Converge Church in Moorestown will host a workshop on Nov. 12 to support grandparents in passing their legacy of faith and values to their grandchildren.
“There’s been such an emphasis on youth culture, so I kind of felt that churches were not putting enough emphasis on the value of seniors,” said Daniel Martinez, event organizer.
After his wife encouraged him to bring the idea back to the community, Martinez is now excited to see it happen.
“I don’t consider myself an expert on grandparents,” he said. “I’m a grandparent myself and I’m a great-grandparent … I’m looking forward to the workshop, I want to hear from others.”
Church Pastor George Bowen will be the free event’s keynote speaker.
“In the country, there is a group – a professional group – that does this on a travel basis,” Martinez noted. “They travel from church to church doing this, and I guess the church sponsors it, but this is our own home developed, home-grown workshop, just done by our church people.”
The event will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will include presentations, panel discussions and group activities.
“It’ll be a very participatory program,” Martinez said. “ … I would like to hear from the grandparents, for them to bring things that are meaningful to them. Sometimes people have life-changing experiences that the grandchildren need to hear about, and I’m looking forward to hearing what the others say – the other grandparents.”
Martinez also explained why the workshop has special meaning.
“(I was) asked to get up in front of the congregation and give an announcement – which I did – and as I was going back to my chair, there was an old man sitting in front of where I was sitting,” Martinez recalled. “And he grabbed my arm and said, ‘I’m glad we’re finally being acknowledged.’
“ … The older people, they’re not so much ignored but taken for granted,” he added. “The younger generation, the millennials, get a lot of attention. But to me, it was gratifying to have another old man tell me that they’re happy they’re finally getting some acknowledgement, some recognition (and) awareness of (the) grandparents.”
Grandparents are encouraged to register for the workshop by Nov. 10 at https://www.myconvergechurch.com.
