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By Dorothy Brotherton
 | | A few of the contented guests at a New Vista event. |
IT’S Wednesday morning, and a lonely senior
decides to skip his usual coffee and donut at the mall and try that church
drop-in thing he heard about.
Kelowna Community Church is just a short walk from his
apartment. And besides, his friend is coming on a bus that drops her right
at the corner of Sutherland and Burtch, and she told him he can get a great
sandwich and a bowl of homemade soup for only $3. Coffee, too. Sounds good.
He doesn’t know much about the Salvation Army
– just that they collect change in kettles at Christmas time –
but he figures he can always slip out if things get too religious.
Many people who are regulars at New Vista
Senior’s Ministries at Kelowna Community Church started just that
way.
They come in response to a felt need or an inner
loneliness, perhaps because of a friend’s invitation – and they
stay because they find companionship, a non-threatening environment and
activities that are fun. Some also find the Saviour.
Elsie and Donald Goodrich started New Vista nearly 12
years ago. They were retired Salvation Army officers, and had moved to
Kelowna. The leadership of their church asked them to consider doing a
seniors ministry, and shared the vision the church had been developing.
The Goodriches visited with church-going seniors, to
find out how they defined ‘seniors ministry.’ A committee was
formed and a program took shape.
Currently, New Vista hosts about 60 – 70 people
each week; at times, 100 or more people attend. Over the past decade, the
membership has undergone significant change.
“Ten years takes its toll on seniors. We’ve
lost a number through death, through moving to retirement homes or moving
to be near family,” said Elsie. But new seniors also keep rising up
through the community ranks.
It’s that emphasis on community which fuels New
Vista. “We’ve had tremendous response. A lot of people come who
don’t come to church; some come from other churches; and a number who
did not have church homes have now come to our church,” said Elsie.
Program director Derek Harvey keeps the programs light.
At first, you just drop in and visit over coffee, join in a table game or
sidle up to the shuffleboard table. After lunch, you may listen to a
speaker who addresses a relevant seniors’ issue.
Recently, a speaker from the police department talked
about how seniors can take care of themselves and not become victims of
crime; a director of a funeral home explained pre-planning; and a florist
demonstrated flower arrangements.
Among the most appreciated speakers were Dorothy
Zoellner and Alice Lundy of the Okanagan Historical Society, who talked
about old times. They struck a lot of chords with people who are long-time
residents, and acquainted newcomers with some of the historical roots of
their new home.
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Entertainment is always on the agenda. It is also
light, with recent performers being the Old Time Fiddlers, the Okanagan
Accordion Group and the Happy Hymnals.
“We have a mix of religious and secular songs,
and the seniors are often invited to sing along,” said Elsie.
Each week, Harvey presents a brief devotional that is
also on the light side; but he invites discussion from anyone who wants to
delve more deeply.
The group highlights holidays such as Valentine’s
Day, St. Patrick’s Day, birthdays and anniversaries. When weather
cooperates, some activities are outdoors. Events have included dinner
fellowships and a week at a summer camp.
Pastor Les Burrows speaks to the group during the
Easter and Christmas seasons. He said the New Vista program has had a
tremendous response: “We’ve certainly seen great crossover, and
many have been led to the Lord. It’s been a great asset to the church
and to the kingdom.”
The idea behind New Vista goes further than getting
people through the doors or even into the family of God. It’s
designed to be a place where seniors find opportunity to live life with a
purpose.
‘Make the rest of your life the best of your
life,’ says the website. To accomplish this, New Vista encourages
seniors to make a personal commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
Organizers say commitment will contribute to overall physical, emotional
and spiritual well-being.
The Goodriches and the committee behind New Vista are
dedicated to keeping a finger on the pulse of the community, to see how to
tailor the program to meet changing needs.
Judging by the response, it’s working.
April 2009
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