Menno Place TV – Livestream Programming for Residents!
During the Covid-19 pandemic, amidst necessary lockdowns and physical distancing precautions at long-term care homes, the residents of Menno Place have been missing the regular social, recreational, and spiritual aspects of campus living.
Since no longer being able to gather for games, activities, chapel services, Bible studies, and hymn sings, life has changed dramatically for residents. This unprecedented time has called for creative solutions as we consider the well-being of all who call Menno Place home.
In March, Menno Place TV launched with live activities, exercises, and spiritual content. Throughout the week, residents can tune into Channel 10 or 59 on their televisions to participate.
“This pandemic and our Menno house rules keep us all in, but I think more residents than before are being blessed with our Channel 10 TV!” says one Terrace West resident. “Before only a few went to exercise, and now many take part. Only a few went to morning prayer once a week (here in Terrace East and West), but now the whole campus is blessed!”
THE CONTENT
Monday to Friday, chaplains lead live morning and noon prayers and afternoon Bible studies, devotions, or hymn sings. Every evening, residents are able to view recordings of local church services. Nine Abbotsford churches and one Chilliwack church have partnered with us to provide this content! On Sundays at 10am, residents can view a live local church service and at 2pm, a live Menno Place chapel service is available.
Prior to Good Friday, the Menno Place chaplains led a communion service, distributing pre-filled and sealed communion cups with wafers. Over 200 residents participated.
Recreation activities include exercise, riddles, current events, bingo and jeopardy.
To get a taste of Menno Place TV, we’d like to share our Easter Sunday service with you, led by Menno Place chaplain John Dyck. You can view the recording or read through the sermon notes and Scripture. May you be blessed by it, as we were! View the Easter service HERE.
THE RESPONSE FROM RESIDENTS
There have been many positive responses from residents who are feeling more connected through the programs. Many have Channel 10 on all day and have called or emailed the chaplains and recreation team to thank them and share words of encouragement.
We’ve also heard from family members who have called their parents and were told: “I can’t talk right now. I’m in the middle of an exercise class. Call back later.” This brought joy to the family members to know that their parents were occupied and enjoying activities!
Here are some of the other grateful comments we’ve received:
“What a joy to see your smiling face and cheerful greetings on this morning’s prayer time!”
“We are really enjoying the programming on Ch 10. You are doing such a professional job. Thank you!”
Thank you to the amazing recreation team, tech team, and chaplains for their adaptability and their joy in serving the residents of Menno Place.
“We could not have done any of this without the help of Dave Janzen, our tech star. We can’t sing his praises enough!” says chaplain Ingrid Schulz. “We are also grateful for the team at TELUS in working with us to get channel 10 going.”
