WS Chronicle

By Judie Holcomb-Pack

A survey of church members in early January was the catalyst for a new group at New Hope United Methodist Church on Shattalon Drive. Martha Isenberg, chair of outreach, said after they looked at the results of the survey and noted that several members mentioned a need for an opportunity for seniors to socialize, the outreach committee got together and “Mind, Body & Spirit” was created. 

The group first met in May and attendance has been steadily increasing. The group meets the second and fourth Mondays at 11 a.m. in the church fellowship hall at 5125 Shattalon Drive. Guests are welcome and although the focus is on older adults, they are open to intergenerational attendance.

The meeting on July 10 opened with prayer and a brief devotion by Pastor Frank Ramos. LouAnn Dennison, choir director, led the group in singing “Blessed Assurance.” A short seated exercise routine was led by Ann Haynes, a member who had worked with the Recreation & Parks Department. 

The main activity for this session was learning to play “tiny bells,” the bells used by the children during Sunday school or vacation Bible school. The bells have different colors and Ms. Dennison walked the group through how the songs would be “rung.” She held up cards with various colors on them and if your bell matched the color, you rang it. There were some stops and starts in the beginning, but when she started to play the accompanying music on CD and flipped up the cards, the participants quickly caught on, followed directions, and enthusiastically cheered their first performance. 

On this particular day, several grandchildren were in attendance and they loved ringing the bells, along with their grandparents. It was an uplifting morning of music and fellowship for all ages.

Ms. Isenbeg said that they plan to alternate the meetings with the first meeting of the month having coffee and cookies and the second including a light lunch. There is no cost to attend and you do not have to be a member of New Hope UMC to come enjoy the fellowship of the group.

Carol Lawson is a church member who has attended all the meetings so far this year. What has brought her back each meeting is “the fellowship! All else is the icing … just getting out and socializing.

“Keep the moving parts moving!” she added with a laugh.

The August meeting dates are Aug. 14 and 28. For more information on “Mind, Body & Spirit,” call the church office at 336-924-2975 or email newhopeumc@windsream.net.