Our parents hoped for “three score and ten…”
We have extra decades.
What does God have in mind
for our BONUS years?
The Psalmist asked God to:
“…teach us to number our days, that we may acquire a wise heart.”
Harvesting a Lifetime embodies a fresh vision for the last decades:
- It helps grow wise hearts by gathering, refining and celebrating
the “fruit” of our years. - It’s the spiritual agenda of our last decades.
- Mere time may qualify us as Senior Citizens…but
- Harvesting is required to become an Elder.
Harvesting includes:
Telling Your Story
Story Telling is the traditional task of
“Wisdom Keepers:…Elders.
What Do You Do For A Loving?
How is the world helped because you “do justice and love mercy” (Micah 6:8)
Planning for a Good Ending
Four out of five say they want to die at home, but only one will.
Elders confront their Endings with more than Pearly Gate stories.
Life Repair
Have you put “Humpty Dumpty” back up on his wall?
There is a way….
Elders are meant to mend life by being competent Forgivers.
What’s Worth Passing On?
Will your grandchildren know what life has taught you?
Harvesting helps us discover our wisdom and leads to more.
Touching the Timeless
A Soul-agenda yields calm and peace
in our last years, as we learn to
“Walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8)
If …
Laughter feeds your soul,
Justice, or its lack, calls to you,
You value Conversation and new friends,
You are hungry for Wisdom and
You are willing to Share your own…
Most Especially, if you’re wondering
“WHAT IS OLD AGE FOR”
Join with others to Harvest the Fruit of your years at Hillcrest.
Three Swallows Foundation Grant
On June 21, 2013, Hillcrest announced a grant from Three Swallows Foundation in support of the harvesting-a-lifetime ministry of Rev. Dr. Ray Welles.
Rather than greet the last decades of life with apology and “pearly-gate” humor, the program encourages elders to tell their stories, come to terms with the wonder of time, embrace their mortality, discover and celebrate their wisdom. Utilizing music, video, and movie clips,”Sage-ing Sessions” draw on the wisdom of several spiritual traditions as “Harvesting a Lifetime” sessions seek to make ageing the occasion of celebration rather than regret.
The Harvesting-A-Lifetime Ministries programs are among the unique ministries of Hillcrest Congregational Church, a progressive church in the tradition of the United Church of Christ. Like all of Hillcrest’s programs, the Harvesting-A-Lifetime Ministries programs are available to the general public.