- Reach out with frequent phone calls, letters, and cards.
- Visit through windows or storm doors, using telephones to speak to one another.
- Shop for elders, dropping items off at their door.
- Check in to see if elders need reading or other materials: books, magazines, newspapers, word puzzles, Sodoku, jigsaw puzzles, etc. that you can get or borrow for them.
- Ask elders to “adopt” someone with whom to share love and encouragement, perhaps a teenager or young family in the congregation that they might call.
- Ask elders if they will pray for a particular person, family, or situation in the community, the church, or the world. Name them as your Prayer Team.
- Commission elders who are able and have the resources (or to whom you can provide the resources) to make things, such as masks for every member of the congregation or that can be passed out to the community by the local health department.
- Invite your congregation to make cards for a local nursing home, which can be passed out to the residents who live there. (You might want to call ahead to make sure this is welcomed, or to talk with the staff member who will distribute them.)
- Decorate the side walks around a nearby nursing home with words of love. Blow bubbles. Wave. Make signs that can be read from their windows. Include young children. Play games like hopscotch that the residents will enjoy watching.
Paula Zeigler Ulrich serves as staff pastor for the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio
