by Tina Podboy Laughner, Volunteer & Outreach Manager
Pastor Paul Schneider is being honored as our Volunteer of the Month for August for his volunteer work at Seasons Adult Day Services since 2018. Paul has been the pastor at Holy Scripture Lutheran Church in Midland for 41 years. He has provided chapel services at Colonial Villa since 1998. When the previous spiritual volunteer at Seasons retired, Pastor Paul answered the call to replace him. Why does he volunteer? “I enjoy telling people about Jesus,” he says. Pastor Paul started out doing a mini service – hymns, a simple Bible lesson – once a month, then moved to once a week. Kelsey Cline, the
Pastor Paul Schneider, August Volunteer of the Month
Seasons Activity Coordinator, says, “Before he was able to return, several participants asked when he was coming back… pretty much every week. He was missed a lot. He is so great with the participants and he preaches to them in a way that they can have their own beliefs. Because of his calming and outgoing nature, some participants have switched their schedules so that they are here Monday morning for his service. He also often talks about how much he enjoys coming to Seasons and giving back to the community by helping others. We are so lucky to have someone like Paul as a volunteer at Seasons.” What does Paul get out of his volunteering? “It’s fun to get to know the people and it’s my pleasure and a joy to do this. I get the appreciation of the Seasons participants. We have a lot of fun!”
Paul and his wife, Barb, will be married 50 years in July. They have three children and nine grandchildren. One of his children is a teacher in Midland and is also the music director and organist at his church! At the time of this writing, he was preparing for a trip to Drummond Island where he has vacationed for the past 30 years. What would he say to encourage others to volunteer? “How can I, with my gifts, best serve God? Look for opportunities and for what you can do for others, not just what’s in it for me”
Seasons Adult Day Services is a day program for individuals who are living with increased changes in their memory from dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease, or physical health challenges. Participants engage in programs while receiving compassionate care and support. Seasons provides a socially stimulating environment for the participant and respite time for the family caregiver.
If you are interested in this, or other services and programs, contact Senior Services at (989) 633-3700. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, call 633-3741.
Pastor Paul, thank you for answering the call to minister to the Seasons participants and congratulations on being chosen as the August Volunteer of the Month!
