Orientation January 13, 2026

Meetings Dates: Begins January 13, 2026 with 9 all group sessions approximately every other week for 16 weeks.

Description:

NEXT Steps introduces participants to theological, philosophical, and psychological concepts of vocation and aging. It is a gathering for adults contemplating or entering retirement, and for those who are recently retired. All program activities are designed to stimulate your individual self-discovery as you develop a personal plan for your new and meaningful chapter of life. NEXT Steps participants follow a 16-week process of self-discovery through readings, presentations, small group discussions, and discernment. All classes will meet via ZOOM. By the end of the program, participants will have developed a vision and a plan for their next phase of life; their elderhood. On non-class weeks there will be a one-hour small group discussion, time and date to be determined by each small group on the first day of class.

Cohort leaders: 

 Beth Long-Higgins, Executive Director, Ruth Parker Center for Abundant Aging

Steve Lawler

Jill Schantz, Coordinator, NEXT Steps

 

January 13 Welcome, Introductions and Orientation

January 20 How We Engage with Age

February 3 Death and the Meaning of Life

February 17 Call, Vocation and Identity

March 3 Creativity, Curiosity and Seeing Possibilities

March 17 Generativity: The Dance of Giving and Receiving

March 31 A Spirituality to Sustain and Connect

April 14 Making Hope Happen

April 28 Celebration of your Next Steps