Messiah Village announced today it will adopt a new identity, Messiah Lifeways℠. The 115-year-old organization that serves older adults in Central Pennsylvania developed a new name, logo and brand to illustrate its comprehensive services and programs for those 55 and better.

 While many in Central Pennsylvania associate the name Messiah Village with the continuing care retirement community in Mechanicsburg, the organization offers a much broader scope and reach. 

 “We have developed to the point that we have outgrown our name,” said Emerson L. Lesher, Ph.D., President of Messiah Lifeways. “We are no longer a ‘village’ at one location, but a complete network of services that reaches into the community to serve older adults.”

 In fact, Messiah Lifeways has grown into an organization that extends well beyond the senior living community, which will still be referred to as Messiah Village. Messiah Lifeways also offers:

• Home care, adult day services and rehabilitation open to anyone 55+ in the Harrisburg region
• Enrichment  opportunities, including the Pathways Institute for Lifelong Learning, wellness center memberships, the Mechanicsburg Senior Center and volunteer opportunities for anyone 55+ in the Harrisburg region
• Active adult living at Mount Joy Country Homes, a maintenance-free cottage community in Lancaster County

 The broader Messiah Lifeways identity will also serve as the platform for expansive new programs that will be announced at a February 6 event. These innovative programs will provide new options for the 75,000 older adults living in the corridor from Carlisle to Hershey.

 The Messiah Lifeways identity was developed after considerable research and planning. “Lifeways” reflects the many choices the organization offers and an important truth for older adults:  there are many ways to experience life. The unique name also seeks to change the conversation about growing older and to inspire people to face the future with a new outlook.

 The new logo design features a reflected Messiah “M” that creates a star – a symbol that represents light, energy and direction — both for the organization and the older adults it serves.  Messiah Lifeways will also adopt a new tagline — “Life. Embraced.™” — that expresses its goal of inspiring older adults to lead bold, purposeful lives.  

 While the new identity reflects the organization’s evolution, Messiah Lifeways will remain a non-profit sponsored by the Brethren in Christ Church and will continue to be governed by the same board of directors and executive team.

The new name also maintains an emphasis on “Messiah” — an affirmation of Messiah Lifeways’ commitment to its core mission as a ministry that responsibly enhances the lives of older adults with Christ-like love.

 Messiah Lifeways’ online resource, www.messiahvillage.org/messiahlifeways, provides details on the development of the organization and the brand. In the coming weeks, Messiah Lifeways will launch a new website, MessiahLifeways.org,  and Facebook and Twitter pages, expand its Messiah Lifeways YouTube channel, and begin the transition to the new name and logo.Messiah Lifeways represents the most recent identity for a forward-thinking organization that has continued to build during its entire 115-year history. Founded in 1896 as the Messiah Rescue and Benevolent Home in Harrisburg, the organization has operated from several locations and undergone four name changes as it has expanded its scope.

ROSES ARE
RED,

VIOLETS ARE
BLUE

I’LL WRITE A
POEM

THINKING OF
YOU

Here at Messiah Village we have a Poetry Society where most of the members write a poem at
least once a month. At the evening
meeting the third Tuesday of each month they all share a poem or sometimes two.
And then poems are sent to 50 Plus Senior News and a poem is selected for
publication each month. This year in November five poems related to Veterans
Day were published. In addition to that
honor the Poetry Society received an honor
plaque at the annual 50 Plus Expo in
Carlisle. WOW!

At the society meeting in November some of the poems read
were “The Year of 2012”, “Christmas of 1929”, “Thanksgiving”, “Cold Days are
Winter Fun”, “Church Steeple”, and “A
Time to Cheer“. One of these poems will
be selected for publication by Megan Joyce. editor of 50 Plus

Leigh Hoffman helped organize the Poetry Society in April, 2007, after he became a resident at Messiah
Village. Ten to twelve residents meet with the society each month in the
Fountain Room at the Village Center.

Most have written a poem but some enjoy coming
just to hear poetry read. Perhaps you would like to visit the third Tuesday of
a coming month to hear poetry read or to read a poem of your own. You are welcome to join them.

1. Turkey Day NFL Football – There are actual reasons to watch the Detroit Lions today.

They could possibly make the playoffs. It has been quite some time since you could say that. They will most likely lose to the Packers of Green Bay, but it should prove to be an entertaining game.

2. Expandable Pants – I’ve been on a weight-loss journey this year. I went to my first Weight Watchers meeting at the end of January. So far I have lost over 40 lbs. I am proud of myself for this. I have not felt this good in awhile.  I actually went hiking in the Smoky Mountains this summer. And I enjoyed it. I have been on hiatus from meetings for about a month and a half, and need to get back to tracking my food.

Today, will not be that day. One day of too much Turkey, stuffing, and pie, does not undo nearly a year’s worth of work. So I’ll put on my roomier jeans today. Eat up. And go for a good walk later.

3. My Son – Absolutely the best thing that has happened to me this year is the birth of my son, Anderson Bert Shields. If you read my previous blog about Circle of Influence, you would note some doubts I was having about being a dad. I still have some doubts about how I’ll be as a father.

Anderson & Daddy

But what I know with certainty, is that I’ll never stop loving my son. I never quite understood the connection that parents have to their kids, I get that now. He is still so small and vulnerable. When I hold him… it’s overwhelming.

Anderson's 1st Snow

Welcome to the world, Anderson. I hope I do ok as your dad. I love you!

Traditionally, people greet one another by asking, “How are you?”, or perhaps “How’re ya doin”? Although they probably don’t really want to know about everything that’s bothering you, those questions seem mostly aimed at our health or welfare.

Instead of reciting a list of my current aches and pains or complaining about the bills that keep arriving in our mailbox, I’ve made it a practice to respond to those polite but generic greetings by saying, “Oh, I’m grateful”. …which I always am. Some folks act surprised by my off-beat answer to their friendly question, but few ever ask WHY I’m grateful.

So let me explain…. The reason is that regardless of my superficial circumstances at any particular moment, I’m always thankful for God’s grace and blessings in my life. Therefore when I say, “I’m grateful”…it’s the most honest and heartfelt answer I can muster up !
If someone DOES choose to explore the matter further—–which I highly doubt—-I’ll tell them that my gratitude results from God’s gift of eternal life in Christ. a wonderful wife and family and the joy of living at Messiah Village where our future is secure and enjoyable every day.

Now—–next time we meet, don’t be surprised if I tell you that “I’m grateful” when you ask, “How are you?”  (And I hope that you are grateful too.)

On my way home from errands that morning, I realized that the Harrisburg Marathon was in the neighborhood, and decided to watch the action from the corner. There was another women there, armed with a cowbell. By the time we saw the runners, walkers and juggler, the competitors had been at it for up to 7 hours. The winners of the Marathon had been determined hours ago, and I bet til some of these folks finished, the bottles of water would be gone, and much of the race festivities would already be packed away for next year.

Male competitors in Harrisburg Marathon

And still, they came. When they past us, they still had about 4 miles to go, down Riverfront Park and onto City Island. It’s a beautiful neighborhood, but not a glamorous stretch of race. There are lots of four-way stops so the runners were constantly eyeballing traffic to make sure it was safe to proceed. We saw several people pushing strollers with children, and we cheered extra loud for them. One silver-haired woman trotted by and as we yelled, she shook her head and mumbled, “I always tell people to do this when they’re YOUNG,” but she kept going.
One white-haired gentleman came by, and I’m no expert on age, but he looked closer to 80 than 60. He was walking, so I went up and gave him a high five, and he said “I’m the Abominable Snowman”, which is exactly what the writing on his shirt said. But it was the back of his shirt that caught my eye: “Since 1982. Every mile a victory.”

Female Competitors in the Harrisburg Marathon

Then a car pulled up to us. A woman stuck her head out and pointed to the runners coming up the road. “That’s my daughter, Kim. Cheer for her”. So we did. “Go, Kim, you mom asked us to cheer for you. She loves you. Go Kim’s friend, too!”
At about 1:45, a parade of paramedics drove past us, heading toward the city, and when we couldn’t see any more athletes’ heads pop over the hill, we called it a day. I decided to walk up the race path toward my house, just in case. And sure enough, there was one final man, running slowly, beaming. I crossed the street and turned on my cheering and clapping, sorry I didn’t have my cowbelled friend with me. “Who-hoo! Way to finish!” He gave me thumbs up and said, “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?’

Yes, it was. Life. Embraced.

Chris Wnuk
Author, Contents May Have Shifted During Life:
Unpacking the Stories of a Daughter, Wife and Technology Goddess
www.christinewnuk.com
Now, on Kindle!

photo credits: from www.harrisburgmarathon.com

Or you can stroll two wooden board walks. There are always birds, squirrels, rabbits and pretty scenery along the board walks.  There are about 150 bird species, many of whom are tourists who arrive at various seasons. You can stroll the Delta Boardwalk and end near the Nature Center. Inside the Nature Center there are exhibits and children’s entertainment. From the high view window you can watch birds and squirrels at the bird feeders and there are books and computer displays so you can identify birds that you see. It is very interesting at all times of the year. The North Boardwalk takes you out to the pond where there are ducks, geese and other water fowl. Spring is a good time to walk there because before the grass and leaves fill in around the pond you can view some water birds nesting or swimming with their babies. There are two Blind Bird shelters for viewing water fowl.

Nancy Herron is an outstanding artist with experience teaching art in Fresno City Schools, and to home schoolers K-12.  She loves teaching art to children and this course was her first time teaching older adults.  Nancy believes it is important for older adults to continue learning, growing and expanding regardless of age, which they certainly did during this course!

All participants completed the course with outstanding artwork!  For many, it was their first time using watercolors.  Helen Atwood says she enjoyed having room to spread out her materials and look at her painting from a distance.  Furthermore, class members enjoyed learning new techniques from Nancy, such as how to paint ocean waves.  

Whether someone has a great deal of artistic talent or if  this is their first time picking up a pencil or brush, they are most welcome to join Nancy for her sketching course which will be offered in the spring  2012 term through the Pathways Institute.

 The Alzheimer’s Association notified all of the trained staff about an upcoming contest giving Adult Day clients the opportunity to submit their artwork to be featured in note cards and calendars created by the Alzheimer’s Association.  The Carlisle Adult Day Center entered about 10 pictures created by several of their clients and waited excitedly in anticipation to see  who would be selected.

The phone call came, and 2 client’s photos were selected. Dorothy Mellott’s picture was selected for the calendar and one of Andre’ DeGlas ’s pictures was selected for the note cards. There is an art show of the selected pieces in the Capitol Rotunda on November 14.

Andre happily shares the painting that was chosen for the Memories in the Making contest.

Dorothy pictured in blue practices her watercolor painting skills.

   More info about this program can be found at thememoriesinthemaking.com.

Upper Allen Township fire department members enjoyed dinner and discussion at Messiah Village

On October 18, 2011 Messiah Village honored the volunteers of the Upper Allen Fire Department for their service to the community and specifically to the residents of Messiah Village. At a dinner catered by Messiah Village’s chefs and staff, over 20 fire department members received the accolades that too often are not expressed to these neighbors of ours who train constantly and respond at a moment’s notice to protect lives and property in this area.  Words of gratitude were conveyed to the firefighters by Carl Ginder, VP, on behalf of the residents and administration of Messiah Village.  After a tour of the soon-to-be-opened new addition fire personnel had valuable suggestions for ensuring that they would be able to efficiently handle an emergency in that area.  They suggested coming back on their regular training night to make sure that proper interconnections are in place.  They also requested electronic files so that they can see floor plans on the computers they carry in the fire apparatus.

Ginder acknowledged the personal commitment of the volunteers who put themselves in harm’s way when necessary to save someone else from danger.  It doesn’t matter if they have just sat down for a meal, settled down to sleep or were planning to watch the big game.  If the beeper goes off they go on.  Nationwide 100 firefighters die in the line of duty each year.  Acts of heroism like the firefighter who recently caught a child dropped from the third floor window of a burning building in Boston abound in the news.

In one sense these individuals are average, ordinary citizens.  They are our next door neighbors.  In another sense there is nothing average or ordinary about them since there are so few of them and the volunteer ranks have grown smaller over the years.  Volunteer fire departments in many areas are hurting for personnel.  What was expressed many years ago is still too true:

When fire is cried and danger is nigh,
“God and the firemen” is the people’s cry;
But when ’tis out and all things righted,
God is forgotten and the firemen slighted.
~Author unknown, from The Fireman’s Journal, 18 Oct 1879

We need to make sure that we acknowledge the noble and vital function of our volunteer firefighters.

Messiah Village residents and staff also train and conduct drills so that they can be prepared for an emergency.  Upwards of 30 drills are conducted each year in the various residential and care areas of Messiah Village.  That training paid off early in June when a tornado warning was issued by the National Weather Service and a tornado was sighted nearby.  Upon being notified to seek shelter in their homes, residents knew where to go to be safe until the storm passed by.  They were grateful for the training they had received in a previous drill.  Planning ahead can save lives and provides peace of mind.