Adult Ministries Article - A Litany for Aging Winter Symbolizes Older Adult Life, Says United Methodist Bishop by Linda Green Out of the four seasons of the year, a retired United Methodist bishop says that winter best symbolizes where older adults are in their lives.
Winter is filled with opportunity for growth and discovery, with challenge and fulfillment.
The conference, sponsored by the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship and the Scarritt-Bennett Center focused on helping older adults find ways to cope with changes in their lives. Discussions revolved around helping older adults find supportive ways to redefine their goals and face issues about faith, health, death, community involvement, and retirement. As Job used the winter season to explore the mystery of life, he used the images of a desert, a mountain, and a home to illustrate the spirituality of aging. The desert comes in many forms, but every form provides a place for taking off the unnecessary attachments of life, he said. In society, Job said, the emphasis is placed on youth, activity, productivity, and power.