Parsons Community Matters April 2017

Commun ty Matters Parsons Presbyterian Manor

COMING UP IN COMMUNITY MATTERS:

The Sweet sound of serving others

April 2017

Board member Charlotte Ecoff brings music to manor

Father memories and summertime memories needed

April is National Volunteer Month, so what better time to honor one of our board members who’s brought her time, treasure and talents to the table?

“This is my fourth year involved as a board member at Parsons Presbyterian Serving continued on page 2

We will be featuring summertime and Father’s Day in an upcoming issue of Community Matters. If you have a story to tell about a memorable Father’s Day or how your father influenced you, we want to share it. If summertime is your favorite time of year and you’ve got great memories to share, let us know.

If you’ve got a story to share, contact Sharla Hopper, marketing director, and your story could be featured in an upcoming edition of Community Matters.

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Left to right: Board members Wayne Mason, Lyle Lomas, Charlotte Ecoff and Dr. Stephen Miller are just a few of volunteers we celebrate during National Volunteer Month.

Serving

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Manor,” said Charlotte Ecoff. “My mother, Helen Carter, has lived here for quite some time, so we are very familiar with the community and their needs. My mother made a donation for the new van, and so my husband and I did, too, but we realized the needs extended beyond financial.”

Senior living centers are unique in that they truly are their own little community. Various personalities, needs and cultures come together under one roof, and it’s up to the staff, residents and volunteers like

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Community Matters is published monthly for residents and friends of Parsons Presbyterian Manor by Presbyterian Manors of

501(c)(3) organization. Learn more at PresbyterianManors.org.

Maegen Pegues, executive director Sharla Hopper, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact shopper@pmma.org.

Telephone: 620-421-1450 Fax: 620-421-1897 Address: 3501 Dirr Ave., Parsons, KS 67357-2220 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

ParsonsPresbyterianManor.org

Charlotte to make it feel like home.

“I taught music to grades kindergarten through eighth, and now I teach classes at Labette Community College. After I became a board member, I used my influence and connections to increase music here. I have the students I teach do yearly concerts here, and various groups perform throughout the year.

The residents really look forward to it,” said Charlotte.

“I play the piano, too, and the residents seem to really enjoy it. The songs bring back memories for them.”

We know that for all the blessings Charlotte has brought Parsons Presbyterian Manor, she’s received them back, and that’s the beauty of volunteering.

“The songs bring back memories for them.”

Charlotte comes from a musical family, and her brother and daughter have been known to accompany her.

“My brother comes and performs some. I play the flute, and he does the piano. My daughter has performed here often as well, and with her 4-H group. The residents are an encouraging group of people to perform for. It’s good for the kids, and I know my mother certainly enjoys it. I am always looking for new performers, and sometimes, those musicians live right here! We even had a doctor who was convalescing here who was quite talented,” said Charlotte.

Of all the smiles and laughter Charlotte has helped bring over the years, though, there’s one that stands out as the funniest.

“Even my little dog performs with

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us! I remember one time my daughter singing ‘How Much is That Doggy in the Window?’with her 4-H group, and she got him to bark on time with the song. The residents started barking along, too. It was hysterical!”

“I always want to bring joy here.

Our attitude to our life and aging is very important.

It helps our physical and mental health. I stop to kneel down and connect with people, and pray with them.

It makes me feel good doing something to help others. And I know this type of environment has helped my mother.

The manor has been very good for her.

She reached 100 on Oct. 24, 2016, and I really didn’t know if she would make it there. She’s had some illnesses along the way, but she’s doing well now.”

We thank Charlotte, and all of our volunteers, especially our board members, who give so much of themselves to make Parsons Presbyterian Manor a wonderful place to call home. If you or anyone you know is interested in volunteering, contact Sharla Hopper at 620-4211450 or Shopper@pmma.org.

“I want to encourage the younger generation to get to know these interesting people. They’ve lived long, full lives and have so much to give,” said Charlotte.

Colors of life

W. Wayne Mason, Chaplain, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice The wall of glass is cut into various sizes and shapes of dark hues of black, gray and brown as it sits in the shadows of the building.You travel inside to the chapel, and there you gaze upon a wall of stained glass filled with every color of the rainbow. The mural of glass portrays key symbols of Christian faith with the cross at the very center of it all. It takes your breath away as you contemplate the meaning.

I have seen many sunrises over the years (yes, I am an early riser). I marvel over how quickly the transition from dark with its stars and moon in contrast to the darkened sky moves to first light when shadows disappear and brighter light reveals all the shapes surrounding me. The sky takes on a brilliance of color – reds, pinks,

yellows in contrast to the blue sky and puffy clouds.

I wonder what the sunrise looked like on that Resurrection morning when the women who loved Jesus gathered in the dark at Jesus’ tomb. With the first light, they could see that the tomb was no longer sealed, and the stone was set aside. The tomb was open, and the body was gone.

The angels told them Jesus was risen from the dead. I wonder, did the sky suddenly explode with color in celebration of Jesus’ victory over sin and death? Did God and the angels paint the whole sky in a party of colors like no one had ever seen before? The women’s focus was on Jesus, the angels and the empty tomb. My imagination allows all of creation to participate in the promise of God being revealed to the people who loved Jesus.

Above and beyond service

W. Wayne Mason, Chaplain in front of the stained glass in the chapel.

I wish that I could see the beauty of that Resurrection morning. Perhaps I do, every time I see a new sunrise and take a walk with Jesus into a new day.

Prayer: “Lord, as I see a new sunrise and contemplate the beginning of a day, let me see the beauty of my relationship with You. As I see a beautiful sunset, help me remember the journey of faithYou are leading me through. Amen.”

If one wanted to get to know Director of Environmental Services Rick Donley, perhaps all they’d need to do is read this recent accolade he received, a BRAVO from Executive Director Maegen Pegues: “Yesterday, I witnessed Rick take time out of his very busy day to interact with a resident. Rick stopped, got down on one knee to make himself eye level with this resident, and engaged in a sincere conversation. The resident was having some hard times and Rick really took the time to enrich this resident’s day, and I witnessed a smile on her face when he walked away. Thank you, Rick! It was a simple reminder of why we’re here!”

This brief description explains why Rick is such an important part of our team and the influence he has on those around him.

Above and Beyond continued on page 4

Director of Environmental Services Rick Donley enjoys a visit with resident Francis Oler.

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Above and beyond

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“I talk to residents quite a bit, and I encourage my staff to stop and talk to them as well. I ask them to ‘take a knee’ or sit with the residents, to get down on their level and build relationships. We don’t want to be seen as authority positions, but rather as people just here to help,” said Rick.

Before coming to Parsons Presbyterian Manor two and a half years ago, Rick had worked at other senior living communities, and in other industries in a supervisory role.

Although his abilities to address facility and maintenance needs are much appreciated and necessary, it’s his people skills that really make a difference.

“That’s what makes the job so satisfying. I could go anywhere and work on things, but having an opportunity to interact with residents on a close personal basis is what really makes this job. I would encourage everybody and all staff at any Presbyterian Manor to take time and truly interact with residents.

We get so busy, and residents are people, not just part of our job. And hey, it gives staff a break, too.”

We thank Rick for his above-and-beyond service, and congratulate him on his well-earned BRAVO Award!

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Presbyterian Manor 3501 Dirr Ave. Parsons, KS 67357-2220

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