By Bonnie Polak, VP of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

I have heard it said many times that this community would not be what is, if it weren’t for the kindness of others. We are surrounded by reminders of the “Good Samaritans” who have ensured that this community and its mission have thrived for over 65 years. We could not do what we are called to do without these good Samaritans. We all know the story of the Samaritan who came to the aid of a fellow traveler, someone truly in need. Currently there are residents living in our Health Center who have outlived their financial resources, through no fault of their own. They are reliant on support from the Good Samaritan Fund, formerly the Supplemental Aid Fund. The fund was recently renamed to fi t the donors of this very special cause.

Each year we ask our community and generous supporters to give to this Fund. Over the past few years this Fund has become one of the most urgent and critical areas of need for the people living at Trinity Woods.

This Fund helps Trinity Woods residents when they need it most. If you feel led to help a fellow neighbor through the Good Samaritan Fund, please use the remittance envelope provided to make a donation. All donations are 100% tax deductible. You can even make a gift as an honorarium or memorial in the name of a friend who is living or no longer with us.

This year, with a gift of $300 you will receive a commemorative “brick” that will be engraved in your honor and placed in front of the Community Life Center. Our goal is to raise $150,000 for the Good Samaritan Fund. I hope you will partner with us to support this very important cause.

To support this very special mission please visit: https://bit.ly/TrinityWoodsGiving

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.” James 2: 8-9 NIV

The Apostle James provides his own version of loving thy neighbor, but first he emphasizes and clearly makes the distinction of class division. The book of James chapter 2 highlights for us the behaviors and parameters of who we deem as acceptable and who we consider as neighbors based upon worldly things: power and social status. I believe even today this is where we too struggle with loving our neighbors as God loves us. It is so easy for us to love those who look as we do, dress as we do and move in the same social circles as we do. But what becomes problematic is when we are asked to treat all those we encounter with love, respect, justice, and mercy.

It is easy to love those we self-define as worthy, but it is harder to love those who may be different than we are or those we prejudge and label. It is often difficult to widen the circle of life to include those we discriminate against, those whom we would rather not break bread with, those whom God has called us to include as sisters and brothers. James has much to contribute to our thinking about separatism and inclusion. He reminds and cautions us in chapter 2 verse 9 that in showing favoritism or disregard for the “other,” – we sin. What a sobering thought!

Who then is our neighbor? Our neighbor is anyone in our proximity with whom we can share God’s love. We love people by genuinely seeking what is best for them. Loving others does not mean agreeing with everything they say or do, nor does it mean acting in ways that always gain their approval. We love our neighbors when we have compassion for them and help meet their needs as we are able.

As we serve in the spirit of Christ, remember to always “love your neighbor as yourself.”

By Jennifer Rawlings, Your Wellness Celebrating Guru

As we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Crestwood and the Spann Wellness Center, I can’t help but reflect on the evolution of wellness at Trinity Woods.

As ingrained as Wellness is into our culture now, it’s hard to imagine a time when there wasn’t a Spann Wellness Center or even a Wellness platform. Believe it or not, there was a time when the fitness center consisted of a treadmill and an exercise bike in the basement of the Felt House. Fitness classes were held in the Fleming Center. Charter Club members (Crestwood waiting list) participated in fitness classes held in the Marketing office which was a lakeside home, and each area of the continuum operated as
an individual area, planning their own activities and programs.

The opening of the Spann Wellness Center allowed us to truly bring everyone on campus together and to offer much more. It has expanded our recreational programs like ping pong and pickleball, our functional fitness programs like boxing and line dancing, and our self-directed programs like indoor walking and weight training. The Spann Wellness Center allows both residents and employees to be physically fit as well as have social connection. There is not a day that the Spann coffee bar area isn’t hopping with residents gathering before and after class to enjoy each other’s company.

Through the last 10 years wellness has become the lifestyle for people choosing to move to Trinity Woods. We encourage everyone to take advantage of all the wellness opportunities that are offered. The Seven Dimensions of Wellness are not just a saying for us; it is part of our core culture and beliefs. Through physical, social, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, vocational, and environmental wellness, we have added value and purpose to so many individuals.

I could give you so many examples of community members who moved here simply because of our wellness model and culture. I love it when residents share their personal stories and photos that were all made possible by engaging in our wellness programs.

As I look forward to the next 10 years our goal is that everyone at Trinity Woods will be involved and engaged in wellness programs and that wellness will continue to evolve with new and current residents’ needs and interests. I am excited to see where the next decade takes us.

Trinity Woods was named to the TulsaPeople A-List awards for 2022. Our thanks to you for your vote. Bigger thanks to the residents and Trinity Woods team for creating the kind of community that wins
awards. It’s your caring and compassion for your fellow neighbor that makes this a truly amazing place. Way to go Trinity Woods!

Look for the June issue of TulsaPeople to see a complete version of all the winners!