By Alison McMillian, Wellness Manager

As we enter the final quarter of 2024, sometimes we are feeling the need for a refresh, rejuvenation, or a renewal. After all, September is a time of transition from Summer to Fall, and it also kicks off Healthy Aging Month.

Healthy Aging Month, recognized officially by the Senate in 2021, sprouted from the Healthy Aging Organization’s National Healthy Aging Campaign started in 1992 by the President of Healthy Aging.
This campaign is intended to focus on positive aspects of growing older to draw attention to healthy active lifestyles at any age. It also has been helping to chip away myths of aging.

According to a Harris Poll of over 900 adults over the age of 50, there has been a dramatic shift in the way that aging is defined and perceived, with almost 80% of those adults reporting being more active and almost 60% of them reporting being more open minded and curious about aging. The poll reports more modern older adults feeling happier, freer, and less anxiety ridden than before.

As they say at the Healthy Aging Organization, it’s never too late to take charge of your wellness! So take time this month to prioritize your wellness and refresh yourself going into Fall. Here’s some tips
from the Healthy Aging Organization to get you started:

Move more, sit less! It’s recommended to get about 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week. That’s only 20 minutes a day!

Watch your salt intake and eat more fiber. Adding fiber into the diet will help maintain good digestive health. Things like whole grains, broccoli, legumes, nuts, and more.

Be proactive with your social life. Set up lunch dates, outings, or meet-ups with new and old friends to combat loneliness.

Plan for your Next. Take up a new hobby, plan travels, forge new goals to accomplish.

Trinity Woods is celebrating Healthy Aging Month with Active Aging Week at the end of the month. Be on the lookout for fun activities, challenges, tips and tricks, and more from the Wellness Team.

By Garrett Lee, Trinity Woods CEO

I am pleased to welcome Emilie Creswell to Trinity Woods as the new Vice President of Health Services. I have had the pleasure of knowing Emilie for several years and have been impacted by her passion for serving older adults, their families as well as the employees who care for them. Emilie comes to Trinity Woods with a wealth of experience in aging services. She has been a licensed long-term care Administrator for over 26 years!

“I am excited to develop meaningful relationships with and serve alongside the remarkable team at Trinity Woods as we continuously improve both personalized quality of care and the employee experience,” said Emilie.

Emilie is a highly knowledgeable senior living professional. Her balance of operational insight and relational style is a perfect fit for advancing and sustaining our health services.

When asked about what she wants people to know about her first and foremost, Emilie says “I am honored and blessed to be a part of an organization whose mission is to serve others in the spirit of Christ. I believe the secret to a meaningful and fulfilled life is simple: love God and love people.”

Emilie began her new role at Trinity Woods on August 28th. She is looking forward to getting to know the residents and their families and the Trinity Woods team. She will office in the health services administration hallway just across from the Therapy gym. Please stop by and introduce yourself in the coming days and weeks.

Thank you all for your prayerful involvement as we searched this summer for the new VP of Health Services. The future continues to be bright for Trinity Woods!

By Bonnie Polak, VP of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

This month, I took time to sit down with someone who needs no introduction to most people in the Trinity
Woods community – Philelle McBrayer. Philelle holds the honor and distinction of being the person who has lived here the longest – 29 years! In fact, the home she currently resides in is the place she has lived in the longest throughout her life.

Philelle’s ties to Trinity Woods, and Oklahoma Methodist Manor, are strong. Her parents built a villa on Sandusky back in 1979 that is still in use. She remembers them moving in on her birthday.

When asked about all the changes since then she will tell you, that the feeling of community has never changed. “The people are great and it is has been a wonderful place to live then and now.”

She remembers every time there has been a new building project on campus wondering how it would change things, and appreciating how it has always added something that was needed and important, making things better.

This year Philelle will turn 99 and she credits her long life to being blessed with good health. She has helped that along by being active – she walks and exercises, she still teaches piano, and is active in campus programs, as well as in her church community.

Looking back at her 29 years in the community, Philelle mentions her love of playing the piano with her most beloved friend Ann Dorff. Most people probably don’t know that this community is what brought this dynamic piano duo together. They have played over 25 programs together throughout the years.

Perhaps my favorite part about my time with Philelle was her words of wisdom…“Be active and accumulate friends.” And to that I say, well done, Philelle!

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and
you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28–30 MSG

Do you feel as though you are trapped on a never-ending treadmill based on your own efforts to try to earn God’s forgiveness, approval and acceptance? If you are trying to earn your own forgiveness and thinking that God is constantly mad at you, I am here to tell you that is not the heart of God.

When Jesus spoke of “the unforced rhythms of grace,” He means that there is an ease and enjoyment when you walk in His grace. This contrasts with the struggle and strain found in self-effort. There is rest when you know there is nothing you can do to earn His forgiveness. It is freely given. Receive His forgiveness and stop punishing yourself, because your sins have already been punished on the body of another—His name is Jesus. No wonder the Gospel is called the Good News.

When you understand God’s grace and forgiveness, you will understand the difference between religious obligation and relationship. Under the old covenant of the law, right-living is done out of religious obligation. Under the new covenant of grace, everything we do today is birthed out of an inward
motivation that flows directly from a love relationship with Jesus.

God is not a legalist. He doesn’t want you to read His Word just because He said so, as a religious obligation. He wants you to experience His love and spend time in His Word because you want to enjoy His sweet presence. The reality is, when you don’t read the Bible, you should not feel guilty; you should feel hungry.

Jesus invites you to walk, work and watch in rhythmic timing as He does, and experience “the unforced rhythms of grace.” Keep company and in sync with Him and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly!

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

The Christian year includes two central cycles focused on major events in the life of Christ: the Christmas cycle (Advent-Christmas-Epiphany) and the Easter cycle (Lent-Easter-Pentecost).

Each of these seasons begins with a time of preparation and anticipation followed by a time of celebration. A season designated as “Ordinary Time” follows each cycle. The word “ordinary” here does not mean “routine” or “not special.” Instead, it refers to the “ordinal numbers” (first, second, third,
etc.) used to name and count the Sundays (such as the third Sunday after Epiphany).

The first period of Ordinary Time, the Season after Epiphany, begins on Epiphany Day and ends on the day before Ash Wednesday (the beginning of Lent). The central theme of this season is the calling of disciples and the early ministry of Jesus.

The second period of Ordinary Time, the Season after Pentecost, follows the Easter cycle. It begins the day after Pentecost and continues to Advent. The purpose of this season is to support new disciples and the whole congregation in living out the gifts and callings discerned during the Easter Season and commissioned on the Day of Pentecost.

Every year, Christians experience the contrast between the central seasons of Christmas and Easter, where we see God in the events around the coming of Christ, and the in-between times, where we see, speak about and join God’s ongoing work in the world.

It is our human tendency to get excited about Christmas and Easter and for our attention and enthusiasm to wane in between. Yet, we should not confuse “ordinary” with “commonplace.” One writer, Bo McAllister tells us that “Ordinary Time is extraordinary because it reminds us that God is with us even in the day-to-day ordinariness of our lives. God wants to be in our everyday lives, even the parts we view as ordinary and mundane.”

We thus experience two regular cycles of preparation, celebration and action in ministry each year, with the Ordinary Times as the primary periods of action. Ordinary Times should be a call to action during the in-between times. We are in an “Ordinary Times” season. What actions will you take to advance the Kingdom of God? Let us enjoy the relaxed nature of summer but let us do so in a way that also celebrates the sacredness of “Ordinary Time

By Bonnie Polak, VP of Philanthropy and Community Engagement

Trinity Woods is pleased to announce that we have started the process of gating the community. Over the past several months, informational meetings were held for residents to learn more about securing the campus by adding a gated entry system.

Gated communities are increasingly popular among seniors seeking a secure, serene, and sociable living environment. Some of the key features and benefits of a gated entry:

Enhanced Security and Privacy: By limiting access to residents and approved guests only, the gated entry system will significantly reduce the risk of unauthorized individuals entering our neighborhood.

Controlled Access: Residents will have the convenience of accessing the neighborhood seamlessly through the gated entry system, while guests will require approval from residents to enter.

Community Cohesion: The implementation of a gated entry system encourages a greater sense of community by fostering a shared commitment to safety and security among residents.

“This is a great opportunity for our community,” said Garrett Lee, Trinity Woods CEO. “I am even more excited to announce that this project has been fully funded with donations and pledges. It speaks volumes that we have such support for this project and how it will add to the community.”

We thank the people who supported this effort with their prayers and contributions. The project is already under way, and we expect to break ground in the coming months. The estimated completion date of the project is the end of the year, weather permitting.

It’s a difficult conversation to have. While no one knows when that time will be, as we grow older, the question comes with more urgency. Making your wishes known is crucial for several reasons, as it helps ensure that your preferences and values are respected, particularly in situations where you might not be
able to communicate them yourself. Here are some key points highlighting the importance of this practice:

1. Personal Autonomy: Clearly articulating your wishes helps maintain your autonomy by ensuring your decisions are honored.

2. Peace of Mind: Knowing that your desires will be respected can provide significant peace of mind. This applies to both you and your loved ones.

3. Avoiding Conflicts: When your wishes are explicitly known, it reduces the potential for conflicts among family members and friends.

4. Legal Considerations: Specifying your wishes in legally binding documents like living wills, advance directives, or powers of attorney ensures that your instructions are followed in accordance with the law.

5. End-of-Life Decisions: Making your end-of-life preferences known is particularly important to ensure that your dignity is maintained, and your end-of-life care aligns with your values.

6. Financial Management: By making your financial wishes known, you can ensure that your assets are managed and distributed according to your desires.

7. Organ Donation and Funeral Preferences: Indicating your preferences for organ donation and funeral arrangements can relieve your family of making difficult decisions during a time of grief and ensure your wishes are honored.

8. Communicating Values and Legacy: Beyond practical considerations, making your wishes known allows you to communicate your values, beliefs, and legacy. This can provide guidance and inspiration to your loved ones and ensure your personal and family values are upheld.

By Wellness Manager, Alison McMillan

While it may be the end of spring, it’s always a good time to think about fall. No, not fall the season where the leaves change and the weather cools, but rather tumbles, stumbles, trips, and spills. One in four Americans over the age of 65 fall each year and almost 40% of those who fall suffer injury from it. While there’s a variety of factors that can cause an increased risk of falling, such as medications, loss of strength and balance, increased trip hazards at home, and lack of sufficient nutrition, there are also ways to mitigate and reduce your fall risk.

One of those ways is Yoga! Yoga has been growing in popularity in senior Americans. In fact, participation has doubled in the last 10 years; no wonder since yoga can be practiced by virtually everyone!

By practicing slow movements with holding poses, yoga helps to build strength throughout the body – legs, arms, and most importantly the core. It also helps to improve flexibility in stiff muscles and joints. Many poses enhance stability and balance and teach the body how to adjust to changes in its position.
It requires the participant to practice focus and concentration on their body.

Yoga poses improve the mind-body connection through coordination and mindfulness exercises. It requires the body and the brain to speak to and understand each other, which builds stronger neurological connections. The nature of the weight bearing yoga poses help to strengthen bones therefore helping reduce the risk of a fracture should you fall.

To celebrate International Yoga Day, Trinity Woods is offering yoga classes twice-a-week by Julie Clemons! Julie is certified through YogaFit and has been teaching yoga for 18 years. Julie says, “If you want to get out of bed a little easier in the morning and who doesn’t – try yoga!”

By Weldon Tisdale, Chaplain

Psalm 68: 5 – “He is a father to the fatherless…” (Living Bible)

The campaign to celebrate the nation’s fathers did not meet with the same enthusiasm as the nation’s campaign to celebrate mothers – perhaps because, as one florist explained, “fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have.”

On July 5, 1908, a West Virginia church sponsored the nation’s first event explicitly in honor of fathers, a Sunday sermon in memory of the 362 men who had died in the previous December’s explosions at the Fairmont Coal Company mines in Monongah, WV, but it was a one-time commemoration and not an annual holiday.

The next year a Spokane, WA woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by a widower, tried to establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents. She went to local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers, and government officials to drum up support for her idea, and she was successful: Washington State celebrated the nation’s first statewide Father’s Day on June 19, 1910.

Slowly, the holiday spread. In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson honored the day by using telegraph signals to unfurl a flag in Spokane when he pressed a button in Washington, D.C. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge urged state governments to observe Father’s Day.

In 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson proclaimed that the third Sunday in June would be officially known as Father’s Day, saying that we look to fathers to “provide the strength and stability which characterize the successful family.” In 1972, President Richard Nixon made the day a national holiday.

On this Father’s Day, June 16, 2024, our nation will pause to celebrate our fathers. But it might be difficult for some of you to celebrate because your father is no longer around. Or maybe your relationship with your father is broken, or not what you hoped it would be.

Even if you can’t celebrate with your earthly father on Father’s Day, you can still celebrate with your Heavenly Father. King David writes in Psalm 68:5 that God, our Heavenly Father, is “Father to
the fatherless…”

If you belong to God, then you have a great Father. And because you are His, you can never be called fatherless. The Lord even have you His name to wear. Wear it with pride. You are a treasured member of His family.

n a world where youth often takes center stage, there’s an invaluable treasure trove waiting to be discovered in the wisdom of age. Life is a journey, with its peaks and valleys, its triumphs and
tribulations.

One of the most profound lessons we learn from the wisdom of age is the art of resilience. Life is
rarely a smooth sail; it’s the storms that teach us to adjust our sails. Through the lived experiences
shared in these pages, we discover that change does not mean roadblocks but opportunities for growth. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a career setback, or a health challenge, the wisdom of age teaches us to weather the storms with fortitude and emerge stronger on the other side.

Moreover, wisdom underscores the importance of relationships in shaping our lives. From the bonds forged with family members to the friendships cultivated, it’s the connections we nurture that sustain us through life’s ups and downs. Through the lens of age, we come to realize that it’s not the quantity but the quality of our relationships that truly enrich our lives. Investing time and energy in building meaningful connections at all ages becomes paramount, reminding us that love and companionship are the true currencies of life.

Perhaps the most profound lesson gleaned from aging is the importance of living with intention and purpose. The wisdom of age implores us to seize each moment, to savor the simple pleasures, and to pursue our passions with unwavering zeal. Whether it’s pursuing a long-held dream, giving back to the community, or simply finding joy in everyday moments, living life to the fullest means embracing each day as a gift and making the most of the time we have.

Even the Bible tells us that a long life brings wisdom and understanding. Leaning into what we learn over the years is a valuable key to enjoying your life and aging gracefully—something the residents of Trinity Woods excel at. As you will see in this issue, a few members have shared their insights on what makes life satisfying and sweet at any age.