The mission of Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services (OPRS) recognizes the meaningful relationship between physical, mental and spiritual well-being. These components of the mission are links in a chain of caring, each dependent on the other in order to provide for the whole person.
OPRS is the largest and most experienced nonprofit provider of continuing care retirement communities and services in Ohio. With headquarters in Columbus, OPRS serves more than 95,000 people in 38 Ohio counties annually through two wholly owned subsidiaries.
OPRS affirms both its historic relationship with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the commitment to welcome people from all faith traditions in a spirit of inclusiveness. OPRS is intentional in reaching out to all faith traditions, but also recognizes that its faith heritage and roots are in the Presbyterian Church. Throughout the past 10 years, the organization has developed relationships with approximately 276 area churches throughout Ohio, and 33 percent of these churches are Presbyterian.
Integral to OPRS’ mission is providing for the spiritual needs of residents and clients, their families and the staff. OPRS have eight on-site chaplains who provide spiritual programming and worship opportunities on a daily basis. A strong relationship also exists with the various presbyteries throughout Ohio. To deepen and strengthen its relationship in the greater community, OPRS began partnering with local congregations that have a true passion for older adults. Such a partnership was formed with Covenant-First Presbyterian Church and one of OPRS’ retirement communities, Llanfair Retirement Community, both located in Cincinnati.
Each of the organizations and those we serve have benefited from this collaboration. One example can be seen every Wednesday and Sunday, when Llanfair provides transportation for residents to services at Covenant-First. This allows residents to continue attending their “home” church and have their transportation needs met.
Another positive outcome of this partnership is being able to give the gift of theater. Russell Smith, pastor of Covenant-First, created and presented at Llanfare a four-part series entitled, “The Gospel According to Shakespeare.” The series ran in conjunction with the Cincinnati Shakespeare Festival and it was well received, as it offered a new look at the Gospels and their teachings.
According to Sheena Parton, Llanfair executive director, “Llanfair believes in bringing spiritual fulfillment to our residents. Our partnership with Covenant-First has brought a different dimension of spirituality, through events such as the Shakespeare series, which helps to promote successful living for our residents.”
Llanfair residents and members of Covenant-First also benefit from the gift of music. This past summer, when Cincinnati played host to the World Choir Games — the “Olympics of choral music,” Llanfair and Covenant-First hosted “friendship concerts.”
Phil Bishop, organist for Covenant-First, and Thomas Heidenreich, a younger member of the church, also help bring music into the lives of Llanfair residents by bringing other members of their congregation to provide special musical opportunities for residents, including playing music for the vespers service.
OPRS’ mission, “to provide older adults with caring and quality services toward the enhancement of physical, mental and spiritual well-being consistent with the Christian Gospel,” serves as the foundation on which 90 years of dedication and passion have evolved. Partnerships, such as the one between Llanfair and Covenant-First, only strengthen that foundation and deepen the dedication, and will continue to make a difference in the lives of older adults for years to come.
ANNE JOHNSON is associate vice president of mission & outreach, Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services, a member organization of Presbyterian Association of Homes and Services for the Aging.
