Susie Petersen Rev. David Lutz Kim Natwig Director Care Ministries Pastor Newsletter Editor

Volume No. 53, October-November-December 2014

FRIENDS CONNECTING

Bethany United Methodist Church 10010 Anderson Mill Road, Austin, TX 78750

OUR VISION: is to provide the highest

quality respite program for families caring for someone

with dementia at home through demonstrating the love of Christ for them in

tangible ways.

OUR MISSION: is to provide respite to caregivers and enrich

the quality of life of their loved ones with dementia

through a stimulating, loving and safe community

environment.

FIND OUT MORE: As part of a 2012 St. David’s

Foundation Grant, HOF produced

“A Day in the Life of our Program” video.

You can view it from the home page on our website at

www.bethanyHOF.org

For the latest news… check out our website at: www.bethanyHOF.org

HOF is a proud 2013 Grant Recipient from ...

Friends wrap themselves in an affirming bear hug and then they spiritedly embrace their adjacent neighbors. Eyes shift toward Ken, dressed in a goldenrod shirt adorned with colorful leaves. Ken flashes an impish grin and breaks into song!

Autumn leaves are now falling, red, yellow and brown. Autumn leaves are now falling, red, yellow and brown. Tra-la-la! Tra-la-la! Autumn leaves are now falling. See them tumbling down!

Autumn is packed full of sensory experiences at HOF. Red apple slices taste crisp and sweet. Fingers trace mottled gourds and multi-hued Indian corn. In our music circle we listen to Nancy sing “With a Song in My Heart”. Later we walk to the pumpkin patch, picking out our favorite pumpkin to take home. Smiles and pleasant chatter paint the afternoon with cheer.

Student nurses from Concordia University-Texas and the University of Texas-Austin will participate in HOF over 7 weeks this fall. While this public health-targeted experience is a significant learning opportunity for the students, our focus is centered on creating moments of fun and contentment for our dementia participants. It is a wonderful blending of enthusiastic students and young-at-heart seniors. Adding more fall color, the talented teaching duo of Rev. Dave Lutz and Linda Chambers, R.N., offers caregiver education courses “Savvy Caregivers” and “Powerful Tools for Caregivers”. At Thanksgiving, we will be especially grateful for the generosity of volunteers and donors who have blessed us with their talents and gifts this year.

Themes of Hope, Peace and Joy will close our December. We wish each of you the blessings of Christmas – painted with God’s love! — Susie Petersen

It’s Thursday morning and members gather at the volleyball corner. Assistant Director Linda cheerfully welcomes each individual. Gentle stretching comes next. Raemar calls out the word “LEAVES” to be spelled in unison by the group.

Chrystle & Joe sway to the music!

INVITATION TO HOF MEMBERS,

FAMILY, FRIENDS, INDIVIDUALS,

& COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

House of Friends

9th Annual Benefit Gala Saturday, February 21, 2015

Won’t you join us?

4 TH

HOF SESSION Devotional with Pastor Dave Theme: Preparing for Christmas-Hope Concordia Univ. nursing students visit

7 PEARL HARBOR REMEMBRANCE DAY

11 TH

HOF SESSION Theme: Preparing for Christmas-Peace Lunch & Pick up in the Bethany Café

Alzheimer Caregivers Support Group Ministry Ctr., Bethany 12:00-1:30pm RSVP Dave Lutz 512-310-9451

13 Primetimer’s Christmas Brunch 10:30am, Bethany UMC Fellowship

Hall

14 HOF PROGRAM TEAM MEETING 2:00-4:00pm, Bethany Room D-212

15 HOF FAMILY & FRIENDS CHRISTMAS COVER DISH LUNCHEON 12:00pm-2:00pm Bethany Fellowship Hall

18 TH

HOF SESSION Theme: Preparing for Christmas-Joy Bethany Preschoolers Caroling 11:00am Austin Banjo Club performs (family members invited)

19 Article Deadline for HOF Newsletter

25 TH

NO HOF SESSION We wish you a Merry Christmas!

===== LOOKING AHEAD =====

1 TH

NO HOF SESSION Happy New Year, see you January 8th!

2 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS Fall back one hour!

5 ELECTION DAY

POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS COURSE Hope Presbyterian Church

6 TH

HOF SESSION Devotional with Pastor Dave

8 World of Hope Fair Trade Market Hope Presbyterian Church www.hopeaustin.org

9 HOF PROGRAM TEAM MEETING 2:00-4:00pm, Bethany Room D-212

World of Hope Fair Trade Market Hope Presbyterian Church

11 VETERAN’S DAY

12 POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS COURSE Hope Presbyterian Church

13 TH

HOF SESSION Theme: Salute to Veterans Lunch & pickup in the Bethany Café

Alzheimer Caregivers Support Group Ministry Ctr., Bethany 12:00-1:30pm

RSVP Dave Lutz 512-310-9451

17 LUNCH WITH SUSIE Freda’s Seafood Grille www.fredasseafoodgrille.com RSVP: Susie at 512-258-6017 ext 254

18 Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, National Memory Screening Day www.alfdn.org

19 POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS COURSE Hope Presbyterian Church

20 TH

HOF SESSION Yoga with Genevieve Devotional with Pastor Dave Theme: We Give Thanks

26 POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS COURSE Hope Presbyterian Church

27 TH

NO HOF SESSION Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

1 SAVVY CAREGIVER COURSE 10:30am-12:00pm, Bethany UMC Preregister at 512-918-3197

2 TH

HOF SESSION Devotional with Pastor Dave Theme: Featuring a Friend UT nursing students visit

8 SAVVY CAREGIVER COURSE 10:30am-12:00pm, Bethany UMC

9 TH

HOF SESSION Theme: Visit to the Pumpkin Patch Lunch & pickup in the Bethany Café Concordia Univ. nursing students visit

Alzheimer Caregivers Support Group Ministry Ctr., Bethany 12:00-1:30pm

RSVP Dave Lutz 512-310-9451

12 Alzheimer’s Association Travis County Memory Walk to End Alzheimer’s (see info inside)

13 COLUMBUS DAY

15 SAVVY CAREGIVER COURSE 10:30am-12:00pm, Bethany UMC

16 TH

HOF SESSION Yoga with Genevieve Devotional with Pastor Dave Theme: Falling Leaves UT nursing students visit

19 HOF PROGRAM TEAM MEETING 2:00-4:00pm, Bethany Room D-212

23 TH

HOF SESSION Theme: Oktoberfest UT nursing students visit

31 HALLOWEEN

22 POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS COURSE Preregister at 512-250-0089 Hope Presbyterian Church

27 LUNCH WITH SUSIE 11:30am, location to be announced

30 TH

HOF SESSION Theme: Halloween Fun Fest Don’t forget your costume!

29 POWERFUL TOOLS FOR CAREGIVERS COURSE

Won’t YOU join us? The Bethany Alzheimer’s Support Group meets the

second Thursday of each month

from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Attendance remains strong at the monthly meetings of the Bethany Alzheimer’s Support Group! We try to follow a pattern of having a speaker at one session followed by sharing at the next session. Any caregiver, family member, or friend of a caregiver is invited to join us at our meetings. Meetings are co-facilitated facilitated by Dave Lutz, Care Ministries Pastor, and Kathy Maurer, Stephen Minister and experienced dementia family caregiver.

Oct. 9th,

Nov. 13th,

&

Dec. 11th

Questions may be directed to Pastor David Lutz, 512-310-9451 or dlutzbethany2000@gmail.com.

Our lives were richer having counted Roger as our friend. He brought his

own special gifts to HOF and our prayers go out to Roger’s family.

IN MEMORY OF

ROGER BYRNE

05-25-1933 to 07-30-2014

IN MEMORY OF DORTHEA MILLER

12-18-1921 to 06-30-2014

In Loving Remembrance of House of Friends members who have passed away.

Dorthea was a much-loved and faithful HOF volunteer for 7 years. Health changes in 2011 led her to retire from HOF. Her warm, outgoing personality endeared her to us all. She embraced life with energy, enjoyed humor, and was quick to laugh. You knew Dorthea would give you her honest opinion, always with a compassionate base. Dorthea told us, “HOF has been the most harmonious group that I have ever been a part of.”

“Thanks for doing a magnificent job at House of Friends!” - Cathy Markey, HOF Volunteer

“Thank you for creating such a special place. HOF is the

highlight of my mother’s week.” - Susan Hendrix, Caregiver

“I’m so grateful to have HOF in my life!”

- Genevieve Yellin, HOF Volunteer

In Memory of Evelyn Akin Melinda Long

TV Minner

In Memory of Ralph Bartlett Karen Garrison Melinda Long

In Memory of Herby Beard Emmeline Aguirre

Steve Beckerich Ken Bray George Ann Carmichael

Charles Chupco Pam Havel-Moser Melinda Long

Patricia Lund David Siek Linda Tenpas

In Honor of Nancy & Pat Bodin Susie Petersen

In Memory of Betty Bohac Debbie Crowley

In Memory of Eleanor Brunner Gamma Delta Chapter, ADK

In Honor of Bettye Calmes Paul Calmes

In Memory of Jeanne Cullington Karen Counts Joe Dale Morris

In Honor of John & Barbara Eaton Rev. Gus Browning

Sam Douglas

In Memory of Maria Gutierrez Lowell Ambrose JE Balliew Sue Blumberg

Richard Castro Mark Frazier Robert Gonzales

Adriana Gutierrez Hector Gutierrez Elsa Jasso

Antonia Zepeda Laurel Robert Patton Gary Scharrer

In Memory of Joseph Howell Anonymous

In Memory of Raymond Johnson Rev. Dave Lutz

In Memory of Mary Kash Pat DuBois

In Memory of Dr. David Kerr Austin Police Retired Officers Assn.

Linda Ball Felicia Barron Elizabeth Bechtol

Renee Burns Bill Bynum Patricia Cline

Barbara Colley Andrea Cuilla Deborah Davison

Dr. Bruce Elliott Larry Gay Karen Goff

Dr. JL Kelley Kathleen Mayes Janna Melton

Barbara Daughtery Tami Culp

Stormy Johnson Phyllis O’Rourke

Molly Mitchell JoAnn Noble Grayce Papst

Ronald Revell Ardis Schnell Becky Lyn Shelton

Bonnie Tobin Kathleen Tucker Robin Von Rosenberg

Gloria Watson Linda Williams 2

In Memory of Dorthea Miller Virginia Alexander

Alice Wilson Interiors Cecilia Barrentine Barbara Bittner

Tim Buckley Debbie Childers Charles Chupco

Discovery Class Sam & Nancy Douglas Bruce Garrison

Lourdes Hall Kristie Harlson Elizabeth Henry Vicki Hill

Pauline Lacey Lois Lemay Carla Lott

Sue McDonald TV Minner Kim Natwig

Marcia Sanders Mary Love Sanders Barbara Sanford

Mary Schuler James Scott Nick Sisak

Linda Tenpas Larry Thorne Clifford Wells

Lynda Young

In Memory of HOF members who

died in 2014 Rev. Dave Lutz

In Memory of Dee O’Farrell Cheryl Kuharski

In Memory of Zar & Barbara Reader Janet Calcaterra

In Honor of Jean Robertson Victoria Bovard

In Memory of Audry Salter Anonymous

In Memory of Cassandra Smith Sheri Clifton

In Honor of Mary McNeill Smith Anonymous

In Honor of Rachel Smith Robin Butts

In Memory of Tavia Smith Pat DuBois

In Honor of Faith & Bob Unger Susie Petersen

In Memory of Margaret Yeaman Rev. John Yeaman

In Memory of Bob Young Carla Young

2014 HOF Commemorative Contributions January 1 – August 31, 2014

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!

We are grateful for commemorative contributions to House of Friends made In Memory of and In Honor of individuals and special occasions, January to August 2014! These contributions total $8,010.

Commemorative contributions can be made through check (http://www.bethany-umc.org/generosity/gifts-memorials ), electronic funds transfer (http://www.bethany-umc.org/generosity/eft ), credit card (http://www.bethanyhof.org/ ), stock gift (Bethany UMC – finance office), and Amplify Austin (https://amplifyatx.ilivehereigivehere.org/ non-profit=house of friends). All funds go directly into a HOF-dedicated account. Thank you for your generosity to benefit our self-sustaining program!

1 Jake brings out pastries for HOF from Starbucks.

2 Boy Scout troop #146 tells HOF about their troop flag.

3 Morning snack - fruit from Arden Courts & pastries from Starbucks.

4 Senior Sitters provided ice cream for the Ice Cream Social. Wandaka, Linda Hampton, Yvette Espinosa, Susie, & Lindsey pictured.

5 Linda Hyman and her pet therapy dog, Murphy entertain the group.

6 Students Elena & Madison show the flower pens they made for HOF.

7 Community Partner Genevieve and her class of yoga teachers in training visit HOF.

8 University of Texas School of Nursing students with instructor Ana Todd rotate through House of Friends!

7

1

3

8

4

5

2

6

This fall university senior undergraduate nursing students will participate in House of Friends as a community/ public health-targeted learning experience. Over 7 weeks in September, October and November, students from Concordia University-Austin Nursing Program and the University of Texas-Austin School of Nursing will be fully involved in our Thursday program.

Since 2009, HOF has provided this experiential opportunity for 524 student nurses in Austin, playing a significant role in transforming understanding of caregiver needs, care of dementia individuals, furthering understanding of the merits of dementia respite, senior volunteering and intergenerational volunteer programs.

During September, Kasey Rulander, a Texas Tech senior nursing student, volunteered at HOF as part of a community nursing class requirement. This last year of studies for her nursing certification is based at Austin’s Brackenridge Hospital.

Above & Beyond the Call of Duty Awards

July, August,

& September

Above:

Linda shows off the

newly organized

storage area.

Left:

Lana serves hot dog

boats at the HOF

Summer Picnic!

T.V. Minner & Art Cruser - loaned us fishing rods for the Carnival Day fishing pond Nancy Adams & Nancy Broughton - volunteered for an entire session Lana Smith - prepared lunches that matched our themes (summer picnic baskets, beach sand dessert) and provided hot fudge sauce for the Ice Cream Social Elena Schroeder & Madison Alexander - middle school students, made beautiful flower pens for our HOF mini “office” and volunteered in 2 sessions Will Schroeder - helped in bowling Boyan Zhu - high school student, volunteered in 2 sessions Ross Goldsmith - youth volunteer Bob Hosking - transportation for JW for day surgery Nancy Guevremont & Pat O’Farrell - came early to help with Thursday morning set-up Ken Bray & Linda Chambers - organized new storage arrangement Dave Lutz - set up large screen video of the Hawaiian island of Kaua’I for Hawaiian Days Boyan, Madison, & Elena - youth volunteers tried on grass skirts and showed us a sampling of the hula Bill Seim - added the Hokey Pokey to his song list Elizabeth Schroeder - assisted with craft set-up Curt Olson, Nancy Wise, & Jane Olson - provided Ice Cream Social “Fiddler on the Roof” musical entertainment Senior Sitters Home Health - provided Bluebell Ice Cream for Social Ann Lattimore brought dessert cupcakes to celebrate her dad’s (Don Rowlett) birthday Troop 146 Boy Scouts - presented a Flag Ceremony for the 4th of July. Linda Chambers - created a patriot song CD playlist and the exercise motions to go with the music Dave Lutz - engaging and interactive session devotionals twice a month for 10 years!

Top: UT student Lisa dances with Don R.

Bottom: UT student Patrick works on a craft with Ray.

Student’s comments from past visits to HOF: This experience helped to remind me that a diagnosis is not a way of life. It is not the person. This activity helped reinforce the person and family.

Volunteers were so amazing and provided such inspiration!

This was honestly one of the best experiences I have had in nursing school.

Dr. Jim Mitchon provided hands-only CPR training called Check-Call-Compress (CCC) for HOF volunteers on August 28 at 8 a.m. and repeated at 2 p.m. Each session of this quarterly volunteer continuing education was 20 minutes long. The 16 volunteers were trained to CHECK the victim for signs of life. If no sign of life, CALL 911 for help and get an AED. Then COMPRESS the victim’s chest at least 100 beats per minute until help arrives. Each volunteer was given the opportunity to practice compressions on manikin torsos. Many commented on how much work it took to do 100 beats per minute! Dr. Mitchon also demonstrated the use of the AED (automated external defibrillator) for victims requiring CPR.

Join Bethany’s House of Friends Walking Team for the Alzheimer's Association Travis Co. Walk to End Alzheimer's!

Meet us at 10am, for the 3-mile walk, at Camp Mabry in Austin.

Register to walk at http://act.alz.org (team name = House of Friends). Unable to join us? Make a donation on-line to support the team,

or pick up donation forms in the Bethany U.M.C. office.

In its 10th year, HOF provides a free weekly dementia respite program on Thursdays at Bethany U.M.C. in the Disciple Bldg.

Questions? Contact: Susie Petersen, Director House of Friends, susie.petersen@bethany-umc.org or 512-258-6017x254

Linda Tenpas, Mary Smith, Nancy Guevremont, Nancy Adams,

Virginia Alexander, Pat O’Farrell, Jim Jones, Ken Bray, JW

White, Bill Power, Helen Pringle, Bob Hosking, Sue Hosking,

Monika Knesek, Margo Brown, and Kathy Maurer attended.

Dr. Jim

Mitchon,

Linda

Chambers,

& Vanessa Mitchon

pose with the

Check

Call

Compress

training

dummies!

Course Starts October 22nd

Are you a caregiver for a parent, spouse, or other older adult

for any reason? If so, this six-week, 90 minute class developed by Legacy Health System is for you. It is not a support group specific to your care receiver and how you effectively care for him/her; rather, it’s focus is on you and

your health, and helping you to develop self-care tools.

Class topics include: • Taking Care of You • Identifying and Reducing Personal Stress • Communicating Feelings, Needs, Concerns • Communicating in Challenging Situations • Learning from Our Emotions • Mastering Care-Giving Decisions

Fall classes offered at Hope Presbyterian Church: October 22, 29, November 5, 12, 19, 26 .

Time: 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Facilitators: Bethany Care Ministries Pastor Dave Lutz

and Linda Chambers, RN, who have received special training to lead this class.

Registration: Tim Duffee, timduffee@yahoo.com or phone: 512-250-0089. Class is limited to 15 persons so register today!

.

1 Students Madison & Elena enjoy chatting with Sue, Susie, & Don during the HOF morning social time. 2 Ice Cream Social Hospitality team - Linda Winn, Sybil Goodwin, Sharon Reeves, & Linda McLeod. 3 Marvin Franks leads the group in singing. 4 TJ the DJ dances with Jack. 5 Lena shows Clay her watercolor. 6 Henry & Linda have fun during dominos. 7 Susie poses with our 4th of July robot! 8 Ken serenades Nancy with his famous rendition of “Autumn Leaves are Falling”. 9 Ollie, Lore Lee, & Raemar discuss their week.

1 2

6

3

5 4

8

9

7

by Pastor Dave Lutz

JULY-AUG-SEPT In-Kind Donations

We are grateful for the generous donations from the following friends of our program.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I

do not give to you as the world gives.”

John 14:27

In the Gospel of John chapter 14, we read these words that Jesus spoke to his disciples: “Peace I

leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” Everyone thinks about peace differently. Some consider it to be a matter of external conditions; when life is calm and people feel safe. However, peace that is based on external conditions may end abruptly. Then fear overwhelms and safety disappears. “External peace” is always conditional and subject to change.

Another type peace can be called “inner peace.” This is the peace that results in a feeling of personal satisfaction, such as when we have helped another human being or when we sit with family or friends and drink coffee and chat. There is still another kind of peace, that which Jesus refers to in John. This is the peace of God. We forget that God is our most important friend and helper. We often try to do everything by ourselves. Then the time comes and we say, “I can’t do it alone!” This is an “aha” moment. We know that “The battle is the Lord’s”

(I Sam. 17:47) and so we put our complete trust in God. It is only then that he will give us peace that can never be taken away. Only then will we find true peace.

From our Sponsors & Community Partners Arden Courts Memory Care Center, Lisa Daly - fresh fruit tray, donut holes Arden Courts Memory Care Center, Lisa Daly - tray homemade cinnamon coffee cake Starbucks (Hwy 183 & Anderson Mill Rd) - assorted pastries Senior Sitters - Bluebell Ice Cream for Social & pizza lunch for 40

From our Friends & Volunteers Linda Tenpas - assorted fruit Linda Chambers - popcorn & popcorn bags for carnival day Bob & Sue Hosking - crocheted dishcloths with cross design (daughter crocheted) Bruce & Sharon Leach - homemade cinnamon rolls Nancy Ruiz - homemade blueberry-raspberry muffins & cake Nancy Broughton, Monika Knesek, Bob & Sue Hosking, Helen Pringle, Myrna Jacks - fruit Ann Lattimore - birthday cupcakes Linda McLeod, Syble Goodwin, Sharon Reeves, Linda Winn - chopped nuts, caramel topping, whipped cream, cherries, napkins, and bowls Nancy Kier, Linda Tenpas, Marilyn Jones, Nancy Guevremont, & Nancy Wise - fresh strawberries for Ice Cream Social Lana Smith - hot fudge sauce TV Minner - small fishing rod Monika Knesek & Myrna Jacks - cutting out materials for the “At the Beach Craft”

Congratulations, Award Winners Virginia Alexander, Linda Tenpas, and Bob and Sue Hosking!

These HOF 10-year volunteers were awarded Oscars for Outstanding Volunteer Service at the annual Bethany Care and Connections Ministry Volunteer Appreciation Brunch in August. For over 20 years, these individuals have been reaching out to those in need in Bethany and our community with love and compassion. In addition to their weekly service as HOF volunteers since 2004, they have served in various Bethany Care Ministry areas including: Stephen Ministry, Home Visitation, Hospital Visitation, New Visitor bakers, HOF Vision and Lead Teams and Benevolence.

Sue & Bob Hosking pose with

Cecilia Barrentine & their Oscars!

Won’t you help?

Gala planning Team Member (Jazz on the

Bayou, annual fundraiser, on Feb. 21st, 2015)

In-Session Volunteers (on Thursdays)

Prepare Craft Materials (behind the scenes) HOF Library Assistant (behind the scenes)

Newsletter Editor & Graphics (behind the

scenes)

Administrative Assistance (behind the scenes)

Earlier this year HOF Assistant Director Linda and Director Susie

visited Amazing Place, a daytime dementia program located in Houston.

During our visit, we gathered many resource and programming ideas from Participant Program Director Emile Unverzagt and other staff that we hope to implement in HOF. Emile gave us a tour of their two story building and a personal view of their comprehensive Monday-Friday care program that supports 60 individuals daily. During the visit, Linda and Susie greeted participants as they arrived between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. As luncheon table hosts, we each facilitated a table group of 7 participants. After lunch we led small group card and game activities.

Amazing Place ( http://www.amazingplacehouston.org/ ) began as a community outreach dementia respite called “The Senior Place” in 1996 with 3 participants. In 1998, 12 churches formed a non-profit corporation. A capital campaign in 2007 led to building a new state-of-the-art facility to expand service to the community threefold.

This great trip to Amazing Place was funded by monies provided by our Austin Community Foundation grant.

Linda (right) works one-on-one with a participant at Amazing Place!

We celebrate middle and high school youth who volunteered in HOF sessions this summer: Madison Alexander, Ross Goldsmith, Elena

Schroeder and Boyan Zhu! Madison and Elena made flower pens that have been put to good use in HOF. Madison, Elena and Boyan sorted materials and demonstrated the hula on Hawaiian Day. Ross, who has volunteered a number of times in the last year, stepped in where needed. These youth got connected to HOF in a variety of ways. Madison’s grandmother Anne was a HOF participant several years ago. Ross’ grandfather Don is supported in HOF currently. Elena is Director Susie Petersen’s acolyte prayer partner. Boyan, now in high school, previously helped in HOF as part of an elementary school dementia-focused learning project in 2010.

Monica Kennedy -- joined us as a volunteer in June. Her husband, Clay, recruited Monica to join him as a HOF volunteer.

Jack Rusch -- worked for Bell & Howell for 25 years specializing in mechanical calculators. He plays the accordion a little bit and likes to sing at church with Karon, his wife of 53 years!

Photo: Susie does the hula with student volunteers Elena, Madison, & Boyan on Hawaiian Day!

Cathy Markey -- became a HOF volunteer in August. She also volunteers at a similar program at St. Thomas More Catholic Church.

Wayne Day -- served 41 years as a Methodist minister in

Texas. He is also certified as a Marriage & Family Counselor. Wayne enjoys reading history-related books & biographies.

Together we are the hands and heart of God building a house of friends.

The House of Friends is a faith-based, volunteer-staffed social program for those with early stages of Alzheimer’s and related diseases and provides respite to caregivers.

House of Friends at ... Bethany United Methodist Church 10010 Anderson Mill Road Austin, TX 78750 (512) 258-6017 X254 Susie Petersen, Director s.petersen419@gmail.com

www.bethanyHOF.org

If you wish to be removed from this newsletter mailing list, or receive the newsletter digitally via e-mail, please send an e-mail to Sally Foster at sally.foster@bethany-umc.org

OCT-NOV-DEC

2014

Return Service Requested

MOELLER

If you think you might be interested in becoming associated with the House of Friends & would like to learn more about becoming a volunteer with

the program, go to: www.BethanyHOF.org or contact Nancy Kier at 512-250-5501 to set up a time for you to come and visit our program.

HOF VOLUNTEERS IN ACTION … by Nancy Kier

Ann Moeller is a familiar figure to the House of

Friends family, Bethany UMC, and greater Austin, as a talented singer. This past February Ann delighted the sold-out HOF annual fundraiser as a member of the Stardust Four

group. This quartet specializes in singing classics from the 1930’s and 1940’s, timeless tunes from big band to boogie-woogie and swing. Stardust Four generously donated all proceeds of the evening to benefit the HOF program.

Born in Washington, D.C., by the time she was 10 years old Ann had lived in Japan, Germany, Massachusetts, and Virginia. Austin, Texas then became home, and Ann graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in Music Education. She would love to call music her profession (that is where her heart lies), but she has been a software specialist for the State of Texas for 33 years.

Ann’s family includes husband, Vernon (who is the versatile pianist for Stardust Four), and 20-something sons, Jeff and Matt. The Moellers’ have been Bethany UMC members since 1995. Ann came on board as a music volunteer for

House of Friends almost 10 years ago. She also became a volunteer driver for the Meals on Wheels program almost 30 years ago.

In addition to her love of singing, Ann Moeller loves to direct, draw, take road trips, people-watch, and claims to be a TV junkie. First thing on her “bucket list”—grandchildren (hint, hint Jeff and Matt)!

The House of Friends program is blessed to have Ann Moeller as one of our music volunteers. She gives generously of her time and talents to make HOF such an outstanding dementia respite program.

Thank you, Ann!

ANN