“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!

10/08/26 RSVP

Mark your calendars
2026-27 St. John Senior Connections
10:45 a.m.-2 p.m.
September 10, "Inquiring minds want to know: Learning from St. John masters"
- Wade Boyd: 3-D printing -- what, how, why!
- Matt Deitemeyer: DIY travel tips and tricks
- Larry Goth: Ask the Pilot!
- Joined also by Lydia Fitzgerald from Visit Vancouver!
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 October 8 for our first Technology Fair! Planned in partnership with, and presented by, Dr. Dene Grigar, WSU Professor, Director of Creative Media & Digital Culture in the Department of Digital Technology & Culture, Lewis E. and Stella G. Buchanan Distinguished Professor, Director of the Electronic Literature Lab (ELL), Managing Director & Curator of ELO’s The NEXT, and co-author of The Challenges of Born-Digital Fiction (Cambridge UP, 2024).
Dr. Grigar will be joined by students, faculty, staff and alumni speakers for this very special event. Participants at the September 10 Senior Connections event selected the topics from a survey provided by Dr. Grigar:
- 10:45 a.m. Arrival registration
- 11:00 a.m. Opening devotion with Cr. Christine Lawton
- 11:20 a.m. Announcements
- 11:30 a.m. First presentation -- Taking great videos on your smart phone
- ll:50 a.m. Lunch -- Oktoberfest! Accordion, anyone?
- 12:30 p.m. Keeping your digital information secure
- 1:10 p.m. How to recognize AI content
- 1:40 p.m. Wonderful learning opportunities at digital sites
- 2:00 p.m. Close
Bring you phone, and/or tablet and computer -- Dr. Grigar says she like all to practice while learning. Invite a friend, a neighbor, a tech-curious colleague! Celebrate Oktoberfest at lunch with bratwurst, sauerkraut, apple dessert, maybe even German potato salad!
- 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!