Every Tuesday and Friday a group of adults who are experiencing early memory loss gather at the church for the Brain Fitness Club. One thing they have not forgotten is the sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from serving others.
The Fitness Club provides activities to promote mental stimulation, such as music, art, reading, socialization, and light exercise. They have added filling Street Eats bags for the church to their activities.
Street Eats bags are an outreach ministry of this church. They provide members with a concrete way to serve when they come face-to-face with the hungry and the homeless. Every Sunday we have available Ziplock bags filled with an assortment of nonperishable easy-to-eat food items (i.e. a small bottled drink, granola bar, cheese and crackers, small container of apple sauce). Members are encouraged to take the bags and have them in their cars during the week to share with anyone they may meet who needs help.
This outreach ministry was begun because one member saw a need in the community and created a unique way to meet that need.
The Brain Fitness Club was also begun because someone saw a need and creatively searched for a way to meet the need.
Tom and Nancy Gerrity have had a loving marriage for 24 years. A few
years ago, Nancy noticed that Tom’s mind was not as sharp as it used to be. Eventually, he had to quit his job. But Tom was still functional in many ways and yearned to talk and interact with others.
Nancy enlisted the help of Peggy Bargmann, an RN with a specialty in memory disorders and the elderly, to help her start a program for Tom and others like him. After hearing of their vision, our church agreed to host the Brain Fitness Club and provided financial support through our foundation.
Members of the Fitness Club are appreciative of the opportunity to be of service to a ministry of this church. But we are doubly blessed: by their help and by our opportunity to be of service to them.
For more information about the Brain Fitness Club please contact Rev. Gary Rideout.