As I write these words, I’m settling into a new chapter of life in Hillsboro, Oregon. My wife, Sue, and I recently moved into a retirement community here—a significant transition after more than thirty-six years in Sandpoint, Idaho. While leaving our longtime home was bittersweet, we made this move to be closer to family. And in true “geezer-adventure” spirit, we’re embracing it with open hearts.
As leaders in older adult ministries, you’ve walked alongside many individuals navigating this path: downsizing, relocating, and redefining what “home” means later in life. These transitions are never just about logistics; they're spiritual journeys.
In our case, we brought 115 boxes with us. More than books, kitchenware, or Sue’s quilting supplies, we brought stories. Each box held a piece of our shared history—moments, memories, and meaning. In ministry, we often talk about the importance of legacy. These boxes were filled with exactly that: pieces of our life story that continue to shape who we are and how we walk with God.
This move has been a reminder that spiritual nurturing happens when we connect with the meaning behind our memories. That inner terrain—the space shaped by experience and grace—is where we often meet God most clearly. For many older adults, that terrain is being reshaped constantly, especially in times of transition.
Downsizing is one of the most practical yet deeply spiritual experiences older adults face. In our culture, it’s often reduced to decluttering. But in the language of the Spirit, it’s really about letting go. It’s not a loss of meaning, but a sacred act of discernment: What memories still serve us? What possessions hold our stories? What can we release to create space for something new?
As ministry leaders, you have the privilege of walking with people as they answer these questions. You provide the sacred space where stories are honored, grief is named, and new life is imagined.
Whether your role involves pastoral care, small-group facilitation, or program planning, consider how your ministry can help people reflect on the stories they carry—and the ones they’re ready to set down. Encourage older adults to see their transitions not as endings, but as openings to a new, meaningful chapter with God.
Thirty years ago, I began writing a newspaper column on faith and values. That writing has been a steady source of spiritual grounding for me—and, I hope, for others. As I begin my thirtieth year, now in a new home with new neighbors, I’m reminded of the beauty of shared stories and the strength we find in spiritual community.
May your work with older adults continue to be a ministry of memory, meaning, and movement toward God. Let’s keep encouraging each other.
Discussion Prompt for Ministry Leaders
Think of older adults in your community who are going through significant transitions—moving, downsizing, grieving, or stepping into a new role.
- What "boxes" might they be carrying—physical or emotional—that contain their life stories?
- How can your ministry create space for them to reflect on, share, and even release some of those stories in a way that honors their past and opens them to the future?
Consider one small change you can make this month in your ministry to help older adults name and nurture their inner spiritual terrain during life transitions.
Originally published by Discipleship Ministries. Republished with permission by ResourceUMC. Paul Graves is a retired United Methodist pastor, but he prefers to be called “re-focused” since he’s been a geriatric social worker as long as he was a parish pastor. Paul was also a long-time chairperson of the Pacific Northwest Conference Council on Older Adult Ministries and a short-time jurisdictional representative to the National Council on Older Adult Ministries. He has written on aging issues for three different publications and led Elder Advocates, a consulting ministry on aging issues, for twenty years.