Highlights Finance, Health and Nutrition

Older Adult Ministries Convocation Highlights Finances, Health and Nutrition

By Rev. Kimberly A. Palmore-Ferguson

Over the past 18 months plus, the older adult community has been confined to their homes with little to no interaction from family, friends or the local church. Even after getting vaccinated, older adults have been cautious about being in the company of others. With much thoughtfulness, the Older Adult Ministries Team (OAM) prayed and came up with the theme “Brain Power” to speak to the members of this community as they continue to deal with the pandemic and post vaccine aftereffects, specifically highlighting finances, health and nutrition.

The OAM team invited Dr. Alka Gupta from the Bluerock CareGroup to speak about health during and post vaccine. Dr. Gupta blessed the group of 30 with information and motivational words to keep the needed doctors’ appointments, pay close attention to the food that aides in proper brain health and information on foods that lower blood sugar and control cholesterol. In keeping with her guidance, lunch, provided by MK Caterings, consisted of an array of brain-healthy salads, organic smoothies and water. Ms. Lisa A. Mitchell from the American Kidney Fund provided attendees with information about good kidney health and the importance of early detections.

Just Older Youth (J.O.Y), a Blessing initiative conceived and executed in 2019, was designed to help senior adults learn the basic skills of sending and reading emails, searching online and basic accounting for bill maintenance. The Blessing initiative is an annual DCBC mission offering (also called the National Capital Area Mission Offering) that raised more than $5,000 in donations throughout the year. Because the pandemic closed so many vital programs, these funds were used to bless OAM Convocation participants with Amazon Fire tablets they can use to access the skills training previously mentioned and to view virtual church services. In addition to this gift, the Office of Public Relations and Outreach will offer a class on usage and upkeep on these tablets early in December.

The convocation ended on a high note with Mrs. Shirl Ross, a fitness instructor, leading the OAM Convocation attendees in an invigorating session of chair exercises with uplifting music. Mrs. Ross also provided the attendees with a series of workouts that can be safely accomplished at home.

Rev. Kimberly A. Palmore-Ferguson is the DCBC Minister of Public Relations and Outreach (Kimberly.palmore-ferguson@dcbaptist.org).