Lawrence Presbyterian Manor
JUNE 2021
Ben Resch finds reward, satisfaction in work For the past 14 years, Ben Resch, LPN, has built a career from caring for the residents of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor.
Art is Ageless winning project way to pass time in quarantine
But none of those years have been like the past year. “I’ve been so impressed with how Presbyterian Manor and Christie (executive director) have handled the COVID crisis,” Ben said. “I’ve felt safer at work than at home or out shopping. That’s a sign of how well PMMA is run in general, and our community in particular. We’ve all pulled together to protect residents.”
COVID Masks was a way for Mary Burchill to pass the time while everything was shut down. The small quilt features notes about significant happenings during the pandemic.
Ben Resch
That commitment to residents’ well-being is central to Resch’s work and part of why he’s remained connected to the Presbyterian Manor family through all these years. “What’s important to me is interacting with the residents, and making them feel at home and connecting with them,” Ben said. “I enjoy hearing their stories and learning from their life experiences.” Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, he worked along with everyone on staff to do all they could to create a comfortable and safe environment in the face of challenges such as restrictions on visitors and changes to normal activities. Now, as those restrictions begin to lift, Ben said it has been joyful to see even a small return to normalcy. “As part of managing the crisis, a huge part of that has been making sure we do everything we can to keep residents as emotionally healthy as possible,” Ben said. “It’s been wonderful seeing families back together. It’s kind of like a reunion. It’s very satisfying when the relatives can finally come see their aunt or uncle. It’s a great thing.” That “reunion” is especially gratifying because over the years Ben feels he’s become part of residents’ families. “Almost all of them feel like family to me,” Ben said. “A side benefit is that I get to know their families. Some things come up where I need to communicate with a resident’s closest relative who is in charge of their care. RESCH – continued on page 3
What began as a small project at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic received special recognition during the recent Art is Ageless competition. “The name of the entry is ‘COVID Masks,’” explained Mary Burchill. “I made it back when the pandemic first started and everything started to close. I had no idea what prompted me to do it. I had begun making masks for a few people and family members. It’s been a year and a half that it’s been sitting here, so I thought I’d enter it in the contest.” “COVID Masks” is composed of 45 mask-like pieces, on which Mary recorded pandemic notes, such as “stay home,” “library closed,” “curbside delivery,” and of course “masking masks.” “It just came together,” Mary said. “I didn’t have any big thought behind it.” MASKS – continued on page 2
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
1
Honoring our heritage Every year, Presbyterian Manor holds a Founder’s Day celebration. It is a time for us to look back on our heritage in senior living and recommit to our mission of “providing quality senior services guided by Christian values.” This year Founder’s Day had the theme “Heroes and Heritage,” as a salute to our team’s extraordinary sacrifice and dedication during the COVID-19 pandemic. We enjoyed custom T-shirts, tumblers, and a catered lunch. Thanks to all of our team members who continue to work every day to fulfill the original mission of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. u
Employees were invited to recommit to the pillars of the PMMA mission to provide quality senior services guided by Christian values during the Founders Day celebration.
Employees received an insulated tumbler with the Honoring our Heroes and Heritage logo on it.
COVID-19 updates continue Send an Art is Ageless® e-card for Father’s Day using the link on the COVID-19 Updates page, LawrencePresbyterianManor.org/covid-19. Get the latest updates on visitation, ongoing safety measures and PMMA’s response to COVID-19 on your community website. Visitation status is updated weekly on Mondays and as needed as our COVID status changes. u
MASKS – continued from page 1 At the outset of the pandemic, everyone needed a mask, but they were hard to find. Mary found a pattern off the internet and made about 20 for use at the Manor. Then she made some for her family, not expecting anyone would take her up on the offer of a homemade mask. “I ended up making 45 masks for our family. It was fun,” she said. “Off and on, I made more and I’ve made about
150 masks altogether. I don’t have the space to make big quilts. A quilt takes a long time and a lot of space. These smaller, little pieces — I like them better, anyway.” In her 20 years at the Manor, Mary said she’s entered artwork maybe eight or nine times, most often in the fabric category. This isn’t her first time in the winner’s circle. “I put in a piece, inspired by a flight
over Western Kansas,” Mary said. “You see these fields and the round irrigation circles. If you look at it the right way, it looks like a quilt I called it ‘Center Pivot Irrigation,’ and it won.” In fact, Center Pivot was featured on the cover of the 2014 Art is Ageless calendar. Be sure to congratulate Mary for winning first place and best of show for “COVID Masks.” u
Like us on Facebook to stay updated on news and events.
Community Matters 785-841-4262 ◆ Fax: 785-841-0923 1429 Kasold Dr. Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 LawrencePresbyterianManor.org
2
COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2021
is published monthly for residents and friends of Lawrence Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America, Inc., a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization.
To submit or suggest articles: cpatrick@pmma.org. Christie Patrick, executive director
OUR MISSION: To provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor announces Art is Ageless® winners Lawrence Presbyterian Manor recently hosted a come-and-go reception for the winning artists in the annual Art is Ageless® juried competition. “We are honored to exhibit artwork by seniors,” said Christie Patrick, executive 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.” Winners in the Lawrence Presbyterian Manor Art is Ageless juried competition were: Best of Show professional: Steve Dittmann, “Morning Fishing” Best of Show amateur: Mary Burchill, “COVID Masks” People’s Choice amateur: Vernis Flottman, “All Stars Quilt” People’s Choice professional: Jewell Willhite, “Monument Rock, Kansas” Judge’s Choice amateur: Janet DeMaranville, “Joy on the Phone” Judge’s Choice professional: Jewell Willhite, “Still Life with Gourds” Drawing amateur: Janet DeMaranville, “Joy on the Phone” Fiber Arts amateur: Mary Burchill, “COVID Masks” Mixed Media/Crafts amateur: Doris Hockenburger, “Bottle Cap Necklace” Needlework amateur: Rick Prosser, “Nana’s Rose” Painting amateur: Rick Prosser, “Endless Vortex” Painting professional: Steve Dittmann, “Morning Fishing” Quilting amateur: Vernis Flottman, “All Stars Quilt” Sculpture/3D amateur: Linda Troxel, “2 Doorways”
Local competition winners will join
winners from 14 other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America 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. Art is Ageless is a copyrighted program of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America. For the competition, works must have been completed in the past five years. Started in 1980, Art is Ageless is an extension of Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s wellness programs, which focus on mental, physical, social and spiritual health. Presbyterian Manors of MidAmerica’s Art is Ageless program encourages Lawrence Presbyterian Manor residents and other area seniors to express their creativity through its annual competition, as well as art classes, musical and
RESCH – continued from page 1 You get to know people through that. I get to understand their needs, and we get to know that we all care.” For anyone considering a nursing career, Ben suggests finding your passion and specialty and developing it.
Mary Burchill accepts the Best of Show award from Christie Patrick, executive director, at the 2021 Art is Ageless reception. Other winning pieces hang in the background behind her. This year’s exhibit was held at the Lawrence Arts Center.
dramatic events, educational opportunities and current events discussions throughout the year. For more information about Lawrence Presbyterian Manor, 1429 Kasold Drive, Lawrence, Kan., contact Christie Patrick at 785-8414262, or cpatrick@pmma.org. u
“I think nursing is a matter of finding your niche,” Ben said. “And there is a great niche to be found here. It’s focused on residents — to care for them and make life as rich as possible. And we’re more free to do that here than in some other places.” u
Changes are coming – Starting in July 2021, the Community Matters newsletter will transition to a fully electronic newsletter. To receive the newsletter by email, visit LawrencePresbyterianManor.org and use the sign-up form on the lower portion of the homepage to sign up for regular monthly delivery of the newsletter in your inbox. Residents may still receive a hard copy upon request through the Administrative office. u
Lawrence Presbyterian Manor | A PMMA COMMUNITY
3
1429 Kasold Dr. Lawrence, KS 66049-3425 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Peace be with you! By Dinah Dutta, Chaplain
“Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that, he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’” (John 20:21-22). As we continue to ease the restrictions to be able to meet our family and friends, the words of Jesus to his frightened disciples after the resurrection speaks to me. He breathed on them and asked them to receive the Holy Spirit. As believers in Christ, we too received the same breath and same spirit from our Lord Jesus Christ. Our Christian
4
COMMUNITY MATTERS | June 2021
faith is, itself, a work of God’s breath, the Spirit, in us. That Spirit gives believers a wide variety of spiritual gifts, creating a diversity of service. We continue to claim the Holy Spirit that enables us to show that our spiritual life, as well as our ability to do the work we are called to, would be derived from him, and depend upon him. Every word of Christ, which is received in the heart by faith, comes accompanied by this divine breathing. Without this, there is neither light nor life. Nothing is seen, known, discerned, or felt of God, but through this.
As the disciples of Christ, we should endeavor to build up one another in our holy faith. This faith enables us to continue to trust for things to return to normal again, though it may not seem soon enough. I want to encourage us to imagine Jesus standing in front of us and saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV) when we are frightened or uncertain about our future. May the peace of the Lord be with you, dear ones! u