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“I appreciated everyone’s insight and honest comments. I thought many of the heartfelt conversations revealed a real need for open dialogue. I wonder how much of that would have occurred in a face-to-face meeting.”

—Rev. Bruce Frogge, pastor

 

  

Ministering to an Aging Society

October 6-24, 2008
Facilitator: Martha Rogers, M.Div.
12.0 contact hours

Whether in the congregational, healthcare, or community setting, numerous aging issues that need to be proactively addressed are going unconsidered. In addition, the challenges are exacerbated by a societal ambivalence that in general ignores some of the deeper issues of self-esteem, meaning, and sense of purpose experienced in the aging process. The primary goal for this seminar is to provide a constructive and integrated format for addressing some of the spiritual, mental, and physical health issues of Senior Adults as they encounter new challenges in the aging process.

This seminar provides the opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary collaborative learning experience. Using email, members of the seminar group will explore the issues of ministering to an aging society by reflecting on the presented material in light of their own experience and context. Through this process the group benefits by learning from one another as well as from the presentations.

Presentations:

  • "Ministering to an Aging Society" by Jane Thibault, Ph.D., Clinical Gerontologist and Assistant Professor of Family and Community Medicine, University of Louisville School of Medicine

  • "Aging and Human Dignity: The Future of Autonomy" by Paul Simmons, Ph.D., Clinical Professor in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Louisville School of Medicine

  • "Returning the Blessing" by Myron Madden, Ph.D., Retired Pastoral Counselor and Professor

  • "Enabling Romantic Relationships in Later Life" by Melissa Wood Aleman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, School of Communication Studies, James Madison University

Learning Objectives:

Following this seminar, participants should be able:

  • To explore the question "What is the meaning of life in frailty?" and the issues around finding a sense of meaning and purpose when life is no longer defined by "productivity" from multiple perspectives and toward a positive outlook.
  • To identify some of the life issues that come with age and assist persons of all ages in recognizing and valuing the gifts that come with age.
  • To increase awareness of the role that family and/or community play in the life of older persons and their aging process.
  • To assist senior adults in the process of life evaluation in a way that enables them to find meaning and purpose in their experience of aging.
  • To help older persons be aware of the role their spirituality/faith plays in their health and to address spiritual/faith related issues.
  • To work with families and organizations to facilitate meaningful intergenerational interaction.
  • To work with other care-giving professionals from the medical, nursing, religious, social work, and therapeutic disciplines in providing collaborative, compassionate, and comprehensive care to older persons.

Facilitator:

    The Rev. Martha Rogers, M.Div., is the Rector for the St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Spirit Lake, Iowa, where she has served since July 2000.

    Prior to going to St. Alban's, Rev. Rogers served as the Assistant Priest for Calvary Episcopal Cathedral in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. She has also served as a Home Interventionist, Program Developer, Family Education/Early Childhood Coordinator for school districts in Minnesota and Iowa, and as an adult continuing education instructor for Alexandria Community College in Minnesota.

    In addition to a Master of Divinity degree from the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, Rev. Rogers has an M.S. in Education from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois and a B.S. in Education from Rhode Island College in Providence, Rhode Island.

    She has been married for 23 years to Dave Rogers and has two college-aged children, Katrina (Univ. of Northern Iowa) and Kevin (U.S. Coast Guard Academy).  Her hobbies include birds (I own four rescued parrots) and bicycling.

Registration:

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Last updated: September 1, 2008