EAGLES: (Eager, Active, Gifted, Lutherans en Service)

Mission Statement: to enrich the lives of senior adults in the following areas: (1) in fellowship, (2) in study, (3) in creative new activities, (4) in exploring new places, and (5) in enabling new ministry for our congregation.

This group was formed in 2006 under Older Adult Ministry, a sub-committee of the Member Care Committee. This ministry is for the over 50 crowd and is led by Kelly and Diana Lyles. The Eagles group meets every 2-3 months at a pot-luck luncheon after the late service on Sunday. This is where many ideas and activities are suggested, discussed and decided.

Money counters for Sunday offerings and crafters to make crafts and Chrismons for our Christmas trees came from this group. The group also cosponsored a Thrivent/Habitat for Humanity project with approximately 15 of our group working on a house for a needy family in Tampa.

Under the guidance of Jud Aspray, members enjoyed day trips to a concert in Lakeland and the Selby botanical gardens in Sarasota with stops at a local restaurant for a delicious lunch. Ralph Owens, Shirl Ketterer, and Jean Archer arranged for thirty members to go on a 7-day cruise to the Caribbean in January, 2008 and all had a fantastic time.

As a response to a request by the group, Kelly Lyles developed, instituted and is leading an adult study called, “The Catechism, Revisited”. This is at 9:15 AM on Sundays in the Conference Room, Administration Building.

The EAGLES have and are providing presentations at the Sunday Pot-Lucks. The following are some of the presentations: “Hospital Care/Patient Advocate” (presented by Faith Dunne, MSW and Diana Lyles, RN), “Long Term Care Insurance” (a Thrivent presentation), “Trusts and Wills” (by Adria Dickey, Elder law attorney), “Keeping Your Heart Healthy” (by Diana Lyles, RN), “The Weigh to Manage Your Weight” (by Diana Lyles, RN) We have also had presentations about Estate Planning, Advance Directives, (Living Will, Health Care Surrogates), and Medicare D Drug Insurance

Pastor Hafer, Betty Toombs and Nancy Moore planned a memorial Christmas service (Blue Christmas Service) to help members of the community and congregation who had lost loved ones cope with their feelings during the holiday season.

Several members help with Senior Fest which is held each year in February at 4 different locations in the state of Florida.

Future Pot-Luck luncheon presentations will be (1) “Learning Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation” on March 3rd, (2) “Developing a Memory Book” on April 6th, and (3) ‘Discussion about Arthritis” by Dr. Harris McIlwain on May 18th.

Join our active group and learn, study, enjoy, serve, create, and explore old and new interests.