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Grandma Groups
Most of
the older ones aren't interested in doing craft projects, scrapbooking, etc, but would really enjoy and grow from fellowshipping with each other.
How could we describe our group, letting
the sisters know about it, but allowing anyone who's interested to join?
Something like, "for grandmas and wannabe grandmas" or something like that.
Any bright ideas out there? Has anyone had any success in that kind of group?
Thanks! Laurie in Pleasant Grove
Have
the record stories on a tape for their grandkids.
We call our group the Lunch Bunch. Younger sisters are always welcome and can
benefit from the mentoring. You can specifically ask the older sisters to take
the mentor roll and that may excite them too. Each time they have lunch they
can tackle a topic that younger sisters can learn from, or they can share
together about the stage they are in.
Good luck!
Carrie
The
ward my mom lives in - in Lindon (my mom isn't a member) has what they call the
"little old ladies luncheon" There is a group that comes to our Institute class
that are so wonderful - they seem to bring sunshine with them everywhere they go
- so someone dubbed them the sunshine sisters.
Teri
I think
it is a great idea...what about "Snack & Chat" that way it wouldn't
have to be a full meal...everyone could bring a snack to share and still sit
and visit. You could think up themes for each month and have the sisters
coordinate their snacks accordingly...i.e. - fast & easy, light & tasty, warm &
cozy, cool & refreshing....
Another idea is to have each sister cook a main dish that can be frozen and
then package it up into individual servings and then at the luncheon they can
trade freezer meals. Our older sisters don't really like to cook anymore.
They are alone and mostly eat salads or soup, etc. things that are easy. So
this is a great way for them to have healthy meals and also share and visit.
Good luck,
Lillian in N. CA
Our
ward has two or three groups for "older" sisters. Interestingly, these were all
in place BEFORE the new program started.
First, we have "Grandma Club" which is NOT limited to just those with
grandchildren. This group has (for years now) met once a month at a restaurant
for lunch out together. The restaurant is rotated, but in the area. The
sisters join in when they can and do usually pass around photos of their
grandkids (if they have any) and just chat for an hour.
Second, we have Senior Enrichment luncheon. This is typically for the
retirement aged sisters, and organized by the Relief Society President and held
at her house. The RS Presidency picks up the older sisters and they met for
lunch and always have a speaker of some sort. This is sometimes a newly
returned senior missionary couple talking about their mission; an ex-policeman
who came to talk about safety issues; etc. etc.
Finally, we have a group of empty nesters who get together one Monday evening a
month for FHE. (Dinner and visiting included--rotating houses and hosts).
Our RS President also hosts a "Birthday Lunch" every month. The premise is that
all sisters with a birthday in that month get together one day for lunch--but
ALL are invited. In other words, you don't have to wait until your birthday to
join in. This has gotten all ages to mix together, and often young mothers who
just want to get out and socialize for an hour join in. Children welcome.
Our ward has had these groups going on for many years now. We have had a group
of sisters who get together once a week to sing and, of course, they perform
often in sacrament meeting, at the senior center, for ward functions and
funerals, etc. We have had a book club going for more years than I can
count. Somehow, our ward naturally was inclined to group together often to fill
needs and gain social support without the umbrella of R.S.--yet they are all R.S.
Sisters with some of their non-member neighbors and friends who also join in.
Our problem now is how to bring it all under the mantle of the Relief Society
and/or expand the groups. Since the new program was implemented we have started
some knitting groups (one for daytime and one in the evening for working
sisters). The daytime one is going strong, but the evening one is not. We are
working to get some other things (R.S. organized) started as well....
-Poppleton
We had
a group in our Ward called Autumn Leaves for all people aged 60 and
over. Two of them ran the group & they organized all kinds of things -
mystery tours / lunch out / garden parties etc.
It was really well attended and loads of less actives used to come too!!
-Sara
Please Share Your Ideas!
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