Winter symbolizes where older adults are in the lives, says retired Bishop Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New York, and Washington.
Winter is filled with opportunity for growth and discovery, of challenge and fulfillment.
He said winter symbolizes the spiritual and physical place older adults are in their lives. The conference, sponsored by the United Methodist 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. Gentzler was leader of a workshop that explored myths and spiritual needs of older adults. In 1990, he said, 12.5 percent of the population was aged 65 or older and 24 percent was youth and children.