The Southeastern Jurisdiction Association of Older Adults is a flagship for older adult ministries across the United Methodist Church. Since 1986 the SEJAOA has strived to enrich, challenge and advocate by, for and with older adults. The SEJAOA was formally approved by the Southeastern Jurisdiction Administrative Council under the direction and leadership of the first association president, Dr. Cornelius R. Hager, president emeritus of Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky.
The SEJAOA continues to strengthen its mission for older adults in the 21st century; the following new projects have been undertaken:
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The creation and launching of the SEJAOA’s Website;
The creation and launching of the SEJAOA’s Website;•Developing networking opportunities with Lake Junaluska Associates, UMCOR, Virginia Methodist Retirement Homes;
Developing networking opportunities with Lake Junaluska Associates, UMCOR, Virginia Methodist Retirement Homes;•Providing quality continuing education opportunities for both laity and clergy in the Wisdom and Grace Conference professional track;
Providing quality continuing education opportunities for both laity and clergy in the Wisdom and Grace Conference professional track;•Expanding the Allers Academy for certification and recognition from the General Board of Higher Education;
Expanding the Allers Academy for certification and recognition from the General Board of Higher Education;•Sharing Leadership resources through Southeastern Jurisdiction Ministry Event Development Office;
Sharing Leadership resources through Southeastern Jurisdiction Ministry Event Development Office; •Developing new communication avenues for ministries;
Developing new communication avenues for ministries; •Changed the conference name from “Older Adult” to “Wisdom and Grace”
Changed the conference name from “Older Adult” to “Wisdom and Grace”•Expanded from 2 workshops to 4 workshop opportunities
Expanded from 2 workshops to 4 workshop opportunities•Added an additional early morning Communion service at Lambuth Inn
Added an additional early morning Communion service at Lambuth Inn•Increased the number of boat and trolley tours; and
Increased the number of boat and trolley tours; and•Brought in national entertainment such as Paul Saik, Kenny Banks, and Archie Jordan.
Brought in national entertainment such as Paul Saik, Kenny Banks, and Archie Jordan.Your SEJAOA Executive Committee and Board of Directors have:
•Continued to keep the cost for the Conference down
Continued to keep the cost for the Conference down•Provide faculty for the conference who are professionals in the fields of Gerontology, Spiritual Formation, Older Adult Ministries, Native American studies, Intergenerational programs, Challenges of Aging, Worship Planning and Development, Assisted Living Options, Financial Planning, Church, Society and World Views on Aging, Loss and Grief, International Studies, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, Navigating the Insurance Industry, Men’s Health Issues, Music, Safety, Hispanic Ministry, Bible Study, Spiritual Development and Renewal, Physical Fitness, Mental Aerobics, Recreation, Recycling and Green Planning, (to name just a few.)
Provide faculty for the conference who are professionals in the fields of Gerontology, Spiritual Formation, Older Adult Ministries, Native American studies, Intergenerational programs, Challenges of Aging, Worship Planning and Development, Assisted Living Options, Financial Planning, Church, Society and World Views on Aging, Loss and Grief, International Studies, Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, Navigating the Insurance Industry, Men’s Health Issues, Music, Safety, Hispanic Ministry, Bible Study, Spiritual Development and Renewal, Physical Fitness, Mental Aerobics, Recreation, Recycling and Green Planning, (to name just a few.)•Invited international speakers to lead the conference.
Invited international speakers to lead the conference.•Built a higher education program between the Allers Academy, and Lake Junaluska for a certification program as a Para-professional in Older Adult Ministries in the United Methodist Church approved and acknowledge by the General Board of Higher Education of the UMC.
Built a higher education program between the Allers Academy, and Lake Junaluska for a certification program as a Para-professional in Older Adult Ministries in the United Methodist Church approved and acknowledge by the General Board of Higher Education of the UMC.•Supported the first class, (in Wesleyan Studies), for the Para-professional certification in Older Adult Ministries at Lake Junaluska.
Supported the first class, (in Wesleyan Studies), for the Para-professional certification in Older Adult Ministries at Lake Junaluska. •Formed a task force and presented a recommendation for the update and modification of the current SEJAOA By-laws, expanding the Executive board to include a design team for the SEJAOA and increasing annual conference representation and participation.
Formed a task force and presented a recommendation for the update and modification of the current SEJAOA By-laws, expanding the Executive board to include a design team for the SEJAOA and increasing annual conference representation and participation.•Working with the jurisdiction’s representative to the United Methodist Church Committee on Older Adult Ministries, Sandra Gerhardt to:
Working with the jurisdiction’s representative to the United Methodist Church Committee on Older Adult Ministries, Sandra Gerhardt to: •Implement a direct connection and support system for the annual conferences in the SEJ
Implement a direct connection and support system for the annual conferences in the SEJ•Educate and prepare clergy and lay persons for ministry by, for and with aging congregations
Educate and prepare clergy and lay persons for ministry by, for and with aging congregations •Provide programs and ministries for the aging generation of Baby Boomers
Provide programs and ministries for the aging generation of Baby Boomers•Explore the cultural and societal impact of aging and its implications for the United Methodist Church
Explore the cultural and societal impact of aging and its implications for the United Methodist Church•Provide opportunities for Spiritual enrichment and growth
Provide opportunities for Spiritual enrichment and growth•Provide opportunities and resources for mentoring younger generations in the local church
Provide opportunities and resources for mentoring younger generations in the local church •Grow ministries for, by and with older adults
Grow ministries for, by and with older adults•Enhance the congregations’ ministry with the frail and homebound
Enhance the congregations’ ministry with the frail and homeboundThe SEJAOA is addressing the changing and growing needs of the older adults in the Southeastern Jurisdiction and the Board of Directors recognizes the need to: 1.Update the current Mission Statement to define the purpose of the SEJAOA;
Update the current Mission Statement to define the purpose of the SEJAOA;2.Review the organizational structure, and update to meet current objectives and goals;
Review the organizational structure, and update to meet current objectives and goals;3.Expand and/or revise the roles of the officers to include ministry teams for work areas;
Expand and/or revise the roles of the officers to include ministry teams for work areas;4.Explore the idea of a Design Team facilitated by the Vice President or Chair of Programming; and
Explore the idea of a Design Team facilitated by the Vice President or Chair of Programming; and5.Review and update the current supportive structure to meet the needs and accomplish the purposes of the organization.
Review and update the current supportive structure to meet the needs and accomplish the purposes of the organization.The organizational task force organized in September 2008 determined the following objectives for the SEJAOA beyond the annual conference:•Advocacy groups for mid and later-life adults,
Advocacy groups for mid and later-life adults,•Educational opportunities for equipping leadership and laity,
Educational opportunities for equipping leadership and laity,•Experiences for worship using different models (i.e. healing services, vespers, Taize),
Experiences for worship using different models (i.e. healing services, vespers, Taize),•Explore intergenerational ministries and programs, and
Explore intergenerational ministries and programs, and•Develop a support network for leaders (BLOG).
Develop a support network for leaders (BLOG).The task force presented a draft to the Executive Committee Board of Directors in June 2009. The officers and board members determined the draft of the By-laws needed further review and some revision to meet the growing needs of our aging population. The organizational task force will receive input from the SEJAOA 2009 annual conference representatives and prepare a draft for February 2010 when the officers meet for planning.Our prayer is God will continue to bless the ministry of the SEJAOA and help us to use the gifts he has given us to be servants in ministry and mission for all His creation. Each member of the SEJAOA plays a vital role in the success of this ministry. Please continue to keep the Association in your prayers as we seek God’s design for older adult ministry.Respectfully Submitted,
SEJAOA Executive Board
President: Susan McGuire – Clayton, NCVice President for Programs: Rev. Rodney Powell – Aiken, SCVice President Development: Rev. Charles Williams – Nashville, TN Vice President Publicity: Lucinda Lipp -- Center Point, AL Secretary: Nancy Metz – Cape Coral, FlTreasurer: Douglas Watts – Kernersville, NCPast President: Rev. W.E. Pearce – Charlotte, NCDean Norman T. Allers Academy: Rev. Philip (Phil) Brown – Pelham, NCRepresentative College of Bishops: Bishop William W. Morris – Gallatin, TN Lake Junaluska Liaison: Rev. Roger Dowdy – Richmond, VAEJ UMC Representative to COAM: Sandra Gerhardt – Riverside, AL.
Southeastern Jurisdiction Association of Older Adults
"Resourcing mid and later life disciples for the abundant life."
2009 ANNUAL REPORT
