Wednesday, May 27, 2020

NC Lutheran Synod and LSC Update


I was invited to join a Zoom call with Lutheran Bishop Tim Smith & 40 Lutheran pastors & deacons this morning, 5-27-20. They invited me to share a update on LSC, specifically Covid-19 information.  I was throwing my notes in the trash, when it dawned on me these notes would be a good update for anyone interested.  My talking points are appropriate for any reader:

  1. Thank you all for your prayers and support!  Many of you have participated in window visits, parades, etc.
  2. Covid has been devastating to our residents, our mission, and our model of hospitality.
  3. Nursing homes are not the cause of Covid-19; nursing homes are the canary in the coal mine of our communities.  If there is Covid in the community, it will attack the most vulnerable seniors.  That is who we serve!
  4. Shockingly, LSC senior communities as still Covid-free!  It is hard to believe since it is all around us!  And we are more vulnerable now since people are not being as safe or careful.  We have had a number of staff affected, but no residents, so far.  We have had three clients in a S.C. group home, thankfully, asymptomatic.
  5. Nursing homes may have 12-18 months of this, until a vaccine is created and distributed!   We have a long row ahead of us still.
  6. We are beginning to slightly open up our Independent living apartments; residents can now come and go.  We are strongly encouraging them and everyone to practice the 3 Ws:  wear mask, wash hands, wait 6 feet apart!
  7. How can pastors and congregations help?  There is a nursing home or assisted living near you, doesn’t have to be a Lutheran home.  You can:  organize or participate in a car parade, window visit whether you know the residents or not, make cards for residents.  Call your local nursing home or assisted living and offer.
  8. LSC is assuming 15% ownership in PACE of the Triad on June 1, 2020, giving LSC a larger presence in the Greensboro area!  LSC is assuming 50% ownership of another PACE program this summer, but cannot announce publicly until federal approval is received.  Exciting growth of the LSC mission.  Learn more about PACE at www.npaonline.org.

A number of questions were discussed around immigration (halted), foster care (great need but no families being approved during shutdown), nursing homes in S.C. (about the same story as NC), can we deliver food (if you are family/friend for residents, yes to feed teammates), financial impact (difficult, massive expenses, but we are getting some additional funding),  etc.

Tammy Jones West led the group in prayer for all of LSC, for residents/clients and teammates/heroes.  Participants were invited to add names or prayers in the Chat feature and Tammy read those off too!  Very powerful!  It is nice to know that we have so many people praying for us and supporting us! We Are The Church Together!

And to all of you, thank you for your prayers and support! 

Tuesday, May 12, 2020

Oh, The Places You'll Go


LeadingAge NC shared a leadership lesson that I enjoyed and customized to LSC. I know you will enjoy, and you might want to finds ways to share with all of LSC:

 

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You're on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who'll decide where to go,” wrote Dr. Seuss in Oh, The Places You’ll Go.

Every LSC teammate is a leader.  You are in charge of your life, your dreams, your goals, your destiny. You build your skills; you define your talents. LSC and the residents and clients for whom you care rely on you. What is the next step in your professional growth? When are you going to take that step? What additional skills, training, or resources do you need?  I hope that growth and development is within LSC, but if you decide to go off and conquer the world, we will support you in that too!  Where do you want to go?!