Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities

Religion: Portales church reaches out to area seniors

STAFF WRITER

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Although they share the same space, seniors at the Wheatfields Senior Living Community in Clovis said they get the opportunity to know each other better through Bible study discussion.

The newly founded Bible studies are part of an outreach by First United Methodist Church in Portales to reach out to seniors in the Clovis community, according to Pastor Keith Wilks, who also leads the Bible studies.

“There is a difference when being with people you are familiar with,” said Wilks. “We think this is our opportunity to just provide spiritual care.”

Wilks said he takes a discussion-oriented approach to his outreach at Wheatfields while praising the seniors for their knowledge.

Staff photo: Kurt Munz-Raper

Keith Wilks, pastor at First United Methodist Church, leads a weekly Bible study at Wheatfields Senior Living Community Tuesday mornings.

“This is a critical study,” he said. “This is not a lecture. The wisdom in that room outweighs my 57 years (as a pastor) immensely. I try to apply it to how participants in the Bible study are feeling that day.”

One of the most important aspects of the Bible study, Wilks added, is recognizing that as a teacher, it is important to keep an open mind.

One of the Bible study topics involved using faith to guide people when they are in a place they are not familiar with and do not want to be at with Wilks also discussing the importance of helping other people as a form of personal enlightenment.

Wheatfields residents Alta Dalley, Thelma Coffey, Miriam Deen, Evelyn Kiker and Wheatfields Activities Director Rochelle Iovinelli were among the Bible study participants.

“He (Wilks) makes us think,” said Dalley, adding she sees the studies as a great alternative to listening to preaching while allowing her to really get to know other residents at the senior living community.

“He always relates it to our generation,” she said.

“It’s a high point for me to come to these sessions,” said Deen. “I have felt so accepted here by Wheatfields. Eight minds are better than one.”

“I don’t think any of our lives would be the same without this,” said Coffey. “Everybody’s different. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing. What I think might not be (the same). It helps me to get (and understand) their idea.”

The sharing of ideas is something Iovinelli said she enjoyed as well.

“(I like) just to get different outlooks,” said Iovinelli, “the difference of opinions we all have.”