Celebrating the Memory Cafe
This past Monday, FUMC’s Memory Ministry celebrated the third year anniversary of the Memory Cafe. The Monday Morning Memory Cafe began in a Zoom format during the pandemic, and when the church building reopened, we began meeting in person.
The Memory Cafe provides support for persons living with memory loss and a family member or friend, and offers opportunities for socialization and self-expression.
When planning any program, event, or a gathering, I always consider what Priya Parker shared in her book, The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters. I’ve developed a deeper understanding of “gathering for a purpose.” She suggests that we rarely think of the deeper meaning and purpose when planning a gathering, focusing on practicality such as decorations, music, or food. Her message to “think less about the what, and more about the why” we gather really resonated with me.
Her book explores the paradox of gathering. Why were we really gathering in the first place? Was the Memory Cafe created because we needed one another? To have fun? Or did we begin gathering to show strength and share moments of joy? Until we fully understand why we began gathering in the first place, we can let faulty assumptions dictate the form of our gathering and miss the real purpose of why we developed the Cafe.
Waking into the room this past Monday, you would immediately noticed the colors, music, refreshments, and a slideshow of the memories we shared in the past. But most importantly you, experienced people smiling, laughing, dancing, creating, and even drumming. If we don’t examine the real reason why we gather, we may forgo the opportunity of creating and experiencing memorable events and the importance of the “human experience.”
Thank you to all our families, volunteers, special guests and church staff that joined us to celebrate human connections. Our gatherings are at the heart of why we are all connected. Each week we share music, prayer, poetry and wonderful adventures while embracing a community of friends, family and faith.
So the next time you and your friend or family member living with memory loss are doing something together, whether preparing a salad, riding in a golf cart, taking a walk, or sitting and listening to music, remember, it is not about meal preparation, or the game of golf. Think less of “what” you are doing and more about the “why.”
If you would like more information about our Memory Ministry, our Memory Cafe or Family and Friends Workshops, please contact Vicky at vpitner@firstumc.org.