Sterling Community Matters December 2014

Commun ty Matters Sterling Presbyterian Manor

“Believe”

By President and CEO Bruce Shogren As I look forward to the holiday season, one word is key to this season: “believe.”

I truly believe in three key people: Jesus Christ, Santa Claus and the employees of the Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America system.

What could be more important than Christmas Day, the day we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ? I grew up in a church in which every Sunday we would state our belief by reciting the Apostles’ Creed.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Creator of Heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, His only Son Our Lord, Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into Hell; the third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting. Amen.

This belief statement says it all for me and has been the guiding statement throughout my life. It has given me the ability to believe in the power of prayer, which has really been needed daily as BELIEVE continued on page 2

December 2014

97-year-old resident embarks on Honor Flight

Maurice Reed and his son Don participated in an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

Maurice Reed, a 97-year-old independent living resident, participated in the Honor Flight program the first week of October. His granddaughter works at the local hospital in the physical therapy department. One of her clients was unable to attend the upcoming Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., so there was an open spot. She jumped on the chance to send her grandfather, Maurice.

They had two days to convince and get him ready to go. He told them he would love to go if he was to live that long. His 68-year-old son Don would go as his guardian.

Maurice said the trip is fascinating and the tour moves along quickly. They have a lot to see in a short time. He was able to see all the war memorials and was glad that they were close together. They were able to see the national Airplane Museum and the plane that dropped the atomic bomb on Japan. When they got back on the bus the tour guide read them the story about the Iwo Jima memorial. Maurice did not know that there was an extra hand on the flag pole and that hand is recognized as the hand of God. He really enjoyed that bit of information.

Maurice was a Merchant Marine while in the service and got to meet Bob Dole during the Honor Flight trip. He feels fortunate to have gone and enjoy this time with his son.

BELIEVE continued from page 1

my wife was healing in the hospital and at home. This Christmas season, I pray you reflect on that night long ago when Jesus was born and you continue to realize the impact his birth has had on all our lives.

My second key belief is in the spirit of Santa Claus. Santa has always been a big part of my family’s Christmas celebrations, dating back to when I was a little one. Santa has always come out of the fireplace in the house I grew up in in Lindsborg, Kansas. It is quite the spectacle to see the Jolly Old Elf come out of PaPa Har’s (my dad’s) fireplace to deliver gifts to all the good girls and boys of the Shogren family after losing his pants once again. “Har, when are you going to fix your chimney,” Santa states every year to

the delight of all in the room.You have to be there to really experience it and believe it.

But the actual thrill in believing in the spirit of Santa Claus is to be a “Santa Helper.” To see the joy in the eyes of a child when he or she sits on Santa’s lap, to experience a surprise appearance by Santa is unforgettable whether it is to children or adults, to give an unexpected and thoughtful gift which says “I know you” is pure happiness for the giver, the receiver and those watching, and the best is when someone will ask with a wink and whisper in Santa’s ear, “Who are you, really?” and Santa gets to tell them the truth:You are really Santa Claus. Priceless!

Finally, my third and final belief is in the employees of the PMMA system in providing the care and services to you.

Being on the side of receiving care in the past year by a caring hospital nursing and health care staff, I appreciate even more the PMMA staff throughout our system that daily provide the health care, friendship, caring and a whole lot more to you, our residents. Please join me in thanking your community’s staff for their commitment to our mission, providing quality senior services guided by Christian values.

As I close my letter, let me wish that you know the blessing of being a child of God and the Lord Jesus Christ, the joy of caring for others, and that you still hear the bell ring and truly believe.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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

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

Mike Rajewski, executive director Cindy Moore, marketing director To submit or suggest articles for this publication, contact cmoore@pmma.org.

Telephone: 620-278-3651 Fax: 620-278-3581 Address: 204 W. Washington, Sterling, KS 67579-1614 Our mission: We provide quality senior services guided by Christian values.

SterlingPresbyterianManor.org

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Residents share memories and the meaning of Christmas

Residents took time to share Christmas memories and explain what Christmas means to them. An overwhelming number recognize Christmas as a time to remember Christ’s birth. One resident remarked, “Because God gave, we give.”

Others believe Christmas should be centered around various church activities; sharing gifts with church members and Christmas caroling. For some residents, the primary focus of Christmas was a time to be with family.

Residents recall exchanging gifts but nothing overtly expensive and believe that people these days have unreal expectations about Christmas. One resident in particular, who had quite a large family, stated that there were so many presents you could barely see the floor. Another resident recalled staying in her pajamas all Christmas day long. Another stated she would purchase Christmas presents throughout the year and hide them in the attic until Christmas.

Needs drive expansion plans

This month, we continue to look back at our history as Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America celebrates 65 years of the art of life.

The desire for more independent living drove expansion for Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America in the late 1980s.

Duplex or apartment projects were approved for the campuses in Sterling, Wichita, Topeka, Parsons, Arkansas City and Lawrence. Existing spaces were renovated in Sterling, Arkansas City, Kansas City and Newton, and a new health care center was constructed in Newton. Wichita received funds for and constructed a chapel.

Community interest and persistence led to the development of a campus in Emporia. Ground was broken on May 22, 1984, and Emporia Presbyterian Manor campus opened in 1986.

in Dodge City in a joint venture with the CSJ Health System of Wichita, Kan. The new campus, adjacent to St. Mary of the Plains College, was named Manor of the Plains.

In conjunction with the closing of St. Mary of the Plains campus in 1992, Presbyterian Manors Inc. acquired CSJ Health System’s joint venture interest in Manor of the Plains and became the sole owner.

PMMA’s dream of providing services for severely physically handicapped adults became a reality when Hutchinson Heights opened in 1986.

The 1980s also brought serious conversations about the relationship between Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America and the synods of the Presbyterian Church as well as increased competition in the senior

care market. Board minutes from 1986 demonstrate PMMA’s desire to keep the ties with the Synod of MidAmerica and individual Presbyterian churches strong.

In 1989, the original United Presbyterian Foundation of Kansas Inc. (Newton), and the other separate Kansas Manor corporations, (Arkansas City, Clay Center, Emporia, Kansas City, Lawrence, Manor of the Plains, Parsons, Salina, Sterling, Topeka and Wichita) and Presbyterian Manors of Missouri Inc. (Farmington, Fulton and Rolla) were merged to form Presbyterian Manors Inc. In 1990, an office building was constructed in northeast Wichita and the headquarters of Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America Inc. moved from Newton to Wichita.

Rescheduling never looked so good Construction started on a new campus

With the wind blowing, rain drops falling and the temperature plummeting, Activity Director Jon Van Veldhuizen decided to postpone Sterling Presbyterian Manor’sYard Sale. The sale was rescheduled for a week later, which paid off handsomely. Not only did it allow an additional week for donated items to be collected, but the sale itself made well over $600.

Sunshine and warmer temperatures helped Sterling Presbyterian Manor's yard sale raise $600 for resident activities.

Donations came at a slow, albeit steady, pace.

“At the beginning of the week of the original sale date, I wasn’t sure we were going to have enough items. But by the end of that week, plus the additional week after rescheduling, we had more than enough,” said Jon. “We are so thankful to the members of the community, employees, other Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America communities, and even residents who donated items to be sold.” The money raised will be used for resident activities.

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Sterling Presbyterian Manor 204 W. Washington Sterling, KS 67579-1614 Return Service Requested

Seeking ‘angels’ for Good Samaritan Program

Christmas angel ornaments – each representing a gift to the Good Samaritan Program for Benevolent Care – are adding to the holiday decorations at Presbyterian Manors of Mid-America’s senior living communities.

Donors responding to the annual Christmas Angel Appeal letter mailed this month include paper angel ornaments with their gifts. Each ornament will then be displayed at the PMMA community designated by the donor.

During the past two years, angel donors have given more than $94,000 to the Good Samaritan Program, which assists PMMA residents who have run out of funds through no fault of their own.

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