| Dont isolate city churches Having just read the Rev. John Motes letter in the Jan. 7 UMConnection, I wish I had said that. Jack and I were neighbors during the 13 years I served as pastor of Waverly UMC in Baltimore. I retired from that charge in 1984. Previous to coming to Waverly, I had served Severn UMC in Anne Arundel County for 13 years. But before I went to the county, I had been pastor of the kinds of churches in Baltimore that Jack speaks about. I served in the south and northwest of Baltimore and Waverly in the northeast, all churches just holding on in the city. My experience covering 1948 to 1984 shows me clearly that churches in Anne Arundel County and other suburban areas need to be mixed in with the struggling congregations of the inner city if we still consider ourselves to be connectional. Being beyond four-score years, I would say that the single district for all inner city churches is not unlike putting everyone in a nursing home, and forgetting to leave someone with the resources outside. Rev. Dick Hively, retired pastor
Charlottesville, Va. Older adult ministries enhance churches I was delighted to see the article regarding older adult ministries in the Jan 7 issue of the UMConnection. I happen to be the chair of the North Bethesda UMCs older adult ministry, known as the O.A.K.S. Older Adults in Kingship and Service and a former member of the conference Committee on Older Adult Ministries during the committees first years of existence under Mary Alice Edwards leadership. Our O.A.K.S. has been operating for 17 years. We started with weekly meetings every Wednesday for sociability and have expanded through the years to program each week including Light n Lively Exercise, Coffee and Conversation, Timely Topics, Bible study during Advent and Lent, trips and luncheons. We are also busy with service activities including phone calls, visits, meals for people who are ill or in need of some help, and sending greeting cards for special occasions. I was glad to see that other churches are beginning programs to meet the needs of our many senior members and hope that they will continue to develop as weekly ministries, or more than just social gatherings. It has been a very important and valuable development at my church. Jeanne Snodgrass
North Bethesda UMC, Bethesda | 
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