The Senior Point — January 2018

JANUARY 2018 EDITION

THE WOODLANDS UMC

POINT A MESSAGE FROM

DON MEADOR PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS

THE FRIENDSHIP CLASS CHRISTMAS PARTY The Houston Balalaika Society performed.

The Friendship Class held its annual Christmas Party in Wesley Hall on December 1.

Georgann Hinton

Kay and Rev. Don Meador

Derle and Gay Lindner

F.C. party chairs, Ferol and Olin Johnson

Gin Meinhardt

Elizabeth Voran and Clarence Thompson

Jim and Sandra Atherton

As we begin a new year it is a good time to check our compass. Are we headed in the right direction? I guess that depends on our destination. Where are we going? What are we trying to accomplish? What changes need to be made? What are the possibilities for beginning new things? These are good questions to ponder as we welcome a new year.

Our Senior Adult Ministry at The Woodlands UMC offers many opportunities as you consider these questions and what may be possible for you in the new year. You may feel the need for deeper spiritual growth or inspiring Bible study, more personal support through fellowship and friendship groups, personal rewards that come through mission and service projects, or self-improvement through study groups and fitness programs, or the joy of travel with friends on one of our trips.

As you receive this newsletter each month, I hope you don’t just file it away but that you will take the time to note the opportunities and possibilities that are offered through this ministry. There just may be some new activities you want to try in the New Year. As the year begins, let’s be sure we’re headed in the right direction.

Happy New Year!

Your Friend,

Jeannette and Dr. Mark Lewis

Prime Timers and The Gathering Place will not meet in January.

START OFF 2018 IN

THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Please join us for our 2018 Senior Adult Fitness Kick-off in Aldersgate Hall on Friday, January 12. We will begin with our exercise class at 8:30 a.m., followed by breakfast, the unveiling of the 2018 Senior Fitness tshirt by Rev. Don Meador, a presentation on posture by Julie Pauls, games and door prizes.

Do you ever feel “bad” about your posture? When I tell people that I’m a physical therapist, who consults in posture education, I typically see someone quickly sit up as straight as they possibly can. And then they tell me they need to “work” on their posture.

There are typically two tendencies with posture; either to collapse down or pull up to try to “sit up straight”. Almost “military-like” in an extremely upright stance. These are extremes, but there are problems with both approaches. If you tend to collapse down you may feel relaxed for a bit but may end up in pain later. However, if you are one who “works hard” to pull up you may be unable to sustain such a rigid posture.

But there is an alternative way to think about your posture. When you are aligned well with gravity, taking full advantage of the intrinsic support of your bony anatomy, posture can provide both support and freedom for movement.

Psalm 139: 14 (NIV) says: I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Have you ever watched a young child move easily with their head balanced well on top of their body? They naturally move well as they cooperate with the way they were wonderfully designed. That’s a movement we tend to gradually lose due to habits that insidiously work to change the way we move. By revisiting two key points of your anatomy you can re-learn optimal posture.

Julie Pauls, PhD, PT is the founder of ATLAS Posture® - a consultative practice specializing in posture education. Julie and her husband, Ralph, joined The Woodlands UMC in 1987 where they raised their two children. Now they are enjoying visits to the church from their four grandchildren.

The first key point is the way your head rests on the top of your spine at the highest point on the atlas, the first vertebrae. By learning to allow more freedom at your top joint you gain increased coordination in your movements. Secondly, by sitting well on your sitting bones, at the base of the pelvis, you gain needed support.

By learning, or re-learning, where these key points of anatomy are on your own body, you can add ease to your movements as you direct and support your own posture.

THE GOLDENAIRES’

VETERAN’S DAY PERFORMANCE

The Goldenaires performed at a Veterans Day program at the Woodlands Community Center.

Veterans

Did you know that singing can improve your health? sixwise.com Singing, particularly in a chorus, seems to benefit the elderly particularly well. As part of a three-year study examining how singing affects the health of those 55 and older, a Senior Singers Chorale was formed by the Levine School of Music in Washington, D.C. The seniors involved in the chorale (as well as seniors involved in two separate arts groups involving writing and painting) showed significant health improvements compared to those in the control groups.

Specifically, the arts groups reported an average of: fewer doctor visits, fewer eyesight problems, less incidence of depression, less need for medication and fewer falls and other injuries.

Glenna & Ed Wandling

Mary and Harold Kerr

January is a great time to join the Goldenaires. Information about rehearsals can be found at the top of page 3.

Alan & Carolyn Bowman

Eula Cole & Linda Burley

Nell Sweetman

Jerry Whitehouse

Beverly Parks

Denny Lehman

Lisa Grassman

Laverne Hopper

Lynne Schoop

UPCOMING EVENTS SMALL GROUPS LUNCH BUNCH Tuesday, January 9 | 11:00 a.m. at The Olive Oil Restaurant Each month we meet at a different restaurant for good conversation and Christian fellowship. This month, please join us at 11:00 a.m. at The Olive Oil Restaurant, 373 Sawdust Road. Reservations are due by Monday, January 8. For more information, contact Dolly Loftiss at 210.844.2062. All senior adults are welcomed to attend.

THE GATHERING PLACE PLANNING MEETING Wednesday, January 10 | 10:30 a.m. in Asbury Hall The Gathering Place will not meet this month, but volunteers will gather to plan upcoming events. For more information, contact Chuck and Jean Abernathy at 936.449.6450.

SENIOR ADULT GAME NIGHT Friday, January 12 | 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall Join us for a night of fun, fellowship, games and light refreshments. Games include Mexican train, bridge, hand and foot, and Rummikube. $1 per person. For more information, contact Ann and Jerry Armstrong at 281.419.2666 or Jerry and Lil Whitehouse at 225.937.4893. Everyone is invited. Please bring a snack.

SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY PLANNING MEETING Thursday, January 18 Please join us as we make plans for upcoming Senior Adult programs, trips, studies and other special events at our next meeting in Jones Library at 2:00 p.m. All senior adults are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact Connie Norton at 281.292.3875.

AN AFTERNOON AT THE MOVIES Friday, January 26 | 2:30 p.m. in the Music Suite Come see the movie, Hidden Figures. Snacks will be served.

Please RSVP by Tuesday, January 23 by signing up or by calling Dee and Dave Megee at 281.364.7114. All senior adults are welcome.

ELDERRIDE

Contact Ken and Linda Keith at 936.271.3810 if you need a ride to a medical appointment. Please call at least 48 hours in advance.

GOLDENAIRES CHOIR Tuesdays | 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Music Suite The Goldenaires, our senior adult choir, is the perfect way for you to spread joy through singing. This group is open to those 55 and older and is directed by Stephen Jones, The Woodlands UMC’s Music Associate and Organist.

Performances include providing beautiful anthems once a month for the 8:30 a.m. worship service in Robb Chapel and singing at community events for Interfaith, The Gathering Place, and area nursing homes. We would love to have you join us! No audition is required. For more information, contact Ed Wandling at 281.355.0053.

Rehearsals Resume Tuesday, January 9.

SENIOR FITNESS Tuesdays & Fridays | 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Join us up to twice a week for a muscle toning workout for men and women featuring strength training and some stretching using hand weights, tubes and chairs. Lite body sculpting is an unintimidating, less strenuous class with modifications for any fitness level. Segments include warm-up, strength, stretching and cool-down. There is no charge. Please wear comfortable clothes and tennis shoes. For more information please contact Jackie Martini at 281.451.3844.

Join us for our 2018 Fitness Kickoff on Friday, January 12.

MEN’S BOOK STUDY Wednesdays, January 10 & 24 | 10:00 a.m. in the Infant Care Room Join us for a men’s book study/Bible study, which meets twice a month. We have begun a new book, studying Rob Renfroe’s A Way Through The Wilderness. Contact Jerry Barney at 281.826.323 for more information.

SINGLE LIFE WIDOWS Fridays, January 12 & 26 Friday, January 12 | 9:30 a.m. Breakfast at La Madeleine

(9595 Six Pines Drive, Suite 100) Friday, January 26 | 11:00 a.m. Lunch at Sweet Tomatoes

(1717 Lake Woodlands Drive) For more information contact Terry Loughridge at 281.297.5932 or tloughridge@twumc.org.

PEGGY’S BOOK CLUB Tuesday, January 16 | 12:30 p.m. in Allen Parlor Bring a brown bag for lunch, we will discuss the book Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys. Coffee and cookies will be provided. Contact Libby Heintz at 936.271.7660 for more information. Everyone is welcome – men and women!

SUPPORT SHEPHERD CARE Shepherd Care is our ministry of friendship for our members who are in local nursing homes, senior adult residences and private residences. New shepherds and new lambs are always welcome. For more information, contact Karen Freeman at 858.204.0012.

COMPUTER SUPPORT MINISTRY The Computer Support Ministry is alive and going strong helping many of our senior adults. If you need computer assistance, please call Jerry Barney, a member of The Woodlands UMC at 281.826.3232 (home) or 915.373.3707 (cell). There is no charge.

The Woodlands United Methodist Church 2200 Lake Woodlands Drive The Woodlands, Texas 77380 281.297.5900 thewoodlandsumc.org

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID N. HOUSTON, TX PERMIT #296

Return Service Requested

JANUARY 2018 1 Mon | 2 Tue | 5 Fri | 9 Tue |

10 Wed |

12 Fri |

16 Tue |

18 Thur | 19 Fri | 23 Tue |

24 Wed | 26 Fri |

30 Tue |

New Year’s Day Church offices closed Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Lunch Bunch 11:00 a.m. at The Olive Oil Restaurant Goldenaires Rehearsal Resumes 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Music Suite Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. in the Infant Care Room The Gathering Place Planning Meeting 10:30 a.m. in Asbury Hall Senior Fitness Kickoff 8:30 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Single Life Widows 9:30 a.m. at La Madeleine Senior Adult Game Night 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. in Aldersgate Hall Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Peggy’s Book Club 12:30 p.m. in Allen Parlor Goldenaires Rehearsal 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Music Suite Senior Adult Ministry Planning Meeting 2:00 in Jones Library Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Goldenaires Rehearsal 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Music Suite Men’s Book Study 10:00 a.m. in the Infant Care Room Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Single Life Widows 11:00 a.m. at Sweet Tomatoes An Afternoon at the Movie 2:30 p.m. in the Music Suite Senior Fitness 8:30 – 9:20 a.m. in Aldersgate Hall Goldenaires Rehearsal 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. in the Music Suite

Prime Timers and The Gathering Place will not meet in January.

A LOOK INTO NEXT MONTH THE GATHERING PLACE

Monday, February 5 in Aldersgate Hall Volunteers arrive at 8:45 a.m.

Our guests arrive at 10:00 a.m.

The theme will be “Be My Valentine.”

For more information, contact Chuck and Jean Abernathy at 936.449.6450.

PRIME TIMERS LUNCHEON

Wednesday, February 7 11:15 a.m. in Wesley Hall Reservations are due by noon on Friday, February 2 to Joyce and Ken Nesmith at 281.367.5519. The cost is $7 per person.

Checks are preferred, payable to TWUMC.

Visit thewoodlandsumc.org for information about these and other church events.