Newton Presbyterian Manor
Chaplain’s Corner by Greg Schmidt JULY 2021
Fundraising campaign holds personal significance for steering committee member When Mary Ellen Tippin first heard about “Together, We Thrive,” a fundraising campaign for campus improvements and new outdoor gathering spaces at Newton Presbyterian Manor, it resonated with her on a deeply personal level. “My own mother was a resident at the Broadway Apartments for the last 11 years of her life … and they were wonderful years,” said Mary Ellen Tippin, steering committee member. “She made so many wonderful friends, enjoyed the helpful staff and participated in practically every activity offered to enhance her life.” “Together, We Thrive’s” goal of raising $75,000 is earmarked to create a new outdoor deck— including landscaping, furniture and accessories—along with a complete renovation of the community’s beauty salon. The latter of which Mary Ellen “Before” the remodel of the beauty salon. believes her mom would have particularly enjoyed.
Together, we thrive – continued on page 3
I love exploring the depth and fullness of beautiful paintings! And some of the paintings I enjoy most are landscapes. I love viewing calm, peaceful, endless miles of ocean. But I also love it when the artist captures those turbulent, churning, whitecapped waves amidst 20-foot swells. And I love soft, rolling golden waves of four- to six-foot high tallgrass prairie feeding hundreds of North American Bison or wild Mustangs. And among we “flatlanders,” who doesn’t love an endless vista of snow-topped peaks and shadowed valleys featuring the millions of Bristlecone Pine, Colorado Blue Spruce and Quaking Aspens reaching heavenward throughout the Rock Mountains. Soft. Tranquil. Powerful. Exposed. Naked. Raw. And while I very much enjoy looking at such landscapes, I don’t want my life to emulate them. Mostly, I hate getting caught feeling bare, unkempt, wild, or unfocused. I would rather appear calm, collected, on target, and put together to the watching world. Vulnerability is cute when it’s a commodity you are selectively choosing to give away. It’s painful when it takes you by surprise. Our Newton Presbyterian Manor residents as well as our Heart & Soul Hospice patients and their families make a myriad of decisions. And one of them is whether or not they’re going to let a Chaplain they’ve likely never met to enter
Chaplain’s Corner – continued on page 2
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at NewtonPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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Chaplain’s Corner – continued from page 1 their “landscape.” Whether their personal landscape is peace-filled, turbulent or filled with endless peaks and valleys, they graciously allow people like me to walk in and share their experience. I try never to take anyone by surprise. I want vulnerability to be something of their choosing. Life is raw and naked enough. They should be the ones choosing what and how to share their lives with me. When others are facing a turbulent landscape brought by aging, disease or death that they would rather keep to themselves or hide altogether, I do my best to treat each opportunity to share our stories/landscape as though it were a priceless gift. Why? Because that is what has been done for me. “The Lord is my light and my salvation – whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life – of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.
Fence with a View, a painting by Nancy McKinzie, a 2019 Art is Ageless competition entry.
For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.” Our God is indeed a very present help in the time of need. He’s active today. Saving us. Caring for us, and setting us high on that rock! He is here today through the power of love to conquer sin, death, hell, and the grave. No enemy or disease can stand against Him. While we sometimes will give in to lesser
thoughts, you and I need never live in fear or be afraid of the Almighty. He is faithful! Why? Because he loves landscapes. He loves your story/landscape! No matter how calm or turbulent your life might be today. Being vulnerable to the Almighty releases the possibility for unmeasurable power, healing, hope, and freedom. Let God paint your landscape and create within you a beauty this world has never yet enjoyed seeing! I’ll be watching! u
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Community Matters 316-283-5400 u Fax: 316-284-5900 1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 NewtonPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2021
is published monthly for residents and friends of Newton Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: ndickinson@PMMA.org Marc Kessinger, executive director Noelle Dickinson, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Bravo of the Month: Toni Gibson Bravo of the Month goes to Toni Gibson, administrative assistant. Though her role and her office location have completely changed since Covid hit, she remains the first voice and face for all who contact Presbyterian Manor. Sharon Lemke, a resident’s daughter, describes some of the impact Toni has on this community: “What a treasure! She is the perfect person to man the main entrance. She made my stay at the Manor run smoothly, even arranging for a key for my later than expected arrival because of plane delays. She is always very considerate and helpful. Thanks, Toni!” We agree, Toni. Thank you for all you continue to do each day to represent Newton Presbyterian Manor! u
June’s Bravo of the Month goes to Toni Gibson
Together, we thrive – continued from page 1 “From the time she moved into her cozy apartment, she started to visit the salon in the main building weekly,” said Mary Ellen. “Washing and styling her own hair would have been an impossibility. Even though she was a very young 90-year-old, this was a task her arms and shoulders could no longer accomplish. The salon was a convenience, a place of fun and fellowship—just a blessing in her life—and I know it has been and currently is that to so many others at [Presbyterian] Manor.”
consists of Carolyn Adams, Marci Andres, Newton PMMA Executive Director Marc Kessinger, Robetta Trapp, Rev. Bob Wyman and Susan Wyman. The group has been hard at work contacting others in the community to solicit contributions and have
already received more than half of what is needed. If you would like to make your own contribution, visit giving.presbyterianmanors.org/capit al-projects/ or contact Mark Kessinger at 316-283-5400 or Regina Barger, stewardship manager, at 316-652-6255. u
Since being converted into a salon in the 1980s, the space has not undergone any renovations or other improvements. And, as for the deck, the past year and a half has shown just how critical having an outdoor gathering space can be. Along with Mary Ellen, the fundraising steering committee
“Before” the outdoor renovation. Newton Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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1200 E. Seventh Newton, KS 67114-2820 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
What’s going on?
A handmade planter bench is glamming up the construction zone behind the dining room. We thank Dr. Colin Bailey for sharing his time and talents with us. u
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | July 2021
Crazy hair day took on a life of its own recently. Can you recognize stylist Joely Bartel and our fearless leader Marc “Willie” Kessinger? u