Podcast Interview, International Conference and More!

Our executive director, Daphne Johnston, loves talking about Respite for All in any format, including podcasts. If you didn't hear her when she was a guest on the Rodger That Show, now's your chance. Among the topics she touched on:

• Why faith-based organizations, through their commitment to volunteerism and service to others, are a natural fit to provide meaningful, enriching respite care. 
• Why emphasizing service to others, instead of merely offering empty activities, gives those with cognitive issues a sense of purpose and contribution. 
• The dramatic quality of life improvements that faith-based respite care can provide to overburdened family caregivers. 

Delivering the RFA Message In-Person in Canada

Daphne is traveling to Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, this week to conduct a half-day workshop on the Respite for All model during the 10th International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality. The conference, which has taken place every two years since 2000, brings people together from all over the world to share knowledge of spirituality and aging. This year’s conference is being held at Conrad Grebel University College. Daphne was a presenter in 2019 at an earlier gathering held in Australia.

Dr. Steven Sabat, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, Georgetown University, will join Daphne’s presentation via Zoom to discuss the impact respite ministry has on families and participants. In addition, United Methodist Bishop Lawson Bryan will offer his remarks via Zoom on how churches can become community assets by offering respite programs, and United Methodist Bishop Ken Carder will Zoom in to discuss Ministry with the Forgotten, Dementia through a Spiritual Lens. 

New Communities and New Denominations

John Knox Presbyterian Church in Greenville, South Carolina, started making plans to launch a respite ministry before the pandemic created so much disruption. But they kept the faith and hope to open by the end of the year! They had a wonderful informational gathering for their community in May. Church member Jeanne Peak is the daughter of the late Doris Jean Peak, who was part of Montgomery’s Respite Ministry for several years, and Jeanne is leading the effort to spread this ministry to her community – and to a new denomination for us!

Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls, Iowa, is another congregation in the early planning stages for a new Respite Community – representing both a new state and a new denomination! They also had a community informational meeting in May and enjoyed lots of interesting discussion among attendees. We're so excited to see them begin the process!

On May 25, Daphne made a road trip to Atlanta, Georgia, to visit Pleasant Word Christian Center International. She was joined by several members of the congregation for a great preliminary conversation about Respite Ministry.

We look forward to continuing to make new connections and to spread the life-enhancing Respite for All model across the country!

Onward!