Trinity United Mehtodist Church of Gainesville, Florida, United States "Tuesday Word" for Tuesday, 6 January 2015

Tuesday WordJanuary 6, 2015    Worship: Sundays @ 8:15 am, 9:40 am, 11:00 am | Wednesdays @ 6:35 pm | Fridays @ 7:00 pm

I want to talk with you about our society's (distorted) views on aging today, but first I want to mention these: 1.  Carrie Underwood has this amazing song entitled "Something in the Water," and I've asked Sonlight's Sarah DeLoach to sing it this Sunday.  You won't want to miss it!  But there will be wonderful music at the other two services too!  In the Liturgical/Christian Calendar this coming Sunday is known as "The Baptism of our Lord," and churches often have a "Re-affirmation of our Baptism Vows" service, as we will do.  My DSE's relate to this all week and it fits in with our theme from John and Charles Wesley.  I hope you can join us.  And, if you've never been baptized, this will be a perfect time for you; just let me know on Sunday. 2.  Sonlight Director update:  The search committee has started the interviewing process and are very excited about the possibilities; will let you know more as we know more. 3.  Trinity Men's Retreat - at the end of this TW will be a letter from me that gives all the details and a link for you to register.  It's going to be a great event: Saturday, January 31; 8:00 - Noon.  Be there! Now, back to the idea of aging:  As I stated on Sunday, there is the popular notion of aging in our culture as pictured in this graph, when you start the downward slope at around 40: But, it occurs to me that our Christian Faith has a totally different notion, one that looks like this, with the final upward thrust our passing on to glory, or to use Paul's phrase, "finishing the race, collecting the prize:  Depending on which view you subscribe to will determine your outlook on life!  Fortunately, at Trinity we're privileged to know lots of folks who are living into the reality of, to use the phrase of one of our members:  "going from good to better to GREAT (when we pass on into glory); it's ever upward.  Seriously if the first graph is our reality, then depression, castaway, disregard and punitive, but if you view aging through the lens of the second graph, then we see vibrancy, energy, wisdom, respect, value. I recommend to you an article in the New York Times by Anne Karf.  She states that as recently as the 18th century being old was a virtue, "senile" just meant old, without being pejorative.  "Gerontophobia" is harmful because we internalize it. Ageism has been described as prejudice against one's future self.  It tells us that age is our defining characteristic and that, asmidnight strikes on a milestone birthday, we will become nothing but old - emptied of our passions, abilities and experience, infused instead with frailty and decline.  In a study comparing the memory of young and old Chinese and Americans, found that the older Chinese (more revered in their culture) performed more like their younger counterparts than did the Americans theirs.  The beliefs we imbibe turn out to be self-fulfilling. Well, there is much more to be said on this, but I would love to hear your thoughts and experiences; please share them with me.  Have you experienced ageism?  Have you perpetuated it?  Which of the graphs above is the lens through which you view the future?

Quick Links Upcoming Events (1/6 - 1/18) Submit a Prayer Request  Donate Online  Trinity's Website  ______________________________ Worship This Week Wednesday: Rev. Esther Rodríguez Friday: Rev. Cliff Patrick Sunday: Dr. Dan Johnson  9 | ACCAHT meeting, 9 - 11am, Youth Building 9 | ALERT, 10:30 (Bible Study) 11:45 (Program/Lunch) 9 | Parents Night Out, 5:30 - 8:30. RSVP by 1/7 11 | Order of St. Luke Healing Service, 9:40am, Chapel 14 | The Church and People with Disabilities: Awareness, Accessibility, and Advocacy study part I, 6:30pm, 232 14 | Rejoice! (2pm) and CHEERS (4pm) begin 14 | Wednesday Night Dinner Kick-off - free spaghetti dinner,5:30, Worship Center 15 | Financial Peace University begins, 6:30 pm, 222 18 | Sit Together Sunday (9:40 & 11) 18 | Invitation to Genesis begins, 4pm, 222 A Word from Rev. Esther  Rev. Esther's Blog Happy Epiphany! There is a lot going on in the next several weeks around here so don't miss the TuesdayWord and other advertisements around campus. This coming week I'm looking forward to the Human Trafficking Vigil this Sunday at 6 p.m. in the chapel. Please share the word and come to this special service of awareness and prayer.  Also, after a holiday hiatus the 6:35 service will meet again this coming Wednesdayin the chapel -- we'll be looking at Matthew 2:11-12, By A Different Road.  Coffee Talk for young adults meets after the service, in the chapel.  May the Christ be revealed to you in a special way this Epiphany day! A Word from Rev. Aaron Rev. Aaron's blog 2015. Like it or not, a new year has begun. Yesterday, when I wrote the date on something I mistakenly wrote 2014 instead of 2015. That won't be the only time, I'm sure. I am typing this on only my third day back in the office in the new year and everything is already well underway, moving in unstoppable and perpetual motion. There is so much happening already that I hope you will join me in prayer for: the search for Trinity's next Sonlight director is progressing quite well, we are closing our books on 2014 and seeking wisdom as we finalize our budget for this year, new small groups will soon be starting, mission trips are just around the corner, and so much more. None of these things happen without you. I am praying for us all to fully live into the Wesley Covenant Prayer we prayed together on Sunday and that 2015 is Trinity's best year ever. Grace and peace be with you, today and everyday.  Music & Worship Arts Alice Wallis Spring Rejoice!, our musical group that meets on Wednesdays from 2 - 4pm for children who are currently in Kindergarten - 5th grade begins January 14th. Online registration is open. For more information please contactSusan Kovi.  Missions Ted Grueser This week's mission box supports the Alachua County Coalition Against Human Trafficking. Their mission is to build a safety network of partnerships that will work together to identify, rescue, and restore victims of all forms of human trafficking within Alachua County. Their vision is "A community partnering to end human trafficking". For more information go to their website or facebook page As you begin to ponder those New Year's resolutions why don't you consider joining Trinity on one of our many Mission opportunities? WE NEED YOU!  For more information on any of these trips please contact the Missions Department. February 28 - March 7: Spring Appalachia Service Project (ASP) March 21-28: Guatemala with Porch de Salomon April 18 - 25: Haiti/Servants In Fellowship (building the 9 houses with the money raised by 2014 VBS children) June 27 - July 4: Jamaica/CSI Ministries (building trip) July 18-25: Youth Appalachia Service Project/SIFAT September 19-26: Guatemala/Living Water October: Malawi with Y-Malawi If you are looking for an opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child this year why don't you consider sponsoring a child in Malawi with World Vision?  If you are interested please contact the Missions office to pick up a child sponsorship packet.  We have twenty five children that we are trying to sponsor.  It will change your life and someone else's forever. As it begins to get cold we are in need of blankets for the homeless.  Please drop them in the blue BOGO bins in the narthex of the Worship Center and the Reception Area of the Education Building. Help out homeless children living in Alachua County and enjoy a meal at Moe's Southwest Grill at the same time! Purchase a meal at Moe's, 3832 W. Newberry Road (Plaza Royale) on January 22nd between the hours of 5-8 PM and let the cashier know you are there to support Family Promise and 10% of your sale will be donated to Family Promise. Be part of the community response to family homelessness! Faith Mission Ward Simonton Faith Mission, at 3701 NE 15th Street, is a collaboration of Trinity, Mt. Pleasant UMC, and the surrounding neighborhood.  The area where Faith Mission is located is identified with significant socioeconomic related challenges.   What's Faith Mission got to do with John Wesley? Trinity's current sermon series is on Wesley, and while there are so many quotes and sermons from Wesley that are about ministries with the poor, servant leadership, and what it means to follow Christ, The Covenant that we as a congregation spoke Sunday captures it (and Faith Mission) so well - "Christ has many services to be done.  Some are easy, others are difficult. Some bring honor, others bring reproach; some are suitable to our natural inclinations and temporal interests, others are contrary to both.  In some we may please Christ and please ourselves; in others, we cannot please Christ except denying ourselves.  Yet the power to do all these things is assuredly given us in Christ, who strengthens us." What's happening at Faith Mission this week? Renovations are continuing.   Trinity and Mt. Pleasant members are meeting with people in the neighborhood to recruit for the Leadership Team.   The Kids Count after school program for K-3rd graders will be in operation Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2:45 - 5:45p, and Fridays, 1:30 - 4:30p.   Plans are underway for the Jan 24 volunteer work day.  More soon! Youth Ministry Julie Mishoe  Small groups start back up this week! Please contact your yoots staff with any questions regarding the time and place of small groups for middle and high school boys and girls. Waffle Cone Wednesday is back on starting this week! Come hang out with us at TCBY and get your midweek fellowship and ice cream on. This Sunday (1/11) is Salt N Light night! $3 gets you dinner and an awesome night of fellowship and activities. 5:30 - 7:30 PM in the Youth Building, don't miss it! Children's Ministry Elizabeth Jones Parent's Night Out: Join us as we "break the ice and jump into the New Year" at our next Parent's Night Out onFriday, Jan. 9th from 5:30-8:30. Our themed Parent's Night Out will be a fabulous night of dinner and "Frozen"  activities for all ages, 12 months through 5th grade!  Cost is $12 per child with a $30 cap per family.  Please registeronline by Wednesday, Jan. 7th. Would you like your child baptized?  Baptism is one of the two sacraments in the United Methodist Church.  All parents are asked to participate in a Baptism Orientation prior to the baptism of their child.  The next Baptism Orientation will be held Sunday, January 11th, at 11:00am in the Children's Ministries Office (Room E108).   Spring CHEERS begins January 14th.  On-line registration is open for all NEW registrants (those who didn't attend in the fall.)  Spring Rejoice!, our musical group that meets on Wednesdays from 2 - 4pm for children who are currently in Kindergarten - 5th grade begins January 14th. Online registration is open. For more information please contactSusan Kovi.    Would you like to volunteer in Children's Ministries?  If so, we would love to hear from you!  There are so many fun and meaningful events with which you can help - Sunday School, CHEERS and CHEERS Cherubs, special events and more!  Contact Brian for more information! Mark Your Calendars: January 9th, 5:30-8:30-Parent's Night Out January 11th, 11:00-Baptism Orientation January 14th, 4:00-5:30-CHEERS and Cherubs begin! January 18th, 9:40 & 11:00-Sit Together Sunday for K-5th (Nursery & Sunday School for birth - Pre-K) January 25th , 9:40-1st Grade F.R.O.G. Celebration February 8th, 9:40- Noah's Ark Preschool Celebration February 8th, 12:00-Playground Dedication February 22nd , 9:40-4th Grade Scavenger Hunt Sports Ben Haines Upward football & cheerleading sign-up forms are in! They can be found at the front desk or online. Evaluations will be at Trinity on January 11th, 18th, and February 1st between 2:00 and 4:00 PM. Beginning February 2nd, registration cost will increase. Adult Ministry David Leonard United Methodist Women Circles will meet on Tuesday, January 13, at the church in room 232.  Social time is at 9:30and the meeting starts at 10:00.  Following the pledge service, 2015 UMW Circles will meet to organize for the year.  All women of the church are invited to attend.  Coffee with the Pastors:  If you would like to join Trinity the way to do it is through Coffee with the Pastors.  It is a casual gathering in which you'll learn more about the United Methodist Church, who we are at Trinity, and what is expected of members. The next coffee is Sunday, January 11 at 11 am in room 210. Register here for Coffee with the Pastors. We would love to meet you and to welcome you into the membership of our church! For more information, please contact Carmen Nelson (416.3004) or Rev. Esther Rodríguez (416.3033). The first ALERT meeting of 2015 will be on Friday, January 9th.  Start your new year with this vibrant community group (23 area churches represented) with Bible study at 10.30 in the Worship Center and Program and Lunch at11:45. Ministry Tables:  If you want to use a table in the worship center on Sunday mornings to promote your ministry, contact David Leonard at dleonard@trinitygnv.org with your requested dates. Wednesday Night Dinners - Family, Food & Fellowship kick off, January 14 with a FREE Spaghetti Dinner! Sign up now for the following courses: Financial Peace University:  9-week course on Thursdays, January 15 - March 12, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, in room 222.  We all need a plan for our money.  Financial Peace University (FPU) is that plan!  It teaches God's ways of handling money.  Through video teaching, class discussions, and interactive small group activities, FPU presents biblical, practical steps to get from where you are to where you have dreamed you could be.  This plan will show you how to get rid of debt, manage your money, spend and save wisely, and much more!  Register here. Invitation to Genesis:  10-week course on Sundays, January 18 - March 22, 4 - 5:30 pm.  The book of Genesis is not just a study of creation, but a look at the story of beginnings.  The story of the Creation of the world only covers two chapters of a 50-chapter book.  They are only the beginning of a rich and formative history of our relationship with God.  Listen afresh to the witness of this opening book of the Hebrew Bible and discover a clearer understanding of God's purpose in creating and forming a people.  The cost of the participant's book is $8.  Books are available at the Trinity Bookstore or on the first day of class.  Register here. The Marriage Course: Come enjoy a "Valentine's Date Night" as we launch The Marriage Course. The course is for any couple, together from 1 to 61 years and strong or struggling. A strong, loving, and lifelong relationship doesn't happen by chance. Come learn now to make your marriage even better.  The Special Valentine's Dinner is February 10th, followed by 7 Tuesdays thru April 7th, 6-8:30 PM in the Trinity Banquet Hall. Course Fee: $20 per Couple for Valentine's Dinner or $150 per Couple for all 8 Weeks, including Dinners & Workbooks.  Payment online or by check to TUMC.  Free Child Care & Meals provided for Children (Age 1 Yr. - 5th Grade) by RSVP.  Register online, by email or by phone (371-4092). Volunteers Needed:  The Marriage Course starts February 10th and we need help with setting-up & décor, assisting in Kitchen, serving meals/dessert, cleaning-up, washing/folding table clothes, loaning card tables, music, and possibly helping Child Care Staff watch over children. This is FUN & you don't have to be married to be a Volunteer, but you do have to be encouraging to those who are. Orientation planned for Jan. 25 3-5:30 PM.  Contact Sharon & Earl McDow, (371-4092). Are you looking to join a Sunday School class or small group in the New Year?  Click here for a complete listing of all of our adult groups or contact Kim at 416-3074. Misty Mornings Sunday School class (9:40 am; rm E207) will begin reading the book The Way to Heaven by Steve Harper.  Books are available at the Bookstore for $10. Family Business Sunday School class (11 am; rm E203) will begin reading the book Who is this Man? by John Ortberg.  Books are available at the Bookstore for $13. Blooming is a course in Self-Cultivation (Sundays, 11 am; rm E224).  This is a 12 week study focusing on what makes each person genuinely experience contentment, appreciation of who they are right now, and the many gifts they possess.  For more information contact Larkin Kieffer. Women Growing in Faith (Tuesday, 6:30 - 8:30 pm, rm. E232) will begin a new study January 13 called Namesake by Jessica LaGrone. Study guides are available at the Bookstore for $12. Caring & Support Jim Cook This coming Sunday, January 11th, is the next Order of St. Luke Healing service at 9:40 in the Chapel. This month's speaker will be Jim Burns, member of the Order of St. Luke at Trinity and the Healing Room at The Vineyard.  Jim's talk will be "Goodbye to Bitterness." Please come and pray for healing for yourself, your family, your friend(s), your country, the world. It's a good way to begin the new year. Caregiver Support Group: Meet every Monday from 7 pm-8:30pm (E225). Contact: Mary Steinwandt or call 214-662-4869. Healing Touch Cancer Support group meets on Thursday, January 15th at 5:30 in the O. Dean Martin Prayer Room off the Atrium. Join us as we look ahead to 2015 and set our paths toward goodness and grace as we begin a new year! All cancer patients and survivors as well as friends and family are welcome as we seek the healing we need from Christ. For info call Marcey at 331-2960 or Margie at 386-462-9592. Are you experiencing the holiday blues?  The joy  of the holidays can turn into a time of painful loneliness and emptiness for those who have suffered a loss or who are going through a difficult time.  Our Stephen Ministers are ready to provide confidential, one-to-one Christian care.  They will listen, care, encourage, pray with and for you, and support you through the holidays and as long as you need.  If you or someone you know is hurting, call Kay Walker at 336-2006 or Tom Sklens at 384-1807. General Announcements Please mark your calendar for our Wednesday Night Dinner spring kickoff. It begins January 14 with a free spaghetti dinner and fellowship starting at 5:30 p.m. in the worship center. This is a wonderful opportunity to invite neighbors and friends to dinner. Gluten-free noodles will be available upon request. We hope to see you there! The first 2015 quarterly ACCAHT meeting is Friday, January 9, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m., in Trinity's Youth Building. Sherry Kitchens, President and CEO of the Child Advocacy Center in Gainesville will facilitate a panel discussion with representatives from agencies working on cases with child victims. The Church and People with Disabilities: Awareness, Accessibility, and Advocacy (January 14 & 21, February 4 & 11. 6:30 - 7:30 p.m, room 232). Do you worry about saying the wrong things when you meet someone with a disability? You or someone close to you may soon acquire a disability---is our church ready? The intent of this study is to promote awareness, inclusion, accessibility and advocacy for people with disabilities - including youth and children. Tools will be provided to address and remove barriers of discrimination, architecture, and communications that our church can be inclusive of people with all abilities. This mission study is facilitated by the United Methodist Women - Everyone is welcome! Sunday Morning Altar Flowers - If you wish to reserve the Worship Center altar flowers in honor or memory of someone or to the Glory of God, please contact Tammy. Bible Studies Women Growing in Faith, Tuesdays, 6:30-8:30, E232 Tuesday Morning Moms, Tuesdays, 9:30-11:30, E203 Bible Study with Rev. Cliff Patrick, Tuesdays 7 pm, E207 Men's Prayer and Bible Study, Wednesdays, 7 am, E232 Wednesday Morning Pastor's Bible Study, Wednesdays, 9:15, Chapel Exploring Jesus' Teachings, Thursdays, 10:30, E226 Life Changing Gathering with Rev. Marvin Celso, Sundays, 3:30 - 5:00 pm, E225 Weekly Prayer Group, Thursdays, 7pm, Chapel    Dan Johnson's Daily Scripture Email is available upon request  Family Matters Christian Love & Sympathy is extended to Allyson Smith & Family on the December 21 passing of Allyson's father Leon Bancroft Nembhard, to Hazel Fife Phillips on the December 23 passing of her mother Joan E. Fife, to Vivian Bender-Walker & Family on the November 15 passing of Vivian's father Dr. Charles E. Bender. Christian Love & Sympathy is also extended to  Mr. Freddie & Mrs. Ronnie Johnson on the November 22 passing of Freddie's brother Daniel "Danny" Johnson, to Ginger Childs and family on the December 6 passing of Ginger's aunt Wynona "Nonie" Crom and to Karen & Kerry Grubel on the December 17 passing of their daughter Alisha Grace Grubel. Happy 80th Birthday to Pat Warnock on January 7. If you are celebrating your 80th, 90th or 90+ birthday and would like it announced in the Tuesday Word and/or the bulletin, contact Kelly Ping.   Men's Retreat Dan Johnson Men of Trinity, I'm very excited about this year's Men's Retreat, and know you will be, too, when you read this letter.  Please mark your calendars for a great time with other guys on Sat morning, January 31 (7:45 - Noon; breakfast and lunch included), at Trinity's Youth Building - back by the sports fields. Our theme is "Love, Laughter, Lies and Legacy."  Here's the deal, and what we hope to learn and discuss:  Love - how to love the ones God has given us better; lots of laughter as we're just all guys trying to do our best; the lies we tell ourselves sometimes and the lies our society tells us about ourselves as men and as fathers, and "legacy" - creating and sustaining it for future generations. Rev. Aaron will lead some music and we have a great lineup of speakers, all are Trinity members, Christ followers, husbands and Dads: Newell Fox - entrepreneur and motivational speaker Chip Williams - former UF Basketball standout, business owner Randy Sherwood - psychologist, proponent of positive psychology Darin and Dan Johnson - Father and Son; we're not experts, but will share as best we can It will be a fast paced morning, with ample time for interaction with other guys after each speaker.  Bottom line:  you will receive multiple nuggets of truth that you can use for the rest of the year, AND, this might lead to the formation of some neat ongoing men's groups. We need to know how many are planning to come so we can plan for breakfast, so please click here to register - the only cost is a donation for the meals. Here's a breakdown of the morning schedule 8:00 - 8:30  Breakfast (Introductions and Getting Started, during Breakfast) 8:30 - 8:55  First Speaker  -  Newell Fox, "Ups and Downs of 'Doing it All.'" 9:00 - 9:25  Table Talk 9:30 - 9:55  Second Speaker  -  Chip Williams, "Mistakes and Triumphs Along the Way." 10:00 - 10:15  Break 10:15 - 10:40  Third Speaker  -  Randy Sherwood, "Building on the Positives." 10:40 - 11:00  Table Talk 11:00 - 11:25  Fourth Speakers -  Darin and Dan Johnson, "Creating & Sustaining a Legacy." 11:25 - 11: 50  Table Talk 11:50 - 12:00 Wrap Up 12:15 - Lunch

Trinity United Methodist Church 4000 NW 53rd Avenue Gainesville, Florida 32653 United States 352.376.6615 TrinityGNV.org Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm | Friday, 8:30 am - 1:30 pm

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"The Liberation of Growing Old" by ANNE KARPF
LONDON — WHY do we have such punitive attitudes toward old people? Granted, the ancients did hideous things to elders who were unable to work but still needed food and care, but in more recent times, that had changed: In 18th-century New England, it was common for people to make themselves seem older by adding years to their real age, rather than subtracting them.
Once upon a time, “senile” just meant old, without being pejorative. Even “geriatric” was originally a value-free term, rather than part of the lexicon of contempt toward old people.
Yet today, the language used to describe the changing age composition of the population is little short of apocalyptic. We’re told that the “graying of America” is an “agequake” or a “demographic time bomb.”
Older people are likely to be seen as a burden and a drain on resources, rather than a resource in themselves. Their only contribution, it seems, is to make worse the “dependency ratio,” a term that enshrines dubious assumptions about who will be financially dependent on whom.
In 2050, Americans age 65 and over are predicted to almost double in number to 83.7 million, one-fifth of the population. An aging population does pose real challenges, but increasing numbers of people of working age (as traditionally defined) are unemployed today, while growing numbers continue to work beyond pensionable age.
In reality, age can no longer be neatly correlated with economic activity. In particular, old people are themselves significant providers of care, notably the child care provided by grandparents.
To be sure, some older public figures attain “national treasure” status, as cuddly, unthreatening George Burns-type figures. And while “ageist” language demeans and caregivers’ pay remains poor, we no longer cast old people out into the wilds. Instead, innovative services and goods are developing that seek to capitalize on the “silver dollar.”
But the social bias is real, too. When a large sample of Facebook groups created by 20- to 29-year-olds was examined by a team based at the Yale School of Public Health, three-quarters of the groups were found to denigrate old people. More than a third advocated banning old people from public activities like shopping.
Such “gerontophobia” is harmful because we internalize it. Ageism has been described as prejudice against one’s future self. It tells us that age is our defining characteristic and that, as midnight strikes on a milestone birthday, we will become nothing but old — emptied of our passions, abilities and experience, infused instead with frailty and decline.
In their study comparing the memory of young and old Chinese and Americans, Ellen Langer, a social psychologist, and Becca Levy, an epidemiologist, found that the older Chinese people, who, it was hypothesized, were exposed to less ageism than their American counterparts, performed memory tests more like their younger compatriots. Among the Americans, on the other hand, there were significant memory differences between the old and young. The beliefs that we imbibe about our waning powers may turn out to be self-fulfilling. In effect, our culture teaches us how to be old.
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The historians Thomas R. Cole and David Hackett Fischer have documented how, at the start of the 19th century, the idea of aging as part of the human condition, with its inevitable limits, increasingly gave way to a conception of old age as a biomedical problem to which there might be a scientific solution. What was lost was a sense of the life span, with each stage having value and meaning.
Perhaps this is why, as a 2006 study found, we mispredict the happiness we expect to feel across the course of our lives and assume that we’ll get more unhappy as we age. In fact, the research shows that the opposite is true. For my part, at 64, I haven’t attained serenity (another stereotype of older people), but I am more able to savor life — and if offered the chance to return to my 14-year-old self, I’d run screaming the other way.
A student of mine, nudging 60, recently called age “the great liberator.” Part of what she meant was that old people simply care less about what others think, but also, I think, that our sense of what’s important grows with age. We experience life more intensely than before, whatever our physical limitations, because we know it won’t last forever.
How to enable the growing numbers of old people to live comfortable, meaningful lives is a fundamental issue of equality, with benefits for all. If we make the world better for old people, we make it better for everyone, from stroller-pushers to wheelchair-users.
Maggie Kuhn, the founder of the elder advocacy organization the Gray Panthers, argued that instead of making a fetish of independence, we should value the idea of interdependence between generations. Thus age-friendly cities, like Portland, Ore., rethink urban spaces to make them more accessible and encourage the integration of old people into communal life. And programs like Cleveland’s intergenerational charter schools, which provide lifelong education alongside grades K-8, break down the age apartheid now so common. Instead of seeing each other as generic categories, old and young people can discover each other as individuals.
Age resistance is a futile kind of life resistance: We can’t live outside time, we begin to age the moment we’re born. But the emerging age-acceptance movement neither decries nor denies the aging process. It recognizes that one can remain vital and present, engaged and curious, indeed continue to grow, until one’s dying breath. Then we need only echo the wish of the British psychoanalyst D. W. Winnicott: “May I be alive when I die.”
Anne Karpf is a British-based journalist and sociologist, and the author of “How to Age.”
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