Sage-ing Opportunities
MPBC and the Sage-ing Initiative and the MPBC Sage-ing Committee seek to support the growth and development of seniors navigating the third stage of life. Currently, the following opportunities are offered to assist Seniors in exploring the journey as they Retire, Rewire, Refire, and Reimagine. For additional information, contact Gary Hudson, Chair, Sage-ing Committee.
MPBC SAGE-ING COMMITTEE
Gary Hudson, Chair
Lynn Collins
Mike Cox
Tina Fort
Sam Slack
Betsy Thigpen
Penny Wellings
John Wilkerson
Staff Liaison: Rev. Carrie Veal
SAGE-ING LUNCH DATES
April 1, 2025 | Brain Health and Memory Wellness, led by staff from The Ivey Brain Health & Memory Wellness Center
May 6 | Poetry Readings | led by poet, Eddie Bell
June 3 | The Mayberry Effect | speaker, Chris Hudson
July | no luncheon
August 5 | A Program on Scams targeted towards Elders | speaker TBA (Adult Children of Elders will also be invited)
September 2 | TBA
October 7 | A Chair Exercise Program | led by Gay Casper from Southminster
November 4 | Musician, Anne Trenning
December 2 | Holiday Music and Songs led by Kevin Gray
SAGE-ING RETREAT
Moving From Senior to Elder
Facilitated by Jeanine Siler Jones, MSW, LCSW
Date | April 26, 2025
Time | 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
Place | Heaton Hall at Myers Park Baptist Church
Cost | $25/person Includes Lunch - OR - $10/person If You Bring Your Lunch
Jeanine will guide participants in recognizing that with extended longevity comes the opportunity for extended personal growth and spiritual development.
The journey of MOVING FROM SENIOR TO ELDER involves an intentional decision by seniors to place themselves on a path of continued development until the time of death. Using her experience with Cynthia Bourgeault’s wisdom work, Jeanine will offer a radical reimagining of age that includes key thresholds of later life, attune to one’s soul’s longing, and emerge renewed as an Elder filled with vitality and purpose.
THE SCHEDULE
9:30 am | Registration and Check-In with Coffee and Pastries Provided
10:00 am | Welcome by Becky Baker
10:10 am | Presentation by Jeanine Siler Jones with Special Guest Mahan Siler
12:00 pm | Blessing by Gene Kustener | Boxed Lunch and Fellowship
12:45 pm | Poetry Introduction by Gary Hudson with Sandy Hill, poet
1:00 pm | Presentation Resumes
2:00 pm | Break
3:00 pm | Closing by Nancy Culp, Deacon Board Member
ABOUT THE RETREAT LEADER
Jeanine works primarily as a private practice therapist, spiritual director and Enneagram teacher. She lives in the country outside of Asheville, NC with her husband and next door to her parents and brother’s family. She has been an active participant in the Wisdom community since 2009, both as student and teacher, and assisted in facilitating multiple Wisdom Schools in the Southeast. Jeanine’s steady hand has helped co-create a number of Wisdom Waypoints and Wisdom Community projects and ongoing groups, supporting newcomers and leaders. She joined the Wisdom Waypoints Council in 2020.
CIRCLES OF ELDERS
For over two years, a small group of MPBC Seniors has been experimenting with a new concept, Circles of Elders. Inspired by Mahan Siler and based on the work of Carl Jung and Jungian psychotherapist, Connie Zweig, Circles of Elders provide opportunities for Seniors to embark on the journey of MOVING FROM SENIOR TO ELDER. This has been an extremely positive experience for the seven Elders involved. We would like to make the experience available for others who might be interested. Participation in a Circles of Elders provides space for seniors to
- Be Seen,
- Be Heard, and
- Be Known.
New Circles of Elders opportunities are being created. For more information, contact Gary Hudson at or Betsy Thigpen at .
CHECK OUT THESE WEBSITES:
Sage-ing International | www.sage-ing.org
Elders Action Network | https://eldersaction.org
Climate Change in an Aging Society |