‘There will never be enough services for seniors’: Church finds vitality among the aged

Cheerful conversations filled the rooms of Zion Reformed United Church of Christ in Hagerstown, Maryland. As did laughter, lots of it, billowing from the sanctuary where a game of ring toss was underway for the young — at heart, that is. Rest assured, the silver-haired participants were not letting arthritic joints nor wheelchairs get in the way of a little friendly competition.

While the holy grail of vitality continues to be the presence of children for many churches, Zion Reformed has found ministry’s fountain of youth among the aging population. It is a demographic that is exploding worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, the number of people 80 and over is expected to triple by 2050. In 2020 alone, those 60 and over outnumbered children 5 and under.

“There will never be enough services for seniors. Every church could offer senior ministries and there would still be a great need for more,” observed Megan Shroyer, a member of Zion Reformed.

One need met for now

In late spring, Zion Reformed took a step to care for the aging in its community, opening its doors to Zion’s Gathering Place, a program for the elderly and their caregivers to experience joy and connection.

Held twice a month on Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the program offers two nutritious meals plus a snack, physical exercise to awaken forgotten muscles, and crafts to aid in cognitive health and motor skills.

More importantly, Zion’s Gathering Place offers companionship, a critical component in warding off depression caused by isolation which can lead to a myriad of physical and mental health issues.

“Many people don’t always associate depression with cognitive decline, but there is a correlation there. It can become real downward spiral. That is why it is so important getting these folks out and interacting with one another,” said Shroyer.

As a trained geriatric physician’s assistant with nursing home experience, Shroyer never imagined that her passion for ensuring one’s golden years never tarnish would find a calling in the church that has nurtured her faith most of her life.

But after a deep dive into what the congregation had to offer its neighbors, Shroyer’s passion was named and claimed.

Where gladness and hunger meet

Frederick Buechner once wrote that the place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.

Zion Reformed began its search for that intersection of gladness and hunger through the Transform Church-Transform Community 2.0, a year-long program funded by a Lilly Endowment grant and offered by United Church of Christ Church Building & Loan Fund (CB&LF).

According to the Rev. Dr. E. Scott Winnette, Zion’s pastor, it was an asset mapping exercise that revealed this new ministry to them.

As the congregation filled papers tacked to walls with the gifts they had as well as their hopes and dreams, ideas and trends — some punctuated with colorful sticky notes — it became clear that ministry to the aging was a need within and beyond Zion’s walls. In Washington County, where Hagerstown sits, about 18% of the population is 65 and over.

“It was a real spirit driven ‘duh’ moment,” said Winnette. “And we already had the person who could steer this ministry. We had Megan.”

Going strong

Now heading into its third month, Zion’s Gathering Place already has an enviable long list of volunteers eager to be part of the ministry. A paid assistant hired from outside the church, Chemere Edmonds, has also joined Shroyer’s team.

The church budget is funding Zion’s Gathering Place, underwriting it for five years to get it launched, said Winnette. The hope, though, is to have it eventually become a standalone non-profit, perhaps even housed in its own building instead of the church.

Shroyer is also seeking certification through the State of Maryland, which would pave the way to grant monies, allowing Zion’s Gathering Place to increase it frequency from twice a month to weekly.  

Currently, Winnette and Shroyer are exploring solutions to a pressing need. That of transportation. With 50% of its participants from outside the church community, thanks to partnerships with local health agencies spreading the word, providing rides has been deemed a valuable service. A service that would ensure more smiles gracing beautifully wrinkled faces like that of Maria.

Why it matters

Maria, who is originally from Romania, has dementia. Her daughter, Marina Fedeles, wasn’t sure that Zion’s Gathering Place would be a good fit.

“I wondered whether she would be able to participate in the activities or feel comfortable in a new environment. Changes can be difficult. I did not know what to expect,” said Fedeles.

When Shroyer heard the concerns, especially noting how the dementia had led Maria back to speaking her native Romanian tongue, she assured Fedeles that her mom would be well taken care of. Before Maria came, Shroyer made sure that signs written in Romanian were hung throughout the rooms used for Zion’s Gathering Place.

“I wanted to ensure that Maria felt welcomed and that she was in an environment where she felt safe. I wanted to include something familiar to her,” said Shroyer.

It was a small act that had a big impact.

“My mom and I were so impressed to see a welcome sign on the door and a blackboard with a greeting written in Romanian. That thoughtful gesture made us feel truly seen, valued, and at home from the very beginning,” said Fedeles.

Now, every time Fedeles brings her mother to Zion’s Gathering Place, she is reminded of the hope exists even amid life’s trials.

“I love seeing her smile, laugh, and enjoy being part of the group. These moments are so precious to me. They remind me that even though dementia has taken away so much, there’s still joy, connection, and purpose to be found,” said Fedeles. “Zion’s Gathering Place has given me more than a place to bring my mom. It has given me encouragement, support, and comfort knowing we are not walking this journey alone.”

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