Forum of Church Retirement Communities is Held in Pennsylvania

Jonathan Shively of the Church of the Brethren Congregational Life Ministries, at the Fellowship of Brethren Homes Forum in April 2013
Photo by Kim Ebersole
Jonathan Shively of the Church of the Brethren Congregational Life Ministries, at the Fellowship of Brethren Homes Forum in April 2013.

The annual Forum of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes was held April 10-12 at the Village at Morrisons Cove, Martinsburg, Pa. The forum is an opportunity for representatives from Church of the Brethren-related retirement communities and agencies to gather with others in long-term care services to learn about current trends, share best practices, and strengthen their connection with the church.

Shari McCabe, executive director of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes, shared a short history of the fellowship and the benefits of membership, an overview of the past year’s activities and accomplishments, and a look at future trends for long-term care providers. Maureen Cahill of Spurgeon Manor in Dallas Center, Iowa; John Snader of Brethren Village in Lancaster, Pa.; Keith Bryan of Fahrney-Keedy in Boonsboro, Md.; and Carma Wall of the Cedars in McPherson, Kan., shared innovative ways they are implementing change at the communities they serve.

Presentations included an update of HIPAA privacy and security regulations by Karla Dreisbach, senior director of Compliance at Friends Services for the Aging; a look at the structuring of entrance fees by Malcolm Nimick of Ascension Capital; and an update of health care reform by Marsha Greenfield, vice president for Legislative Affairs at Leading Age.

Additional presentations were given by Jonathan Shively and Kim Ebersole of the denomination’s Congregational Life Ministries, Loyce Borgmann and Scott Douglas of Brethren Benefit Trust, Jane Mack of Friends Services for the Aging, Suzanne Owens of Mennonite Health Services, and Keith Stuckey and Phil Leaman of Resource Partners: Risk Management Solutions.

Photo by Kim Ebersole
A plate full of Pennsylvania Dutch delicacies, enjoyed at the annual Forum of the Fellowship of Brethren Homes, held this year at the Village at Morrisons Cove in Martinsburg, Pa.

Forum participants were treated to a tour of the Village at Morrisons Cove and a cooking demonstration and dinner of Pennsylvania Dutch favorites by Joby Dick, chef at the Bistro at the Village Green. The group also traveled to Huntingdon, Pa., for a tour of Juniata College and a dinner hosted by president Thomas Kepple Jr.

In addition to the participants previously mentioned, the following attended this year’s forum: John Warner of the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio; Chris Widman of Good Shepherd Home in Fostoria, Ohio; Jeff Shireman of Lebanon Valley Brethren Home in Palmyra, Pa.; Corey Jones and Robert Neff of the Village at Morrisons Cove, Martinsburg, Pa.; Ferol Labash of Pinecrest Community in Mt. Morris, Ill.; Paulette Buch-Miller and Rod Dowell of Pleasant Hill Village in Girard, Ill.; and Dave Lawrenz of Timbercrest Senior Living Community in North Manchester, Ind.

More information about the Fellowship of Brethren Homes, including a directory of member communities, can be found at www.brethren.org/homes .

— Kim Ebersole is director of Family Life and Older Adult Ministries for the Church of the Brethren.

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