Senior Adult Council
The Senior Adult Council of St. Stephen’s UMC (SAC) promotes ministry by, with, and for older adults that includes spiritual growth, education, service, and recreation.
VIPs
The VIPs are a social group under the umbrella of the Senior Adult Council. VIP meetings are open to neighbors who are 50 and older. The monthly meeting is the second Thursday of each month and centers around a short business meeting, recognition of monthly birthdays and anniversaries, entertainment, and a catered meal. The cost is $10 per person, payable at the door. Reservations can be made by calling the church office at 713-686-8241. VIP meetings are held in the church Fellowship Hall located on the west corner of 43rd street and Donna Bell.
VIPs also sponsor older adult trips. If the trips are local and a county bus is used, you must be 50+ to ride. If the trip is overnight or longer, Coach USA is used and there are no age constraints. The cost of the trips depends on where the trip takes us and whether meals are included. All trips are scheduled in advance on a first-pay, space-available basis.
GriefShare
GriefShare is a friendly, caring group of people who will walk alongside you through one of life’s most difficult experiences. You don’t have to go through the grieving process alone. You’ll gain access to valuable GriefShare resources to help you recover from your loss and look forward to rebuilding your “new normal.” Each cycle is 13 weeks, but you may join at any point during the cycle. One cycle is held each spring and fall. If you need immediate support, please contact our church office so we may connect you with one of our facilitators or a current group near you.
The Gathering Place
St. Stephen’s supports and hosts monthly meetings of The Gathering Place, a ministry for persons with memory loss and their caregivers. Each month on the second Monday, our volunteers (in partnership with Interfaith Care Partners) lead the program with fun, memory-stimulating activities, and serve lunch. Caregivers can choose to stay and participate in the activities or use the time (10:00 am-1:30 pm) for a break. There is no charge to attend Gatherings.
Games Day
A group of seniors meets on Wednesdays at 9:30 am and again at 1:00 pm to play games. Attendees bring their own sack lunches and there is no charge for attending.
Senior Activities Day is held on the first Wednesday of each month. Games begin at 9:30 a.m., followed by a soup and sandwich lunch at 11:45. Love offerings are appreciated to help cover the cost of lunch.
Solitaires
Solitaires is a ministry to persons whose spouses have passed away. Members of the group reach out to the recently bereaved, providing support and a safe place to grieve. The group meets monthly for fellowship and schedules frequent trips.