IDEAS FOR SENIOR MEETINGS
These meeting topics have been presented to the retirement age group at Immanuel Lutheran in Loveland Colorado, called Young at Hearts, from 2018 to the present. We have a monthly activity at the church with a guest speaker or games. We also meet together at a restaurant once a month. We have periodic special activities like picnics, field trips, and an annual luncheon.
GAME DAYS (Bunko, Bingo, etc.)
QUIZ DAYS (identify pictures of public figures (past and present); identify comic strip characters, songs, radio programs, etc. from the past.
MUSIC
Hymn singing, with details about the song backgrounds
hymn stories from the many denominations in the hymnal
GUEST SPEAKERS
a member speaking about his research into Christmas eve details
A speaker from Larimer county about their services for seniors
Jim gave slide show about biblical references to God in nature
Presentation by our local homeless aid director (House of Neighborly Service)
an Immanuel member in the state legislature spoke on his life there.
a city council member spoke on serving in public life as a Christian
a Christian doctor spoke on how his faith impacts his work
A member who visits prisons spoke about his ministry there
Our church’s choir director spoke about the church year
A member spoke about the early church and creeds
Our retired pastor spoke about the Psalms
Veterans told their experiences and showed the flag-folding ceremony
a physical therapist spoke on exercises seniors can do at home.
a member spoke about comparing Bible and Koran
a member spoke about Christians influencing the Public Square
the daughter of a member spoke on her experiences sharing faith as a taxi driver
a member telling how a health crisis brought him to faith
a member spoke about the constitution; another about the second amendment.
a marathon runner spoke about his international experiences
A guest missionary talked about her work.
our retired pastor talked about LCMS history in Colorado
A person who counsels people outside the Planned Parenthood center shared his experiences
Someone from police department talked about scams
Guest speaker talked about good diet principles
re-enactment of a local pioneer by our city’s historical society
testimony by one of our members about how God saved her life several times
Emergency medical technicians showed us how to help people who are not breathing
Presentation about a ministry that visits prisoners
Presentation by a member of our city’s school board
Veterans demonstrated flag ceremonies
PROGRAMS
One of the classes in our Lutheran school provided a Christmas program to us (they sang some songs, talked about Christmas around the world and visited with us)
Christmas white elephant gift exchange
PRESENTATIONS
a member who is metal worker showed some things he had made
woodworkers from our church exhibited their creations
People displayed their hobbies
Slide show of nature pictures
DISCUSSIONS
discussion sheets about our legacy as grandparents
Members shared their experiences about living in Colorado
People shared their lives through photos and a hat that represented an interest.
People shared insights into intercessory prayer
FIELD TRIPS AND SPECIAL OUTINGS
went to museum in Denver to see special display
went to bronze casting center in Loveland,
went to model railroad in Greeley,
went to local museum of model military scenes
played Snag Golf
visited a dairy
visited our local center for the needy
people brought chile and everyone voted on their favorite
Watched full-length movies
Anual picnic
COMMUNITY SERVICE
Some of our seniors are also involved in certain service projects, such as:
serving food at community kitchen
sorting food at local food share center
IDEAS FOR FUTURE CONSIDERATION
The following ideas were suggested at a luncheon attended by 53 people in January 2024:
Do Volunteering: for school, for community, for meals on wheels; Service: Put together packs for the needy; food and clothing collection
Do tours (ideas: airport, mushroom farm, factories; celestial seasoning; Visit museum. Zoo. Garden of Gods; Georgetown train; manitou springs; Model train museum; aircraft museum; Cider tasting; Wine tasting; winery tour;
Health: breathing practices; exercises; professional trainer
Sports: Attend sport events; go to a game center; senior Olympics; baseball darts; bowling; billiards; pickle ball
Games: Card games; board games; Yahtzee; Quarkle; dominoes; Pinochle; scrabble; bridge; trivia questions; marble games;
Nature: eagle-watching; Llama farm; viewing through telescopes
Social: potlucks or progressive dinners; ice-cream socials; seeing each others’ arts and crafts; go to concerts or theater productions together; Inter-generational get-togethers; Share ideas about gardening & types of gardens; learn about each others’ lives; “just get together to talk.”
Topics for speakers:
end of life planning; info on meeting physical needs; CPR; cybersecurity training;
Frank Sinatra impersonator;
Movie night (or afternoon), example: watch “The Chosen”
magic show
Faith-related: how to initiate discussions about faith; one-ness with God;