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Seashore District Volunteer Center VIM project -- Completed
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
May 2001 |
New service program 'Primetimers':
Aimed at enriching seniors' lives
In November 1999, the General Board of Global Ministries convened an advisory/design team to consider the scope and character of a new program initiative for older adults, called Primetimers. The program is an educational and service experience for older persons and one that provides opportunities for travel, enrichment, learning, and mission service.
The goals of the program are:
1.) To provide new service and learning experiences for older persons, offering opportunities for intentional education, faith-filled reflection, and cross-cultural appreciation in the context of Christian mission.
2.) To serve the ministries of the UMC and its faith partners, creating informed interpreters of the mission and heritage of the UMC.
3.) To strengthen relationships of the local church with those with whom they are in mission, enabling interaction with grassroots efforts to address the needs of "the latest of these."
A recent survey of older adult Americans by Civic Ventures, a California-based non-profit organization, discovered that older adults are both more active and living longer than ever before. On the other hand, the survey indicated that older adults had a difficult time finding meaningful volunteer opportunities and that they feel that their skills are not valued by organizations.
The initial concept of Primetimers is to marry the best of a Volunteers in Mission (VIM) experience (Christian and service-oriented) with the educational character of the Elderhostel movement (educational and cultural). In the course of the typical VIM experience, teams often work 70 percent of the time and learn, sight see, and rest from their travels the remainder of the time. The VIM sites are chosen because of their potential for providing an interesting learning environment, opportunity for some service work, and an environment that will be adequate for older persons.
Hoosier UM couple are 'Primetimers'
Galen and Wanda Mangus wanted to get involved in some kind of service work. Members of Walkerton UMC in north central Indiana, the couple had been the church's mission coordinators for many years. They found the ideal opportunity to combine their love of learning and a call to service through the General Board of Global Ministries' new pilot program, Primetimers.
Earlier this year they were part of a UM 21-member education and service group, spending a week learning and working in North Carolina. The work consisted of a major clean-up and repair project for the home of a physically handicapped Korean war veteran. In addition to sharing times of worship and reflection, the group spent time with a local naturalist who taught them about the flora and fauna of the Smoky Mountains, as well as history and culture of the Cherokee Indians.
The Mangus' concluded an account of this unique experience by saying, "Working with like-minded 'strangers' was a heart-warming, life-changing experience!"