Within its own context, there is wisdom there. Generosity can loosen our grip on what we have, turn our attention toward another person’s need, and remind us that abundance is meant to be shared.

But there is another side of generosity that receives far less attention.

Sometimes, the more difficult spiritual practice is not giving.

Sometimes, it is learning to receive with grace.

I learned something about that when I was in culinary school.

I was working hard on my education and, let’s be honest, I was a poor college kid working his way toward becoming a big, famous chef. Most Sundays, I would drive more than fifty miles to attend church with a family I had known for years.

I considered their children siblings. I considered Bob and Constance another set of parents. They loved me dearly, and I loved them.

Constance was the queen of the house, the very picture of grace and love. Bob was the pastor of the church. Together, I thought of them as my spiritual parents.

Bob—“the Alabama Slamma”—was a big, burly chiropractor and a charismatic preacher, truly a man whose voice could move mountains. Not only did they love me well, they cared for me when I came to visit. After worship, they would always take me along wherever they went for lunch.

Then came the familiar rhythm of the afternoon: worship, lunch, conversation, laughter, and a few hours of respite in their company before I began the hour-long drive back to college.

One Sunday, just before I got into my car, Bob swiftly handed me a folded $100 bill and said simply:

“For gas.”

I tried several times to give it back.

“No, it’s fine.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“You’ve already done so much.”

Bob laughed his big, burly belly laugh. Then his eyes became serious—loving, but serious.

“I know you need it,” he said. “So just say thank you, and accept it with a smile.”

Then he pulled me into one of his engulfing bear hugs.

I said thank you with a big smile.

And that was that.

That moment has stayed with me because Bob understood something I was still learning: sometimes receiving is an act of trust. Sometimes the most gracious thing we can do is stop resisting love when it is offered.

Many of us are far more comfortable being the helper than being helped. We know how to bring the meal, write the check, offer the ride, watch the children, make the phone call, or show up when someone is struggling. Giving allows us to feel useful, capable, and generous.

Receiving can feel different.

Receiving asks us to admit that we have a need. It may require us to surrender some control, allow another person to see our vulnerability, or accept that we cannot do everything on our own.

Perhaps that is one reason the story of the Good Samaritan continues to challenge us.

We usually tell the story by focusing on the extraordinary generosity of the Samaritan. A man is attacked, robbed, beaten, and left beside the road. Others pass him by, but the Samaritan stops. He tends the man’s wounds, lifts him onto his own animal, carries him to safety, and pays for his care.

The Samaritan becomes the example of what it means to love one’s neighbor.

And rightly so.

But there is another part of the story worth noticing: the wounded man receives the Samaritan’s help.

Jesus does not identify the injured traveler’s ethnicity, though his original hearers may have imagined someone from their own community. What matters is that the person who comes near is a Samaritan—someone whom many in Jesus’ audience had been taught to regard with suspicion, contempt, or hostility.

The wounded man is placed in the care of someone he might never have chosen.

Had they met under ordinary circumstances, social and religious division might have kept them apart. Yet on the roadside, the wounded traveler’s healing depends upon receiving compassion from the very person he may have been conditioned to distrust.

The story asks us not only, “Will you become a neighbor to someone in need?”

It may also ask, “Will you allow an unexpected person to become a neighbor to you?”

Of course, the wounded man may have been too injured to object. The text says he was left half-dead. But that vulnerability makes the story even more powerful. He could not preserve his independence. He could not control who helped him, dictate the terms of his care, or repay the kindness immediately.

He simply had to be carried.

That may be one of the hardest experiences for any of us.

When someone offers to help, our instinct is often to say:

“Oh, I don’t need that.”

“You really don’t have to.”

“Thank you, but no thank you.”

“I can manage.”

Sometimes declining is appropriate. Healthy boundaries matter, and not every offer must be accepted. But sometimes our refusal is not about discernment. It is about discomfort.

We do not want to feel indebted. We do not want to appear incapable. We do not want to inconvenience anyone. We may have spent a lifetime believing that our value lies in what we can accomplish, provide, or carry for others.

Yet when we automatically refuse sincere generosity, we may unintentionally close the door on someone else’s opportunity to love.

Perhaps the Spirit has stirred that person to act. Perhaps they have been given the time, resources, compassion, or ability to meet a need. Perhaps offering help is part of their own growth, healing, or calling.

Receiving graciously does not mean believing that we are entitled to another person’s generosity. It means recognizing a gift for what it is and allowing ourselves to say, sincerely and simply:

“Thank you. I receive this with gratitude.”

What gracious receiving looks like may change throughout our lives.

In one season, it may mean accepting an unexpected financial gift without immediately insisting that it be repaid.

In another, it may mean allowing someone to watch our children simply because they want to give us an evening of rest.

It may mean letting a church, neighborhood, or social community surround us during illness, grief, unemployment, divorce, or another difficult transition.

It may mean accepting the gift of respite, Sabbath, or sabbatical when our bodies and spirits have carried too much for too long.

And as we grow older, it may mean allowing someone to help with a daily task that has become more difficult—even before we are fully ready to admit that it has become difficult.

A ride to an appointment.

Help carrying groceries.

A hand with yardwork.

Someone accompanying us through complicated paperwork.

A meal delivered to the door.

A steady arm offered on uncertain ground.

These moments can challenge our sense of independence. But receiving help does not make us less valuable, less capable, or less fully ourselves.

It makes us human.

Community is not built only when strong people help those in need. True community is built when all of us are free to move between giving and receiving—sometimes offering strength, sometimes admitting need, and always recognizing that no one is meant to travel alone.

A gracious receiver gives something, too.

They give another person the opportunity to serve.

They give trust.

They give honest access to their life.

They give the community permission to become what it claims to be: a place where burdens are shared, gifts are exchanged, and love moves in more than one direction.

Perhaps generosity is not a straight line from the person who has to the person who needs. Perhaps it is a circle in which each of us, over a lifetime, takes our turn giving, receiving, carrying, and being carried.

As we journey through life, new opportunities to receive will continue to find us. The invitation is not to surrender our agency or accept every offer placed before us. It is to remain open—to recognize when grace has arrived through another person and to welcome it without shame.

Maybe being a gracious receiver is not the opposite of generosity.

Maybe it is one of generosity’s most sacred forms.

And perhaps learning to receive with openness, gratitude, and trust is part of what it means to age abundantly.

Questions for Reflection

When has receiving help been more difficult for you than giving it?

What feelings arise when someone offers you care, time, money, or practical assistance?

Have you ever declined a gift because receiving it made you feel vulnerable?

Who has been an unexpected “neighbor” to you?

What might you need to receive graciously in this season of your life?

The post The Other Side of Generosity appeared first on United Church Homes.

And yet, something about her giving felt uneasy. The dinners seemed to come with expectations. The gifts were items no one needed but everyone felt obliged to accept. Her help to family was not exactly private; it seemed important that others know what she had done. Over time, it became clearer that Lorraine’s giving was not simply about meeting another person’s need. It was more about being seen as generous, gaining influence, and maintaining a certain kind of power.

When others declined her gifts or questioned the pattern, Lorraine felt offended. After all, she was “just being generous.” But generosity with strings attached is something else. True generosity seeks the good of the receiver. It does not require gratitude, obligation, admiration, or control in return.

We often link generosity to monetary engagement. But generosity doesn’t have to be limited to the sharing of wealth. This is a connection that lies in the etymology of the word going back to the 16^th century when it was linked to being of noble or aristocratic birth. (https://generosityresearch.nd.edu/more-about-the-initiative/what-is-generosity/) Even into the 18^th century, “generosity” had evolved to being kind in the giving of money and things to others.  Generosity eventually did not depend on the family one was born into but became a quality to which anyone could ascribe.

But “generosity” as something we can all work on is far older than the origins of the English word suggest. In the first letter to Timothy 6:17-19, Paul, presumably the author, is writing to Timothy to encourage him in ministry. From Peterson’s version of the biblical text:

“Tell them (the rich—those who have more than what they need) to go after God, who piles on all the riches we could ever manage—to do good, to be rich in helping others, to be extravagantly generous.”

Generosity is the opposite of holding our earthly treasures for ourselves. It is not about a closed hand clinging to things to possess, but an open hand letting go of those things. It is about doing good, helping others, meeting the needs of the larger community and being extravagantly generous.

When I think of generous people I have known there are several who come to mind. My grandma Ruth had a generous spirit although she had little worldly possessions or wealth. One of the stories from her childhood occurred during the time that her father served a local congregation where the parsonage was connected to the church. One Sunday she noticed money on the kitchen table, and she generously used it to buy ice cream for her friends. She soon found out that that had been the offering from the Sunday School and it was not hers to give. She learned that you can’t be generous with things that are not yours to give. But she did continue throughout her life to stay connected to friends and neighbors and be attuned to how she could offer what she had to support others and spread joy.

Although our own happiness or joy may not be the primary reason, these can be a significant factor in our generosity. I know more than one person who has decided to be generous with their money later in life rather than waiting for their savings to be distributed after their death.  They take great joy in seeing how their monetary gifts to others, whether that be to grandchildren or organizations, can help to meet needs that exist now. Their generosity is not to call attention to themselves. Their generosity provides them the opportunity to meet needs that exist now and see the relief and joy that their gifts provide.

In the gospel of Mark (4:24-25) Jesus is teaching from a boat in the Sea of Galilee. It is relatively early on in his ministry. After the parable about the seeds being planted in the different soil, he talks about generosity. “Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity.” Today we would probably say that the dopamine “hit” that comes from the good feeling when we give and help others’ helps to fuel generosity and the next release of dopamine! But generosity often does lead to more giving, being more generous.

There are all kinds of reasons why people are generous. Some are self-promoting. Others are more altruistic. The generosity that is a part of one’s spirit is the ability to give from what we have to help meet the needs of others. It is connected to the desire to contribute to the community. And it doesn’t have to be monetary or transactional.

Whether we are giving from the financial resources at our disposal or from the time and attention that we share with others, generosity is a quality of character that anyone can adopt for their own lives. And when we do, we can relish the extravagant joy that reinforces our desire to contribute to the greater good around us again and again.

May we all find ways to be generous of spirit, giving in the ways that we can, to meet the needs in the communities around us. May we experience the joy of giving. And may we be mindful of those who are generous around us as they contribute as they are able with the gifts they can give. May we all be extravagantly generous!

The post Extravagant Generosity appeared first on United Church Homes.

When United Church Homes’ Center for Abundant Aging hosts its annual symposium this fall, participants will reflect on, and celebrate, more than ten years of education, advocacy and tremendous growth.

Rev. Beth Long-Higgins

When the Center was founded, the plan was simple: to host an annual event for individuals whose work centered around supporting older adults. It was an opportunity for professionals to share positive ideas, perspectives and experiences to enhance engagement and quality of care.

Over the years, the Center and its signature event have evolved.

For many participants, the annual symposium is a day of reflection on their own aging and an opportunity to engage with others to reflect not just professionally, but also personally and intellectually. For some, it serves as a day-long retreat.

“I’m very proud of the events and the caliber of speakers we’ve been fortunate to host,” said Rev. Beth Long-Higgins, UCH vice president of engagement. “The Center has grown in ways I never expected. It’s gratifying to see the results of our ongoing efforts to battle ageism.”

“Using UCH’s platform to advocate for seniors is part of our mission,” said President and Chief Executive Officer, Ken Young. “It’s been fascinating to watch the Center grow and to see its impact in our own communities and beyond.”

Today, The Center for Abundant Aging offers a rich menu of resources – the Abundant Aging podcast, Another Day Older downloadable curriculum, a blog that explores the experience of aging through the lens of faith, and courses and online conversations that celebrate the spiritual life of older adults.

Last year, nearly 2,000 individuals participated in online or in-person educational programs.

“One of the Center’s newer initiatives is the Caregiver Support Group,” Rev. Long-Higgins said, “Rev. (Darla) Metz has helped develop trauma-informed care training programs for staff and established a mental health team. We’ve also developed curriculum for training programs on spiritual well-being.”

Cynthia Dougherty.

At the heart of the Center’s work is exploring how attitude and ideas shape the way one ages. The benefits of having positive thoughts about aging include better memory and balance, living up to more than seven-plus years longer than those with negative thoughts and increased quality and satisfaction with life.

Cynthia Dougherty, who has been a member of the Center’s Advisory Committee from the beginning, sees the relationship as mutually beneficial. In her work at The Ohio State University Medical School, she brings her experiences working with seniors – and with the Center – in talking with medical students and doctors about ageism in healthcare.

“My involvement with the Center and members of the Advisory Committee has been a very positive experience,” Cynthia said. “There’s such positive energy and joy in the work we do together. I love everything about the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with and always look forward to our meetings.”

Ken Young and Rev. Beth Long-Higgins with Elizibeth “Like” Lokon, 2025 Winner of the Contributions to Abundant Aging award.

“I feel good about the conversations we have and the work we’re doing,” she continued. “It’s great to engage and learn with like minded people – I’ve learned so much from them.”

Dougherty is excited about the theme of the Center’s symposium this fall:

Engaging Generations: Connecting Lives So All Can Thrive.

Dougherty and Rev. Long-Higgins are both thrilled with the positive feedback received on the experiences of those who participate in the Center’s many programs. Words like hope, value, inspiring, uplifting, affirming and encouraging characterize their experiences. They anticipate equally positive responses to the 2026 event which will do all that and more, including a celebration of the Center and all it has accomplished in a decade.

Dr. Susan McFadden encourages participants to get up and move around.

SAVE THE DATE

ELEVENTH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM

ENGAGING GENERATIONS

Connecting Lives So All Can Thrive

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2026

9:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. ET

In Person and Online Quest Conference Center

9200 Worthington Rd, Westerville, Ohio

9:00 a.m. ET – In-person pre-event connections

9:45 to 3:30 p.m. ET – Presentations

Check out our website below for updates and details in the coming months!

2026 Abundant Aging Symposium – United Church Homes

REGISTRATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN AUGUST 2026

Read more from this year’s issue of Spirit Magazine, or explore our past issues;

Spirit Magazine – Read Here

The post A Decade of Abundant Aging appeared first on United Church Homes.

I don’t think generosity is giving when it’s easy.

I think generosity begins when it costs us something.

If giving money doesn’t change my budget, was it generosity or convenience? If volunteering fits perfectly into my schedule, was it sacrifice or simply participation? If I only serve when my family benefits, my child is involved, or the outcome somehow comes back to me, am I being generous or just investing?

Those are uncomfortable questions.

If I’m honest, I’ve been very generous when generosity was easy.

I’ve donated here and there. Supported fundraisers. Volunteered for organizations my son was involved in. Given my time where I knew the return on investment would eventually make its way back to my interests.

But giving when it inconveniences me?

Giving when I’m tired?

Giving when I don’t particularly want to?

Giving financially when it means saying no to something I wanted for myself?

That feels different.

That feels costly.

And perhaps that is exactly where generosity begins.

Scripture paints a very different picture of generosity than our culture does. We tend to celebrate generosity when it is comfortable and manageable. God seems far more interested in generosity that requires trust.

Jesus sat in the temple and watched wealthy people give large sums of money that they would never miss. Then came a widow who quietly dropped in two small coins — all she had to live on.

Jesus wasn’t impressed by the size of the gift.

He was moved by the size of the sacrifice.

The widow gave not from her abundance but from her poverty (Mark 12:41-44).

The Good Samaritan did not simply stop to check on the wounded man and wish him well. He interrupted his plans, used his own supplies, put the stranger on his own animal, took him to an inn, paid for his care, and promised to cover whatever additional expenses might come later (Luke 10:25-37).

Compassion cost him time.

It cost him money.

It cost him convenience.

A little boy handed over his lunch to Jesus — not his leftovers, not what he didn’t need, but the entirety of what he had brought for himself. Five loaves and two fish became enough to feed thousands because someone was willing to release what little he had into God’s hands (John 6:1-14).

Boaz intentionally instructed his workers to leave grain behind for Ruth to gather (Ruth 2). This wasn’t accidental generosity. It was purposeful generosity that reduced his own harvest in order to protect someone vulnerable.

Again and again, Scripture reminds us that generosity often costs the giver something.

Perhaps that is the point.

King David once said, “I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing” (2 Samuel 24:24).

That verse lingers with me.

Because if generosity costs me nothing, perhaps I have not yet reached generosity at all.

The truth is, I am not naturally gifted at this kind of giving.

I like budgets.

I like plans.

I like margins.

I like knowing there is enough.

And yet following Christ consistently calls us beyond comfort and into trust.

Thankfully, I am married to someone who understands this far better than I do.

My husband has an uncanny ability to just respond immediately. He pushes me beyond my comfort zone. More than once, he has reminded me that generosity in the Kingdom of God rarely makes sense on paper.

And honestly, that is exactly what I need.

Because the Gospel itself is a story of costly generosity.

God did not give us what was convenient.

He gave what was precious.

“He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all…” (Romans 8:32).

The cross was not convenient.

Grace was not cheap.

Love cost something.

Maybe generosity was never meant to be measured by how much we give, but by how much trust is required to give it.

Perhaps generosity lives in the places where our comfort ends and our faith begins.

I am still learning that lesson.

But I suspect abundant living may have something to do with open hands.

The post What If Generosity Is Supposed to Hurt a Little? appeared first on United Church Homes.

PORT CLINTON, OH (July 9, 2026)— United Church Homes is pleased to announce that The Parkvue Community on Catawba Island has received a $2,000 grant award from the Ottawa County Community Foundation (OCCF) to support enhancements to the assisted living outdoor deck, a popular gathering space for residents and their families.

The Ottawa County Community Foundation is a public charitable organization created by the citizens of Ottawa County to enrich the quality of life for individuals and families throughout the region. Through grants supporting education, health and social services, economic development, natural resources and the arts, OCCF invests in projects that strengthen local communities and improve quality of life.

The grant will help fund tables and chairs for the outdoor gathering space at The Parkvue Community on Catawba Island.

“We are grateful to the Ottawa County Community Foundation for recognizing the importance of creating spaces that foster connection and engagement for older adults,” said Paul Shaw, Administrator of The Parkvue Community on Catawba Island. “This outdoors space plays a vital role in the daily lives of our residents, providing opportunities for conversation, friendship and meaningful interactions with family members and fellow residents.”

The assisted living neighborhood serves older adults from Port Clinton, Catawba Island and Marblehead. As a smaller assisted living community, residents often depend on shared spaces that naturally encourage social interaction and engagement throughout the day.

Over the past decade, philanthropic support totaling approximately $27,200 has helped transform the outdoor deck into one of the community’s most valued amenities. Previous investments funded the construction of the deck, installation of a retractable awning and the purchase of initial outdoor furnishings. The new grant award will build upon those improvements and further enhance the resident experience.

Research has consistently shown that social isolation can negatively impact older adults, contributing to depression, cognitive decline and other adverse health outcomes. Accessible outdoor spaces provide important opportunities for residents to gather, enjoy fresh air and maintain meaningful social connections.

“The generosity of community partners like the Ottawa County Community Foundation helps us create environments where older adults can thrive,” said Gloria Hurwitz, vice president of advancement. “These enhancements will support daily engagement, strengthen resident relationships and help ensure this community remains a welcoming and vibrant place to call home.”

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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.

The post Ottawa County Community Foundation Grant Supports Resident Engagement at The Parkvue Community on Catawba Island appeared first on United Church Homes.

Our first introduction to community is family, perhaps neighborhood friends and classmates at school. These are simple relationships, as a child, maintaining them is easy. Of course, our relationship with family may change over time and we may no longer talk to our childhood friends, but these early relationships allow us to how to engage with others.

For me, that early understanding of community came naturally. I’ve always been an extroverted person who enjoys being around people. As a child, I didn’t struggle to make friends at the park or when I went away to summer camp. Though as I got older it became harder to maintain those relationships and I was hurt when I wasn’t included in certain spaces. It was disheartening because I was friendly and eager to find a place where I belonged, yet it was difficult to form those lasting connections. I was often told that I would find my people with time. Eventually, I came to understand that community isn’t always constant.

“Community isn’t built once and kept. It arrives in seasons.”

That idea has stayed with me because community rarely grows in just one way. Community can find you like a weed, unexpected and in odd places. Or it can grow like a tree, over time. It can bloom and the leaves can fall; we can lose our community. But then another season comes and we’re given the opportunity to grow with each other again.

For me, the next season of community came through the activities and spaces I chose to be part of. In my teenage years, I was more involved with after-school activities. Everything from sports, theater, and student government to working at the grocery store. In being very active in certain spaces, I spent a lot of time with people that enjoyed the things that I enjoyed and I met the people who became my circle. I found friends who I could laugh with for hours, who understood me and who challenged me. With time, I was able to make those lasting connections.

As I’ve grown older, I’ve stepped into more spaces, each different from the one before and all coming with their own experiences. In college, I joined Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority (Go Deephs!), which gave me a safe space to grow academically, socially, professionally, and personally while also engaging in philanthropy with the greater community.

Each of these experiences taught me not only how meaningful community can be, but also how important it is to make others feel welcomed within it. Because of my early experiences, I now find deep satisfaction in helping foster inclusive spaces where others can feel safe, welcomed, and seen. I strive to foster abundant community that allows space for learning, introspection, vulnerability, connection, and creativity. Giving others the time and opportunity to be themselves in a place they know will welcome them with open arms. I know what it feels like to want connection and not always know where to find it, which is why creating room for others matters so much to me.

Soon, I’ll have the opportunity to volunteer with youth in my community, and in many ways, it feels like giving back to the younger version of myself who craved community. I’ll have the opportunity to mentor and guide while creating a safe space for fun and creativity for these youth. It is a reminder that community is not only something we receive; it is something we help build for others.

“Build community by being community.”

The post Seasons of Community appeared first on United Church Homes.

First, the Greek admonition applies—Know thyself.  Retirement brings many changes.  But it also is grounded in some of the lifelong constants of personality.  I had the time to reflect and discover.  Also for me, moving back full time to Frederick, felt like starting over again in a new town.  Although my wife and I have lived here since 2006, much of that time for me has been spent living in different communities where my work took me.  So, I have faced the joy and the uncertainty of being a newcomer again, even in a town that has been my home for twenty years.  Knowing that I am introverted meant that I had to overcome the anxiety of meeting new people.  Think of walking into a new school and figuring out where to sit in the lunchroom. Where will I fit in?  Will I be accepted?  Can this place provide the sense of community I need?

I felt this anxiety walking into every new setting, even those where I knew at least some people.  For instance, I decided to join the local Rotary Club.  Having been a Rotarian for many years in other towns, it seemed like a good way to meet people and to get involved in the community.  Overcoming my shyness, I began to brave the new breakfast hall.  Soon I found a welcome and encouragement that eased my worries and engaged me with a whole new group of acquaintances.  Joining projects and committees also broke the ice and in a short time, I had expanded my circle of friends exponentially.  This setting has provided me with a toe hold of community to be part of here.  I immediately became involved in community projects and causes ranging from volunteering to place flags downtown on holidays to joining a local effort to promote affordable housing.

The second lesson has been this—Be open to the new; do not cling to the past.  One of my new Rotary friends invited me to learn how to play pickleball.  This new sensation has been sweeping up retiring Baby Boomers across the country.  While it’s an easy game to learn, it is devilishly challenging to master.  However, I met a whole new group of people, also eager to learn and, more importantly, to make friends.  Novice pickleball was an excellent way to open myself to a whole new social group.

Not only was the exercise good at peeling off a few pounds, I found my stamina, coordination, and social life improved.  The only drawback was the aggravation of arthritis in my knees.  (But after all, Boomer pickleball is keeping orthopedic doctors in business these days!)  Even more importantly, pickleball provided a strong sense of acceptance and a new community.  As I learned names, I also learned about the families and histories of my new friends.  And they learned about me.  I looked forward to being together during the week.  And pickleballers gathered for picnics and happy hours, too.  This group expanded my deepening sense of community and the welcome that I needed.

Finally, expand the horizons.  As a shy person, I find it easy to stay close to home running the temptation of becoming reclusive.  Instead, my wife and I have been able to expand our international travel.  One of our traveling friends joked that we are now in the “Go Go” phase of retirement, meaning these early years of greatest energy and activity.  And we have been on the go.  Already we have logged trips to Ireland and Scotland, Japan, and our longest trip ever, six weeks in Australia and New Zealand.  Most recently, we hiked for two weeks along Hadrian’s Wall in northern England, learning about Roman Britain’s history and culture.  Of course, more trips are planned.

Travel also has opened new friendships and expanded our understanding of the world, its people, and its cultures.  We now have a whole new circle of people with whom we correspond and plan to travel in the future.  My world has grown and my sense of belonging expanded.

I have found some of the pathways to a meaningful retirement.  The introvert in me is happy.  This time has enabled me to reflect and sort my life’s experiences.  I have a fuller understanding of who I am and the decisions that make up my life’s journey.  The introvert in me is feeling content and satisfied overall.  I have a deeper sense of accomplishment and pride in who I’ve become.

Moreover, the joiner in me is also happy in my new communities.  While our communities change as we age, they are no less important to our well-being, maybe especially so in retirement. Our need for that sense of acceptance, belonging, and purpose remain strong.  I am still exploring and discovering all this now that I have one year of retirement under my belt. Overcoming my shyness and meeting my need for social connection continues to motivate my retirement pathway.  With any luck, and the help of my orthopedic doctor, I will continue to enjoy this journey for many years ahead.

The post The Journey of Our Whole Self in Community appeared first on United Church Homes.

KENNESAW, GA (June 22, 2026)— United Church Homes announces that its Laurel’s Edge affordable housing community in Kennesaw, Georgia, has received support from the Cobb EMC Foundation to enhance resident safety and accessibility through the expansion of a key outdoor walking path.

Laurel’s Edge, located at 3950 Frey Road NW, Kennesaw, serves approximately 250 individuals and families within the Cobb EMC service district. The community is dedicated to transforming aging, advancing the mission of United Church Homes to create abundant life in community.

The funded project will widen an existing sidewalk that currently presents safety and accessibility challenges for residents who use walkers or wheelchairs. At present, the path is too narrow to allow for safe passing or turning, limiting residents’ ability to comfortably enjoy outdoor spaces together.

Because widening the sidewalks is the community’s highest priority, the project will proceed in phases. Funding received from the Cobb EMC Foundation will first be directed toward expanding the walking path to improve safety and accessibility for residents. United Church Homes plans to pursue additional grant support and other funding sources to complete the remaining outdoor enhancements, including patio improvements and gathering spaces, with the goal of finishing the full project as soon as possible.

In addition to the sidewalk improvements, future plans include new concrete pads to support expanded outdoor activity and social engagement, including a 10-by-10 seating area adjacent to a horseshoe pit and improved accessible entry to a covered patio. These enhancements are designed to promote mobility, encourage exercise and create more opportunities for residents to gather and connect with one another.

The community also wishes to recognize Frank Roth, a dedicated volunteer whose efforts helped bring the horseshoe pit to Laurel’s Edge. His contribution has provided residents with an enjoyable outdoor recreation space and inspired the vision for additional gathering areas around the amenity.

“Projects like this reflect our deep commitment to dignity, independence and community for every resident we serve,” said Ken Young, chief executive officer of United Church Homes. “By improving accessibility and safety in shared outdoor spaces, we are helping ensure older adults can move freely, connect with one another and fully enjoy the places they call home.”

“This investment directly responds to the voices of our residents, more than 10 of whom have requested a safer and more inclusive walking path,” said Gloria Hurwitz, vice president of advancement. “When we listen and respond with thoughtful design improvements, we strengthen both health outcomes and the sense of belonging that makes Laurel’s Edge such a special community.”

The project will include grading, removal of soil and installation of 4-inch broom-finish concrete to expand the existing path and improve accessibility throughout the property.

United Church Homes and Laurel’s Edge extend their gratitude to the Cobb EMC Foundation for its partnership and continued investment in the well-being of residents and families throughout the region.

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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.

The post United Church Homes’ Laurel’s Edge Affordable Housing Community in Kennesaw Receives Support from Cobb EMC Foundation for Walking Path Expansion appeared first on United Church Homes.

Recently, in a season that has felt like a series of in-between spaces, my husband and I found ourselves surrounded by familiar faces—LGBTQ+ friends who, at one time, held pieces of our stories in a key season of life.

These were people we had done life with. People we stood beside as they got married and adopted children, and who later stood beside us—with those same children—at our own wedding.

People who had known us in a particular chapter. People who had shared in the work of becoming—of navigating identity, calling, belonging, and faith in spaces that did not always make room for all of who we were.

And as we stood together again, something stirred.

Not just because of where we were…
but because of who we were with.

Because these were the people.

The ones who had been there in a season when a particular community had brought us together—when we were all finding our way, discovering what it meant to belong, and learning how to hold faith and identity in the same breath.

And as we stepped into that space together again, there was that quiet, almost disorienting feeling of recognition—as if something in us remembered before we had fully caught up to it.

We were there to be present for a dear friend and colleague in ministry as he brought his time in that community to a close. But we were also there because these relationships mattered to us—because they had shaped us in ways that still linger, even after time and distance.

And as the morning unfolded, something unexpected happened.

We were welcomed.

Not in the formal, “please sign the guest book” kind of way. But in the deeper way—through eye contact that lingers just a second longer, through a smile that says I remember you, through the quiet recognition that reaches past time and distance and gently says, you still belong here.

And something in me softened.

Because in that moment, I was reminded that community is not always something we maintain the way we intend to. There are seasons when we mean to reach out, to stay connected, to show up… and life simply gets full.

Not because anything has been lost, but because life has a way of gently shifting our rhythms without us noticing.

And yet, there is something almost overwhelming about realizing how much we need those connections when we find ourselves back in their presence again.

Part of what made that morning so meaningful was not only being present—but being ministered to.

Our friend stood to preach one final time in that space—and it mattered that it was him. That it was them. That this was a story we had, in some way, lived alongside.

As he spoke, you could feel it—the weight of the years, the shared experiences, the sacred intersections of identity, calling, and belonging. This wasn’t just a sermon. It was a testimony of what it means to be seen and to be welcomed as your full self.

He spoke about the call he and his husband felt—the quiet but persistent nudge of the Spirit that led them there. He spoke about what it meant not only to be called, but to be welcomed… not in spite of who they were, but fully, openly, and without condition.

He named the intersections of life that were formed in that season—the friendships, the shared work, the moments that didn’t seem significant at the time but somehow became sacred. And in that naming, he lifted up those who had helped shape that journey—including Pastor Ali, who in her own quiet and faithful way had gently encouraged many of us as we stepped into our own becoming in ministry.

And he spoke honestly about a church that chose courage… a church that didn’t have all the answers, but was willing to grow, to stretch, and to become a more open and affirming home.

And more than that, it was a story of a community that chose to be the Good Samaritan.

A community that did not pass by.
A community that did not look away.
A community that stopped… even when it was uncomfortable…
drew near… even when it required something of them…
and made room.

It was not a perfect story.

But it was a brave one.

And as I sat there, surrounded by people who had once held such meaningful parts of my story, I realized I was not just witnessing his goodbye.

I was remembering what it feels like to be held in connection.

And as a gay pastor preparing to begin my first call to serve a church in the United Church of Christ, this moment held even more weight.

To sit in a space where a friend—alongside his husband—could speak openly about call, about belonging, about being fully welcomed into the life of a church… it was more than meaningful. It was encouraging in a way that reached deeper than words.

Because this is not just part of my story.
It is the story I am stepping into.

And to witness it lived out—to see a church choose welcome, to see a community choose presence, to see faith and identity not in conflict but held together with care—was a reminder that this kind of community is possible and does exist in many areas.

And that it matters.

As we step into Pride Month, I find myself holding that experience a little closer.

Because for many of us within LGBTQ+ communities, connection is not just a nice idea. It is something we search for. Fight for. Sometimes even grieve when it is absent.

To be known.
To be welcomed.
To be remembered.

These are not small things.

They are life-giving things.

And when they happen—even unexpectedly—they don’t just feel nice…
they restore something in us we didn’t realize had grown quiet.

In the work of abundant aging, we often talk about connection as essential to well-being. That as we age, meaningful relationships are what sustain us, shape us, and remind us who we are.

But perhaps it is important to remember that regardless of how many years we have lived, we are all aging. We are all moving through seasons of life—through beginnings and endings, through becoming and releasing, through moments of deep connection and moments of distance.

And maybe part of that sacred work is this: not only seeking connection, but becoming it.

Becoming the kind of people who notice.
Becoming the kind of people who draw near.
Becoming the kind of people who refuse to pass by.

Because connection is not only about who is present with us today.

It is also about the people who have held pieces of our story over time.

The friendships that shaped us.
The people who, even after time and distance, still recognize something true about who we are.

And perhaps abundance is found not in how many connections we maintain perfectly—but in the quiet, persistent grace of knowing that some connections endure.

That sometimes, we can return.

And sometimes, we are invited to be the reason someone else can.

And in that holy work, we just might find ourselves becoming the community we need.

For Reflection:

As you sit with this story, I invite you to pause—not just to think, but to feel.

When was the last time you found yourself in the presence of people who truly knew you—and what did that awaken within you?

How has your understanding of community changed as life has carried you through different seasons?

Are there relationships that once gave you life that you feel a quiet pull toward even now?

And who are the people who have held your story—who saw you, welcomed you, and made room for you to belong?

As you reflect, I gently invite you to consider this:

Where might you be called not only to seek community—but to become it?

Who around you might be waiting to be noticed?
To be met with presence instead of distance?
To experience a space where they can finally belong?

Because abundance is not found in what we hold onto—but in the connections we are willing to tend, the courage we are willing to embody, and the welcome we are willing to extend.

And in doing so, we may just become part of something that gives life—again and again.

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United Church Homes Receives $5,000 Grant from The McGregor Foundation to Support

Educational Programming for Older Adults at South Haven Woods

Cleveland, OH (June 11, 2026)— United Church Homes (UCH) has been awarded a $5,000 grant from The McGregor Foundation to support educational programming for low-income older adults living at South Haven Woods, a UCH affordable housing community in Bedford, Ohio. The funding will launch a new series of health, wellness and enrichment programs designed to help residents age safely, independently and with greater social connection.

South Haven Woods serves adults ages 55 and older, most of whom live on fixed incomes and face barriers to accessing reliable aging-related education. The grant will support on-site educational sessions led by healthcare professionals, aging service agencies and community partners, as well as group outings to museums, theaters and other cultural destinations. These programs will benefit nearly 60 residents, offering practical tools for healthier living while creating opportunities for meaningful social engagement.

“We are deeply grateful to The McGregor Foundation for investing in the well-being of older adults in our community,” said Dan Fagan, MPA, LSW, Vice President of Care and Housing at United Church Homes. “Educational programs like these empower residents with knowledge, connection and confidence—key ingredients for aging with dignity and independence.”

The educational series will address topics such as:

• Chronic disease management
• Physical wellness and fall prevention
• Mental and cognitive health
• Social isolation and community connection
• End-of-life planning and decision-making

The grant will also fund transportation for multiple group outings, helping reduce isolation and making cultural experiences more accessible for residents who may not have other means to participate.

Founded in 1916, United Church Homes provides affordable housing, healthcare and supportive services to thousands of older adults across 15 states and two tribal nations. South Haven Woods offers HUD-subsidized housing with onsite resident service coordination, connecting residents to resources that support physical, emotional and social well-being.

The McGregor Foundation’s support strengthens UCH’s long-standing commitment to prevention-focused, person-centered services that help older adults remain independent and engaged in their communities.

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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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