“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up. . .”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Age 60 or older? Interested in learning, getting to know others at St. John, finding ways to volunteer, and growing together in faith and community? Join us for a monthly event at St. John! Bring a friend!

Since May 2025 St. John Senior Connections has connected our church, members and resources with St. John participants and Clark County residents over age 60 to build Christian faith and relationships, encourage and support individuals in their daily challenges, and have fun! The monthly event facilitates connections and support for everyday life.

RSVP requested! We do require an RSVP for each event so we have enough lunches for all. You are invited to come to all or a portion of each program. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the program start time to register and find a seat of your choice! It’s also a good time to meet and mingle with new and returning friends!

St. John's and Senior Connections thanks Lutheran Church Extension Fund and Northwest District Vice President, Mike Madison, for their generous support throughout our first year!

9/10/26 RSVP

Mark your calendars
2026-27 St. John Senior Connections
10:45 a.m.-2 p.m.
September 10
October 8 – Technology Fair with WSU Dr. Dene Grigar Professor and Vancouver Campus Lead of Digital Technology and Culture Program and WSU students
December 10
January 7
February 4
April 8 - Health Fair
May 13
Join us for the September 10 St. John Senior Connections event, “St. John Masters.” This will be one of several events this year that feature some of our members showcasing their expertise and insights! We will also be joined again by Lydia from Visit Vancouver. Bring your exploring Clark County card, or be ready to share about your summer adventures close to home. Fried chicken, salads and fruit cobbler are on the menu as we celebrate summer one last time.
September 10, 10:45-2 p.m.: Inquiring minds want to know: Learning from St. John masters
- Wade Boyd: 3-D printing – what, how, why!
- Lydia from Visit Vancouver – reviewing local adventures
- Matt Deitemeyer – DIY Travel Tips and Tricks
- Larry Goth – Ask the Pilot! (What are the trickiest places to land? Is flying really safe? Are you sure???)
3-D Printing Master Wade Boyd was born in PA, raised in SD, and then he joined the Navy where he was trained in electronics. After his 13 years in the Navy, he went to work for Ford Aerospace where he worked on satellite tracking stations all over the world as part of the development team for space shuttle communications support. He then went to work for a laser company, then launching his own company working with industrial lasers – designed, built, installed industrial lasers. Since retiring he has explored 3D printing, wood working, programming, and traveling. Wade has lived in California, Washington, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam. Perhaps you have seen some of his work around the church! Wade will give us opportunity to experience 3-D printing first hand, answering our questions about materials, technical steps, ways to use, and the joy you can generate by printing!
Travel Master Matt Deitemeyer, a graduate of Concordia University Nebraska (B.A. Geography), is currently employed as a GIS (Geographic Information System) Analyst for Clark County and as an Adjunct Professor for Concordia University Wisconsin. In Clark County since 2002, Matt and wife Zida are joined in worship at St. John by children, Caleb and Charis.
Matt notes that when he turned 21 he had never flown, had only visited a handful of states, and had only one week of international travel in Canada. Since then, he has traveled the lower 48 states and 5 Canadian provinces, as well as to India, Nepal, Mexico, Venezuela, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Iceland, United Kingdom, Australia, and seven countries in mainland Europe. Most of these trips were without the assistance of an agent, organization, or employer.
Matt will share his travel tips and tricks including: How does he plan DIY trips? How can you afford travel with limited means? What has he learned about travel along the way? Come find out how Matt has mastered seeing our country – and the world!
Pilot Master Larry Goth earned a teaching degree but couldn’t see a 30 year career in that field. While guiding Grand Canyon river trips he got to know a pilot who flew for Continental Airlines. After 12 days of questions, answers, and discussions Larry decided that flying was something he would enjoy. To earn the funds to pay for flight school he spent time working on a fishing boat in the Bering Sea. Looking at flight schools across the country he settled on one close to home, Lane Community College in Eugene. Two and a half years of flight training led to a flight instructing job at LCC – putting his teaching degree to use! After three years there, Larry worked two years for an outfit called Salmon Air out of Salmon, ID, flying trips into the Idaho backcountry. Since 2000 he has piloted for Horizon Air, currently flying the Embraer 175.
Bring your questions for Larry! In the spirit of Patrick Smith’s book, Cockpit Confidential: Everything You Need to Know About Air Travel. Questions, Answers, and Reflections, Larry will respond to your air travel questions sharing a pilot’s perspective.
- A devotion
- Lunch
- Presentations from experts and leaders in our community
- Introduction to local and church resources
- Information about ways you can serve throughout the month
If you would like to watch our previous recordings, visit our YouTube Channel using the link below:
Senior Connections Presentations
St. John sponsored a full day Estate Planning workshop in partnership with Lutheran Church Extension Fund on Saturday, January 24. We hope you will find these resources from that day helpful.
Videos:
- Ask the Expert panel discussion facilitated by LCEF VP Diana Raasch
- Estate Planning: Financial & Tax Considerations – Financial Planner Heidi Johnson Bixby and Tax Accountant Ralph Doggett
Powerpoint
- What to Expect When You're Expecting to P ass, Matthew Sharpe, Community Services Counselor, Evergreen Memorial Gardens
Handouts
- My Funeral Plan
- It's Your Funeral - Making Plans
Connections
- In case you missed the event and have questions or would like a will guide, contact Diana Raasch at Lutheran Church Extension Fund (LCEF). LCEF has various other estate planning resources. LCEF also has a newsletter; click here to start receiving a personal planning newsletter.
- Lutheran Church Extension Fund of Northwest District
- Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
- Three Creeks branch of Ft. Vancouver Regional Library
- Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of Southwest Washington
- Clark County's Council for the Homeless.
  - To inform the Council of someone living outside you can complete their Community Outreach FormTo donate essential winter gear, review this flyer.
- Clark County Food Bank.
  - Their Food Finder can be accessed 24/7.
- Family Promise of Clark County.
- Sean Ericson, U.S. Geological Society
- Charles Ingalls, American Red Cross, Southwest Washington
- Jodi Blackwood, Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA)
- Cavanaugh Fused Glass
- Author Cassandra Moore
- Hope Dementia Support
September 11: Introduction to the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and Introduction to Estate Planning: Wills and Trusts -- graciously sponsored by Lutheran Church Extension Fund
October 9: St. John Health Fair -- hosted in partnership with sponsor Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities
December 4: Who are our neighbors? Clark County Food Bank, Council for the Homeless, and the Fourth Wise Man!
January 8: “Embracing New Adventures:How to Thrive in the Second Half of Life “with Benjamin Surmi, Social Gerontologist with Koelsch Communities
January 24, Special Event -- Estate Planning Workshop
February 5: The Work of His Hands: Addressing the perceived conflict between science and Scripture, Astronaut Colonel Jeff Williams
March 5: Emergency Preparedness Day: Expecting the Unexpected
April 9: Unleashing your creative potential! Together we created fused glass tiles with Ann, Megan and Kim from Cavanaugh Fused Glass (look for the finished project soon!), and refined our writing skills with Cassie Moore, author of the Gallivanter Saga.
May 7: Resources for Aging Clark County: Clark County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Holly Kipp and Outreach Program Coordinator Kasey Frazier will discuss S.A.L.T., Seniors and Law Enforcement Together, and Julie Donovan, Program Manager for HOPE Dementia Support, a collaboration between HOPE Dementia Support and the Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of Southwest Washington.
June 4: Summertime -- let's get outside! Container Gardening with Master Gardener Marcia Sherry, Getting to know Ridgefield Wildlife Refuge with Board Vice President Jean Stemp, and end-of-the-year surprises!