The Quill—Newsletter of Saint Simeon's Senior Community Dec 2021

3701 N. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. , Tulsa, OK 74106

Saint Simeon’s is a mission of the Episcopal Diocese of Oklahoma

Newsletter of Tulsa’s Senior Community

DECEMBER 2021

NOTE FROM THE LIBRARY COMMITTEE: “We would like to thank everyone who has made donations to our Library.

Due to your donations, our library is filled with many wonderful books that bring enjoyment to our residents every day. However, due to limited space, we would like to ask that books donated be in like new condition and are five years old or newer. We cannot accept books with broken spine, water damage, torn pages, or any other kind of damage. Thank you for your understanding, and your continued generous support to our Library.”

KRIS’S CARING CHAMPIONS AUGUST

Pa Xiong, CMA, Memory Care I nominate Pa Xiong, med aide for Memory Care. Quote from consulting pharmacist: “Her med pass was great!

She took vitals when needed and entered them in the MAR before passing meds. Medication directions were checked with the MAR before administering. She announced herself to resident before entering rooms. Hand washing after pass was observed.” Thank you, Pa, for being an excellent med aide for our residents in Memory Care by providing quality care, respect, and dignity! —Angeline Reinart

Runner Up: Angelica Mora, HR Coordinator SEPTEMBER

Commica Williams, Unit Clerk, Health Care Center I would like to nominate Commica Williams for helping me diffuse a situation, she helped me a lot. Thank you Commica! —Jezreel Dagum

Runner Up: LaShawna Scott, Laundry Aide

OCTOBER

Shemeia Adams, Laundry Aide Lead Shemeia went above and beyond helping me transition into my new position. She is always there to help me when needed. She worked extra hard on the Medical Resort and picked up extra shifts to make sure everything was in order. She and LaShawna have made this transition easier. Thank you for all you do! —Johneisha Titus

Runner Up: Amanda Sutton, Life Enrichment, Memory Care

VETERAN’S DAY After many long months of social distancing we were able to gather all our Veterans into the Common Room and honor them on Veterans’ Day this year. Each Veteran, both residents and staff, was named and presented with a commemorative certificate, a red poppy handcrafted by our sewing club, and an American flag.

Alvin Pannell

Orville Burgess

Charles Cotner

THE QUILL » DECEMBER 2021

THE CHAPLAIN’S CHAT The Rev. Susanne Methven, Chaplain

Dear Residents, Families, and Friends of Saint Simeon’s, In the Memory Center, Amanda Sutton and I have been piloting Out of the Box, a way of sharing stories. We have a large cardboard hat box that includes a woolen underlay, variously shaped felt pieces, wooden people, animals, stars and birds, and some miscellaneous items like an acorn and a small bucket.

We gather a few people around a table and invite those present to be curious about the story soon to be told. We roll out the woolen underlay and tell a simple story using what we have in the box. These felt pieces can be used in different ways in various stories. For example, blue wavy lines may be water in one story and roots in another.

We recently told the story of the mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32; Mark 4:30-32; Luke 13:18-21). In this parable Jesus tells how the kingdom of God is like a very small mustard seed growing into a large shrub in which birds make their nests. We laid out the story and then asked the residents what they liked about the story and what they didn’t like about the story.

The conversation really started when we asked, “I wonder what you would change about the story?”

One resident wanted to add buds to the shrub because “flowers could only grow from buds.” Another remembered family times at the beach and wanted to add a volleyball net under the shrub. Another thought that, if we had a family gathering, food should be served. We added hamburgers, hotdogs, and a plate of potato salad. The story could not be complete without including a pet. Even the birds were placed into a family group. The story became more complex as each person listened to the others and added something themselves.

The first day of Advent, November 28, starts the new church year. 2022 begins January 1.

I wonder what it would be like if we spent this new year listening to and building on each other’s stories.

Perhaps we would be surprised at how much room there is under God’s mustard shrub for all kinds of people and stories. Perhaps we ourselves would be changed.

DAY OF REMEMBRANCE A Service of Remembrance was held on November 9th in Saint Anna’s Chapel to remember those who passed this year.

“Lord Christ, your saints have been the lights of the world in every generation: Grant that we who follow in their footsteps may be made worthy to enter with them into that heavenly country where you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen.”

DECEMBER/JANUARY BIRTHDAYS Norma Turnbo Vincent Brown Susan Asquith Etolia Kopczynski Virginia Smith Michael Davis Francis Proctor Ed Poston THE QUILL » DECEMBER 2021

December 4th December 12th December 20th December 20th December 21st December 22nd December 25th December 27th

Jimmy White Donald Doss Fred Worthington Cheryl Chiappini Camellia McKenzie Cynthia Millar Mark Schumacher Ingrid Darnieder

December 31st January 2nd January 4th January 7th January 11th January 11th January 11th January 14th

Eleanor Smith Elise Applegate Marilyn Robinson Doris Saylor Joseph Glenn Joe Morro Barbara Mattes

January 15th January 17th January 20th January 22nd January 24th January 25th January 29th

VISITATION CHANGES On Friday, November 12th, CMS released new regulations regarding visitation during the pandemic. They determined that based on the high number of resident vaccinations and high vaccination rates among nursing home employees, the continued restrictions on the residents’ rights to visitation were no longer necessary. Therefore, as of Monday, November 15th, indoor visitation is allowed at all times and for all residents without limits to the frequency of visits, length of visits, the number of visitors, and without the need for advance scheduling of visits.

As we welcome visitors back on campus and into the building, there are a few guidelines to be followed: • All visitors must be screened for signs and symptoms of COVID-19 upon entry into the building at the Dotson Assisted Living entrance.

• All visitors must always wear a face mask and socially distance at all times.

• Visitors should go directly to the resident’s room or apartment and remain there for the entirety of the visit. Gathering in common areas is not permitted.

• Visitors who have a positive viral test for COVID-19, have symptoms of COVID-19, or currently meet the criteria for quarantine, should not enter the building.

• Visitors are encouraged to be tested before coming to the facility and to be vaccinated.

We are very excited to welcome visitors back to Saint Simeon’s!

Amanda Terrel, Administrator

FALL FESTIVAL

Jane Wh

itt

Frances M Ramona oore and Stephen s

Residents and staff kicked off the new season with the annual Fall Festival in the Butterfly Courtyard. Residents enjoyed pumpkin decorating, carnival games, fall-themed snacks and drinks, and beautiful fall weather.

IN MEMORIAM

Martha Bodenhamer Glen Butler Lucy Eller Jola Houchin

Chung Ja Liew James Robin Lopp Marilyn Pebsworth Eileen Trotta