Ministry with, by and for older adults
Our mission is to offer education and resources for congregations and communities regarding the concerns of older adults related to loneliness, meaning-making, and sense of purpose; and to serve as a bridge for connecting and advocating for justice for older adults through innovation, communication, networking, and the Silver Chalice Ministry.
Resources
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Experience Silver Chalice
Please find our videos and multimedia productions from/featuring Older Adult Ministries and Silver Chalice.
Videos & Multimedia
Silver Chalice Program Overview
Please find a full list of upcoming and past events from our Older Adult Ministries.
What is Silver Chalice?
The purpose of the Silver Chalice Ministry is to encourage, support, and celebrate congregations, DOC ministries, assemblies, and organizations who have a strong desire to live out their Christian faith by caring for, assisting, and utilizing the gifts and wisdom of older adults.
The Silver Chalice Ministry seeks congregations/organizations to commit to offer and enhance support to and for our aging members. Achieving a Silver Chalice designation means the congregation/organization has reached certain goals regarding programming and services that focus on adding meaning and value to the life of the older adult as well as the life of the larger church.
Why Silver Chalice? (a more detailed look)
Why is there a Silver Chalice Ministry? And why should my congregation/organization be part of it?
The mission of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is “to be and to share the good news of Jesus Christ witnessing, loving, and serving from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.” This mission is to all people…not just those who are young and able-bodied.
Older adults (referring loosely to those 65 and older) continue to have much to contribute to the life of the church. Not only do many hold the historical knowledge and experience of being the Church, but they have talents and gifts that may mistakenly be overlooked or minimized due to their age. This can cause emotional and spiritual harm to our older adults and can diminish the overall impact and effectiveness of our ministries. Not all older adults want everything to be done “the way it used to be” or are resistant to change. Older adults want to contribute, find meaning in what they do, and to see the church/organization relevant and thriving. They also want to continue to grow in their faith!
Silver Chalice Ministry + Your Ministry
The Silver Chalice Ministry takes your ministry’s mission to the next level as you identify unmet needs of older adults within the church/organization as well as the community at large and to offer resources to help meet those needs.
Here are some questions for reflection:
- Are you wondering how to better engage the older adults in your community? Are you wanting to help older adults grow in their faith?
- Have you ever wanted to start intergenerational programs where children and teens interact with older adults in meaningful and joy-filled ways?
- Have you wondered how to best serve those in your congregation and community living with dementia?
- Would you like to have more resources for caregivers? Have you thought of starting a support group?
Taking the Next Steps:
The Silver Chalice Ministry offers two levels to indicate your commitment. Included is a detailed list of ways you can increase your ministry with and for older adults. You will have access to a person designated as your Silver Chalice Guide (SCG) to walk with you through the process, encourage you to brainstorm, implement what would work best for your setting, and connect you to available resources.
With so much life left in the Church, let’s include the incredible resource of our older adults in witnessing, loving, and serving our communities as we continue to find ways to bring hope to this fragmented world.
For information contact the Silver Chalice Guide: Rev. Lina Eddy at lina_eddy06@yahoo.com.
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Past Events
What is the Silver Chalice Ministry? A Resolution.
Building Community through Storytelling.
2025 Older Adults DO Meditate Webinar Series – Week 4
2025 Older Adults DO Meditate Webinar Series – Week 3
2025 Older Adults DO Meditate Webinar Series – Week 2
2025 Older Adults DO Meditate Webinar Series – Week 1
How to Get to Joy: Honoring Loss During the Holidays
Your Congregation CAN Do Older Adult Ministry
Rebuilding Community Post-Pandemic: Healing Lessons from Nature
