Parsons Community Matters - June 2022

Parsons Presbyterian Manor

JUNE 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 Parsons Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners Parsons Presbyterian Manor recently announced the 2022 winners of the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition.

“We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Natae Nash, marketing director. “Art is Ageless is unique in featuring only the works of artists age 65 and older. Our artists prove that art, in any form, is an ageless ambition.”

Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of PMMA®. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of PMMA’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health.

“Springtime Tulips,” a painting by Judith Wells

PMMA’s Art is Ageless program encourages Parsons Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year.

For more information about Parsons Presbyterian Manor, contact Natae Nash at 620-421-1450, or nnash@pmma.org.

Art is Ageless® entries – continued on page 2

I have an almost 2year-old grandson named Zander. And while all of my Greg Schmidt grandchildren are just as sweet as they can possibly be, his little life tugs at Papa’s heart in a uniquely different way. Why? Because he’s had to face way too many challenges in his short-lived life.

First, we thought we might lose him to birthing-related complications. As he has grown older, he has had to go to orthopedic doctors and neurologists far too frequently.

Then six weeks ago he fell and broke his left femur. Ugh! In the past couple of weeks, I’ve been reminded again and again of two things. First, ours is an ever-present Father that loves us, lives in us and walks beside us no matter what challenges we face.

And second, life is precious, fragile, and vulnerable … all at the same time! So, while I’m not sure how Zander’s life will turn

Surrender – continued on page 2

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

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Art is Ageless entries – continued from page 1

Winners in the Parsons Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were: Best of Show: Lorraine Evert, “Majestic Bull Elk” People’s Choice: Jane Parish, “Kansas Potpourri” Judge’s Choice: Judith Wells, “Springtime Tulips” Christmas amateur: Jane Parish, “Christmas Magic”

“Cherokee,” a drawing by Jane Parish

Christmas professional: Lorraine Evert, “Festive Snowman” Drawing amateur: Jane Parish, “Cherokee” Mixed Media/Crafts amateur: Grace Pierce, “Iris Sparkle” Painting amateur: Judith Wells, “Springtime Tulips” Painting professional: Lorraine Evert, “Majestic Bull Elk”

“Majestic Blue Elk,” a painting by Lorraine Evert

“Christmas”

by Jane Parish

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2022

“Dresden Plate Blocks,” a quilt by Juanita Shepherd

Photography amateur: Judith Wells, “My Smiling Engineer” Quilting amateur: Jaunita Shepard, “Dresden Plate Quilt”

Local competition winners will join winners from 14 other PMMA (Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America®) senior living communities to be judged at the masterpiece level. Winning entries at the masterpiece level are selected for publication in PMMA’s annual Art is Ageless calendar and note cards. u

Surrender – continued from page 1 out, I do believe God will lead, guide and instruct him as he chooses to yield the will and way of his heart and style of life to the Lord.

Perhaps the single greatest two questions all of us are challenged with are “Will I give my life to God?” and if so, “What will that surrender look like?”

It strikes me that Zander’s challenge is all of our challenge.

The older ones of us are generally convinced we have faced way too many challenges. Life is difficult.

And seldom do the challenges decrease. They only change over time.

Sometimes we either get lost or lose our vision. Be honest and answer this question: How often has your “vision for the future” been blurry or out of focus? If I said we sometimes suffer from “spiritual macular degeneration,” would that make sense? I think that is a painfully accurate metaphor to use in those moments when we discover that

our world view is somewhat blinded or blurred for a myriad of reasons.

At some point in time every one of us needs spiritual, mental or emotional help. It’s really only a matter of when. We need people we can trust with our “inner” self.

People that will guide, help and enable us to make wise decisions about how to walk and talk and give ourselves away to the world at our doorstep. You know, the stuff Jesus would do! And that’s when every one of us must say, “I, as broken and needy as I might be, need to help others. Invest in their struggles. Burdens. Go to my prayer closet and pour my heart out for my friend(s).”

Why? For the other? Perhaps. But mostly for me! I need to humble myself before Almighty God and ask how He might be able to use me to help others, because I want to fight fiercely against becoming self-centered! The best thing for my life is to stop navelgazing (what happens when I stare

at my own belly button instead of looking at yours!)

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13; NIV) “This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you.” (John 15:3; Message) Most of us are the opposite of Zander in terms of age, but we’re exactly the same when it comes to having seen too many doctors and heard too many diagnoses. Our lives are frail too. We’re all vulnerable. The difference is that we can make choices and direct our own lives! So, today, we need to choose to surrender to God’s vision for our lives! We, like Jesus, are present today to serve the world at our doorstep. And it’s in serving others that we discover inner peace and joy. Choose it. Put your life on the line for your “friends.” Follow God’s commands. And smile!

Because you can! u

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Community Matters 620-421-1450 u Fax: 620-421-1897 3501 Dirr Ave. Parsons, KS 67357-2220 ParsonsPresbyterianManor.org

is published monthly for residents and friends of Parsons Presbyterian Manor

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

To submit or suggest articles: nnash@pmma.org Maegen Pegues, executive director Natae Nash, marketing counselor

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

Parsons Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY

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3501 Dirr Ave. Parsons, KS 67357-2220

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

Parsons Presbyterian Manor shares customer service survey responses Parsons Presbyterian Manor continues to seek customer feedback through monthly telephone surveys.

Each month, residents and their representatives are randomly selected to participate in telephone satisfaction surveys conducted by Pinnacle Quality Insight.

The graphic highlights some of the survey results. All scores are given on a 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest score and 1 the lowest score.

Between March 2021 and February 2022, Parsons Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores for safety and security, demonstrating dignity and respect, and for the dining service.

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2022

“I appreciate the way they have treated us and taken care of us” said one resident of the staff members, adding they would recommend the community to others. “I would tell them we are very happy about it.”

We greatly value the opinions of our

residents and their representatives about the care and services we provide, and we encourage them to participate honestly when contacted

by Pinnacle Quality Insight. All state and federal confidentiality laws are met in Pinnacle’s service. u

Source: Pinnacle Quality Insight (12 month ave. Mar 2021 -Feb. 2022)

5 4

4.64

4.86

4.67

4.66

Nursing Care

Dignity & Respect

Safety & Security

Dining Service

HEALTH CARE

HEALTH CARE

ASSISTED LIVING

INDEPENDENT LIVING

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