The Fast-Spreading Movement of Respite for All

Before this year is out, the Respite for All network will cross that magic number of 50 respite communities with an expansion into 15 states! In July, REST Respite Ministry opened at Trinity United Methodist Church in Paris, TN. In August, Restore Respite Ministry opened at Vestavia Hills Methodist Church in Birmingham, AL. Five more communities are opening in September, including Renew Refresh Restore in Hilliard, OH; Joyful Gathering in Glennville, GA; Rainier Respite Program in Seattle, WA; Nelson Enrichment Center in Nellysford, VA; and Hands of Hope in Middletown, DE – with more to come in October! We are so excited to see so many communities join this movement to spread a new model of care for our friends living with dementia and their care partners.

Keynote Speakers Named for 2025 Conference

Respite for All is hosting “A Whirlwind of Leadership, Creativity and Inspiration” on March 2-4, 2025, at Canterbury United Methodist Church in Birmingham, AL. The star-studded cast of presenters includes internationally recognized Dr. Anne Basting. Emerita Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, she is founder of the award-winning non-profit TimeSlips.org, which guides, inspires, and supports care systems to infuse creativity and meaning-making into care. We’ll also be joined by neurologists Dr. David Geldmacher and Dr. Daniel Potts, each of whom know the impact creativity and engagement taking place in respite ministry have on participants' well-being. Brodie Croyle, Executive Director of Big Oak Ranch, a Christian home for abused, neglected, orphaned and abandoned children, will also join us to share an inspiring message for directors and volunteers. View the Save the Date flyer.

Volunteers Illustrate Growth in Discipleship

Bishop Lawson Bryan, an RFA board member, has served as Conference Preacher this week during the Festival of Wisdom and Grace at Lake Junaluska, NC. The attendees who heard his sermon on “Stretch” took those words to heart! So much of Jesus’ life and ministry is covered by the word stretch, Lawson says, and he used the example of how he and the congregation at First United Methodist Church-Montgomery stretched back in 2012 when they launched a Respite Ministry serving individuals living with dementia. And what an impact it has had – not just for participants and care partners but also for volunteers.

FUMC Respite Ministry volunteer John Bell joined Lawson at Lake Junaluska to share the findings of a research project they conducted on the growth in discipleship volunteers experience through their participation in Respite Ministry. This first study of the impact on volunteers illustrates how Respite Ministry becomes a discipleship-making process for church members. 

Make Plans to Join Us on October 22 for the 3rd Annual Brain Science Luncheon!

Our featured speaker is Dan Buettner, Jr., Blue Zones Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer, who will be here to tell us about the long-term benefits a Blue Zones life can help you achieve. Blue Zones is the subject of a hit Netflix series and has been featured in numerous national publications. 

Visit our webpage for details.

The mission of the Respite for All Foundation is to inspire, grow, and mentor Respite Volunteer Ministries for communities seeking to minister to persons living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia disorders through education and shared best practices. Visit RespiteforAll.org to learn more.