UCH and Pilgrim Manor leaders weave fabric at a covenant service in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
“I was just stunned. I know another woman who got it years ago who was a big contributor. But I’m not even close to that. I never thought of myself as a big contributor. I never did it to get an award,” Maryalice said. Maryalice, 98, of Orrville, Ohio, was…
Read MoreUnited Church Homes faced opposition and concern from some Glenwood Community residents when the nonprofit organization sought to acquire the community from Memorial Health System. But Roger and Sally Roberts, who have lived at Glenwood for seven years and have been leaders on the residents’ council, helped to convince others…
Read MoreFor 16 years, she has been the chaplain at Chapel Hill Community, a United Church Homes life plan community in Canal Fulton, Ohio, where she has officiated three weddings, six baptisms, 190 funerals and more than 800 Sunday worship services and Bible studies. Sandy’s last day as chaplain was June…
Read MoreMy grandmother was living in the memory care neighborhood of a senior care community. It was convenient for me to see her before and after work. She had dementia and would become very confused. On occasion, she would refuse to take her medicine. Despite the struggles the staff faced, they…
Read MoreGeorge Schaefer, known by his friends as Geo, launched the award-winning Spirit magazine along with his colleague, Gloria Hurwitz, then vice president of advancement. Spirit magazine is the signature communication UCH uses to engage its growing number of stakeholders. Geo helped coin the organization’s new mission, vision and core values…
Read MoreWhen Alan Mikesell and James “Jim” Henry joined United Church Homes’ Board of Directors in 2006, the organization was struggling financially and tough decisions needed to be made for UCH to survive. Alan and Jim agree the organization’s financial outlook began to change after the Board named Rev. Kenneth Daniel…
Read MoreLinda began her role at Glenwood in Marietta, Ohio, on April 26. She wanted to be a part of United Church Homes because of its mission, vision and values. In addition, Linda is extremely excited about working at Glenwood, which offers independent and assisted living services and has an active…
Read MoreThe service was part of a relatively new tradition at UCH to welcome new communities into the organization. During the ceremony, staff from UCH, Pilgrim Manor, the United Church of Christ and the churches that founded Pilgrim Manor wove together fabric that symbolized the hymn Blest Be the Tie That…
Read MoreAs an infant, Georgianna was placed in two foster homes. She moved to a county children’s home before returning to her parents’ home, where she says she was verbally and physically abused by her mother. “It was horrible. My mother didn’t want me at all,” Georgianna, 79, said. The mother…
Read More“She loved it,” said her 29-year-old daughter, Tauna Goble. “It’s been a while since she’s been that alert.” The shower was a surprise for Tauna, who came to Four Winds on May 1 for what she thought was an annual discussion about her mom’s advanced dementia. “I was in shock,…
Read More“It was my birthday present,” Betty said after the concert. Performing for Betty was a treat for Janet Blessing, director of the ensemble, and the boys. “I hate for people to say all these good things after people are gone. We wanted to do it for Betty,” Felice said. The…
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