Older Adults
Older Adult Ministry
Montview’s ministry to older adults, known as SAGES (Seasoned Adults Growing, Engaging, Sharing), builds on the church’s culture of inclusion to honor and serve a growing demographic of people in their later years of life. The name reflects our vision for this community: like the sage tree—rooted, resilient, and full of life—our seasoned adults bring deep wisdom, strength, and a rich tapestry of experience to Montview. Our programs and services integrate faith, spiritual practices, social activities, pastoral care and support, education and learning opportunities, and the experience of aging across different dimensions of life.
We celebrate and support older adults at every stage of this journey. Through gatherings like our monthly SAGES Lunch Club and intergenerational events, we invite people to share their gifts and wisdom with the Montview community, grow in faith and connection, and find companionship along the way. We also reach out to those who may feel lonely and disengaged, or who may be homebound or in the hospital, so that no one journeys through this season of life alone.
Special Opportunities
Ongoing Social/Spiritual Groups
Sojourners – a group of women and men in their 60s and 70s.
Pathfinders – a women’s group, 60s and up.
Support and Educational Groups
Grief Café
Held on the second Sunday of the month after worship, Grief Café offers a gentle, informal space to reflect on the many forms of grief and how we’re experiencing them in our own lives. You are welcome to speak, to listen, or simply to be present; there is no pressure to share. Together we’ll explore the complexity and nuance of grief, connect with others who carry similar losses, and make room for stories, questions, or quiet solidarity.
Grief Café is hosted by Susan Mooney and Mary Burns, who will bring a variety of themes and prompts to spark thoughtful conversation, with occasional visits from Pastor Lorraine Leist. This is a forum for being with like‐minded friends at Montview as we live with and think about grief; it is not a structured grief support group. We hope this gathering helps us remove the stigma around talking about death, dying, and loss, and encourages more honest, hopeful conversations about grief and moving forward. All are welcome.
Denver Public Library has recently published “The Bereavement Bookshelf,” a list of books and resources about grief: https://www.denverlibrary.org/adult/list/themed-recs/grief-booklist
Outings & Events
SAGES Lunch Club
SAGES Lunch Club is a monthly gathering for older adults to connect over good food, conversation, and community. Held at noon on the third Thursday of each month in the McCollum Room, each lunch features a guest speaker or presentation followed by lively discussion. Topics range from lifelong interests to subjects specific to this stage of life, reflecting the wide range of curiosity and interest within our SAGES community.
Beyond the featured topics, SAGES Lunch Club is really about connection—a chance to be in community, share life stories, and enjoy an overall feeling of goodwill with fellow seasoned adults. A suggested donation of $10 helps cover the cost of lunch, and everyone is welcome. RSVP information for each month’s gathering is shared in advance.
August 20, 2026: AgeWise Colorado – Online Resources for Older Adults – RSVP here
September 17, 2026: Care Patrol – Senior Housing Options – RSVP here
Older Adult Faith Journey Writing Workshop
Join us to explore your faith journey through writing. Lighthouse Writer’s Workshop instructor, Joy Sawyer, will guide us through prompts and creative conversation to identify and reflect on significant moments in your faith, big or small, and express them through spiritual journaling. Sharing is optional, and no writing experience is necessary. Come experience for yourself the power of storytelling.
We are offering two identical classes. Please register for only one. No charge. Registration required – class sizes capped at 20 participants each.
Tuesday, August 25. 9am – 12pm: Sign up here
Tuesday, September 22. 9am – 12pm: Sign up here
Dementia Education Series
This fall, SAGES will host a three-part Dementia Education Series designed to inform, support, and connect those touched by dementia—whether you are experiencing dementia yourself, caring for a loved one, or simply want to learn more. All three sessions will be held after worship, from 12:15–1:30pm.
- October 11: Bobbie D’Addario from the Alzheimer’s Association will share expertise on dementia, its progression, and available resources and support.
- October 17: Ruth Minnea, a Dementia Coach, will offer practical guidance and coaching insights for those caring for a loved one with dementia.
- October 25: A panel discussion featuring members of our own Montview congregation who are caring for loved ones with dementia, sharing their experiences, wisdom, and encouragement.
All are welcome to attend any or all sessions.
Summer Rockies Games
Contact Doug Easton – [email protected]
Participate in Worship
Extended Communion
Communion Sundays (the first Sunday of each month) are important times to renew our relationship with God, find spiritual nourishment, and express gratitude for our faith community. Even if you can’t be at church, it’s still possible to experience communion in your home or your hospital room. This “extended communion” is brought to you by current and former Deacons and Elders, who typically come in pairs to share with you the bread of life and the cup of salvation. If you would like to receive communion at home/at your care facility, please email [email protected].
Transportation
If transportation to and from Montview is a challenge, consider Access-A-Ride, a complementary shared-ride service through RTD. It’s intended for anyone who cannot use regular fixed-route bus/light rail service due to a physical or mental impairment (including vision impairment). Note that a written application must be completed before approval for Access-a-Ride services, and ride reservations must be made 1 to 7 days in advance. For more information, click here.
Pastoral Care
Please reach out to the church if you would like to receive care from a pastor. This can include support for health concerns, hospitalizations, deaths, births, or any other change of personal circumstance.
If you are in need of pastoral care, please request support via email at [email protected], or click here.
Resources
Books on Spirituality and Aging:
Joan Chittister, The Gift of Years: Growing Older Gracefully, 2008
Barbara Cawthorne Crafton, The Courage To Grow Old, 2014
Linda Douty, How Did I Get to Be 70 When I’m 35 Inside?: Spiritual Surprises of Later Life
Parker Palmer, On the Brink of Everything: Grace, Gravity, and Getting Old, 2018
Lewis Richmond, Aging as Spiritual Practice
John C. Robinson, The Three Secrets of Aging; A Radical Guide (Pssst-It Ain’t Over Yet)
Richard Rohr, Falling Upward: A Spirituality for the Two Halves of Life, 2011
Molly Srode, Creating a Spiritual Retirement: A Guide to the Unseen Possibilities in Our Lives
Marjory Zoet Bankson, Creative Aging
Older Adult Ministry (SAGES) Newsletters
