, Encouragers and AIA gather for a celebration of our nation’s birthday, featuring a delicious All-American meal, as we offer thanks to God for the blessings and freedoms we enjoy. Anyone 50 and over is welcome!
Old-Fashioned Christmas
In mid-December, Encouragers and AIA gather in Jackson Hall for a festive, Christ-centered celebration of the birth of our Lord Jesus, featuring carols, holiday beverages, and culinary delights. Anyone 50 and over is welcome!
Spaghetti Soiree
In mid-February, Encouragers and AIA enjoy an evening of intergenerational fellowship with our middle school and high school youth. Our youth serve, provide entertainment for, and get to know our seniors over a delightful spaghetti feast.
Ministries
Our seniors are integrally involved in a variety of ministries at First Presbyterian including, but not limited to: visitation, Care Teams, assisting at the Foster Care Closet, knitting prayer groups, circle meetings, and local and international missions. We aspire to assist seniors in discerning their spiritual gifts, cultivating those gifts, and using those gifts to build up the Body of Christ. If you need assistance in discerning your giftedness, please contact Rev. Bryan Bult.
Barnabas Ministry
For seniors who sense they are gifted in the lost art of letter writing, Barnabas Ministry team convenes regularly to pray for members of the congregation who have asked for prayer and need encouragement. Ministry team members then write notes to remind them of God’s precious promises that make persevering worth the effort.
Services
Transportation- We are happy to arrange transportation for any senior adult who needs assistance getting to any church event. If you require assistance, please contact Janet B. Altman
IT assistance/troubleshooting – If you need technical support or assistance with one of your devices (phone, tablet, laptop), contact Gabe Hurst.
Staff
David Lauten, Associate Minister of Congregational Care
Bryan Bult, Associate Minister to Seniors
Janet B. Altman, Seniors Ministry Coordinator
Barbara Diller, Congregational Nurse
Lisa Eargle, Administrative Assistant