At First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City, Tennessee, a growing respite care ministry is creating a place of welcome, friendship and renewal for individuals experiencing memory loss — while offering caregivers a few much-needed hours to rest, work, attend appointments or simply breathe.
The Gathering, led by Rachel Freshour Watson, Director of Respite Ministries, launched last year as a grassroots effort to support people living with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and other forms of cognitive decline. Though the ministry has not yet completed its first full fiscal year, Watson said it is already gaining momentum, welcoming new volunteers and “friends” into a compassionate community of care.
The program primarily serves older adults who are still able to participate in a group social setting. Many live at home with spouses, adult children or other family caregivers who are navigating the emotional, physical and financial demands of caregiving. The Gathering is designed to support not only the individual experiencing memory loss, but the entire family system surrounding that person.
“The Gathering at First United Methodist Church in Jefferson City is a social respite ministry designed to support individuals experiencing memory loss and the caregivers who love and care for them,” Watson said. The program provides a safe, engaging and compassionate environment where participants, whom the ministry lovingly calls “friends,” can experience meaningful connection, purposeful activity, well-being and a sense of belonging.
Each session lasts four hours and is intentionally structured around routine, social interaction and activities that encourage engagement. A typical day begins with coffee, conversation and familiar rhythms that help participants feel comfortable and oriented. The group uses a daily whiteboard for orientation exercises and begins with “today in history,” an activity Watson said often sparks memories, stories and meaningful conversations from participants’ past experiences.
Music also plays an important role in the ministry’s rhythm. Familiar songs help cue the day, provide comfort and invite participation. The program also includes chapel once a month, devotion time, singing, games that encourage cognitive engagement, exercise and movement, arts and crafts, sensory activities, shared meals and opportunities for laughter and fellowship.
Guest speakers, musicians and community partners are also invited to participate, helping provide variety and enriching experiences for the friends who attend. Watson said the ministry’s goal is not simply to fill time, but to create a day that feels purposeful, joyful and relational.
One of the most meaningful parts of The Gathering is its emphasis on multigenerational connection. Steps of Faith Preschool is housed at the same church, creating natural opportunities for children and older adults to spend time together. Watson said these shared moments are often among the most precious parts of the ministry, bringing joy to both age groups and strengthening a sense of community across generations.
That focus reflects one of Watson’s guiding themes for the ministry: “Join us for joy.” For her, joy is not an extra benefit of the program; it is central to the way The Gathering approaches care. Through music, laughter, prayer, conversation, touch, meals and simply sitting beside someone, the ministry seeks to remind each person that they are loved, valued, included and respected.
For caregivers, The Gathering provides dependable respite time and a supportive community that understands the challenges of dementia and caregiving. During each session, caregivers may run errands, attend appointments, go to work, rest at home or sit on the porch for a few quiet moments. Watson also helps connect caregivers with encouragement, resources and relationships that acknowledge the difficult realities many families face.
Watson said one of the greatest lessons she has learned in supporting older adults, particularly those living with dementia or memory loss, is the importance of slowing down and meeting people where they are emotionally rather than trying to pull them back to who they once were.
“Genuine connection, patience, dignity and compassion often matter far more than having the right words or the perfect activities,” she said. Even when memories fade, Watson said, the need for purpose, belonging, joy and human connection remains strong.
The ministry is also having an impact on First United Methodist Church itself. Watson, who grew up in the church, said The Gathering is helping bring people into the building and reconnect them with a faith-based community. Some volunteers and families are discovering relationships with church members, while others are beginning to express interest in participating more fully in the life of the congregation.
Although The Gathering does not emphasize affiliation with one particular faith tradition, Watson said it operates as a faith-based ministry grounded in compassion, dignity and community. In doing so, it has become both an outreach to families affected by memory loss and a source of renewed connection within the church.
As dementia and caregiving needs continue to rise, The Gathering offers a practical and hope-filled model for how churches can respond. In Jefferson City, that response is taking shape through coffee and conversation, songs and stories, children and older adults, caregivers and volunteers — all gathered around a shared commitment to joy, belonging and care.
CertainAge.org is a resource of ENCORE Ministry Foundation. ENCORE Ministry Foundation provides training and support, resources, and networking opportunities to equip church leaders for intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults.