Adult Home Ministry

The presence of individuals from Adult Homes in the Ginter Park Presbyterian Church community provides a wonderful opportunity to enact one of our core beliefs as stated in the Presbyterian Book of Confessions:

Jesus proclaimed the reign of God:
     preaching good news to the poor
       and release to the captives,
     teaching by word and deed
       and blessing the children,
     healing the sick
       and binding up the brokenhearted,
     eating with outcasts . . .

These fellow Christians experience poverty, inadequate living conditions, and poor quality of health care because the federal, state and local political process has largely neglected them. If you are reading this webpage, you are privileged to have access to resources that can help them; consider being their advocate!

Please also consider being their friend. Here are a few things it may help you to know:

The individuals we encounter in our church are survivors who have demonstrated great resiliency and adaptive capacity under very stressful circumstances. The behaviors they display in their efforts to adapt may strike some as odd. If you are uncomfortable with a certain behavior (if they are standing too close, for instance) simply ask for what you want (like a bit more personal space). Such communication will show your determination to have an authentic relationship based on mutual respect.

One gift these members offer is insight into the strength of the human spirit. Their courage and determination can inspire anyone facing challenges in life. The truth is, we have much in common; we all have fears, anxieties, depression, and confusion to a greater or lesser degree. We can learn from each other how to cope gracefully with difficulty. To respect and celebrate the presence of Adult Home residents in our church community is one way to fulfill Jesus’ charge to “bind up the brokenhearted” . . . but don’t be surprised if you find that your own heart is healed in the process!

A practical note: Adult Home members receive some spending money each month. It isn’t much, so they may ask you for a little extra. Our policy is not to distribute funds to anyone on Sundays. Folks looking for assistance can come to the church office Monday through Friday for help with food, rent, utilities, etc. (These needs are met in the Adult Homes.) The church also has a few funds for special gifts to people in need – birthday presents, for example, or electric fans in the hot summer months. If you’d like to contribute to the special gifts fund, please write a check to GPPC with the memo “Sycle Fund.” If you’d like to help neighbors with other essential needs, please contribute to the Quinby Fund.