Those who love us also witness our emotional growth as it unfolds through relationships. We hope that by adulthood we’ve moved beyond toddler tantrums and the emotional whiplash of adolescence, learning instead to respond with greater self-awareness and compassion.

Across the many dimensions of our lives—physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual—growth doesn’t always happen in a smooth, steady line. Sometimes it comes in spurts. Other times it unfolds slowly, almost imperceptibly. There are seasons when we feel as though we are standing on a plateau: familiar, steady, and relatively comfortable. Nothing dramatic seems to be changing, and the ground beneath our feet feels solid.

The challenge comes when we are moved—sometimes abruptly, sometimes reluctantly—from one familiar place to another. These transitions often feel far less comfortable. They may be welcome and planned, such as retirement, a career shift, or the birth of a child. Or they may arrive uninvited: the loss of a loved one, a health diagnosis, a relationship ending, or an unexpected change in work or identity. Moving from what we know into what comes next can leave us feeling unmoored, confused, and even deeply pained.

Toward the Unfamiliar: Cliffs and Fog

In his book What to Make of a Life, Jim Collins offers language that many of us find startlingly accurate. He calls the initiating event of a major transition “the Cliff.” What follows—when we’ve stepped or been pushed into something new but haven’t yet found our footing—he calls “the Fog.” The Fog is a time of disorientation, when we are trying to make sense of who we are now and where we belong. It is often uncomfortable, and it lasts as long as it lasts. There is no rushing our way through it.

Dr. Janis Clark Johnston, a recent guest on The Abundant Aging Podcast and the author of Transforming Retirement, describes a similar experience. After saying goodbye to what was, she writes, we often enter “a maze of emotions and unmet needs.” She calls this a “muddling stage,” marked by loss of energy, vulnerability, and swirling uncertainty as we try on new ways of living and being. Her language offers reassurance: this confusion isn’t a failure. It’s part of the process.

One recent retiree I know refers to this season as his “fallow time.” Just as a field sometimes needs to rest—to lie fallow before it can bear fruit again—so, too, do we. There is wisdom in pausing before rushing into what’s next. And yet, being still can feel deeply stressful, especially after decades shaped by calendars, productivity, and the expectation that we will always be accomplishing, improving, or producing.

Eventually, this foggy, muddling time begins to lift—not because we force it to, but because we rediscover who we are and what gives our lives meaning in this new season. Collins encourages us to take small steps, one at a time, without the pressure to plan too far ahead. Johnston suggests we are, in many ways, rewiring our personalities, learning how to inhabit ourselves differently than before.

Trust Beyond Our Fear

One of the greatest challenges during times of transition is learning to trust ourselves again—especially when familiar routines, roles, and relationships no longer anchor us. When we feel untethered, our inner voices can grow loud with doubt. In those moments, seeking wise and loving support becomes not a weakness, but a spiritual practice.

At age 51, after serving as a local church pastor for 25+ years, I found myself facing an unexpected opportunity to apply for a different position. I hadn’t been searching. I still felt deeply committed to my pastoral role. After imagining what such a change might mean, I dismissed the possibility almost immediately. I wasn’t ready—or so I thought—for such a significant shift in my ministry.

What I didn’t initially trust were the subtle but persistent hints of energy and curiosity that surfaced alongside my fear. Excitement and resistance danced together, and fear gave me plenty of reasons not to consider the change. What I did trust, however, was my spouse, who encouraged me to look more closely. I trusted my spiritual director, who helped me gently untangle my conflicting feelings. Their presence created space for discernment rather than urgency.

Clearing the Fog—An accompanied Process

There is a process within the Quaker tradition known as a Clearness Committee. When someone is wrestling with a decision or transition, they gather a small group of trusted people—not to give advice, but to listen deeply. Committee members ask only clarifying questions. They may reflect back what they hear so that the individual can listen anew to their own truth. Silence is welcomed. The process is unhurried, grounded in trust that clarity emerges when we are truly heard.

While I didn’t formally convene a Clearness Committee, the constellation of trusted people around me—my spouse, my spiritual director, and close colleagues and friends—served a similar role. They helped me clarify what I was feeling and what I might be called to consider. Had I relied solely on my own internal dialogue, I would have stayed safely on the familiar ground. Instead, I eventually stepped off the cliff into a new role. Nearly thirteen years later, I can say with gratitude that the risk opened the door to deep fulfillment and growth that I could not have imagined at the time.

The stress and anxiety of transition can be eased significantly when we move through the fog alongside others we trust. Friends who know us well, family who want us to flourish, spiritual companions, counselors, and pastors can all help hold us steady. So can connecting with others who are also in the fog—or who are a few steps farther along the path. When we can’t yet trust our own instincts, borrowed courage matters.

Fogginess is a normal and faithful response to profound change. But confusion does not have to become our permanent address. With time, wise companionship, and attention to the movement of the Spirit, new clarity emerges. We find fresh ways to carry divine light into the world, contributing to our communities and rediscovering meaning and purpose. Even—and perhaps especially—in times of transition, abundance is still possible.

Questions for Reflection:

Where do I recognize myself right now—in a familiar plateau, standing at the edge of a cliff, or somewhere deep in the fog? What feels hardest to name about this season?

What voices or relationships do I trust that help me listen more deeply to my own truth and to the movement of the Spirit—and where might I need to lean into that support more intentionally?

If this reflection on transition feels familiar, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate it by yourself. NEXT Steps, offered in partnership with The Center for Abundant Aging and Eden Theological Seminary, is a semester‑long, non‑academic program designed for people who are approaching, navigating, or newly beyond their professional lives. Rooted in trust, spiritual reflection, and shared discernment, NEXT Steps offers a supportive cohort experience for those finding their way through the fog beyond titles, roles, and paychecks. Rather than rushing toward answers, participants are invited to reframe this season as one of renewal and possibility, listening for what’s next with the help of trusted companions—much like a clearness committee. Learn more through the links on our website.

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United Church Homes Management Announces New Sales & Marketing Partnership with EHM Senior Solutions

MARION, OH — Apr. 1, 2026 — United Church Homes Management (UCHM), a subsidiary of United Church Homes, has announced a new partnership with EHM Senior Solutions, formerly known as Evangelical Homes of Michigan. Through this collaboration, UCHM will provide comprehensive sales and marketing services to support EHM’s continued growth and long-term sustainability across its service lines.

Like United Church Homes, EHM Senior Solutions has deep roots in faith-based service and a long-standing commitment to caring for older adults with dignity and compassion. United Church Homes and Evangelical Homes of Michigan Senior Solutions were founded through the ministry of the United Church of Christ, and the partnership reflects a shared mission to serve older adults and strengthen communities through values-driven care.

EHM Senior Solutions offers a full continuum of services, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, adult day services, home health care services, private duty services and its LifeChoices program, a licensed continuing care at home (CCaH) program that provides home- and community-based services to residents of Washtenaw County. While skilled nursing services are located at a separate site, many residents share connections across EHM’s communities, reflecting the organization’s integrated approach to care.

Through this partnership, UCHM will focus on strengthening occupancy levels across all service lines while enhancing the effectiveness of EHM’s sales strategy and processes. The collaboration includes direct support in managing and developing the sales team, implementing a comprehensive digital marketing strategy—including social media and website optimization—and delivering monthly performance analytics to measure success and identify key performance indicators.

In addition, UCHM will assist EHM in aligning its service offerings to encourage cross-referrals among product lines and build stronger partnership opportunities throughout the region.

“We are excited to partner with EHM Senior Solutions,” said Dan Miller, executive director of UCHM. “EHM has a strong legacy of faith-based service and community commitment. Our goal is to support their team with the tools, strategy, and resources needed to ensure sustainable occupancy and continued excellence in care.”

“This partnership reflects the strength that comes when organizations with shared values work together,” said Kenneth Young, president and CEO of United Church Homes. “Both of our organizations are rooted in a tradition of faith-based service, and we believe that collaboration like this helps ensure we can continue meeting the needs of older adults and their families for generations to come.”

Kari Rennie, president and CEO of EHM Senior Solutions, added, “I echo Dan and Kenneth’s sentiments. We are excited about this partnership and understand the strength that comes from collaborating with an organization with shared values and a faith foundation. That collaboration is key to ensuring our 146-year legacy of service and excellence in Michigan continues.”

The partnership officially began February 1, 2026.

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For more than a century, United Church Homes has been dedicated to transforming the lives of older adults with quality housing and compassionate care. Now recognized as the 19th largest multisite nonprofit senior living organization in the U.S., according to the 2025 LeadingAge Ziegler 200 ranking, UCH proudly serves nearly 7,000 residents across more than 90 vibrant communities in 15 states and two Native American nations. Driven by a mission to redefine aging, UCH creates a culture of community, wholeness and peace for those it has the honor to serve. As a founding member of Radiant Alliance, United Church Homes continues to lead the way in shaping the future of senior living. 

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A monthly online gathering for those engaged in congregational ministry with older adults.

Right now, it is FREE to Register!
We are living in a remarkable time—thanks to cultural and scientific advances, many of us have inherited an extra 30 years of life. This gift brings both new challenges and profound opportunities for ministry.

The Abundant Aging Ministry Network is designed to support and inspire those who are walking alongside aging adults in faith communities. Each month, we’ll gather online to:

• Share successes and stories from the field
• Explore recent research and emerging insights
• Bring questions, curiosity and creativity to the conversation
• Encourage one another in the deeply rewarding work of abundant aging ministry

Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just beginning this journey, this network is a space to connect, learn and grow together.

• Virtual Meetings every third Thursday at 12 noon EST
  Open to all engaged in aging-related congregational ministry

Come curious. Leave inspired.

Join us as we reimagine what it means to age abundantly—in community, in faith and in purpose.

Stay connected in the conversation by joining our Facebook group. (link group)

Join us Thursday, February 19 @ NOON when we join in conversation with Rev. Mary Kate Buchanan and Jane Torbica from First Community Church (Upper Arlington) to learn about their productive use of materials from The Conversation Project equipping their members to have conversations about their end-of-life wishes.

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