Empty Nesters/Seniors Listening Session Minutes

Strategic Planning Committee

Saint Michael and All Angels

Tuesday, May 24, 2005 ~ 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Transportation

•         Great need for rides to church and other planned events

•         Discussed expansion of the Men’s Group van ministry to other facilities and increased frequency

•         Discussion of whether SMAA is liable when private individuals bring others to SMAA sanctioned/scheduled activities – THIS ONE NEEDS ATTENTION

•         Availability of transportation determines level of participation in events by Seniors/Empty Nesters

Timing of activities

•         No consensus

          •         Sundays are out for some because children/grandchildren are only available on weekends

          •         Nights are out unless transportation is provided

          •         Sunday mornings are good between services

          •         Some thought Sunday after church was a good time

Priests

•         Need more male priests

•         Need older priests

•         Bring back Jim Frensley to teach

•         Chip Edens is marvelous

          •         his experimental class – make permanent

VIPS

•         Maintain bi-weekly meetings

•         Find a way to communicate to parish about availability and activities of VIPS in order to recruit more members

Handicapped Parking

•         New spaces don’t work

          •         too few

          •         too far from building

          •         people park parallel behind and you can’t get out

•         Valet parking a possibility?

•         Shuttle service from Sherry Lane Place covered parking?

•         Covered walkway on north side at Power Room a possibility? Could be used as a drop-off.

Cultural Events

•         Like matinee concerts

•         Evening events - even with buses don’t work - because they don’t want to drive home at night in the dark

•         Events at church are good (choir concerts)

•         Discounted outings/tours with buses are good

•         Exercise classes (tai-chi, for example) would be good on the alternate Thursdays that VIPS don’t meet

•         No interest in games like bingo or bridge

Educational Events

•         Bible study would be welcomed (this is where Father Frensley was mentioned)

•         Classes on aging of interest

•         CPR class welcomed

•         Internet training would be welcomed although resources and equipment were recognized as a problem

•         It was noted that the DCCC offers classes free of charge to those aged 62+

•         Book clubs/book reviews would be welcomed

Volunteer opportunities

•         Well received was the idea of forming a “buddy” system to check in on each other on a regular basis

•         Felt positive about the shawl ministry and working in the library

•         Methodist Hospital/Medical City are in need of visitors for Pastoral Friends/LEM’s?

Services received

•         Very satisfied with level of attention received from priests and staff during and following ill-health episodes