Farmington Community Matters - July 2022

Farmington Presbyterian Manor

JULY 2022

Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we regularly feature a column from a PMMA® chaplain in our newsletter. This month’s column comes from Greg Schmidt, chaplain at Newton Presbyterian Manor®

Chaplain’s Corner

By Greg Schmidt

Farmington Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners Farmington Presbyterian Manor recently announced the 2022 winners of the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition on the community Facebook page.

“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Keely Best of Show amateur: Jeanette Bishop, “Peaches Jameson, marketing and Cream” director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists aged 65 and older. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.”

ART IS AGELESS® – continued on page 4

Judge’s Choice Overall professional: Maxine Danieley, “Wisteria Vase”

July is here… and so is the heat! And what’s the best way to “beat the heat?” Look for Greg Schmidt a vacation spot that offers a cooler climate, right?!

When I was a kid—and into my young adulthood—my favorite getaway trip was to church camp in the Rockies. Over the years, I progressed from camper to camp counselor to camp director, and in the latter position, I introduced the Mennonite Brethren church camp world to Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Co.! That added a few “ice cold” stories to all the others!

But what happens when you cannot “escape the heat” of life’s daily battles? How does one find ways to rest or relax in place? You may not like my answer. I believe every one of us desperately needs to allow our hearts and minds to find comfort by taking us away in our thoughts to a place where

Best of Show professional: Vada Galvan, “Ashtions Mule ‘Snoopy”’

Escape the heat – continued on page 2

Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at FarmingtonPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.

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Escape the heat – continued from page 1 we’ve experienced the love, grace, forgiveness and peace from God and (Christian) friends that have always been there for us. It is never good to stay forever pinned down to our inevitable problems. We must be able to escape. Mental respite is a must!

I’m simply suggesting we ask God to let our minds take us to places we otherwise cannot go. I accomplish that by beginning where Jesus did—in prayer.

When we ask God to help us recall those places, people, and moments when we perceived life as less troubled, less complicated, less corrupted by pain or disease or situations that caused us fear or panic, we discover peace.

Our prayer should then shift to a state of productive meditation, staying in that personal place and allowing God to “heal” my body, spirit, and soul to the degree that my burden or worry is temporarily suspended. Just as our physical body needs at least four hours of deep sleep before it can even

begin to be restored and re-energized, our hearts and souls need sustained rest as well. A break from being bombarded by the challenges of everyday life, especially when those challenges include dealing with death and dying realities.

drink, in complete peace, is inspirational to the Psalmist. So, he sets in place in a cave and meditates on what it would be like if he too, like the deer, could drink deep from the cool, refreshing resources of all that God has to offer.

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God.” The Psalmist is figuratively describing an internal need—a “thirsting after”—the One he believes will replenish his innermost needs. He doesn’t imagine a sip; he wants to drink deep. To do that will take time. It doesn’t happen on the fly or instantaneously.

We desperately need rest, especially when we’re facing “life and death.”

Why? So that we have the resources and strength to fight life’s battles.

Each of our Manors and communities, as well as our Heart & Soul Hospices are about finding rest for our patients and their families. And we get that needed rest when we choose to live and enjoy every moment God gives us rather than giving in to the pain, frustration, and discouragement that disease and discomfort naturally bring.

Why would he make that request?

Because life is pinning him down.

He’s needy. He’s stressed out.

Because the pursuit of those people and situations that set out to do harm or destroy him are bearing down on him. Because sustained rest is the only thing that will restore his life and vision. The image of a deer so at peace with her surroundings that she can stop and without fear, lower her head to the stream to take a long, needed

So, right where you are, ask God to allow your heart and mind to travel to your vacation spot, your resting place. Not only do you need it, you also deserve it! And unlike making a booking with Noah’s Ark Whitewater Rafting Co., it won’t cost you a thing! u

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Community Matters 573-756-6768 ◆ Fax: 573-756-6014 500 Cayce St. Farmington, MO 63640-2910 FarmingtonPresbyterianManor.org

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2022

is published monthly for residents and friends of Farmington Presbyterian Manor

by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.

To submit or suggest articles: kjameson@PMMA.org Jane Hull, executive director Keely Jameson, marketing director

OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

Art is Ageless

Winners in the Farmington Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were:

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Drawing professional: Juanita Wyman, “Old German Barn”

People’s Choice professional: Dianne Dickerson, “Martha’s Window”

Christmas professional: Brenda Thompson, “February at Clear Creek, Iowa”

Fiber Arts amateur: Drawing amateur: Alice Sudmeyer, “Inner June Yoder, Resting” “Ribbon Pillow”

Fiber Arts professional: Joyce Pierson, “Piece by Piece”

Mixed Media/ Crafts professional: Victoria Cummings, “Sunflower”

Best of Show amateur: Jeanette Bishop, “Peaches and Cream” Best of Show professional: Vada Galvan, “Ashtions Mule ‘Snoopy”’ People’s Choice amateur: Jeanette Bishop, “Peaches and Cream” People’s Choice professional: Brenda Thompson, “Egrets on Kaskaskia Island” People’s Choice professional: Dianne Dickerson, “Martha’s Window” Judge’s Choice Overall professional: Maxine Danieley, “Wisteria Vase” Christmas amateur: Lucille Butchart, “Country Christmas” Christmas professional: Brenda Thompson, “February at Clear Creek, Iowa” Drawing amateur: Alice Sudmeyer, “Inner Resting” Drawing professional: Juanita Wyman, “Old German Barn” Fiber Arts amateur: June Yoder, “Ribbon Pillow” Fiber Arts professional: Joyce Pierson, “Piece by Piece” Mixed Media/Crafts amateur: Alice Sudmeyer, “Birth of Sight” Mixed Media/Crafts professional: Victoria Cummings, “Sunflower” Painting amateur: DeeAnne Hansen, “Blowing Bubbles” Painting professional: Vada Galvan, “Bill the Buffalo” Photography amateur: Wanda Webb, “Jonny Gull” Photography professional: Dianne Dickerson, “Ode to Dorothy” Sculpture/3-D amateur: Jack Cunningham, “Ho-Made Hawaiian Guitar” Sculpture/3-D professional: Steve Reever, “Critter #1” u

Christmas amateur: Lucille Butchart, “Country Christmas” Mixed Media/Crafts amateur: Alice Sudmeyer, “Birth of Sight”

Photography amateur: Wanda Webb, “Jonny Gull”

Photography professional: Dianne Dickerson, “Ode to Dorothy”

People’s Choice professional: Brenda Thompson, “Egrets on Kaskaskia Island”

Painting amateur: DeeAnne Hansen, Sculpture/3-D amateur: Jack Cunningham, “Blowing Bubbles” “Ho-Made Hawaiian Guitar”

Painting professional: Sculpture/3-D Vada Galvan, “Bill the professional: Steve Buffalo” Reever, “Critter #1”

Farmington Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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A few things you probably didn’t know about Independence Day It’s almost July 4th and before you gobble down a hotdog and take in some fireworks, we thought we would share some little-known Independence Day facts that you can use to amaze your family and friends.

First, the Declaration of Independence was not signed on July 4, 1776.

Shocking, right?

Actually, July 4 was the day that Congress approved the first draft of the Declaration of Independence, which was written by Thomas Jefferson and edited by John Adams and Benjamin Franklin. It wasn’t until August 2, 1776 that the document was actually signed.

Next, we all know about John Hancock’s famous, well …

John Hancock. But did you know he was actually the first of the 56 delegates to sign the document?

And how was the first anniversary of Independence Day celebrated? The Virginia Gazette described the celebration in Philadelphia this way:

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2022

“The evening was closed with the ringing of bells, and at night there was a grand exhibition of fireworks, which began and concluded with thirteen rockets on the commons, and the city was beautifully illuminated. Everything was conducted with the greatest order and decorum, and the face of joy and gladness was universal.”

Here are a few more little-known facts thanks to Almanac.com.

• Congress officially declared July 4th a federal holiday in 1870, but it wasn’t until 1938 until federal employees could take the day off.

• On the back of the Declaration of Independence, the words “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4th July 1776” is written upside down.

• Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson—signers of the Declaration of Independence who later went on to become president—died on its 50th anniversary.

• According to the weather diary of Thomas Jefferson, the weather on July 4, 1776 was cloudy and 76 degrees. u