Spring 2011 - Retirement Housing Foundation

From The President“Finding Our Placein God’s Plan”The Rev. Dr. James A Forbes, Jr., Pastor Emeritus of RiversideChurch, New York City, used the above title as his sermon topicfor our 50th Anniversary Worship service which was hostedby First Congregational UCC, Long Beach and attended by 450persons.We were pleased that 26 UCC Conference Ministers were withus for our 50th and we enjoyed special music by a choir of 90persons from RHF, First, Los Altos and Los Alamitos CommunityCongregational churches. Rev. Forbes’ sermon was outstandingand it had strong implications about the importance of place inour faith, our families, our homes and our vocations.I thought about how important place was for me as Senior Pastor of Peace Memorial UCC in Chicago andsince 1987 as CEO of RHF. I’ve said numerous times that in retrospect it’s clear to me that any success I’vehad came from my willingness to walk through the doors God opened before me. By accepting unsolicitedinvitations I discovered that I had wound up in the right place.On numerous occasions residents have told me that they are convinced that God led them to this place andit is the nicest place they have ever lived. One of our team members, Vice President of Treasury BrianMagnone, expressed a sentiment at a Council for Health and Human Services Annual Meeting several yearsago, which I hope many of our team members feel, when he said, “RHF is a great place to work!”Place is important and I hope you feel that you are in the right place in all aspects of your life.If you are one of our 17,000 residents, I hope that you like the place you live. If you are one of our 2600team members working in this mission, I hope that you feel you are in the right place or career track inyour vocation. If you are a member of our national or local Boards or Advisory Commission, I hope thatyou sense you are in a place where you are making a difference.And I invite all readers to find your place as a supporter of this great mission. If you accept this invitation, Iam convinced you will discover that you have found your place in God’s plan for a better world.RHF Today is published periodically for residents, families of residents, the United Church of Christ and sponsoringcongregations, staff, local board members, and friends of Retirement Housing Foundation, 911 N. Studebaker Road, Long Beach,CA 90815-4900, Telephone (562) 257-5100/FAX (562) 257-5200, TDD (800) 545-1833, ext. 359. www.rhf.org - e-mail: info@rhf.org.Retirement Housing Foundation is a nonprofit California corporation dedicated to planning, sponsoring, building, preserving andmanaging housing for older adults, low-income families, and persons with disabilities. It is a member of the Council for Healthand Human Service Ministries of the United Church of Christ, and also co-sponsors housing communities with other denominational,civic and community organizations. RHF is a member of LeadingAge and its state affiliates. RHF serves and employs withoutregard to race, creed, color, sex, national origin, religion, ancestry, marital status, physical disability, age, medical condition (includingpregnancy), or familial status.President and Chief Executive Officer: Rev. Laverne R. Joseph, D.D.BOARD OF DIRECTORSChairperson: Dr. John E. Trnka Vice Chairpersons: Christina E. Potter, Dr. Darryl M. Sexton Treasurer: Thomas S. MasudaDirectors: Jean G. Dremstedt, Raymond E. East, Frank G. Jahrling, Donald King, Rev. Dr. Teruo Kawata, Rev. Harold S.Schultz, and Stewart M. Simington.RHF Foundation, Inc. provides financial resources through gifts and managed funds that assistthe mission of Retirement Housing Foundation.-2-