Adult Ministries
Men
Learn More about men's ministry at GUMC
Tuesday Sunrise Group – 6:30-7:30 am
Wednesday Rutherford Prayer Group – 6:30-7:30 am
United Methodist Men’s Breakfast – On average 35-45 men come together each month for breakfast and this group supports local missions organizations such as Manna House, Jacob’s Well and other local groups in need.
Food Gleaning and Redistribution – The Wednesday prayer group supports the “food gleaning and redistribution” ministry where donated food from Trader Joe’s is taken to the less fortunate here in our city.
Safety Team – Members of the safety team continue to train for medical incidents and other safety and security needs for the congregation.
older Adults
Our older adults simply refuse to act their age…and that’s good! There are endless opportunities for older adults to be involved with life at our church. Whether going on a day trip, hearing a speaker and enjoying lunch, playing bridge, or taking classes at the Owings Life Enrichment Center, you are bound to meet some nice people and enjoy the fun and fellowship.
Our events are for everyone—singles and couples—and our activities are open to anyone age 55 and older regardless of church membership.
Our brochures are mailed to church members age 55 and older in August, so watch for yours. They are also available in the kiosks at the entrances of the church and OLEC. Feel free to pick some up and share with your parents, neighbors, and friends. We always welcome new faces, and we know they are going to have a good time.
Brown Bag Lunch Series
The Brown Bag Lunch Series is an adventure in learning sponsored by the Older Adult Council. This year we learned about everything from historic homes in Shelby County to updates from the metal and art museums to the story of Ernest Withers, a historic photographer and a spy for the FBI. Bring your own sack lunch, and the church will supply the beverages. We meet the 1st Friday from September-May in the Mike Wilson Fellowship Hall at 11 a.m. There is no charge for these events, and no reservations are needed. Please click Here to view our upcoming events.
XYZs (Xtra Young and Zesty!)
XYZs (Xtra Young and Zesty!) is a social group that takes nominally priced day trips to concerts, museums, tours, lectures, movies, and plays in the greater Memphis area, Arkansas, and Mississippi. Some of them include a meal, and we provide the transportation. We depart from the Owings Life Enrichment Center parking lot. Our season runs September–May, and reservations are needed. Cost of reservations MUST be honored. No refunds can be given after the reservation deadline has passed. For safety reasons, participants must be physically able to walk independently get on and off our vehicles. Check out our 2024-2025 brochure here.
Friday Bridge Group
The Friday Bridge Group meets weekly from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Room 240 for party bridge. No partners are needed; just bring a sack lunch. Contact Flo Seward, 901-755-0050, for more information.
Exercise Classes at the OLEC
Exercise Classes at the OLEC are offered every day of the week. Call Gordon Kelly, 753-3100, for more information.
Handy Helpers
Handy Helpers is a minor home repair and maintenance service that lends a helping hand to older adult church members who need assistance with small repair and maintenance jobs. Materials used are to be paid for by the person receiving the service; there is no charge for the labor. Call Ron and Nina Gaddy at 901-754-1238, for more information or to put in a job request.
Or Call: (901-755-0803)
Elder Care
Advance Care Planning
During an emergency or at the end of life, you may face questions about their medical treatment and not be able answer them. You may assume your loved ones know what you would want, but that’s not always true. Research shows that you are more likely to get the care you want if you have conversations about your future medical treatment and put a plan in place. It may also help your loved ones grieve more easily and feel less burden, guilt, and depression.
- Advance Care Planning: A Conversation
Learn about advance care planning and how to establish your advance directives. This 72- page guide provides worksheets, conversation guides, and other tools to help you prepare and plan. Prepared by the National Institute on Aging. FIND IT HERE - What is advance care planning?
Advance care planning involves discussing and preparing for future decisions about your medical care if you become seriously ill or unable to communicate your wishes. Having meaningful conversations with your loved ones is the most important part of advance care planning. Many people also choose to put their preferences in writing by completing legal documents called advance directives. - What are advance directives?
Advance directives are legal documents that provide instructions for medical care and only go into effect if you cannot communicate your own wishes. The two most common advance directives for health care are the living will and the durable power of attorney for health care. - What is a living will?
A living will is a legal document that tells doctors how you want to be treated if you cannot make your own decisions about emergency treatment. In a living will, you can say which common medical treatments or care you would want, which ones you would want to avoid, and under which conditions each of your choices applies. This is different than a will, which provides legal guidance about a person’s estate — their property and financial assets — as well as care for a child or adult dependents, gifts, and end-of-life arrangements such as a funeral or memorial service and burial or cremation.
TN Advance Directive Forms
1.Advance Directive for Healthcare
2.Directions for Healthcare Professionals POST
MS Advance Directive Forms
1.Advance Directive Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare and Living Will
2.Advance Directive for Health Care POST - Additional Advance Directive Forms by State from AARP: FIND IT HERE
Contact Elder Care Ministries Director, Susan Crowson, 901-754-7216 for more information about your advance care planning.
Elder Care Ministries focuses on the needs of members ages 80 and above. For many, these years are filled with joyful giving and serving. For others, health ailments and impairments limit their ability to participate in church classes, groups, and worship as they once did.
Elder Care Ministries embraces our senior adults, with their various needs, in prayer, support, guidance and loving outreach: Flower Ministry, Shawl Ministry, Home Communion, calls, cards. Teams of volunteers lovingly share their love through each of the ministries. Led by the Elder Care Ministries Director, Susan Crowson. EMAIL SUSAN
Learn how you can serve :
Home Communion Ministry
Home Communion Ministry– Our Home Communion Ministry serves as a “safety net” ministry to deepen outreach to our Senior Adult members, ages 80+, who are homebound. Ministry volunteers have been trained and are prepared to serve communion at their home on the 1st Sunday of each month, beginning July. The elements will be consecrated along with those partaking in person.
Flower Ministry
Flower Ministry – Sanctuary flower arrangements are made into bouquets delivered by Volunteers to members in need to show them God’s love and care.
Shawls
Shawls have been lovingly made and prayed over for our special older folks. Ministry Volunteers deliver them to bring warm of heart, to show love and being remembered in prayer.
Other Helpful Links
Hospitality
The Hospitality Team invites all Sunday School classes, GUWF Circles, UMM, and all other groups and individual GUMC members to join us in providing a warm welcome for our guests and members each Sunday morning.
Care Ministries
Who sits on the pew with you? Who sits behind you? In front of you? If you don’t know, get to know the people who sit around you. Notice when they’re missing and give them a call.
Engage people around you, especially if they are new to you. Being new to a city or community is daunting enough; it’s compounded by moving in the middle of a pandemic. It’s important that we welcome new people the Lord has brought into our midst.
Head to our CARE MINISTRIES page to see how you can connect!