What’s an Elderberry? You are—if you are around 55 years young or better! Anyone in this age group is already an Elderberry. There is nothing to join, no paper to sign, no dues—just a willingness to join in the fun and come to activities and programs that appeal to you.

Elderberries have been around Saint John’s for about twenty years. The Board of Older Adult Ministries was started in 1990, through a Synod and District program, by Pastor Wille and a group of interested members, to serve the older members of Saint John’s. The name ‘Elderberries’ was chosen through a naming contest.

The Elderberries board (also known as the Board of Older Adult Ministries) administers this group. The Board plans meaningful programs and carries them out by being the behind-the-scenes workers. The board tries hard to come up with ideas for activities that will appeal to the older members of Saint John’s and invites all members of Saint John’s who are interested to attend.

In order to be convenient and attract our older members, most Elderberries activities happen in the daytime and on a week day. We have had lots of different programs, many revolving around food. As most of us know, food generally attracts people, especially Lutherans and their potlucks!

Here are some recent activities: a slide show of an ice carving competition in Japan with potluck lunch, a lunch and a program with the Young at Hearts group at Immanuel Lutheran in Loveland, our ever-popular meals after Lent and Advent morning services, a slide show of Columbia, South America, with a potluck lunch, a movie matinee at church with potluck lunch, traveling to a Rockies game in Denver, game time with dessert potluck, pre-Thanksgiving meals with guests from Immanuel, Peace with Christ, Mt. Olive and Redeemer Lutheran churches.

Our next activity will be on Thursday, February 17, when we have a Movie Matinee and potluck lunch. Watch the Sunday bulletins for details!

The Elderberries Board (the Board of Older Adult Ministries) affirms the unique worth of older persons, equips older people for ministry and provides opportunities that will enhance the quality of life for older adults.