A Year of Ideas for Planning Senior Adult Activities

Because the term "senior adult" typically applies to anyone approximately 65 or older, a church senior adult group will reflect a wide range of ages, lifestyles, and needs. Programming for seniors should support this diversity through a wide variety of activities.

Forward Together: A New Vision for Senior Adult Ministry

Whether your church has an organized senior adult club or a loose-knit series of senior programs, it is important for activities to be broad-based and balanced. While every activity may not appeal to every senior, you should strive for balance over a period of time, across ministries and programs.

Here are 12 months’ worth of ideas for broad-based senior adult programming that will help you achieve balance over a calendar year.

January

• Income Tax Program - Request someone to explain the new tax laws.
• Winter Bible Study - Consider a weekend retreat, several morning meetings, or a daylong meeting.

February

• Love Notes to Missionaries - Provide names and addresses of missionaries and write "love letters" to them.
• Presidents Day Observance - Ask volunteers to give excerpts of famous presidential speeches.

March

• Ides of March - Plan a program based on laughter, including jokes and humorous stories from your own members.
• Gardening - Invite a local gardening expert to give gardening tips.

April

• Picnic - Enjoy the outdoors with a picnic away from the church.
• Book Review - Invite a local author to review and autograph his or her book.

May

• Children's Choir Concert - Invite your children's choir to sing for you. Provide foods children would enjoy.
• Film Festival - In different areas of your church building, show films on subjects such as travel, gardening, history, and more.

June

• Birthdays and Anniversaries - Celebrate by recognizing everyone's birthdays and wedding anniversaries.
• Cooking for One or Two - Invite your area home economist to discuss proper nutrition and to demonstrate cooking for one or two.

July

• Patriotic Observance - Honor veterans for the freedom we have today.
• Vacation Bible School - Have a senior adult VBS. Materials are available from LifeWay Christian Resources.

August

• Ice Cream/Watermelon Fellowship - These foods are always summer favorites. Also plan to have games available.
• Bible Conference - As an outreach activity, invite the community to attend.

September

• School Days - Plan a skit around school activities and serve a box lunch.
• Grandparents' Day - Invite members to bring their grandchildren or photos of them to your meeting. Have fun!

October

• Family Dinner/Talent Show - Ask members to invite their children/grandchildren to share their talents.
• Sing Fest - Plan a gospel sing.

November

• Thanksgiving Feast - Ask seniors to bring favorite dishes and share recipes.
• Veterans Day Theme - Honor those who served in the military.

December

• Carol Sing - Visit and sing for shut-ins and at nursing homes.
• Christmas Party - Plan a program to entertain/inspire your senior adults.