August 25, 2010

Spiritual Eldering course speaks to all faiths

By Carol Sullivan

Since eldering is trans-denominational, shouldn’t a course on aging speak to all faiths?  That’s the thinking behind a 22-session series on Spiritual Eldering, to be taught by Sister Macrina Scott, O.S.F., at a new location.

Open to people age 55 and over from all religious traditions, the course starts Oct. 13  and continues on Wednesdays 9 a.m.-11 a.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 915 E. 9th Ave. in Denver.

Exercises developed by a rabbi are used to cultivate spiritual aging. The approach was pioneered by Rabbi Zalman Schacter-Shalomi, an innovative leader in ecumenical dialogue and founder of the Jewish Renewal and Spiritual Eldering movements. Sister Scott is based at the Wisdom Center of Most Precious Blood Parish in Denver.

“When we are no longer in the rush-hour of our lives, we have the time to harvest our rich experiences,” said Sister Scott. “We can go deeper and find patterns that make each life a unique work of art, healing what needs healing.  A contemplative looking back over one’s life reveals God’s action, and makes us complete and free to serve our world as wise elders.”

Rabbi Zalman’s book “From Age-ing to Sage-ing” draws on many faiths to explore spiritual aging. Sister Scott, a certified Sage-ing Leader, said, “Each religious tradition brings a certain wisdom to aging, and we learn from each other’s particular insights.”

She cites a reflection from Sister Joan Chittister, O.S.B.,  that supports the universality of the quest for spiritual aging:  “The gift of these years is not merely being alive—it is the gift of becoming more fully alive than ever.”

Topics explored during the 22 sessions are: What is a Spiritual Elder? Life Review—Gratitude and Healing; Telling My Story: Decade by Decade; Facing My Death—To Live More Fully; Becoming An Active Elder, and The Biblical Story and My Story.

Participants commit to regular class participation and to approximately one hour of reading and reflection outside of class. In addition, there are two individual sessions with Sister Scott. No tests and no written homework are given. Early registration fee is $220 before Sept. 20, and after that date it is $250. Registration deadline is Oct. 1.

For information or registration form, call Sister Scott at 303-756-3083 Ext. 129, or e-mail her at macrina@mpbdenver.org.  Information is also at http:// www.mpbdenver.org/.

FRUITS OF SPIRITUAL ELDERING

A sense of gratitude, wonderful sharing, and increased faith are among the fruits of a Spiritual Eldering course taught by Sister Macrina Scott, O.S.F., according to previous participants. The series is offered this year at a new location, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Denver. Previous sites were the parishes of Most Precious Blood and Queen of Peace.

Nora Jacquez, a retired attorney and member of St. Ignatius Loyola Parish in Denver, took the course five years ago. She said: “My sense of gratitude for my life has become an integral part of me.  I believe that this gratitude helps me be more aware and compassionate of others.”

A Good Shepherd Denver parishioner, Bobbie Hobbs,  describes herself as a member of the sandwich generation, who alongside her husband raised two children while caring for ill parents and working full time. Five years ago when she retired as head of Children’s Garden Montessori School in Denver, Hobbs enrolled in Sister Scott’s 22 weekly sessions. 

“It gave me a chance to make sense of my life’s journey,” Hobbs said. “The sessions nurture a wonderful year of sharing, of learning more about myself and learning of opportunities to give to others. We are still meeting on our own to support each other as we travel down the road as elders.”

Sal Varela, a parishioner at Queen of Peace in Aurora, took the course three years ago and attests,  “My dependence on God increases faith and allows me to shape my death, and each event calls out to me to change.”