Parsons Community Matters January 2022

Parsons Presbyterian Manor

Mary’s Musings

By Mary Bridges, chaplain JANUARY 2022

Volunteer Bible study leader believes in the importance of spiritual wellness

Editor’s Note: In a nod to our Presbyterian heritage, we are featuring a column from a PMMA® chaplain regularly in our newsletter. This month’s featured column comes from Mary Bridges, chaplain at Salina Presbyterian Manor.

There is nothing permanent except change.

Physical, mental and emotional health are all important, but taking care of the spirit is also an essential part of wellness.

— Heraclitus When I ponder the meaning of life, I always conclude that life is another word for change.

Don Thompson, who volunteers to lead Bible study at Parsons Presbyterian Manor, points out that our physical bodies are temporary, but our spirits are eternal.

“I need my spiritual health in line, because one of these days I’m going to leave this world,” he said.

“This is not my home — I’m only a pilgrim passing Don Thompson through. My home is heaven, and I’ve got citizenship up there. And so, it’s very, very important that you keep the spirit well fed.”

As my mother grew older, we often debated about change. She would tell me it was hard. I would respond with my belief that when we initiate a change it is much easier to accept than when we have to change due to circumstances beyond our control.

What’s real is that change is constant. With every ending, there is a beginning. God is with us not only in our beginnings and in our endings but in every moment in-between. The church recognizes this by calling God and Jesus the Alpha and the Omega.

When Don took over the Bible study, he was already well known in the community, having once been a resident himself. Don joined our PATH® (Post-Acute to Home) program after a hospital stay. After his rehabilitation stint, he lived in the health care neighborhood for a while until he was able to return home.

If we were to draw a straight line with the Alpha at one end and the Omega at the other, we could use it to represent the events of our

Don Thompson – continued on page 2

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Change –

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Don Thompson – continued from page 1 He lived in Presbyterian Manor for about two years and made a lot of friends in the community.

When there was a need for a new Bible study leader, “I stepped in and took it from there,” he said.

Every Wednesday at 3 p.m., about a dozen residents gather in the chapel to study God’s word. Each week, they discuss a passage Don chooses — although he does have help.

“Usually, the Lord brings them to me,” he said. “A verse will stand out, and I’ll say, ‘Well OK, if that’s what you want, that’s the way we’ll go.’”

Many of the Bible study attendees are well versed in the scriptures already, he noted.

“They read what I’m talking about, and they get right into it,” he said.

Don believes familiarity with the Bible is important because it makes it much harder to be led astray by people who might twist the meaning of the Bible.

“I had one lady say that she has been to church all her life, and they read the scriptures, but that was it,” he said. “But she said I take the time to explain what it’s all

about, so that made me feel good.”

Don doesn’t limit spiritual teaching to Bible study. He recalls a time when his son was in a rock band that would practice in a box car on his property.

When they came in to warm up, he’d talk to them about God, even though he wasn’t sure it was doing any good.

“Sometimes it felt like water off a duck’s back,” he said.

Years later, the lead guitarist approached him at Walmart and said Don’s words put him back on the right track.

“It’s a gift from God,” Don said. “I love to talk, and this is one way of doing it.” u

Change – continued from page 1 lives. If we take this timeline and form it into a circle, rather than being at opposite ends, the Alpha and Omega are side by side. The end is now the beginning, and the beginning is now the end. It becomes the circle of life.

In a circle, there is no beginning or ending. These overlapping symbols of the Alpha and the Omega can be seen as a sign of God’s presence among us.

Beginnings and endings are always happening. As one

moment ends and another begins, we can know that God is there. God is at both in the beginning and the ending of our personal “circles of life,” and that is what really matters.

Each new year is like starting a new chapter in our lives. My prayer for each of us is simple: “May the words of Advent follow us into 2022, as we live as a people who are guided by hope, peace, joy and love in this year and forever more.” AMEN. u

God is at both in the beginning and the ending of our personal “circles of life,” the Alpha and the Omega.

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

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2022

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

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COMMUNITY MATTERS | January 2022