“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:24-25
Many of the adult seniors at Discover Church have taken this scripture verse to heart, and thus, a new fellowship group was established that began in April. Meeting on the third Friday of each month at Discover Church, the senior adult ministry consists of mainly individuals 55 years and older – even though no IDs are checked at the door. The purpose of starting this ministry for the community is to have a gathering place and regular time for meeting, talking, laughing, sharing, fellowshipping, eating finger foods together, playing games, and more.
For those who have grown up in the Franklin area, they may already have a steady base of friends and support here; but, for those who have moved to the region in recent years, it is often difficult to meet new people – especially for individuals who are no longer in the workforce or who do not have young children. However, even if someone is from Franklin, they may experience changes in their lives and lifestyle in terms of friends and family changes and losses. Often, the result is that socialization experiences diminish.
It was after having many casual conversations with seniors over a period of several months that led me and others to realize that the 55-and-over demographic group needed a senior adult ministry.
Following discussions with Sam Vargas, a pastor at Discover Church, it was determined that the group could meet at Discover and be open to the public. We decided to name the ministry Sassy Ole Seniors, but recently changed that name to simply Boomers to reflect the general baby boomer demographic age range of the group – born from 1946 to 1964.
Since our first meeting in April, we have met monthly, sometimes enjoying guest performances by a musician, sometimes playing games, sometimes enjoying trivia, and so much more. We want to be an uplifting experience for anyone who attends. The goal is to share expertise and learn needs and interests. The Boomers want to help where we can and we want to grow and learn so we can continue to be an active and vital part of not only the church but our community as well. Getting to know fellow “boomers” and sharing with one another is just one step in assisting residents and visitors of Macon County, while at the same time glorifying God in the process.
We might be an older generation, but we still have life, experiences, and fun left in us. Anyone can join us the Boomer gatherings at Discover Church on the third Friday of every month from 6-7:30 p.m. Bring a finger food to share, if you can.