NEWS

THE GOOD NEWS BOOK We have developed a multi-sensory book that would aid in presenting the gospel to persons with dementia. Our goal is that it will be effective for explaining salvation to someone who has never heard and also as a means of renewal of understanding and celebration for believers. It is in prototype form ready for field-testing. If you wish to help test this, email us.

AUSTRALIA Diana presented a scholarly report about the use of multi-sensory methods with dementia patients to the National Conference on Spirituality and Aging, Canberra, Australia, August 18. She and Rich also conducted training at two other locations.

COLORADO and OHIO Rich taught Communication Skills for Caregiving at Resurrection Fellowship, one of the largest churches in Colorado in March and in Youngstown, Ohio, in July.

TEENAGERS Diana showed Remembering the Life of Jesus to a youth Sunday School class in our home church and offered them the opportunity to go visit residents in a nursing home. She left after saying only, "If you want to, look me up." After church, 7 of the 15 sought her out to sign on. After the visit, a 15-year-old boy who had initially been, in his words, "terrified to go in the place," wanted to go back for more visits with the gentleman he had spent time with. Some of the volunteers you need helping you may be in places where you don't expect them to be.

CRYSTAL CATHEDRAL Diana conducted a two-hour workshop on ministry to persons with dementia at the Crystal Cathedral, Garden Grove, CA, on Feb 8, 2008. More than 40 in attendance.