Salina Presbyterian Manor
SEPTEMBER 2022
Exciting news shared at casino party for wait list folks Las Vegas came to Salina Presbyterian Manor in late July, for an afternoon of fun with casino games. It was also the right time to announce some exciting news to the folks on our wait list.
New Presbyterian chaplain sees his role as ‘hands and feet’ of Christ When Chaplain Dave Parker began his tenure at Salina Presbyterian Manor, he gave himself an extra job: cafeteria attendant. Assisting with the lunch Dave Parker service was a good way to get to know the residents, he figured.
The Knights of Columbus brought the blackjack, craps and roulette tables that provided a few hours of entertainment. Even Elvis – also known as Anthony DeLaurentis, our environmental services director – showed up to sing a couple of songs. The party was a success! “This is great, because I wouldn’t go to town for something like this,” said Susan Madden, who’s been on the wait list for a couple of years. The casino party also gave those on our wait list the chance to mingle with our independent living residents, creating friendships that could last for years. “It’s been fun getting to know people,” said Mary Lee Arnold who lives in one of our townhomes. She made two new friends at the party. “I had never met these two gals, I didn’t know them. It’s just nice to visit with people you don’t know and hopefully welcome them into the fold.”
“But I’ve come to enjoy it so much I plan to keep it up, at least in the short term,” said Dave, who became the community’s new chaplain in July. “I find joy in serving in whatever capacity.” His path to ministry at Presbyterian Manor is a long one. A former credit manager, Dave returned to school in 2015 to pursue a master’s of divinity from Liberty University. Though he was interested in chaplaincy, he found God had another plan for his life. “God was telling me to step out in faith,” he said. Dave accepted a call to pastor a church in Abilene, Kan., in 2018, and served as the pastor there while he was still working full-time. Last fall, he retired from his credit manager position, but continued his pastoral role.
One of those new friends is Faye Bright who got on the wait list so she can be ready. “I’m looking forward to a townhome so I can have my dogs,” she said. Her dachshund and shih tzu will be welcome as pets are allowed in our townhomes.
“No ministry is part-time, but it’s a small congregation,” he said. That will enable Dave to minister to both his congregants in Abilene as well as the community at Salina Presbyterian Manor.
Those who came to our casino party also learned about how our
In his first few weeks in the community,
Casino party – continued on page 2
Chaplain –continued on page 3
Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at SalinaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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