A Message to Staff About Coronavirus

Our Deepest Appreciation We all realize that our work in healthcare requires 24/7 caregiving, come what may, in the world outside our communities. On behalf of the United Church Homes Board of Directors and the families and friends of those you're serving, I want to express deep appreciation to our…

Read More

Another Year, Another Ring Around Our Tree

This time of year, we are reminded about the passing of time as the leaves change color around us. My favorite season, fall, is a good time to reflect on the year’s accomplishments. At United Church Homes, our newest ring marks a tree that will be 104 years old in…

Read More

Satisfied and Engaged!

I can remember from my earliest school years the trepidation that report card time would bring. Many of us can relate to having others grade our efforts, our mastery of complex ideas or processes or our artistic and musical performances. At United Church Homes, we have improved and expanded the…

Read More

Technology Unites UCH Services

As we rolled it out and provided training for staff members, we expanded the use of the information captured in just about every space within United Church Homes. Technology such as PointClickCare transforms the services we provide while increasing operational efficiencies. Today, technology continues to be an integral part of…

Read More

Like a Tree Planted By Water:

We are into March Madness as I write these words, and a unique story caught my eye. The Loyola men’s basketball team has a “chaplain” for their team. She is a 98-year-old retired nun who has a long association with the university and the team. Her job is to provide…

Read More

Not by Accident: Our Intentionality in Mission

It was not by accident that we serve older adults in regions with high concentrations of low-income individuals especially across the South or sensitive populations such as our Native American communities in Minnesota and Nebraska. We seek to provide services to the underserved and be an inclusive organization where each…

Read More

Transforming Aging Through Education, Innovation

The Ruth Frost Parker Center for Abundant Aging was launched in 2016 to recognize United Church Homes’ most generous benefactor and to create a learning and teaching center where professionals, caregivers, ministers and others can work together to improve the quality of life for older adults. The late Ruth Frost…

Read More

Blessed be the tie that binds

Dozens of people including Pilgrim Manor staff, former board members and others attended the service. The covenant service is a new tradition that welcomes new communities into the UCH family. Leaders from Pilgrim Manor’s supporting congregations, the Michigan Conference and Grand Valley Association of the United Church of Christ, UCH…

Read More

Affordable housing: Our mission, our ministry

These stories from our residents and others included in our cover story about the potential devastating cuts to communities funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) illustrate the challenges seniors face when they try to find housing they can afford as their incomes decline and their need…

Read More

A Thought Leader on Aging

Our intent was to initiate a discussion to change the perception of aging in America. Award-winning journalist and former Good Morning America host Joan Lunden served as our keynote presenter. What began as a way for UCH to recognize and honor the memory of Ruth Frost Parker, the visionary leader…

Read More

A Multicolored Mission

To me this seems a fitting symbol of United Church Homes in its centennial year, new and old elements blending together, revealing the bold spirit of this enduring ministry. The colors, the structure, and the flow of light evoke the spirit of what United Church Homes has become and where…

Read More

A Mission and a Movement

I think of the social pressures on an immigrant denomination of German lineage during a time of international turmoil and war with Germany in Europe. I think of the rapid industrialization of American towns and cities as mills and factories followed technological innovations in transportation, steel, and other manufacturing. I…

Read More

A Second Century of Service

The simple act of turning the calendar page to 2016 is a significant step for United Church Homes. It means we’ve officially crossed the threshold into a second century of service. What began with siblings Matthew and Jane Smith generously gifting their family farm in Holland, Ohio, to the Toledo…

Read More

Diligence & Decisions

With just two months remaining in 2015, I am very excited by what United Church Homes has accomplished in a very short period of time. Since January, the organization has secured a major management contract with Friendship Village of Columbus, adopted a fresh set of Vision-Mission-Core Value statements, completed three…

Read More

A New Vision for a New Day

The year 2014 has been one preparing for significant transformation for United Church Homes. This all converged over the span of two days this past February when three significant events took place illustrating the vibrancy of our ministry at United Church Homes. First, the Board of Directors approved a new…

Read More

Discovering the Story of United Church Homes

I hope you will share my excitement at the stories about the diversity of people who are connected with United Church Homes. Our challenge continues to be to discover the unique individuals who are part of the tapestry of UCH. It truly is a journey of discovery. This issue of…

Read More

Hope & Mission

I am continually reminded that United Church Homes is a sacred ministry which defies conventional thinking and often borders on the miraculous. Usually, these reminders crop up in a day’s work in places where they’re least expected. Yet there they are—in plain sight, inspiring awe and wonder, and causing the…

Read More

Of Gifts and Giving

The Bible is full of lessons regarding gifts and giving, providing us with a rich 360-degree perspective of the importance of gifts in the teachings of Christ and their value to the essence of human existence. The Bible also tells us there is a season for everything under heaven. I…

Read More

See Your Good Works

People know good works when they see them—a warm embrace, an inspiring story, an act of kindness, a generous gift. Good works make us both human and humane. Good works also empower us, sometimes unexpectedly, in situations we’re interested in improving. We all want to do good works, to contribute…

Read More