October / November 2016
Desert Hills Presbyterian Church
Welcoming
Simon Kim & Family to DHPC
34605 North Tom Darlington Drive P.O. Box 874 Carefree AZ 85377 480-488-3384
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October / November 2016
IN THIS ISSUE:
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Pastor's Message New Director of Building and Grounds Christmas Tea Covenant Groups Membership Reader's Theater / Puppet Outreach
SUMMER WORSHIP SCHEDULE REMAINS THROUGH OCTOBER 30 9:00 - Traditional Service 10:30 - Praise Service NEW WORSHIP SCHEDULE BEGINS NOVEMBER 6 8:15 am - Traditional Service in the Sanctuary 9:45 am - Traditional Service in the Sanctuary 11:10 am - Praise Service in the Fellowship Center Nursery and child care will be available during all services. Sunday School for preschool and elementary students will be available at the 9:45 and 11:10 services.
Echoes is published every other month by and for the congregation of Desert Hills Presbyterian Church in Carefree, Arizona. If you have received this publication by mistake or you would like to no longer subscribe to the magazine, simply call the DHPC office at 480-4883384 or write to admin@deserthills.org. The lead time for the publication is four weeks before the first month displayed on the cover. For the December 2016 - January 2017 issue, deadline for submissions is November 10. Contributions from any and all DHPC members are always welcome! Simply e-mail your documents and pictures to editor@deserthills.org or drop them off at the church office.
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Music Camp Welcome Simon Kim My Little Corner of the World Veterans' Day Be a Hero to a Child From the Congregational Nurse
FEELING SOCIAL? Be sure to “like” Desert Hills Presbyterian Church on Facebook! Simply go to the DHPC website: www.deserthills.org and click the Facebook icon. You may also type “Desert Hills Presbyterian Church” in the search bar on Facebook. We have security set so that “tagging” of photos is not permitted, so check out the page and enjoy the photos and information about your church family.
The Echoes staff welcomes any and all feedback. If you would like to submit any questions, concerns or comments about the contents of this publication, please send them to editor@deserthills.org or drop them by the church office and we’ll make sure they are read and addressed as promptly as possible. Please allow 2-4 weeks for any necessary replies. If you have been blessed with the ability to write or take pictures and feel called to use your talents to serve the Lord, Echoes would love to have you be part of our editorial team! Just call Patrick McAvoy at 602-549-7217 or write us at editor@deserthills.org.
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Pastor’s Message Jim Noble, Senior Pastor
jnoble@deserthills.org 480-488-3384
Anxious? Rejoice. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7 Anxious times? Anxious times call for a keen awareness of God's presence. Anxious times call for acts of gentleness. Anxious times call for prayers and petitions to God. Anxious times call for counting blessings in thanksgiving. Anxious times call for the peace of God to guard hearts and minds. Anxious times call for rejoicing in the Lord. I say again, "Rejoice in the Lord!" Peace in Christ,
Jim
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INTRODUCING OUR NEW DIRECTOR OF BUILDINGS & GROUNDS! DHPC is pleased to announce that Tom Hammett has assumed the position of Director of Building & Grounds, effective this July.
joined Empire in Mesa full time, where he trained, supervised other employees, and administered/coordinated various welding projects. He retired in 2015.
Tom went to school in New Jersey. From there he joined the Air Force as a F-4 Fighter Jet Crew Chief. In addition to his long work history, he also served as a volunteer fireman, part of the Exxon Heavy Duty Rescue Squad.
To his growing list of talents and certifications, Tom has been certified in CPR, AED and is a Certified Food Manager. He has volunteered for many tasks at the church over the years, and became a trained sound system operator under our former and talented property manager, Larry Soughan. Tom can still be found on Sundays working the sound board in the back of the Sanctuary when not doing repairs or managing our building and grounds.
He and Joyce moved to Arizona where he opened his own welding business. The quality of his work was such that other companies hired him to teach welding on various jobs while still running his own business.
Please welcome Tom Hammett next time you see him!
This arrangement was so successful that he
ANNUAL
Christmas Tea COMING DECEMBER 3
Christmas is just around the corner and that means it’s time for the annual Christmas Tea at DHPC. This year our inspirational Christian speaker will be Cinthia Hiett. Cinthia is an outstanding speaker, singer, radio and television personality and counselor. We are excited to have her for the Tea. Saturday, December 3rd from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. $20 per person; $25 per family with daughters under the age of 18. DHPC Fellowship Center Seating is limited and reserved. Admission to the tea will be by ticket only. Ticket sales will begin on November 6th on the Church patio or you may call Nan Campbell at 480-488-2344 to reserve a seat and purchase your ticket(s). We will again be sponsoring Christian Family Care (a foster care organization) with $10.00 gift cards from Walmart or Target to help foster parents provide Christmas gifts for their foster children. Please bring a gift card with you to the Tea. Plan on joining us for a wonderful prelude to the Christmas Season.
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THE MEANING OF COVENANT IN A COVENANT GROUP What is the meaning of covenant as it applies to DHPC Covenant Groups? As a participant in DHPC's church family, you may be familiar with or a member of a Covenant Group that meets regularly in a host home. Although some groups identify themselves as Home Groups, all groups are organized under DHPC's Covenant Group umbrella. The “covenant” in Covenant Group has its roots in ancient Middle Eastern and Biblical history. Covenants were formal, binding agreements between parties to accomplish specific objectives. Non-Biblical covenants were between individuals regulated by civil governments. God’s covenants were unique. He was always the initiator and regulator, and his covenants were conditional (if you will do A, then I will do B). Biblical scholars differ concerning the number of major covenants between God and his creation. The most familiar covenants deal with The Garden of Eden, Noah and the flood, Abraham and the nation of Israel, the Promised Land, Moses and the Law, David and the Kingdom of Israel, John the Baptist and Jesus, and the New Heaven and the New Earth. Another important component of God’s covenants was His desire to establish a relationship with His creation. DHPC Covenant Groups also desire to establish relationships within our church family. In an informal setting, people join together to learn and grow in their faith, to serve and support one another, to participate in outreach projects, and to build meaningful relationships with members of their covenant family. If you have an interest in joining or forming a Covenant Group, we encourage you to contact the church office or Marcia Fishman!
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New membership class series in one weekend!
INTERESTED IN MEMBERSHIP AT DESERT HILLS?
Part I: Saturday, October 15, 9 am - 11 am Part II: Sunday, October 16, 12:45 pm - 2:45 pm Contact Nan Boyer-Searle for more information: 480-239-3751 or outreach@deserthills.org
READER’S THEATER & PUPPET CLUB OUTREACH The Music and Arts committee worked with the Desert Foothills Library to produce a Readers Theater/ Puppet Club at the Library this summer. This was done in support of the DHPC goal to reach out into the community. A number of community children, ages 3 to 10, enjoyed our five sessions, as did a number of their parents who participated. In each session we used entertaining, positive stories by Mo Willems. First each participant made a puppet character, and then the story was read together with each group of puppets reading their part expressively. DHPC provided copies of the books for each child to take home. Pictured are examples of puppets created by the children.
Gail Thiele, Vicky Crowe, Ron Crowe
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In partnership with the Leupp church, Music Camp was held this year in the community of Indian Wells. We had a wonderful weekend of music lessons - voice, keyboard, drums, bass guitar and guitar. At the end of the time, we all joined together and played in a band! The Sunday following Music Camp, all three Anthem Youth Bands played on Sunday morning during worship. The Bands also did a puppet presentation in worship!
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Welcome Simon Kim as Our New Associate Pastor! Desert Hills has a new Associate Pastor. On August 28th, Reverend Simon Kim was approved by unanimous vote of the members and accepted our call to serve. Simon and his Wife Halley, Son Gabriel (3+ yrs.) and Daughter Phoebe (16 mos.) will be moving into their new home in SW Anthem in early October. Simon is an ordained EPC Pastor with a Masters of Divinity from The Covenant Theological Seminary and has some thirteen years of experience as a Pastor and Director of Youth and Family Ministries. He has served as a High School Football coach and across many denominational lines in outreach ministries for Christ. Simon loves sports and cooking. Halley is a Registered Nurse and is about to qualify as an IBCLC (Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant). They are a very warm and accessible couple and will be a good fit for our congregation. Thank you for your support and patience during our search. Your Desert Hills Nominating Committee; Brent Benham, Monica Hoffman, Moon Kahn, Michelle Olson, Jesse Robertson, John Thurston and Dave Hulbert
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My Little Corner of the World God is sovereign and in control of everything under the heavens. His timing is always perfect. Indeed! I returned home from Georgia on June 27 to search for a surgeon to remove my thyroid as my previous surgeon had taken a leave of absence. Praise the Lord, I was able to find a surgeon who was available to consult, operate, and follow up, according to my timetable, with 35 days left in Arizona. Everything went well, thanks to Judie Preston and Myra Sherriff, my two ‘Nightingales,” and 10 days later was back on my feet. A heartfelt thanks to all the prayer warriors who covered me during surgery and recovery. My beloved brother Tony called the week before I picked up the Penske truck to say he had injured his knee and could not be my co-pilot. My former roadie just returned home from five weeks on the vacation and was not available… what was I to do? You know we Cookie Ladies are inseparable. Joyce and Tom Hammett opened their home to me while they were in Nashville visiting Odessa (and parents Kim & Gabe). Tom graciously allowed Joyce to be my co-pilot for four days… all the way to St.Louis, MO. All of this was taking place one week before they were leaving for a family cruise to Alaska! “Thank You Tom!” What do you do when your professional packers arrive, look over your two storage units and say, “Too much stuff! You need a bigger truck!” Here is a picture of the additional donations to Kiwanis. The only piece of furniture I loaded for Dearborn was my bedframe. First stop: San Antonio, where we unloaded and reloaded more stuff into the truck and headed for St. Louis after a day of rest. Texas is huge! We drove and drove… forgetting that we lost two hours one we entered El Paso.
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After two days at my daughter’s, with my co-pilot graciously agreeing to wake up at 3 am, the Penske truck headed to Dallas to enjoy breakfast with my sister-in-law. All was well until we arrived in Dallas rush hour traffic: bumper to bumper, I was horrified at the tight lanes of traffic and the huge side mirrors on the truck. We missed the turn to I-35 N and instead found ourselves on 635 and “Boom!” We collided mirrors with another truck and our passenger side mirror shattered. Needless to say the driver was frazzled… me. We were able to exit in Frisco and wait for my sister-in- law and niece... as we had no side mirror and could not see behind us in a 16 ft. truck. We enjoyed a great meal and then went to AutoZone for repairs. Next stop: Missouri! Our Dallas adventures cost us three hours and we soon realized we would not arrive in St. Louis until after midnight. We agreed a hotel by the airport was our best option as the pilot had booked the co-pilot’s flight home at 8:30 am. After figuring out how to park a 16 ft. Penske in the back lot of the hotel (it takes time!) we were off to bed for an early rise! Please, please give Joyce Hammett a big hug for me! She woke up at 4:30am, after 3 hours of sleep, showered and took the shuttle to the airport---while I was sound asleep. Bon Voyage my dearest Cookie Lady! All the plans of mice and men are… negotiable. I had planned to be at my son’s house by 8am to hug my grandkids before they left for school. Hadley and I were planning to leave at noon for Dearborn. Needless to say, I did not wake up until 9 am. By now I realized I was not, nor ever would be, superwoman and had to wait for Hadley to unload the truck. His sub arrived late… we finally decided to do the midnight drive (giving me precious hours with my grandchildren). We left STL at 7 pm and arrived in Dearborn at 5 am (which is really 6 am EST). God’s way are higher than our ways! The Van Duinen Family was awake when we arrived at 6:30 am---due to a 10 month old--and we decided to begin unpacking. Then we helped Brad VanDuinen pack their household goods into the Penske for the four-hour drive across Michigan to their
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new home. We were done by 3:30 pm, grabbed a bit of food, and checked into the Henry Ford Hotel. I think I was awake 5 minutes… enough to take my shoes off. I climbed under the covers and collapsed! Hadley took an 8:30 am flight back home and I went home. On his return trip Monday, Brad called and was able to pick up my roomies furniture from Novi, MI… God’s blessings keep on blessing. This is the house the Lord provided in Dearborn, MI. It is NOT a 700 square foot bungalow with a basement; it is a 2 story, 3 bedroom, with a full basement blessing! “Lord, your love is abundant and you have promised to meet my every need.” On and on and on and on it goes Before, it overwhelms and satisfies my soul And I never, ever, have to be afraid One thing remains So, one thing remains. Your love never fails, it never gives up It never runs out on me
Our daily commitment is to: • pray for a supernatural move of God • disciple for obedience • deepen our passion for Jesus • work full-time • commit to Obedience Bible Study • read assignments materials • memorize 15 stories of Jesus from the Bible • engage refugees in our community • learn how to launch Disciple Making Movements • participate in corporate prayer Last night three of us attended training in Hamtramck, where we will join an existing school in teaching ESL classes to Yemeni women. Next week we will attend another training session to work in Dearborn with Syrian refugees. The Lord is faithful! His love endures forever.
- Jesus Culture lyrics, One Thing Remains On Wednesday, 9/7, TOAG gathered: 12 members (8 interns, 4 leaders). This is the journey the Lord has written for us as we give up families, friends, church communities, stuff, and walk with Jesus to the Dearborn road. He has chosen our new peoples… some in Lebanon, Spain, Jordan, and one in Siberia.
Prayer Requests: • Strength and endurance, perseverance • Intention lifestyle • Good rest • Open ears to hear God’s voice • Open eyes to see the refugee women He has chosen Following Jesus,
Jacqy Kilgore PS Creekers visit!
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Vete Day 5th ANNUAL VETERANS’ DAY DINNER & PROGRAM NOVEMBER 13 Sunday, November 13th, 4 – 6 pm. Everyone is invited to attend to recognize and honor our veterans at DHPC!
There will be special music for us from Eddie Smith and Karin Thomas, and activities to prepare to host the annual Carefree Soldier Ride! The program will include “Veterans Heritage Project – Civics in Action.” In a continuing effort to recognize and honor our Veterans, DHPC has just become the first-ever church to form a chapter of the Veterans Heritage Project (VHP)! Come learn about this amazing program which connects our youth with veterans in our church and in Leupp Presbyterian
HOW CAN YOU SERVE A VETERAN?
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Dinner for non-veterans is $5, with a maximum of $20 for families (children under 3 are free). Payment will be collected at the door. All veterans are invited to attend at no charge, as guests of the Troop Care Ministry Team, and will be recognized for their service. Please make reservations, so we will know you are able to attend. Please make your reservations in advance, either:
• on the patio between services • on Sundays October 30th and November 6th through the church office by Thursday, November 10th.
Volunteers will be able to enjoy the program, and their dinner will be complimentary. This is a very wellattended event, so we could use A LOT of volunteers!
To show our appreciation to our veterans, volunteers will be needed for this year’s Veterans’ Day Event, on Sunday, November 13th. We will need all kinds of help: in the kitchen, in the dining area setting tables, serving food, and cleaning up after the event!
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Church, “offering students the opportunity to become immersed in one-on-one personal accounts of heroism and service to our country, while learning life-long skills, developing a passion for history, writing and civics, and an appreciation of the freedoms which came through the sacrifices of those who have served our nation.”
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Can’t help that day? Call me to help prep food on the Friday before! Music and fun conversation included! Please contact Rhonda Noble at pasttracker65@ gmail.com or 480.433.2870, for more info.
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erans' y WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT & SOLDIER RIDE FAQ
As chair of the Troop Care Ministry Team (TCM), I’ve been asked by a few people about the shake-up in the Wounded Warrior Project organization in the last year and, because our church hosts the annual Carefree Soldier Ride, they want to know in what ways has DHPC been a contributor to the organization. I hope this brief FAQ answers any questions others may have, and if you’d like to talk with me about it, please feel free to call me!
1. What is the Soldier Ride, which DHPC supports? A few years ago, Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) contacted DHPC to ask if we would host their annual Carefree Soldier Ride. The Ride, one of many held nation-wide, is part of a four-day event held in the Phoenix area, and is free to all wounded service members and veterans who have sustained injuries since 9/11/2001. Some injuries are seen and some unseen, from amputations to Traumatic Brain Injuries to Post Traumatic Stress. The goal of the event is to use cycling and the bonds of service to overcome these wounds. For many, it is their first introduction back into recreational exercise and sport since receiving their injuries.
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- Rhonda Noble, 480.433.2870
2016 SOLDIER RIDE: WE NEED YOUR HELP!
3) Distribute flyers to the local businesses you frequent.
The 2016 Soldier Ride is taking place November 19 from 9 to 11 a.m. and the help of our Desert Hills Members is especially needed to get the word out since the route cannot be published in newspapers for safety reasons. Here’s how you can help:
Be sure to visit DHPC’s Facebook page to see where flyers are already posted, and to list where you have placed your posters, or contact Rhonda through the new email address above.
You may download the flyer from the Desert Hills website, or request copies to be printed off in the church office.
1) If you live along the route:
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND HELPING OUR WOUNDED WARRIORS!
With the help of our parish shepherds, those members who live along the route will be informed of their close proximity and asked to help by decorating the route and distributing information to their neighbors. If you are contacted and have questions, or think you may live or work along the route, please contact Rhonda Noble at 480.433.2870 or pasttracker65@gmail.com. (note GMAIL address!) 2) If you don’t live or work along the route: Spread the word to your friends, coworkers, and neighbors, and arrange to meet at one of five designated locations. Flyers with locations can be found on the Desert Hills website and printed for distribution. D E S E RT H I L L S
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WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT & SOLDIER RIDE FAQ continued 2. How do we support Soldier Ride? Of course, we were ecstatic to host the Carefree Soldier Ride, and have had the honor of hosting each year since. Hosting involves providing a physical location for the start and end of the bicycle ride, restroom facilities, and refreshments at the beginning, middle, and end of the ride. It also involves providing volunteers to direct traffic in the parking lot, to secure the area from public access, to unload and load bicycles and special equipment, and to assist where needed. This year, the Troop Care Ministry Team has designated $250 of its budget to purchase an abundance of refreshments, hospitality items for use in the restrooms (shampoo, face wash, etc.), decorations, posters, and even favor bags for each veteran and service animal! The youth of our church spend time creating banners of appreciation, and work on craft projects to include in the favor bags, to decorate the bikes. 3. Do we support WWP monetarily, either directly or through Soldier Ride fundraising? No. When we were first asked to host the Ride, TCM team member Arch Rambeau researched the organization’s charitable rating, and found that it was less than favorable, due to the higher percentage of giving going towards overhead costs. The TCM team voted to only support the veterans served by WWP directly, by hosting the Ride, and not to participate in the fundraising portion associated with the Ride. 4. So, are these actually worthwhile causes? From personal interaction with the veterans themselves at these Rides, I can tell you definitely Yes! Both WWP and the Soldier Ride have been very effective with connecting with veterans and their families, and helping the soldier adjust back to civilian life despite their injuries.
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At the last Ride I shared an elevator with a double amputee veteran in a wheelchair. He somberly and emphatically shared with me that WWP helped him in his darkest hours and saved his life and his family’s, and without WWP, he wouldn’t be alive today. I’ve had veterans in tears tell me what an awesome, overthe-top experience their last ride, in our town, was for them at the end of their four-day journey of healing and growth. The previous rides occur pretty quietly, without any publicity— no one lines the routes, and no one cheers them on with signs and waving flags. During their rides, they are not showered with any thanks or gifts or touching pictures drawn for them by children. On their last Ride, they are overwhelmed when people in our town line the route, waiting to cheer and thank them as they ride by, and when they receive what they describe as amazing hospitality, generosity, and an appreciative spirit from DHPC. 5. Won’t this negative publicity put our church in a bad light? I don’t think so, and I continue to wear my WWP shirt in public, just to get a conversation going so I can share how I see things, based on my personal interaction with the participating veterans over the past few years. To sum it up, I believe the shake-up in the WWP organization was the best thing that could have happened to it, and with better leadership, WWP is now being held accountable to redirect more of its donations towards what they do best—aiding our returning injured veterans and their care-giving families, giving them hope and encouragement to live their lives to the fullest.
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Be a Hero to a Child I became a hero last year. How? Nothing life threatening or dangerous … I just volunteered to be a mentor, friend and role model to a little seven-year-old girl. I have been a volunteer with the YMCA Reach & Rise Mentoring Program for the past few years. There are so many children locally who are longing to have a personal relationship with an adult mentor who will listen to them and provide positive guidance. While this is a secular program, my Christian beliefs and principals are highly respected. In fact, one year the mother of a little girl interviewed me and asked me to be the spiritual mentor to her daughter. You never know how God will use you! Every Thursday during the school year, I joined a small group of volunteers at an elementary school in Phoenix to mentor second-graders for an hour. We were each assigned one child that we met with in a safe, structured environment. We read, drew pictures, colored, played board games, etc. but basically tried to establish a relationship with the child to help them address their low self-esteem and social isolation. Last year we even self-published a collection of short stories that the kids wrote and illustrated. Imagine their pride as these sixand seven-year-olds got the encouragement and support to become “authors” of a real book!
need for more volunteers. I have signed up again, and this year my husband Ralph is also volunteering. We’ve all heard the statistics … “According to a 2011 US Census Report, more than one in five children in the United States live in poverty. These are children who are at risk of falling prey to hurdles which potentially keep them from obtaining an education, reaching a meaningful and productive adulthood, and successfully joining the workforce.” (YMCA Valley of the Sun website). If you feel the Lord is calling you to work with a young child, please pray about this program. The YMCA is willing to work with you on a different schedule if you can’t make a full-time commitment. It is very rewarding, and you would be amazed at what a difference you can make for a child in need of adult companionship and guidance. Be a friend, be a role model, be a hero – the kids need you. For more information, contact Teri Ferro at (480) 878-5880 or teri.ferro@cox.net or Barbara Harp who is the YMCA Program Director at (602) 316-8352 or bharp@vosymca.org.
The young girl I mentored loved to draw, play with her dolls, and do cartwheels with her friends. She liked the colors pink and purple … typical little girl things. When I stopped by her classroom to pick her up … she would run into my arms for a big hug before I held her hand and twirled her around. She and her friend would fight over who would carry my purse to the library. Since she wasn’t fond of reading, I encouraged her to draw and tell me her stories. As any psychologist would tell you – that is a wonderful way for children to express their feelings. There was an incident that she shared with me that came out through her drawings. Working with the YMCA Director and the School Counselor, we were able to get her the professional counseling she needed. I truly believe the Lord brought me into her life to help her at that time. The end of the school year was a bit teary … the children didn’t want the program to end nor to say good-bye to us. There were promises that we would be back when school started again, and even though the children would move on to the next grade, we would still be at the school each Thursday to say hello to them. The school year has started again, and there are over two dozen children asking for a mentor in this program. Unfortunately, some of the mentors have moved away or got jobs, so there is a
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from the
Congregational Nurse
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE Most of us know someone with Alzheimer’s Disease. The Memory-robbing, progressive, degenerative brain disease named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer who first described it in 1906. Unfortunately, its causes are still not well understood. It may start with slight memory loss and confusion, but it eventually leads to irreversible mental impairment, personality changes and abnormal behavior. The body also loses its ability to function as the mind gradually deteriorates. People with Alzheimer’s experience the disease in very different ways including the rate the disease progresses and the type and severity of symptoms, but there are certain patterns that are common. These include: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Increasing and persistent forgetfulness Difficulty with abstract thinking Difficulty finding the right word Disorientation Loss of judgment Difficulty performing familiar tasks Personality changes.
Six to eight years is the average length of time from the diagnosis to death, but some people live more than 10 years. Other conditions such as depression, anxiety and sleep disorders may accompany Alzheimer’s disease and these conditions can obscure and complicate the diagnosis. Early diagnosis is important and can be made with newer diagnostic techniques. Doctors and researchers are trying to detect the disease in its earliest stages by determining biomarkers and using modern technology so more effective treatments can be
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developed before irreparable harm has been done to the brain. The path of Alzheimer’s disease is a difficult road to walk for the person with the disease and their loved ones. Miscommunication can cause frustration for both the patient, their family or caregivers and friends. “Caregiving” is at the heart of Alzheimer’s treatment. The key is to focus on the things your loved one can still do and enjoy at each stage of progression. Keep in mind that the person is expressing real emotions and they cannot help their memory loss. 1. H elp engage your loved one by listening, making eye contact and using familiar words and clear statements. 2. Stick to a daily routine. 3. Break tasks down into small, orderly steps. 4. Limit choices and participate together with activities such as getting dressed. 5. Be respectful and reassuring. 6. Avoid large noisy settings and limit the number of visitors at one time.
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Here are some tips to apply when visiting a friend or loved one with Alzheimer’s or other dementia that may help for clearer communication: 1. Approach the person from the front and say who you are. Keep good eye contact. If the person is seated or reclined, go down to that level. 2. Call the person by name. It helps orient the person and gets his or her attention. 3. Speak slowly and distinctively using a gentle and relaxed tone. 4. Patiently wait for a response. The person may need extra time to process what you said. 5. Repeat information or questions as needed. If the person doesn’t respond, wait a moment, then ask again. 6. Provide the solution rather than the question. For example, say. “The bathroom is right here,” instead of asking, “Do you need to use the bathroom?” 7. Give visual cues. To help demonstrate the task, point or touch the item you want the individual to use or begin the task for the person. 8. Be aware of your feelings and attitude. You may be saying you’re happy but communicating through your tone of voice that you are stressed. Use positive, friendly facial expressions and non-verbal communication. 9. It is essential to be patient and reassuring. Even if you have told the person with Alzheimer’s the same thing 10 times, to the Alzheimer’s patient it is the first time because of the memory loss. 10. Read favorite Bible verses to them and sing or play favorite hymns. Long ingrained memories sometimes stay the longest.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow— not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love.” -
Romans 8:38 (NIV)
Alzheimer’s/Dementia Support Group Desert Mission United Methodist Church, 7373 E. Dixileta, Scottsdale, AZ Meets the 2nd & 4th Wednesdays 10:30AM To 12:00 noon
Helpful Resources: Alzheimer’s Association www.alz.org 602-528-0545 Mayo Clinic www.mayoclinic.com
Information gathered from Alzheimer’s Association, the Church Health Reader magazine, Mayo Clinic Health Letter and the NIV Bible.
God calls us to “remember Him in the midst of our difficulty”, even during the confusing and terrifying journey of Alzheimer’s but more importantly, even when “we” forget, “God” never will. God is always present and He will never forget us. Nothing can separate us from the love of God, not even Alzheimer’s and all the challenges that it brings. No matter how hard it gets, we are never alone.
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Echoes
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