Silver Connections: Fall 2023 Newsletter

Silver Connections Welcome, Fall! Your PCPC Silver Connections is here just for you. We have enclosed some great opportunities for your enjoyment as well as your physical and emotional health, pus articles we thought would be of interest to you.

If there is anything that you would love to see happen at PCPC for our fabulous seniors, please don’t hesitate to call the church office and leave me a message or call me on my cell: 813-833-5270. If it is at all possible that we can turn your suggestion into a reality, I will do my best to make it happen.

I hope you have a beautiful holiday season beginning with Thanksgiving and taking us all the way through the Christmas season. I acknowledge this season may be one of uncertainty for some. Please know PCPC is here for you. We have something for everyone through the months ahead. We want this to be a season of peace and joy for all.

-Jeanne Rowe, Older Adult Ministry Coordinator 813-833-5270

November 5th is All Saints Sunday All Saints (Nov. 1, or the rst Sunday in Nov., which is Nov. 5 this year) is a day of remembrance for the “saints,” using “saints” with the New Testament meaning of all Christian people of every time and place. In the doctrine of the Communion of the Saints, the church has af rmed the biblical truth that our life together in the Christian community includes not only the living Christians around us, but those Christians in other places on earth, and those Christians who have died and now reside in God’s care, love, and ful llment. Across time and space we nd fellowship (or communion) with them through Jesus Christ. For this reason, in many churches the names of persons in the congregation who have died during the past year are read as an opening to the Worship Service.

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NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2023 SILVER CONNECTIONS NEWSLETTER

In this Issue…

• Pg 2: Tai Chi & Silver Fitness • Pg 2: Calendar • Pg 3: Stewardship Season • Pg 3: Remembrance • Pg 3: Extended Table • Pg. 4: “Looking Forward to the Holidays’

Presentation • Pg. 5: Enjoy FALL without the “fall!”

• Pg. 6: Learning About the Stephen Ministry Program • Pg. 7: Volunteers Needed Nov. 10 • Pg. 7: Big Birthdays!

• Pg. 8: A Prayer of Thanksgiving

We now are offering Simplified Tai Chi every Thursday 2:15-3:00 in the Game Room: Westminster 202/204. Our instructor, Annet, has been teaching Tai Chi for over 20 years. She currently teaches at the YMCA and Memorial Hospital. Annet teaches simplified Tai Chi. Tai Chi is great for stress relief, relaxation, meditation as well as balance. You can sit in the chair or stand throughout the class. If you haven’t made it to the first few classes, it’s ok — Annet will catch you up!

Come join us, everyone is welcome!

Upcoming Activities November 5th at 4:00 pm: The Tampa Oratorio Singers present Beethoven Mass in C Major in the Sanctuary. Complimentary tickets for church members are available in the church of ce.

Sunday, November 19th at 12:10: Lunch and presentation on Looking Forward to the Holidays in Fellowship Hall Wednesday, Nov. 22nd at 6:00 pm: Thanksgiving Eve Service Sunday, December 3rd Living Nativity — stop by any time between 5:30 and 6:30 Monday, December 4th at 7:00 pm AND Tuesday, December 5th at 7:00 pm Tampa Oratorio Singers’ Messiah Concert in the Sanctuary. Complimentary tickets for church members will be available in the church of ce.

We also continue to invite each of you to Silver Fitness, PCPC’s very own exercise class.

We are so blessed to have our own Tom Little, Silver Sneakers Coach, leading us every Tuesday from 2:00 - 3:00 in the Game Room of the Westminster building. This is a complimentary class for members and their friends. Currently we are pleased to have men and women ages 65 to 91 participating; however, any age is welcome!

All the equipment you need is available as well as chairs for those who are more comfortable exercising while seated. We work on developing our strength, coordination, balance and endurance!

Saturday, December 9th: Presbyterian Women Christmas Coffee at The Rowes’ Home Wednesday, December 13th, 6:15-6:45pm: Trinity Handbell Concert in the Sanctuary Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year! Morning services will be at 9:00 am and 11:00 am. Other Christmas Eve services will be: 4:30 pm - Family Lessons & Carols service in Sanctuary with Junior Choir and Joyful Noise Choirs 6:00 pm - Family-Friendly Service in the Courtyard with live animals 7:00 pm - Contemporary Christmas Eve Service in the Gym with Candlelight and Carols 8:00 pm - Candlelight Service in the Sanctuary with communion and The PCPC Chancel Choir 11:00 pm - Candlelight Service in the Sanctuary with communion and The PCPC Chancel Choir December 31st at 6:00 pm: New Year’s Eve Service followed by reworks in Courtyard

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We invite you to prayerfully consider and re ect on the ministry you make possible through your nancial pledge for the 2024 stewardship season, Together in Christ. PCPC thrives because the congregation provides both the nancial support and their time & dedication to ful ll and grow the various ministries and programs that it offers throughout the year. To learn more about how to make a pledge, go to www.palmaceia.org/pledge, or pick up a pledge form in the church of ce.

Ways to Give • Go to palmaceia.org/pledge • Turn in a pledge form to the offering plates, collection boxes on campus, or church

of ce. If you need one, you can get one from the church of ce or from palmaceia.org/pledge.

• Scan the QR code to the right.

Upon completing your pledge online or by text, you will receive a con rmation email. Thank you if you have already made your pledge.

Extended Table If you would like to receive communion in your home quarterly and have not gotten on the list yet, please call the church of ce and leave a message for Jeanne Rowe. An Elder will call you and set a time to visit and serve you communion. If you are an active or resting elder and would like to visit members and bring them communion, please call and leave a message with Jeanne Rowe as well. We would love your help. This new opportunity hopefully will begin with the new year.

Remembering These PCPC Members Who Have Gone to Glory This Quarter 6/13/23 7/1/23 7/11/23 10/2/23 10/7/23

Georgia Simmons Charles Pinckney Joyce Henley Sue Mansker Diana Lupton

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Enjoy FALL without the FALL! Just this past spring I retired from More Health, a nonpro t that teaches health lessons in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco Counties. Last month I received the article below from my friends at More Health and wanted to share it with you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

-Jeanne Rowe This time of year, many of us head to a place where we can see the splendor of Autumn. A place to witness changes in the colors of the landscape. Did you know that those brilliant colors of red, orange, and yellow have been under the green the whole time? As the leaves produce less chlorophyll due to colder weather and less sunlight, the green fades and reveals those beautiful fall colors. Be sure to get out and enjoy the Fall season, but be careful of the fall.

According to the CDC, unintentional falls are the leading cause of nonfatal injury to all age groups and the leading cause of injury death for people 65 and older. No one should underestimate these injuries since they can lead to consequences like physical injuries, medical costs, emotional tolls, and the loss of independence.

Falling does not have to be inevitable. Adults and family members should understand behaviors or factors that put people at risk of falling. ♥ Common Causes of Fall Injuries • Muscle weakness and lack of balance • Vision changes or loss • Chronic health conditions such as arthritis, nervous system disorders, and diabetes • Use of certain medications, especially those that cause dizziness or drowsiness • Foot pain or inadequate footwear • Poor lighting, slippery oors, uneven surfaces • Clutter and tripping hazards both inside and outside the home • Alcohol use • Lack of handrails and grab bars • Improper use of ladders, stepstools, and chairs • Lack of supervision of children ♥ Prevention Strategies that Reduce the Risks • Visit a doctor to evaluate and discuss falling risk factors • Have a doctor or pharmacist review all medications currently being taken • Visit the eye doctor and update eyeglasses or contact prescriptions • Continue or start strength and balance exercises • Safeguard the home: Clear tripping hazards, increase lighting inside and outside, secure stair handrails, install grab bars, and use non-slip oor coverings • Wear proper tting, non-slip footwear • Use assistive devices like canes and walkers to help with mobility

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Keep your safety a top priority while enjoying the fall season. By taking precautions and being mindful of your surroundings, you can make the most of this beautiful season without any unnecessary falls.

WHO IS STEPHEN? Learning about the Stephen Ministry Program with Jeanne Rowe Have you ever heard of a “Stephen Minister” and wondered who they are and what they do? I recently attended the wonderful Good Grief support group on Sunday afternoons at PCPC. After meeting the facilitators, the Stephen Ministry Committee, I wanted to know more about this ministry PCPC offers.

The committee was kind enough to answer all my questions, allowing me to share the information with you. We are so blessed at PCPC to have a group of trained volunteers to be there for each of us in a time of our lives when we are in need. I hope you enjoy reading their answers as much as I enjoyed hearing them.

What are Stephen Ministers?

Stephen Ministers are lay congregation members who complete 50 hours of Stephen Ministry training to provide one-to-one care to those experiencing difficult times in life, such as grief, divorce, job loss, chronic or terminal illness, family issues, or estrangement. Stephen Ministers come from all walks of life, but they all share a passion for bringing Christ's love and care to people during a time of need.

What is the history of the Stephen Ministries?

Dr. Kenneth Haugk, founder and Executive Director of Stephen Ministries St. Louis, drew on his background as a pastor and clinical psychologist to train nine lay caregivers in that first class who were commissioned on March 16, 1975. Two of those first Stephen Ministers recognized this ministry was too valuable and important to be limited to one congregation, so they encouraged Dr. Haugk to figure out a way to offer it to others.

On November 3, 1975, Dr. Haugk and his wife Joan, a registered nurse and clinical social worker, founded the Stephen Ministries St. Louis organization. They soon realized that their limited staff could not accommodate the growing need to train caregivers, so their focus shifted to training the trainers, and Stephen Leaders Training was born to allow individual congregations to recruit, train, and supervise their own Stephen Ministers. Since then, more than 600,000 Stephen Ministers have been trained. Stephen Ministries is now in more than 13,000 congregations from more than 190 Christian denominations, in all 50 states in the U.S., 10 Canadian provinces, and 30 other countries.

What do Stephen Ministers do?

Stephen Ministers walk alongside their Care Receivers during a crisis or difficult life transition, meeting regularly at agreed-upon times and locations. Stephen Ministers are not there to fix the particular issue, but rather to walk with their Care Receivers with a listening ear and compassionate heart, with confidentiality, and with prayer. Men are paired with men, and women are paired with women.

Stephen Ministers help Care Receivers identify, process, and express their feelings without offering advice. Stephen Ministers are not professional counselors or therapists, but they are trained to recognize when professional help may be needed. The length of this special relationship varies, generally lasting about six months. PCPC Stephen Ministers also serve on the Congregational Care Committee, and the Rev. John DeBevoise oversees both functions.

What classes or groups are offered by Stephen Ministries?

In recent years, Stephen Ministers have offered classes such as "Grieving Through the Holidays" and "Changing Places: Caring for Aging Parents.”

Last year, they recorded and posted a "Grieving Through the Holidays" session led by PCPC member Corinne Gaertner, a Licensed Social Worker and LifePath Hospice Bereavement Specialist. Corinne and the PCPC Stephen Ministers provided an in-person follow-up a few weeks later. The video is still available on YouTube if you search “Grieving Through the Holidays, led

by Corinne Gaertner." This year the Stephen Ministers at PCPC offered an 8-week grief support group, using a book entitled Good Grief: A Call to Support the Grieving, by Gary Uremovich, PhD.

The Children & Families Department seeks volunteers to help with Parents’ Night Out November 10th! We have an especially large number of preschoolers attending this year, and we could use a few extra pairs of loving arms! The event is from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Please contact Allison Kelly if you would like to volunteer: Allison@palmaceia.org.

How can I arrange to have a Stephen Minister?

To get more information or to request to speak with a pastor, email stephenministry@palmaceia.org.

It has become a tradition at PCPC to recognize our seniors who are celebrating their 90+ birthdays. Help us rejoice with PCPC members of this prestigious club from this past quarter.

Lorena MacGregor - 104th - July 7th John Neel - 100th - July 16th Margaret Stevens - 92nd - July 19th Don Cawthon - 92nd - July 23rd Mame Diehl - 99th - July 27th Don Gould, Sr. - 92nd - July 27th Barbara Smith - 92nd - July 28th Dorothy A. Williams - 97th - July 29th Georgia Ellen Danahy - 93rd - August 13th Diane Dees - 90th - August 13th Betty Reineman - 92nd - August 13th Jim Heck - 93rd - August 26th Don Hampton - 94th - August 31st Dolores Cawthon - 92nd - October 4th Marianne Matthews - 91st - October 8th Ellen McLean - 91st - October 12th Ruthanne McLean - 92nd - October 16th

A Prayer of Thanksgiving From Rev. John DeBevoise Lord God, our maker, as you feed the birds of the air and clothe the owers of the eld, so you nurture and build us up by your steadfast love. You have promised that you will provide. So this day of gratitude, we come before you with songs of thanksgiving.

When our hearts are lled with joy O Lord, we praise your name.

When our hearts know grief or pain, then send your Spirit to praise to nurture hope and praise your name within us.

We thank you for the faith of others before us, even in the midst of struggle and hardship. May we be good stewards of their faith past down from generation to generation.

We thank you for the abundance of your creation. May we be faithful stewards of your earth that others may also know of your abundant blessings. Even as we may be blessed with abundance we lift up those who know profound need, and those contending with the aftermath of natural disaster.

We thank you for giving us a spirit of freedom and leading us toward gratitude. On this day we pray for those who are serving on our behalf, away from their homes and loved ones. Keep them safe, and use them as instruments of your justice and mercy wherever they serve. May we be good stewards of the gift of freedom. Help those who suffer because of tyranny and oppression, wherever they may live. Make our own characters strong that we might be witnesses of your values and purposes in this world.

In a world full of disorder, we thank you when we are able to raise our families in peace and plenty. Make us faithful stewards to families who know only poverty and disease. Forgive us when we think we love our children more than other people love their children just because they are in some custom or circumstance different than us. Merciful God, hear the prayers of the hungry, and prompt us and use us as instruments of your compassion. Bless the sick and the burdened with your help and healing.

Comfort the grieving and bring home the lost. Help those amongst contending with the consequences of hate, or violence, or neglect, and use us as instruments of that help.

We pray for your blessing on Thanksgiving meals, for your blessing on this food to serve our bodies, and for your blessing on the conversations, laughter, and fellowship that surround it. We pray for your blessing on those we love, but from whom we are separated. Hold us together in the bonds of Christ’s love. We pray for your blessing on the homes represented at this meal, and on those who may eat alone.

Send the presence of your Spirit to be with them.

But we thank you most of all for the coming of Jesus Christ into human earthly existence....for his willingness to serve and die that we might know life...for the good news and hope of the resurrection...for his love and acceptance of us even though we live in sin and arrogance. Open our hearts to receive him at his coming. Make us good stewards of that gift of grace we can neither earn nor deserve, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior… Amen.”

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May God ll our hearts with gratitude, and may the gratitude nd expression in prayer. Happy Thanksgiving!