Since 1965 the Evangelical Lutheran Church of the Redeemer has hosted a center for seniors. It has been a place for folks to find companionship, support, activities, prayer, Bible study, a good lunch, as well as an opportunity to go on outings. These are important activities for anyone, made all the more precious when much of the rest of the week is spent alone.
From the beginning the Senior Center has been a partnership between Redeemer Church and Luther Manor. During recent years, Central Community: Interfaith Older Adult Programs has joined in, and with them has come a renewed emphasis on serving seniors from the neighborhood. Gesu Catholic Parish helps financially. Central City Churches supports us. We have seen that, working together, we can serve our neighbors in a way that would be impossible to accomplish separately. Institutional cooperation is vital; however, it is the way the people support each other and share in the ministry that makes the center a joy and a blessing and that brings meaning to the name Connections Senior Center. The people make connections to one another. Everyone who comes, shares in the ministry in one way or another. We depend on each person pitching in as they are able, from helping people in off the van to the crew that helps in the kitchen.
Underlying the way in which people relate to each other is the belief that each person is important. Director Michael Majewski shows this attitude; he makes time for each of his “kids.” There is a fair amount of mental illness among our group. Michael shows great patience through interruptions, pettiness, childish behavior. This makes room for each individual’s positive attributes to come out. One of the women works non-stop from the time she arrives, setting tables, cleaning, etc.; she also makes it clear that she built and owns not only Redeemer, but every church in the neighborhood. We are blessed to have quite a few natural leaders as part of the center. Those who are strong watch out for those who are weaker in body or mind or spirit.
Members have established connections that are real beyond Thursdays. If someone is gone for a few weeks or in the hospital, they can expect a card, a phone call, a visit. Connections Senior Center members are Black, White, Hispanic and Asian. They are Roman Catholic, Missionary Baptist, AME, Baptist and Lutheran. It doesn’t matter; they look out for each other and ask after each other. Most of the members share a Christian faith. All the members share our neighborhood and share a common humanity which builds bonds of caring. Every Thursday, unless he has a funeral mass to say, Father Ken Herian comes by from Gesu. Ken was recently honored by his parish and by the city of Milwaukee for decades of service. His distinguished status does not prevent him from rolling up his sleeves and firing up the dishwasher, his post until all the dishes and cups and silverware and pots, full of leftover, partially eaten food, are clean.
Immediately, one’s thoughts go to Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. Father Herian exemplifies humble, caring love for others, love on which our center – partnership in action – is founded.
