Older People with Active Life Styles (OPALS)
The Older People with Active Life Styles will share a wonderful meal and then hear about the work that is being done at the Sager-Brown UMCOR Center on May 25, 2010 at 11:30 a.m. Several of our OPALS and other church members went to Sager-Brown last month and they will bring us an up close and personal look at the mission work that is being carried out throughout the world through localchurches and individuals.
Join us in the Family Life Center and bring a guest. Lunch is $4 and you will need to call Barbara Hays at 742-9537 to make your reservation. There is always such a good sense of fellowship when we gather, and we are eager to share that...no matter what your age. So, please join us for a good meal and an interesting program.
The April meeting for OPALS also included a beautiful begonia plant for Cheryl Nelson and her years of service and encouragement for our older adults. Everyone signed a card for Cheryl and we look forward to her continuing to participate as a member only.
More about the OPALS
In the Spring of 2006, the senior adults of Benton UMC formed a group and called themselves the OPALS - Older People with Active Life Styles. They meet the second Tuesday of every month in the Family Life Center for fun, fellowship and food. They generally stay "in house" for two months and on the third month, they take a little "road trip." Their trips have taken them as far as the Tyler Rose Gardens in Texas and the Adai Caddo Indian Nation Center in Robeline. Closer to home, they visit Barksdale Air Force Base, the Multi Cultural Center and Municipal Auditorium in Shreveport, several other museums and art exhibits.
The programs when they meet at the church are varied, including informative/educational; entertaining with musicians, artists, poets; times of sharing, i.e. "road show" treasures, wedding memories, blessings; and sometimes, they just play Bingo! the meals on the road are always Dutch treat; the meals at the church cost $4 and are served at 11:30 a.m. Everyone is invited to participate in OPALS, but it is especially geared for the 55+ age group. Visitors are especially welcome as this ministry is an arm of both Nurture and Outreach in our church's program.
Come and enjoy life with the OPALS!
