August 2021 Chaplain's Update

The Lectio Divina Reflection group continues to meet on Monday afternoons, but has changed its meeting time to 1 :30pm in the Gamble Room. The Women's Prayer Group continues to meet at 11 :30am on Mondays out at the large gazebo by the front main entrance to MVGH. (If the temperature seems too high for the gazebo, we will move to an indoor location. But, we do consider the gazebo our home. We will leave a note on the table if we move.) Attendance is completely flexible to both these groups so people may come and go as they feel called.

The "Partners in Time" group had its first meeting in July and will have its second meeting on Wednesday, August 4th at 10:30am in the Gamble Room. We are still planning to meet once a month at this time, but are open to increasing the number of meetings per month if the group desires that. Once again, regular attendance is certainly not required. I know that life can be full of surprises. Come as you desire. If you would like handouts, but cannot attend, please connect with me and I will get them to you via email or your mailbox.

The new addition in activity is a response to another request from residents. A "Grief Support" group is being formed. At the moment, it looks like we will meet once a month. But, if there is a need felt by the group, we can increase the number of meetings we hold per month. Like "Partners in Time" it will be a one hour meeting with the ability to extend time as needed. It will probably be held in the Gamble Room on a Wednesday morning. (I have received feedback that Tuesdays and Thursdays are difficult days to plan meetings because those days are already full of activity.) Please feel free to give me feedback on meeting suggestions. If we begin meeting in August, we will get that information out in the "Minders."

I have had a wonderful time getting to know the new residents who arrived during the Pandemic. I have a few more introductions to occur yet. Everyone has become so busy, now that we are out and about, that it is hard to get hold of people. But I am really excited about the new residents I have met with so far. Monte Vista Grove Homes is blessed to have them reside here. I am delighted to renew old friendships with friends I made before the pandemic.

I am glad that we have continued to be able to meet in person over the last couple of months. I pray that this will continue. I notice such an increase in positive spirit due to being able to be in community again. And it has been such a pleasure to work with the new members of the Chaplaincy Committee and to meet and thank the former members of the Chaplaincy Committee. We thank them for their dedication and for the many gifts they have so generously shared with MVGH.

In Christ's service,

Diane M. Frasher, Chaplain