SAGES News

Dr. Richard H. Gentzler, Jr., Director of Encore Ministries for the Tennessee Conference of the United Methodist Church, has addressed church leaders and those working with Sages as we continue to face the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Gentzler says: “Now more than ever older adult members of our congregations need our care and support. They are some of the most vulnerable and hardest hit by the pandemic.”
Then, he offers these helpful guidelines as we and our church members work out new ways to care for older adult in your church and community.
1. First, do no harm! Safety first. Follow all health guidelines and follow procedures established by the Center for Disease Control (CDC): https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html.
2. Do all the good you can but recognize that you can’t do everything. Stay focused to the task at hand. Don’t try to take on more than you can handle.
3. Stay flexible. The world is changing rapidly and what we know to be true today may not be so next week…even tomorrow!
4. Take care of your needs. Respond to the crisis, but pace yourself and take care of your own physical and spiritual health and personal safety.
5. Think long term. What we are presently experiencing within our churches and communities may indeed be the new normal.
6. Keep your congregation informed. Communication with members of your congregation is vital for the over-all health and effectiveness of your ministry. Strategies for communication include: a.) One-to-one phone calls, emails, texts, Zoom conversations; b.) Leadership team video meetings; c.) Small group video meetings for study and sharing; d.) Large group blast emails and texts; e.) Social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram; f.) Print media distribution such as newsletters and other mailings.

Thanks to Dr. Gentzler and our own Sages Ministry Team for being proactive, working heard to serve God and our church and community during this time.