SPIRITUAL VITALITY AFTER 70 November 19, 2011 Virginia
Theological Seminary
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II Corinthians 4: 7-9, 16-17 But we have this treasure in clay
jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power
belongs to God and does not come from us.
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We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but
not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down,
but not destroyed...
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So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting
away, our inner nature is being renewed every day. For this slight
momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal wealth of glory
beyond all comparison.
There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and
statistics
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The Elderly Sub-Populations
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Pew Research Center November 7, 2011
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Margaret Cruikshank Aging in contemporary America is so complex
and multidimensional that studying it is worthwhile, even
necessary, for those who wish to do it consciously and without
fear. Source Margaret Cruikshank, Learning to Be Old: Gender,
Culture, and Aging (2003), ix
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Simone de Beauvoir There is one form of experience that belongs
only to those who are old that of old age itself. The young have
only vague and erroneous notions of it. Source Simone de Beauvoir,
The Coming of Age, trans by Patrick O'Brian (1996), 381.
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Aging as a Spiritual Practice
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ORvUZou0Ak by Lewis Richmond
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Spiritual Well-Being Affirmation of life; the ability to say
yes to life in spite of negative circumstances. By being a part of
a community of faith, people grow to accept the past, live into the
present and seek the hope of fulfillment in the future. Source
Thorson, J. A., ed. Perspectives on Spiritual Well-Being and Aging.
Charles C. Thomas Publishers LTD, 2000, xiii.
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Theorists Who Shaped Erikson Erik Erikson Charles Darwin
Sigmund Freud Anna Freud Heinz Hartmann Maria Montessori Margare t
Mead
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Eriksons Stages of Psychosocial Development
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Gerotranscendence Increased feeling of affinity with past
generations, & decreased interest in superfluous social
interaction Feeling of cosmic awareness, & redefinition of
time, space, life and death. Individual becomes less self-occupied
& more selective in choice of social and other activities.
Individual might experience decrease in interest in material
things. Solitude becomes more attractive Source: In Thomas, Bill.
Post on Changing Aging Blogstream, Feb. 3, 2011.
http://changingaging.org/blog/2011/02/03/gerotranscendence/
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Deepening Spirituality All Ages 1. Finding worth in ones being,
not through having or doing 2. Accepting ones life journey and
faith story 3. Confronting losses and accepting gains 4.
Experiencing a new (or renewed) relationship with God 5. Serving
the needs of others Source: Gentzler, R. H. and Clingan, D. F. Gods
Challenge to the Church and Synagogue. Discipleship Resources,
2003.
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COME BACK AT 1pm!
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Zones of Emotion Vedantam, S. Older Americans May be Happier
than Younger Ones. In The Washington Post, July 14, 2008, p.
A04.
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Principles of Parish Ministry for Maturing Adults Part of
parish plan Pay attention to three dimensions of growth: spiritual,
physical, & psychological Employ styles of teaching unique to
people being served
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Principles for Parish Ministry Assume God is calling each
person to a profound personal vocation Shift focus of ministry to
shared activities & shared growth in faith and life Welcome
elders into mainstream
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Principles for Parish Ministry Embrace a goal of spiritual
transformation Offer programming that rises out of the real
situation in which elders live Focus on both interior and exterior
growth Be Christ-centered Think: Developmental, ongoing, &
lifelong Honor diversity of age, stage, personality, ethnicity,
& spirituality Source: Johnson, R. P. Parish Ministry for
Maturing Adults: Principles, Plans and Bold Proposals. Twenty-Third
Publications, 2007, 15-16.
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Essential Programming Components Responsibility toward
community, family, and church Thorough contemplation of death and
eternity unless we can come to terms with our ultimate destination,
we really wont have the wisdom to make those right decisions about
the journey here
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Essential Components Provide time for solitude & meditation
Recognize being alone being lonely Feel loss deeply Recognize
movement toward giftedness in maturity Making and keeping friends
Source: Davis, C. B. Spirituality and Aging, in Perspectives on
Spiritual Well-Being and Aging, J.A. Thorson, ed. Springfield:
Charles C. Thomas Publisher, 2000, p. 45-53.