Arkansas City Community Matters March 2018

Commun ty Matters Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor

March 2018

Art is Ageless® exhibit and reception this month Since the beginning of time, creative expression has brought joy to both its creators and those who experience their art. The Art is Ageless® program offers senior artists the opportunity to share and display their artwork, and reaffirms the agelessness of human creativity.

This month, their works are on display at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor.

“It’s inspiring to see the beautiful pieces these seniors have created,” said Sean Page, marketing director for Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor. “The joy it brings to them and others is wonderful, and that’s something we want to celebrate and share with the entire community.”

The Art is Ageless exhibit will feature works from local artists who are 65 and older, including Presbyterian Manor residents.

The public is welcome to visit the community to view the exhibit of various mediums, ranging from amateur to professional levels. The exhibit is open 8:30 a.m. to ART, continued on page 3

Elsie Tipton with various members of the congregation.

A calling and a challenge Elsie Tipton helped forge a path for women in church leadership March is Women’s History Month, a time to celebrate women who blazed their own trail. Meet Elsie Tipton, a resident of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor, who was one of the first female pastors in the United Methodist church in Kansas.

Elsie was on her way out of a parish pastor board meeting when her church pastor stopped her. “He asked me when I had been called, and I said, ‘I’m not sure I have.’ And he said, ‘Well, I’m sure you have.’”

It was the early 1980s, and Elsie and her pastor had this in common: neither of them looked like the pastors most Kansans were used to. Elsie was a woman. Her pastor was African-American. The pastor parish board was meeting that day because some church members didn’t want him there.

In her heart, Elsie knew her pastor was right. A trip to the Holy Land in 1980 had amplified the calling she felt to ministry. She started classes at CALLING, continued on page 2

were grown. Bobby would go with her on weekends to the churches she Cowley College, then completed her degree at Southwestern College. served.

That’s when she received her first Then Elsie was ordained and appointment, as lay pastor to a small appointed to a church in Harper – country church outside Anthony. and it wasn’t a warm welcome this She also preached at their sister time. “In a way I wasn’t ready for church in Bluff City. what happened after seminary,” Elsie said. “They definitely didn’t want a The people at those churches were woman there. They were outspoken very encouraging, Elsie said. “They about it.” were very loving and just coached CALLING, continued from page 1

me along.”

It was a small but vocal opposition within the church. So Elsie responded with patience and determination.

Elsie enrolled at Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City. For three years, she spent the week at school and drove home on the weekends.

“I told them, ‘Well, when I took my It helped that her husband, Bobby, oath and ordination, I said I would was a farmer, and their four children go wherever the Methodist church sent me,’” she said. “I took it with grace and understanding that this is a new thing, and they needed to get used to it. After I was there a while, most of the congregation accepted me. I never doubted that I belonged Community Matters there.” is published monthly for residents and friends of Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Sarah Griggs, executive director Sean Page, marketing director Lori Peters, activities director

To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact spage@pmma.org.

Telephone: 620-442-8700 Fax: 620-442-8224 Address: 1711 N. Fourth, Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607

Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

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Indeed, the Methodist Church had granted full clergy rights to women in 1956 after a century of efforts by women to be accepted as church leaders.

Elsie’s other tactic was to visit every single member of the congregation in their homes – both in Harper and at subsequent churches where she met resistance.

“That helped to break the ice because they hadn’t had pastors visit them very often. I made it so that I went to the people that there was resistance with; I would go to their homes maybe two or three times a year.”

With prayer and perseverance, Elsie

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Community Matters March 2018

Elsie Tipton, granddaughter Cammy Boone (director of nursing and assisted living at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor) and great-granddaughter Jordan Boone.

served in the United Methodist Church for 15 more years after she was ordained. Today she enjoys babysitting her great-grandchildren and getting to know a new great-great-granddaughter. Her granddaughter Cammy Boone is director of nursing in our assisted living neighborhood, where Bobby lives now. Her great-granddaughter Paige Bates works at Presbyterian Manor, too.

We’re proud to celebrate Elsie and her pioneering experience in the ministry, which undoubtedly opened doors for following generations of young women to heed their own calling.

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Meet Bill Bowles We have a new writer of devotions for Community Matters. Bill Bowles’ first contribution, “The Habitual Encourager,” appears to the right.

Bill is a retired minister who moved to Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor last fall. His daughter, Julie Heerse, tells us her dad served for 65 years as a minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). He lived in Denver for the past 20 years. Before that, he lived in several Kansas communities, including Arkansas City.

“He’s coming home,” Julie said.

Bill enjoys writing and reading.

He recently donated his library of 8,000 books to Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa, his alma mater.

Julie said he also enjoys golf, hiking in the mountains, feeding the ducks at the pond and going to Braum’s for ice cream. She also calls her dad a “picnic fanatic.”

“He’s looking forward to getting to know the people better at Presbyterian Manor,” Julie added.

Please give Bill a warm welcome!

ART, continued from page 1

5:30 p.m., March 24 to 30, except for March 29, when the hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Arkansas City Middle School Choir will perform from 5:45 to 7 p.m.

In addition to the exhibit, Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor will honor local senior artists during a reception at the community at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 30.

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The habitual encourager By: Rev. Bill Bowles, resident Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor

Do you remember a few of your friendships growing up or even later on as an adult some persons who always cheered you on in your projects or journeys? These were unforgettable moments to most of us. Each time we gained more confidence in ourselves.

We may think of heroes of great courage that have inspired us to attempt efforts in crises, maybe dangerous battles or athletic or scholastic projects or even daily life assignments.

It seems very few of us attempt or accomplish some of our most fulfilling tasks without these courageous memories of others!

thanks to God for these ordinary and sometimes extraordinary friends. Often their daily tasks keep the world going along well and bring joy to untold members of our brother and sister human beings.

There is a word that we all can live and practice almost daily, regularly and spontaneously. We might think of our own self as “habitual encourager.”

If we make this a common practice in our daily lives, we may never realize or remember all the persons in our lifetime who think of us as “a habitual encourager of others.”

It is worth considering and giving What a blessing we may be!

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Celebrating social workers Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor honors Social Work Month When not at work, Lori’s time is devoted to spending time with her grandchildren. They like to watch movies, travel and root for the Oklahoma Sooners. Someday, Lori would like to travel to Bora Bora and stay in the huts that are built on the water and have glass floors that allow you to view the sea life.

Lori has been at Presbyterian Manor for almost 14 years. She has touched many lives while here and helped many seniors find happiness in their later years. The staff and residents both have stated they feel blessed to have such a caring and compassionate peer and caregiver.

Lori Peters with her son and husband at the Alamo in San Atonio, Texas.

Lori Peters Lori Peters has always had a passion for helping people. She is currently Arkansas City’s Presbyterian Manor’s social worker for assisted living and memory care. Prior to this position, she was a travel agent based in Kauai, Hawaii. She helped people plan their dream vacations and experience new things. Lori has also worked as an office manager at a chiropractic clinic and as a secretary at a church.

Lori’s two grandfathers were both diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Learning firsthand the challenges that a caregiver endures, Lori decided to make a career of helping seniors and their families navigate getting older. Lori’s passion truly

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Community Matters March 2018

shines through when she is building relationships with our residents and their families. She takes a special interest in each person who lives here and ensures we are providing him or her opportunities to be active and social, which Lori believes are keys to leading long, healthy lives.

Joyce Kisner Joyce Kisner has a personal and professional relationship with Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor as her mother Betty Elrod lives at Presbyterian Manor. Joyce has been in social work for a long time, having spent the last 10 years here.

She graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield with a bachelor’s degree in social work. Joyce is the social worker for our health care neighborhood. Long-term care is where she feels that she belongs.

These are usually individuals who need the most care and attention, and she enjoys being there for them and being their advocate.

Lori has been married for 37 years.

She and her husband have two children and four grandchildren.

Both of her children were born in Hawaii. Their daughter is a director of physical therapy in Oklahoma and their son is a graphic design and marketing specialist in Oregon. Her calling was always social work.

She has two dogs, one cat, and She truly enjoys helping others. recently gave her four horses to her Finding solutions and options for grandchildren for them to learn how to ride and take care of them.

SOCIAL, continued on page 5 Like us on Facebook

and traveled on a cruise to the those who feel like they have none is Grand Cayman Islands at the end a challenge that she is always willing of January. She has an inherited dog name Chloe that she has come to to take on. Learning her residents histories and backgrounds is just one love and who is a very important part of her family. of the benefits of her job. She likes to visit with the residents and find The impact Joyce has on her out where they grew up, what they residents in health care is difficult to did for work, their family history measure. and much more. She feels there is much to learn from the older The residents all speak nothing generations and feels humbled by but the highest praises and kindest their willingness to share and teach. words about her and enjoy every interaction they have with her. The Joyce has been married to her staff know they have a committed husband for 42 years. She has dedicated staff member who will three grown children and seven always put the resident first. grandchildren. Her family is SOCIAL, continued from page 4

very important to her and she spends as much of time with her grandchildren a she can, traveling, playing and teaching them about life. When not with her children or grandchildren you will most likely find Joyce quilting, sewing or visiting with friends. She likes to maintain a very active lifestyle

At Presbyterian Manor, staff and residents feel blessed to have two such caring and compassionate women who are willing to go above and beyond for the people they care about.

Thank you, Lori and Joyce, for all of the love you bring to the staff

Joyce Kisner with her husband.

and residents at Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor. “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another.This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.� John 13:34-35

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Arkansas City Presbyterian Manor 1711 N. Fourth Arkansas City, KS 67005-1607 Return Service Requested

Tell us your story We will be celebrating Older American’s Month and National Nursing Home Week in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. The Older Americans Month theme is “Engage at Every Age.” If you have ways that you are intentionally staying engaged in activities you’ve always loved, using technology or if you just want to tell the world what you love about living in your senior living community, we want to share the story.

Contact Sean Page, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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Community Matters March 2018

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