The Messenger - Phoebe Ministries

2 MessengerCEO MessageFaith in Action: Phoebe’sGuide, Then and NowSince becoming Phoebe’sCEO, I have given a lot ofthought and prayer to what wemight do during this first yearof my leadership that couldmake a meaningful differencein how we see ourselves asthe “Phoebe family” and howwe work together to serve ourresidents.Scott StevensonPresident & CEOPhoebe was founded more than a century agoby members of the Reformed Church whose faithinspired them to care for the elderly. Today, faithcontinues to inform theway we work at Phoebe.‘Today, faithI believe one reason peoplechoose to be a partcontinuesof Phoebe is becauseto informworking here allows themthe way we to put their faith intowork ataction every day.One might think thatPhoebe.’because I come from afinancial background, Iam solely interested in bottom line numbers. Whileperformance results are critical, that is not the case.Just as important to me is the way we accomplishthose results, the way we treat our residents and thevalues we bring to our working relationships witheach other day in and day out.During my first year, my goal is to reclaim andgive visibility to the way our faith influences ouractions at Phoebe. A representative Faith in ActionTeam will work together over the next few months.The group will develop a set of values that governour relationships. In addition they will recommendways to capture our faith in our mission statementand proposals for Phoebe’s vision statement thatembody our faith-filled dreams for Phoebe.I see many possibilities to build on the outcomesof this initiative. Here are a few:● improving our performance managementprocess● undergirding our culture change to residentfocusedcare● marketing and branding that emphasize the faithdimension of the “Phoebe difference”● strengthening our connection with our larger faithcommunity● recruiting staffI will personally keep you posted on both theprogress and outcome of this initiative and thankyou in advance for your interest and support. ■Phoebe Terrace Chaplains Past and PresentJoin in 25th Anniversary Worship Servicen May 6, 1984, I had just turned 11 and“O was probably out riding my bikesomewhere. I didn’t know a thing aboutPhoebe Ministries. I didn’t know that oneday I would be called to be here with youthis evening,” began Rev. Albert Martin,Chaplain at Phoebe’s Allentown Campusand leader of Phoebe Terrace’s 25thAnniversary worship service.In coordinating the service, he askedformer Terrace chaplains to share, throughletter or in person, how they experiencedGod while offering their ministry at thecommunity. Rev. Susan Hanson , now pastorat St. Mark’s UCC Allentown,remembered watching a groupof residents playing bocce ballon the front lawn, cheeringeach other on and giggling “likegirls playing skip rope.” She realizedthat “true happiness andreal laughter that comes evenin the midst of difficult timesare among the best encounterswe can have with God.”In addition to the worshipservice, which featured a choirof residents and friends, thePastoral Care staff was alsoinvolved with planning theweek-long celebration. Rev. Dr.Bohnenberger, continued from p. 1Allan Kramer-Moyer compiled a retrospectivemedia presentation on the history ofPhoebe Terrace and the vivacity of its residents.The program preceded a “doverelease” ceremony in which each residenthad the opportunity to hold and release abeautiful white homing pigeon, bred tolook like a dove.“It was special to me because it wasspecial to the residents,” summarized Rev.Martin of his involvement in the activities.“I wanted it to be a celebration of thesacredness of the Terrace and the peoplewho live here.” ■Phoebe Terrace residents Naomi Schleicher (left) and Louise Prathertake their turns releasing trained white homing pigeons as part of a“dove release” marking the community’s 25th anniversary.Phoebe Institute on Aging BenefitThursday, Nov. 12, 6-9 p.m.Lehigh Country Club, AllentownAddress by Lisa Genova, Ph.D.Author of the New York Times bestseller “Still Alice,”a novel about a fiercely independent 50-year-old woman’s descent into early Alzheimer’s.Benefiting programs of the Phoebe Institute on Aging and educational opportunitiesPhoebe Institute on Aging Community ProgramFriday, Nov. 13, 8 a.m.-NoonCedar Crest College, Alumni HallFeaturing Lisa Genova, Ph.D.To register, call 610-794-5135 or go to www.phoebe.orgsays, “It is truly special to have been nominated by my co-workers. I am very fortunate to workwith a group of very talented, enthusiastic, good-humored and compassionate women, and toserve a facility that embraces innovation.”Bohnenberger encourages her staff to look at a situation with the attitude of “how can wemake it happen?” She recognizes what is essential to residents’ well-being. Life is not simply fourwalls, a bed, meals on a tray and bingo, she states. Bohnenberger makes life happen at Phoebe.Her crusade is to improve each resident’s quality of life. “There is so much to be learned from ourelders,” she says. ■.