I have recently been reflecting on that word belong. It is an English word that has been around since the 1400s. While the word has been around for a half of a millennia, the personal need for belonging to some group of individuals has been a part of the human psyche since the dawn of time. Belonging gives us a sense of identity, a sense of being valued, and a support network,

Most of us began life belonging to a family. The family provides for us a small group of persons, tightly connected through our DNA and common experiences. As we mature, we begin to expand our circles of belonging to include others with whom we connect around common interests, aspirations, histories, or faith.

It has been observed that in the English language there is no opposite word for loneliness. I believe the word “belonging” is an appropriate antonym for loneliness. As I read the life of Jesus, I find him regularly connecting with and valuing people who experienced isolation or ostracism in the community where they found themselves because they had a unique ethnicity or spotted history.

These included a person who was a leader of a Roman military unit,[1] a woman from a pagan country,[2] a woman with a tarnished reputation,[3] a woman with five failed marriages,[4] a man with a disability,[5] a criminal sentenced to death,[6] a close friend who disavowed Jesus.[7] Jesus reached out to make the marginalized and ostracized know that they were loved and could belong to the family of God.

May the example of Jesus challenge all persons of faith to demonstrate the all-encompassing love of God and to know that all are invited to belong to the family of God. As we approach the 241^st anniversary of the nation to which we belong, let us celebrate the vital freedoms we enjoy today.

Let us also celebrate the history of our nation that has made us a great melting pot of ethnicities and cultures yesterday and today and in that process, live out the spirit of instructions first given to the people of Israel to extend the spirit of belonging: “love the stranger, because you were once strangers.” [Deuteronomy 19:10 KJV].

Timothy Herr

Vice President, Pastoral Service & Corporate Compliance Official

---

[1] Matthew 8:5-13 – a Roman centurion
[2] Matthew 15:21-28 – a Canaanite woman
[3] Luke 7:36-50
[4] John 4:4-27
[5] John 9
[6] Luke 23:42-43
[7] John 21:15-19

In today’s competitive job market, how can you make yourself desirable to service-based organizations like Tel Hai?  View our ‘Top 5 Desirable Traits to Become a Tel Hai Team Member!’

• Integrity
• Compassion
• Trust
• Stewardship
• Community

Integrity: Tel Hai looks for team members who model integrity at all times. This includes being honest, trustworthy, and respectful to residents and fellow team members. Practicing integrity means doing the right thing at all times, even when no one is watching.

Compassion: We look for team members to have kindness, understanding and acceptance. Team members that will take care of residents and one another.

Trust: As stated in our core values, we seek to promote an environment which recognizes the worth of each individual, encourages empowerment and collaboration, and values transparency in behavior and authentic communication.

Stewardship: We value team members that are conscious of our resources and hold one another accountable. Team Members that work efficiently and don’t waste time.

Community: We value a sense of belonging. We want team members that are eager to be part of something bigger, to be part of the team.

We get hundreds of applications each year. We do interviews, background checks, and reference checks, to help us find team members who will represent our core values and excel within the Tel Hai culture.

We currently have more than 500 amazing team members that help us live out these core values by serving more than 850 residents here on campus each day. Tel Hai truly is a great place to be!

Keeli Looper, SHRM- SCP

Vice President, Human Resources

Every Monday morning, about twenty ladies gather at Tel Hai Retirement Community to enjoy one another’s company and to quilt and sew for charitable causes, near and far.

Many of the ladies have been sewing for 60 years or more and learned this life-skill in school, 4-H, or from a family member. Quilts of Valor are made for veterans at the Coatesville Veterans Affairs Medical Center and at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Pillowcases are lovingly made for breast cancer patients and children undergoing treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania.

Under the cheerful, patient and inspired leadership of resident Shirley Walton, new projects that continue to challenge and educate the ladies are introduced and produced by the ladies at their own pace and skill level.

Currently, the ladies are making placemats for Meals on Wheels, fidget cloths for Alzheimer’s patients, and sundresses for little girls in Belize. Shirley had the ladies try shading the tulip petals using craft crayons to
 enhance the placemats and stretch the skills of this creative group.

Walker bags are made for those who would appreciate attractive bags to use while using a walker. Quilts for children are made for the Domestic Violence Center of Chester County and for first responders to give to 
children to comfort them during crisis situations.

Inspiring and encouraging one another, the ladies of Sew
Creative are bringing pleasure and comfort to many, young and old alike. They have learned at Tel Hai—the Hill of Life— that life is brighter when creating joy for others.

Joann Huntington

Tel Hai Retirement Community Resident

My wife and I leave our cottage on Rolling Hills Circle, walking briskly past Honey Locust Court saying a brief hello to Dave and Dottie who had just finished a hearty breakfast. Walking hand in hand out in the crisp morning air.

Walking Hand in Hand we look to the hill covered with soybean plants hoping to see a few deer enjoying a midday lunch… today was not the day. We saw a groundhog raise his head and then move rapidly to his daytime hiding place. A few more steps, I look down a draw and see a house and bam, the verdant green meadow with the Conestoga Creek passing through as we walked hand in hand.

Walking Hand in Hand we hear birds singing their heart out. We do not know just how they talk or listen to one another, but they practice their notes and scales. We meet and greet friends walking in the opposite direction-we say to one another “You’re going in the wrong way.”  To us, ours is the right way, but who cares anyway walking hand in hand.

Walking Hand in Hand it was the morning after a stormy night. Everything was crisp and clear even the sky looked washed and blue. White fluffy clouds floating slowly by. Do trees have feelings? Do they feel sad and deserted or are they happy with strong and tall branches spread skyward. Squirrels run chase and jump from branch to branch, tree to tree. As we walk hand in hand.

Walking Hand in Hand the road takes a gentle downward turn.  The view of the lake along Beaver Dam Road gives us a feeling of serenity. The sun isn’t aware of the change of the hour as the earth in its regular course turns around. In the distance we spot a sight we love. Flocks of geese flying high in the sky… tiny to see but loud to hear. Why is the “V” shorter on one side? Walking hand in hand.

Walking Hand in Hand I see beauty in the wind.  How often have I said “I hate wind” but then I never before noticed the beauty of it as it rushes thru a tree. In the meadow, horses taking a day of rest, cows nibbling at the grass, why does a cow eating green grass give white milk? We see a bed of flowers of Daisies, we stop and pick one.  We pluck each petal “He loves me, he loves me not.” We see robins hunt and peck on the lawn. Walking hand in hand.

Walking Hand in Hand a car goes by we give them a High 5. Life moves on… that’s a truth for certain. There is joy in our hearts, peace in our minds. The years are beginning to take their toll. How much longer will we be able to stroll with aching knees and hips. Walking hand in hand, Tel Hai is the place to be.

Will Gaul

Tel Hai Retirement Community Resident

When I started working in the volunteer department at Tel Hai, I knew there were a lot of volunteers. I knew there were a lot of volunteer opportunities. And I was pretty sure the volunteers would be pretty nice.

But what I didn’t know was what I was getting myself into and the caliber of volunteers who were at Tel Hai! What I didn’t know was that the volunteer hours would increase from just more than 36,000 hours in 2013 to more than 43,000 in 2017. I didn’t know that the volunteer fleet would grow each year so that now there are more than 410 volunteers helping at Tel Hai! And what I really didn’t know was the kind of volunteer I would encounter and the depth of their love and joy of volunteering at Tel Hai.

You see, in order to be a Tel Hai volunteer, one cannot just walk off the street and ‘help’ with any ordinary task. Nope… not going to cut it here! To call oneself a Tel Hai volunteer someone must have passion about what is being done; whether that’s driving the shuttle, monitoring the pool, sorting and delivering mail…whatever it may be (and believe me – the list is long!) a Tel Hai volunteer enjoys the opportunity to help and show up with the mindset that volunteering is more natural than not! These are the volunteers I encountered when I started at Tel Hai.

I was blown away by their dedication, love, compassion, skills, work ethic and willingness to help and share their gifts that I decided that very day that Tel Hai volunteers are AWESOME! You could look up other words in the dictionary, or find any amount of synonyms to describe the great people I get the pleasure of working with every day, but to me, awesome sums it up perfectly.

So in honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week being held April 24 through April 28^th, from the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank all of the Tel Hai volunteers. Each and every volunteer makes this organization run smoothly and shows up 365 days a year with a smile on their face and a passion in their heart for helping others.

You’re simply AWESOME!

Amy Whary

Director of Volunteer Services

Tel Hai Retirement Community

A Reflection of My Visit to the Holy Land

I didn’t know what to fully expect. Though I had served as a Pastor for more than 30 years and had taught numerous lessons from the Bible, I had never visited the Holy Land. It’s not that I didn’t have an interest in going. It just never made it to the top of my list of things I want to do. But when the opportunity came this year to go, I felt compelled to make the pilgrimage.

I really had no idea what to expect, but I was sure that whatever I would see would be old, dusty, and barren. I was sure I would see ruins of ancient archeological digs and churches that were built on sites believed to be authentic. I expected to be bombarded with a commercialized presentation of the Holy Lands. There was a little of that, but oh so much more.

What I didn’t expect was to be wowed with the beauty of Israel. It is a diverse and dynamic country only about the size of New Jersey, but full of ancient and beautiful places. We arrived during the rainy and cool time of year, so the ground was lush with vegetation and the hills and valleys were full of crops like oranges, mangos, bananas, figs, almonds, and more.

Because of the rain, it seemed that almost every day we were greeted with another sign of God’s majesty; signs like the double rainbow we witnessed on the Sea of Galilee, the majestic snow covered peak of Mount Hermon and the Golan Heights, the hundreds of storks migrating through the Jordan River Valley, and the crow of a Rooster at the site of Peter’s betrayal of Christ. Everywhere we went it seemed that God was with us, and that He had a message to give not only through the historical sites we visited, but also through the creation that still surrounded them.

Everywhere we went it seemed that God was with us, and that He had a message to give not only through the historical sites we visited, but also through the creation that still surrounded them.

Our guide for this trip, Dr. Willis Britt, mentioned that there are places on earth where the Spirit seems to pierce through the material world; “thin places” he called them. I found myself experiencing the touch of the Spirit of God at several of these ‘thin places’ in Israel; places like the Holocaust Museum and the Western (wailing) Wall, places like the Garden Tomb and the teaching Steps of the Temple, and places like the beach on the Sea of Galilee pictured in this blog.

I chose this photo because it was a place of special significance for me. It is the site where it is believed Jesus restored Peter to his call after the Resurrection. You may remember from the Bible that Peter denied Jesus three times before the Rooster crowed on the night of Christ’s crucifixion. Peter had been commissioned by Jesus as ‘the Rock’, the one who would have a special roll in leadership among the early church. But after Peter’s denial of Christ, though He was overjoyed that Christ had risen from the dead, there was still this sense that Peter had fallen too far and could no longer be considered as a leader. So he went fishing on the Lake. Jesus appeared to him, cooked a meal of fish, and asked Peter three times “Do you love me, more than these?” It was at this spot on the shores of the Galilee that Peter understood the forgiveness and grace of Jesus. It was here that Peter devoted Himself to the love and service of Christ.   You can see why that beach might have special significance for me. I still cry thinking about the goodness and grace of God to give Peter a fresh start.

Israel is a place where heaven and earth meet. It is a special place. It is a place that forever changed me and that I am so grateful to have been able to see and touch. Are there any ‘thin places’ in your life where heaven and earth have come together to give you a touch of the Divine?   If not, consider joining Tel Hai on our next trip to Israel. You won’t regret the decision.

David Hicks

Chaplain

Tel Hai Retirement Community

This winter, I’ve been counting my blessings, one of which is the decision I made eight years ago to move to this beautiful campus. I’m sure that other residents who reside at Tel Hai can relate to them as well.

I feel thankful…

– when I leave the dinner table each night and have not had to shop for food, plan, prepare, cook or wash the dishes.

– when the Ukulele Band is performing for a sing-along and I wonder if I would ever be singing if I lived alone.

– when I sign up for one of our out-of-town getaways or day trips and all the planning has been done for me, the pace is appropriate and the sights are interesting.

– when I hear a group of friends sharing a laugh at dinner and it occurs to me that I am never lonely or alone at meal time.

– when I can feel useful by joining a committee or volunteering in an area of my experience and interest.

– when I am able to attend lectures, church services, nature walks, concerts, movies, swimming, shopping, dancing, gardening, art classes, and many more activities… all without leaving the campus.

– when my privacy is respected when I am in my own home, but I feel that I am among friends when I step out the door.

– when I don’t need a car because the pharmacy and grocery store deliver and the Tel Hai shuttle will take me to appointments.

– when my family can relax because they understand that I feel supported and cared for by genuinely interested and responsive staff.

– when I can get my mail, buy stamps and mail packages all without leaving campus.

– when a nurse or social worker is available day or night to respond to any concerns I may have.

– when it snows and I am inside baking cookies for the staff shoveling outside, instead of doing the heavy lifting myself.

For these and many other reasons, I am so grateful and thankful that I live at Tel Hai.

Marian Friese

Tel Hai Retirement Community Resident

As the workforce continues to be increasingly inundated with Millennials (employees who were born between 1981 and 1996; 21-36 years old), there is increasing conversation about how this next generation of workers are impacting organizations.

Many companies- like Tel Hai- recognize the value of the Millennial generation and are seeking to gain a better understanding of what Millennials look for in an employer and how to best leverage the many strengths that they offer.

As a Millennial, I think that it’s interesting that my age group is creating such a stir! There are a lot of generalizations about our new generation of “Millennials.” Some sources paint my generation as a very driven and technologically savvy group. Many recognize our desire to engage in work that is meaningful and our need to maintain a healthy work/life balance. I can identify with many of these generalizations.

I grew up using technology…a lot! I have been using computers since elementary school and I am used to having instant internet access on my cell phone. As a result, I am accustomed to having immediate access to any information that I need.

At Tel Hai, we are seeking to expand our use of technology so that we can more efficiently provide resident care and eliminate wasted time for our team members. I’ve had the opportunity to help with the implementation of some new software conversions at Tel Hai. I’m excited see how these advances in technology will help departments throughout the Tel Hai campus.

Another trait that is true of many Millennials is that we desire meaningful work. This is definitely true of myself! It is important to me that the work I am doing makes a difference in the lives of those around me. That is one of the reasons that I love being part of the Tel Hai team! We get to serve our residents every day and provide high quality care. While I’m not a nurse providing direct care to residents, I know that my position plays an important part in the overall mission of Tel Hai.

Millennials will continue to influence the culture of the workforce. I look forward to partnering with Tel Hai to find ways to leverage our individual strengths for the overall advancement of the Tel Hai team.

Mandy Smith

Human Resources Generalist

Tel Hai Retirement Community