Commun ty Matters Rolla Presbyterian Manor
July 2016
Start painting ... at any age! By Heidi Raschke for Next Avenue
Megan Jackson is the kind of person people describe as an old soul. “It’s hard for me to really connect in my own age group, and that’s always been the case,” says the painter who created an untitled work selected for publication by Next Avenue (see page 4). “I’ve always had older friends.” Before Jackson created this work of painting and collage, she wasn’t familiar with the terms “artful aging” or “creative aging” — which refer to the practice of engaging older adults in participatory, professionally run arts programs with a focus on social engagement and skills mastery. But she knew many people who were living it. “Anyone — anyone — can be an artist.You hear people all the time say, ‘Oh, I don’t have any artistic talent,’ which is not true,” Jackson says. “You just have to do it whether you think you have talent or not, you have to get out there and try it.” Jackson offers two tips on how you, too, can let go of the pressure and get started doing art: ART, continued on page 4
Chaplain’s message Four overlooked aspects of freedom “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Galatians 5:1(a), (NIV). On Independence Day, American independence is probably the last thing on our minds unless we are attending a patriotic event. With family gatherings and backyard barbecues, personal and not national independence rules the day. Partying and fireworks may push the limits of personal freedom. Individual autonomy is important to almost everyone. Freedom means choices “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve,” Joshua 24:15(a), (NIV). Israel had lived in Egypt for over 400 years. Most of that time, they had been slaves. Now, they were free. Choices confronted them regarding faith, livelihood, residence, and family. CHAPLAIN, continued on page 3