Topeka Presbyterian Manor
Dealing with challenges and choices AUGUST 2021
Chaplain’s life a testimony to God’s
By Allen Teal, chaplain at Rolla Presbyterian Manor
faithfulness Editor’s Note:
Roger Cook’s tenure as chaplain for Topeka Presbyterian Manor is the latest chapter in a ministry that began when he was a sophomore in high school.
The following devotion comes from Allen Teal, who is retiring as chaplain at our sister community Rolla Presbyterian Manor this summer.
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God” (Acts 5:39, NIV).
That’s when Roger first felt a calling; his heart was “gripped by the love of Christ.” He began preaching at the age of 16 in his small Iowa church. He went on to work in youth ministry during and after college at Southwestern Assemblies of God University. He earned his Master of Divinity from the Assemblies of God Seminary in Springfield, Mo., and has served as the lead pastor of four churches in Missouri and Kansas. At Presbyterian Manor, Roger’s focus is on building relationships. “I want the residents to feel that I have a relationship that is not just a spiritual relationship,” he said. “We can laugh together; we can play games together.” Earlier this year, he instituted a semi-regular “game time” with independent living residents. After restrictions on gathering were lifted, Roger noticed folks weren’t getting out as much as he expected. “In order for us to be emotionally healthy, we need to be in relationship with each other,” he said. “We’re social creatures, and COVID has caused us to
Chaplain – continued on page 3
A battleship cruised along on a dark, foggy night. In the distance, the lights of a second ship pierced the gloom. As the moments passed, it became evident that the two ships were on a collision course. The battleship captain had a message flashed to the other ship to turn out of his path. Immediately, a reply returned instructing the battleship should be the one to turn. Believing that his vessel held a higher rank, the captain had the message repeated and added that he was a battleship. Once again, the message flashed back instructing the battleship to turn. This message also carried an extra tag telling the captain that the light in the distance was a lighthouse.
DEVOTION – continued on page 4 Get the latest on visitation and COVID-19 at our campus at TopekaPresbyterianManor.org/covid-19.
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Topeka campus shares resident survey results
Topeka 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 above 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 June 2020 and May 2021, Topeka Presbyterian Manor residents and their families gave the community high scores in offering safety and security, ease of the admissions process and cleanliness. In addition, residents and their family members indicated a high willingness to recommend the community to others.
respondent said. “I would tell [people] that I really enjoyed it. They treated me nice.” 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
“Everybody was very, very nice,” one
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Community Matters 785-272-6510 ◆ Fax: 785-272-0496 4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 TopekaPresbyterianManor.org
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COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2021
is published monthly for residents and friends of Topeka Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: dloftin@pmma.org Heather Pilkinton, executive director Danica Loftin, marketing director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Enjoy your
Chaplain – continued from page 1
spend too much time by ourselves.” “We have to live a balanced life in all areas in order to be healthy. I know I need to maintain a spiritually healthy relationship with God and with others in the church and here in the community. But I also need to take care of my physical and emotional health. Every aspect of our being affects the other aspects.” Even in a more spiritual context, Roger takes a down-to-earth approach. In chapel services, he often discusses the “stuff that happens in life,” including the physical and emotional pain that we all experience at times. The chaplain has first-hand experience of his own. “I know what it’s like to feel pain and to become an overcomer,” Roger said. He has survived a
summer!
massive heart attack followed a year later by triple-bypass surgery. A few years after that, he broke his neck in a cycling accident. “I’ve experienced physical pain,” Roger said. “I think the Lord has used that so that I can identify with others.” He has had to learn how to manage his own stress well, which is the foundation of emotional health. Chapel, he has joked with residents, is a “worry-free zone.” But learning to let go of worry takes practice. “Part of overcoming something is not fighting it,” he said. “You have to replace thoughts of worry with healthier habits.” That could be prayer or reading scripture, but Roger says it could also be a hobby or physical activity. He keeps his faith fresh by connecting with God every day. Family and leisure activities support his emotional health, too. Roger and his wife Jonna, a
registered nurse, have four children at home and three others who live in Kansas and Arizona. In his free time, Roger enjoys spending time with his family, golfing, hiking, fishing, snow skiing and traveling. He balances all of this with a second job as the lead pastor of Williamstown Assembly of God in Perry, Kan. Roger says his life is a “testimony that God will not forsake you.” Join Pastor Roger for chapel services on Fridays: Heath care: 9:45 a.m. in the health care activities room. Independent living: 10:45 a.m. in the chapel. Assisted living: 1 p.m. in the assisted living dining room. Roger is available from 6 a.m.–2:30 p.m. Monday–Friday. To schedule a time to meet, call 785-272-6510 extension 3043 or email rcook@pmma.org. u
Topeka Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
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4712 S.W. Sixth Ave. Topeka, KS 66606-2284 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Devotion – continued from page 1
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Big challenges can seem daunting.
Sometimes situations may offer too many choices.
We all face obstacles that seem too large to overcome. Sometimes, it may feel like fighting against God himself. Like the lighthouse in the opening paragraph, it may be God’s attempt to get us to change our course. In the role of the battleship captain, humans lack the capacity to see through the fog. Tomorrow is a mystery to us, but not to God. At these times, we must lean on the arms of God. Trust that if he led you to the trial, he will also lead you through the trial.
Not all choices fall into the category of good and bad. You may have two positive options. Unfortunately, it can also feel like you face multiple bad options. Occasionally, God presents you with such choices to allow you to exercise your free will. Be aware that even two similar paths may lead to diverse outcomes. You must determine the direction that will leave you closest to your ultimate goals—personally, financially and relationally. God will give you guidance if you listen for his voice in your heart.
COMMUNITY MATTERS | August 2021
An old hymn reminds us: I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee, Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend; And I know that Thou art with me, Wilt be with me to the end. —M. R. Stead (1850-1917) u