Gratitude, Lament, and Calling: the Spiritual Work of Growing Older

with Elizabeth Boyd and Rev. Susan Walker,

Seabury Resources for Aging

This week on the Art of Aging, Rev. Beth Long-Higgins welcomes Elizabeth (Beth) Boyd, PhD. and Rev. Susan Walker, co-creators of the Path Ahead: Spirituality and Purpose in Later Life, a curriculum that helps older adults explore the emotional and spiritual dimensions of aging. They share how the program grew from concerns that older church members felt invisible, into a facilitator training now used across the U.S. and beyond. The conversation covers ageism in congregations, reframing retirement and later life as a season of calling and legacy, and the importance of practices like contemplation, gratitude, resilience, and lament. Listeners are invited to see aging as a spiritually rich, ongoing journey where both serving others and learning to receive care are meaningful callings. Don’t miss this great conversation!
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Notes:

Highlights from this week’s conversation include:

  • Welcome to Today’s Episode with Beth and Susan (0:36)
  • How the Path Ahead Curriculum First Emerged (2:22)
  • From Local Trainings To Online International Reach (4:00)
  • Naming Ageism Older Adults Feeling Invisible in Church (5:22)
  • Spirituality Versus Ageism the Inner Life of Aging (7:55)
  • Slowing Down, Anxiety, Learning to Breathe, Be Present (11:01)
  • Gratitude, Resilience, Reframing Daily Attitudes (12:49)
  • Discovering Lament as a Personal Communal Prayer Practice (14:14)
  • Calling, Retirement Language, “What Is Mine To Do” Now (16:31)
  • Purpose of the Oldest Old Receiving Care as a Sacred Calling (19:17)
  • Legacy, Harvest Years, the Quiet Power of Older Elders (21:53)
  • Contemplative Practices as the Backbone of the Path Ahead (23:28)
  • How Groups Continue After the Course (27:05)
  • Personal Freedom, Second Naivete, Spiritual Maturity in Aging (30:51)
  • Role Models, Inspirations, Aging Abundantly By Example (35:55)

 

Abundant Aging is a podcast series presented by United Church Homes. These shows offer ideas, information, and inspiration on how to improve our lives as we grow older. To learn more and to subscribe to the show, visit abundantagingpodcast.com. 

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